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Faux locs mirror the authentic dreadlock style but are less permanent. The dreadlock style is an ancient, ethereal form of styling, and faux locs are a great way to achieve this look respectfully yet temporarily. We’ll show you all you need to know. Let’s dive in!
What Are Faux Locs?
The term faux locs is short for faux-dreadlocks. They look exactly like dreadlocks, but they use added weaving hair attached to your natural hair. You can dread the added hair instead of your own.
The dreadlock technique of matting and twisting hair dates back to ancient Egypt. Dreadlocks are a spiritual part of many cultures even today.
Made more famous by Bob Marley in the 1970s, dreadlocks are now worn by people all over the world for spiritual and non-spiritual reasons. Faux locs, however, are a more recent and trendy style variation.
Today, faux locs are everywhere, from boho-style magazines to the A-List red carpet. Faux locs are easy to achieve, last for four to six weeks, and can work on all hair types. Sounds too good to be true, right?
Wrong. Faux locs can do all of these things. The hair is parted into sections, and each section is pulled into a store-bought dreadlock using a crochet tool.
Then, the faux dreadlocks wrap around the natural hair like a cocoon. Since most of the natural hair is covered, faux locs can be any shape, size, or color of your choosing. The options are limitless. Faux locs are a protective hairstyle.
Protective hairstyles put all the stress onto the added hair so that your natural hair beneath stays protected. Protective hairstyles like faux locs are a perfect option for your hair if:
- You need to give your natural hair a break from styling
- Your natural hair is too short for a particular style
- You need an inexpensive style that will last for more than a month
- You would like to shield your natural hair from harsh weather
- You need to give your natural hair moisture for an extended period but want to look presentable in the meantime
There are many creative ways to achieve the faux-locs look. It’s a hairstyle that looks great in any season and can work in the office or out on the town. Here are some of our favorite ways to rock this style.
Faux Loc Inspiration: 12 Ways to Rock The Trend
Whether you are new to faux locs or looking for a fresh way to style them, we’ve got you covered. Long, short, with charms, or with added color- there’s a faux loc style for every taste.
1. Long and Thin: Senegalese Faux Locs
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Everyone has heard of Senegalese twists, but have you tried Senegalese faux locs? These locs are very trendy. They get their name from the country Senegal where the Senegalese twists originated.
They are easily recognizable by their thin, long look. Faux loc styles like these are great for half-up, half-down looks because of the amount of locs on the head.
2. Classic Mid-Length Faux Locs
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Mid-length faux locs like these are one of the most common faux loc styles. These locs are the most natural-looking due to their color and size. These faux locs look great with any outfit since the color is the same throughout. They also look great with accessories like hats, scarves, or beanies.
3. “Goddess” Faux Locs with Loose Ends
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Goddess faux locs have truly made headlines. Celebrity stylist Dr. Kari Williams is widely acknowledged as the pioneer of this style. The trademark of goddess locs is their open ends. These open ends allow for a messier, more bohemian look.
4. Bright and Fun Faux Locs
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Full-colored faux locs are a bold look when done in a bright color like pink, teal, or blue. These locs are fun and unconventional. They add flair to the style and bring out the personality of the person wearing them.
You can buy the locs pre-colored or color them yourself at home. The easiest pre-colored faux locs to find are red, pink, or blue. Any other bright colors may need to be achieved at home.
5. Faux Locs with Charms and Accessories
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Putting charms in faux locs is a popular way to accessorize the hair. The charms come in an assortment of styles and can either hang with the hair or clip around each of the locs. They can also serve a second purpose by holding the faux locs in place by clipping them to the natural hair underneath.
6. Blonde and Bold Without the Hassle
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White faux locs look fantastic against the contrast of warm skin tones. You may see blonde faux locs more and more this summer. Dying natural hair blonde is a painstaking process that requires a lot of upkeep. Instead, opt for blonde faux locs and avoid the mess.
The best thing about these is the messier they look, the more authentic they look. These locs are perfect for someone who wants the aesthetics of blonde hair without the extra work.
