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Wondering about goddess locs but aren’t sure where to start? You’re in the right place. We’ll explain what this style is, why we love it, and things to consider before rocking it. Read on to learn all you need to know.
Considering Wearing Goddess Locs?
When something is described with the word “goddess” in front, you know it’s going to be good. So when we heard that goddess locs were trending, we couldn’t wait to take a look and see what makes them different from traditional dreadlocks and faux locs.
What we discovered is that goddess locs are definitely trendy right now, but this unique style of dreadlocks has been in the spotlight before. Celebrities like Ciara, Beyonce, Willow Smith, and Meagan Good have been known to rock locs of the goddess variety.
Now that this trend is sweeping the nation, women are wondering if this different type of dreadlock is worth getting.
It’s known as a protective hairstyle, it looks great on all face shapes and hair types, and it’s easy to style and maintain. What’s not to love?
We put together an informative guide so you can learn all you need to know about this hairstyle trend. Learn what goddess locs are, see examples of different ways to wear them, and see if this style is a good option for you below!
What Are Goddess Locs?
Goddess locs are an open-ended, freeform version of dreadlocks that are typically worn by women. These unique locs have been around since 2015, when stylist Kari Williams developed the technique and style for her client, actress Meagan Good.
What distinguishes goddess locs from other types of dreadlocks is the texture of the ends. Instead of being sealed up and closed off like traditional loc ends, the goddess variety have open ends that showcase the hair’s (or the extension’s) loose texture.
Think of it this way: In goddess locs, the dreadlocked, knotted portion ends about 3/4 of the way down each loc, leaving the ends open and free. In traditional locs, the ends would be incorporated into the loc to keep them knotted and sealed up.
This unique difference is important because it’s part of what makes goddess locs so versatile. Dreadlocks can be styled in ponytails, big braids, and buns, but goddess locs can be styled in all of these ways and more. The ends can be styled straight, wavy, curly, crimped, or with any texture you choose.
You can also determine where along the hair shaft you’d like the loc to open up and reveal the loose ends. Some women like to keep the loose hair at the very tips of the loc, while others want the loc to open up about halfway down.
You have almost endless options with this type of loc! The finished look has this chic-boho vibe that is incredibly trendy right now. Keep reading to see how it looks on different celebrities and everyday women.
10 Gorgeous Goddess Locs Examples
Wondering how you can wear the trend in a way that flatters you and looks amazing? Look to these celebs and pretty everyday styles for inspiration. Whether you’re rocking natural locs, faux locs, hair dye, accessories, short hair, or long hair, get ready to take notes. These ladies are killing it!
Meagan Good’s Trendsetting Goddess Locs
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Eye-catching warm blonde, tons of shine, and curly texture at the open ends makes goddess loc trendsetter Meagan Good’s loc look one of our favorites.
Her naturally dark roots anchor the style while wispy, fine curls keep the ends full and voluminous. Here, she’s wearing her locs parted over to the side to show off her fabulous cheekbones and make that root contrast really pop.
Ciara’s Ultra-Long Goddess Locs
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Chocolate brown and warm caramel blonde colors take on an ombre effect in singer Ciara’s bold goddess loc hairstyle. A messy top knot allows loose curly ends to tumble down attractively near the face, making the style even more flattering.
We love the exaggerated length and tight corkscrew ringlets making the loose ends a focal point of the style.
Read Next: Easy Everyday Hairstyles
Lisa Bonet’s Classic Goddess Locs
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Refreshingly natural in texture with perfectly defined curls, Lisa Bonet’s long locs are a major part of the inspiration for today’s trend.
Her dreads open up at about the shoulder level into her natural, loose hair texture. Wear it down when you want to show off the dreads or pull it up to put the focus on your free-flowing ends.
Willow Smith’s Half-Up Goddess Locs
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We all could have guessed that the child of Will Smith and Jada Pinkett-Smith would turn out to be a fashion icon, but we’re still impressed with each new hairstyle she’s seen rocking.
Willow’s version of goddess locs is long, natural, and decorated with a few strategically placed beads. The locs only open up into curls a few inches above the ends, which makes hers unique.
Eva Marcille’s Adorned Goddess Locs
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Real Housewives of Atlanta gave Eva her fame, but these gorgeous open-ended dreadlocks make her a fashion icon. Her locs are long with the ends opening up to reveal loose curls at the mid-shaft level.
She styles the locs in various ways, but we love the side part and subtle adornment here with wooden beads. In an Instagram post, she said “I love the freedom my new locs give me.”
Read Next: Types of Braids
Mulberry Pink Goddess Locs With Tightly Curled Ends
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Bright colors are a simple way to make your locs stand out even more, and what does it better than vivid mulberry pink? These knotty dreads give way to free and loose ends.
And they’re styled in tight ringlets for a nice contrast in texture. Play up your girly side with this vivacious pink and bouncy curls that bring lift and life to your hairstyle!
