Cornrows—Once upon a time, it was called All Back—a hairstyle that required a plastic stool, a trusted cousin or neighbour, and maybe some Blue Magic grease. ₦1,500 max. Two hours later, your scalp was tight, your edges were neat, and your day continued like normal.
Fast forward to 2025 and All Back got a rebrand. It’s now cornrows, and in Lagos, Abuja, and even Instagram DMs, it’s clocking in at ₦10,000, ₦40,000, ₦80,000—before tips. Yes, that same straight-back braiding style that doubled as your childhood go-to and your adult emergency hairstyle is now luxury.
When Did This Happen?
According to Nigerians on X (formerly Twitter), the glow-up wasn’t gradual—it was personal. One user summed it up perfectly:
“The moment they started calling it cornrows was the moment the price went up.”
Others are blaming salon ambience: Think soft lighting, mood music, eucalyptus-scented oils, and free Prosecco. Basically, the hairstyle went from “get in and get out” to “stay, sip, and self-reflect.”
And Then There’s the Economy
Sure, we can laugh about it, but people are also genuinely asking: Did the price go up because of economic shifts? Labour costs? Exchange rates? Or just vibes and scented candles?
Still, the sticker shock is real. One user tweeted:
“If I make cornrows for ₦40k, it had better come with breakfast, lunch and a gratitude note from the stylist.”
Another said:
“At that price, my braids should do school runs, pay bills, and tell me I’m pretty every morning.”
There’s something sacred about remembering when your ₦2,000 note could buy you braids and a drink from the nearest kiosk. Now, those days feel like folklore. Like the hairstyle itself graduated finishing school, booked a trip to Paris, and came back with an accent and an invoice.
And yet… we still book the appointments. Because deep down, even as we tweet through the chaos, we know: cornrows are worth every last kobo when done right.
Scroll down to see how X is reacting—and maybe bring your account balance with you. These tweets aren’t for the faint of heart.
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