7. Two-Tone Caramel Brown
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Two-tone faux locs are gorgeous, and brown locs like these blend very well. The mix of twists and faux locs feels natural. This caramel two-tone look is great for fall when you need to give your natural hair a post-summer break.
8. Short Faux Locs
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Faux locs are already a “set it and forget it” look, but short faux loc styles are the easiest. These locs are an excellent option for Summer because they aren’t heavy or hot.
They don’t need to be pulled back as often either since they won’t hang far enough to get in the way. Pair short locs with accessories like colored twine for a fun way to dress them up without doing a whole up-do hairstyle.
9. Gray The New Way
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Gray faux locs are striking, understated, and timeless. Gray is a popular color right now with trendsetters, which makes gray faux locs an excellent choice for any age group. For added flair, you can even ombre the gray to create a fading look from dark at the roots to light on the ends.
10. Natural-Toned Faux Locs with a Focal Point
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Faux locs provide a lot of opportunities to play around. Choosing one faux loc out of the bunch to create a focal point is a fun way to get creative with this hairstyle. Choose one or two locs in the same area and make it stand out by using different hair colors or by adding charms.
11. Bohemian Faux Locs: Blue and Bleached
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Bohemian faux locs are messy, colorful, and relaxed. These locs feature added blue hair with a few bleached spots for an intense, showstopping look.
The twine, single braids, and charms are strategically placed to frame the face. This unkempt look is an excellent example of what bohemian faux locs are all about.
12. Thick, Distressed Faux Locs
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These thick faux locs are a way to make a definite statement. This look has fewer individual locs than other styles. They are great long or short here and are much easier to manage than multiple small faux locs. This style is hugely popular and easily recognizable.
Frequently Asked Questions
Here are some of the most frequently asked questions about faux locs for beginners. Make sure to read through them if you’re considering attempting this style.
Where Can I Get Faux Locs?
The answer is pretty simple- anywhere! If you’d like to order them online and apply them yourself, check sites like Amazon, Etsy, and even eBay. If you’d rather go through a small online business, your best bet is to go through Etsy.
Don’t forget to explore options in your community. More likely than not, there are plenty of stores around, whether they be beauty supply stores or mom and pop shops.
It’s likely that online stores will have more options, but supporting your local community is priceless in and of itself. Whether you go online or in person, It won’t be difficult to get a hold of the locs of your dreams.
How Long Do Faux Locs Last?
Faux locs can last anywhere from four to six weeks. The length depends on how tight the locs are and how your natural hair is doing underneath the locs. All the natural hair is hidden inside the loc except for the roots, so this style tends to get hard to manage once new hair grows.
What Is The Difference Between Faux Locs and Dreadlocks?
Faux locs are different from dreadlocks because dreadlocks are more permanent. When you put natural hair in dreadlocks, the hair is braided, matted, and wrapped around itself to create a knot. Faux locs use a crochet method to pull the natural hair inside of the fake locks. This method protects the natural hair inside of the faux dreadlock.
What Do Faux Locs Do To Your Hair?
Faux locs are a protective hairstyle that helps your natural hair retain moisture and oils from the scalp. If the added faux locs are too heavy or plentiful, they can do more harm than good. Heavy hairstyles pull at the natural hair at the root, which can cause headaches and hair loss.
Can You Get Faux Locs Wet?
Yes, faux locs can get wet. You can wash, shower, or work out just like you would with any other hairstyle. Faux locs are matted, so keep them clean of debris or dirt. Make sure you follow all the care instructions provided to you by your stylist or the locs manufacturer to keep your hair as clean and neat as possible.
How Often Do You Wash Faux Locs?
You should wash your faux locs once every two weeks. This washing will keep the locs clean and fresh and put moisture back into your natural hair. Without proper washing, you may notice dandruff or dirt on the roots of your natural hair under the faux locs.
So, What Are Faux Locs?
Faux locs are an excellent choice for anyone who wants to try the dreadlock style without committing their hair to that journey. Dreadlocks are a beautiful style that means a great deal to many cultures around the world, but dreadlocks are extremely difficult to remove.
Faux locs can create a similar look without worry. If you’re looking to give your hair a break while staying trendy and presentable, try faux locs today in any one of the styles above. Happy styling!