Red and Blonde Goddess Locs With Loose Curly Ends
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Different hair textures can experiment with this type of loc to get the manageability of dreadlocks combined with the versatility of loose hair. Here, auburn red with blonde highlights is knotted and dreaded about 3/4 of the way down, where it opens up to reveal loose ends.
She styled her ends with a large barrel curling iron to create chaotic curls that play up the texture and keep the ends from looking thin and stringy.
Vivid Red and Blue Goddess Locs With Wavy Ends
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The color might remind you of a fire truck, which is fitting because you’ll be as enticing as a siren wearing these ultra-long locs with wavy ends.
Vivid red draws the eye unlike any other color and with the depth of black roots and vibrant blue pops of color, the effect is intensified. The ends open up into loose waves so you can dress this look up or down.
Read Next: Red Color Hair Ideas
Ombre Goddess Locs With Beach Waves
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Ombre hair color featuring warm chestnut brown and pale golden blonde is the perfect backdrop for these goddess-worthy locs. The tightly matted texture here is concentrated mostly in the mid-shaft area.
This leaves both the roots and the ends loose to create this free-form, wild texture. Beachy waves are the perfect texture for the loose ends and lend this look a casual, fun vibe.
Straight Goddess Locs With Platinum Highlights
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Women with pin-straight hair can rock locs of the goddess variety, too! We like the sleek silhouette of these platinum-highlighted locs adorned with a single decorative bead.
The loose ends are styled straight here, but you can always wind them around a curling iron to create soft waves or tight curls, too
Read Next: Should I Bleach My Hair?
Frequently Asked Questions
Still have a few questions? Satisfy your need to know by reading through some of the most common questions we hear about goddess locs.
How Long Can You Wear Goddess Locs?
Faux goddess locs typically last anywhere from 2 to 3 months with the right care and maintenance. If you keep them in much longer than 3 months, the hair can begin to naturally lock and knot up into actual dreadlocks.
If that’s not what you want, wear them for 3 months and switch styles until you’re ready to circle back to goddess locs. Natural goddess locs – combed ends on traditional dreadlocks – can last indefinitely. But they still require care and maintenance due to the loose hair at the ends.
Without sealed-up, knotted ends, these locs can begin to unravel like a sweater with a loose string if you’re not careful. Make sure to visit a professional loctician to keep your natural dreads with loose ends in good shape.
What’s the Difference Between Goddess Locs and Faux Locs?
Faux locs and goddess locs have a lot in common, but one key difference separates the two. While the ends of faux locs are knotted and sealed-up or rounded, the ends of goddess dreadlocks are loose and open.
This gives the goddess type more style versatility and enables you to wear a variety of hair textures in the ends of your hair, while faux locs will always have the same appearance due to their less-malleable ends.
Will Goddess Locs Harm Your Hair?
Goddess-style dreadlocks are known as a protective hairstyle, meaning they protect your natural hair from damage due to heat styling, environmental factors, and rough handling or brushing. They will protect your hair from breakage and snapping because they keep it all contained and neat.
The ends, however, are loose and freely move around in this type of dreadlock. This can open the ends up to damage that the rest of the hair isn’t subjected to. For the most protection, make sure you’re moisturizing your hair and paying extra attention to the ends.
Can You Heat Style Goddess Locs?
The material of your locs will determine whether or not you can heat style them. Human hair extensions can be heat-styled, but still need heat protection just like your natural hair.
Synthetic extensions cannot be heat styled, but that doesn’t mean you can’t style your locs without heat! You can manually style even synthetic locs just like you would your natural, loose hair.
Styles like ponytails, buns, braids, half-updos, and formal updos are all possible with this type of loc. Many find it easier to style locs than loose hair because the sections stay together and you have fewer pieces to work with!
Should You Get Goddess Locs?
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These loose-ended locs are trending right now because they’re a great option for many women. If you’ve been looking for a protective style that looks good, gives you tons of styling options, and improves your hair health, you’ve officially found it.
Goddess-style locs are a great fit for most women because they can be worn in so many different ways.
- Wear them short, medium, long, or ultra-long.
- Rock them in your natural color, traditional dye, or bright, vivid colors. Highlights, ombre color, and balayage are all popular ways to add color to locs.
- Choose to leave an inch or two of loose ends or limit the locked-up portion to the top half for more free-flowing hair.
- Wear them alone or adorn them with beads, rings, and decorative trinkets to add a little of your personality to the style.
- Curl, flat iron, wave, crimp, or twist the loose ends to create different looks.
- Wear the locs down, half-up, in a ponytail or bun, braided, or in a formal updo.
With this many ways to wear them, we think goddess locs are an excellent choice for your next hairstyle. Make sure you work with a skilled loctician or stylist to ensure your locs turn out as beautifully as the examples we showed above.
If you decide to get dreadlocks instead of using extensions, read our guide next to see what kinds of shortcuts you can use to start your locs faster: How to Get Dreads.