Whether you want a fresh new hairstyle for summer beach parties or just want to rock a new hairstyle this year, getting faux locs might be a good choice. Many celebrities can pull off faux locs to look good for their day-to-day fashion. And guess what—you can too!
There are various types of faux dreadlocks, and not all of them might be the best fit for your style or hair type. And this guide will teach you everything you need to know about faux locs.
So if you are thinking about getting faux locs for yourself, reading through this article will get you up to speed. You will learn what faux locs are, what hair type is best suited for faux locs, the various types of faux locs, and more. Now let’s get started by explaining what faux dreadlocks are exactly.
What are faux dreadlocks?
Faux locs use your natural hair and dreadlock extensions to achieve longer dreadlocks without waiting years to get mature and longer locs. However, faux locs are somewhat temporary and more of a protective style.
The hair used to make faux locs covers your natural hair entirely, allowing it to grow undisturbed. It is an ideal hairstyle for people who are not looking to get permanent dreads. Plus, it is an easy way to get the looks of wearing dreads without committing to the lifestyle.
Getting faux locs is more common for women than men—as seen in the movie Ocean’s 8 with Rhianna totally rocking the faux loc look. However, it doesn’t mean that men cannot sport this hairstyle.
What hair is best for faux locs?
Unlike traditional dreadlock extensions where natural hair is used, faux locs are made with synthetic hair or yarn. However, you can still purchase faux locs made with natural hair, but they will be more expensive than other synthetic materials. The best hair for faux locs would be synthetic hair from brands like Kanekalon or Marley hair.
If you are trying to choose what hair type to use, you should probably consider that your choice will affect the braid texture result. Many professional hairstylists recommend Kanekalon and Marley synthetic hairs for creating faux locs because not only are they cheap—the texture really passes for natural hair. Choosing these brands will definitely provide you with perfect locs that look good right off the bat.
However, if money is not an issue for you and you want to go all out with your faux locs, you can get natural human hair. Three packs of human hair cost $75, compared to the $12 price of synthetic braiding hair from Marley, Kanekalon, or Boho Goddess Locs.
Should I choose long or short faux locs?
Whether you want long or short faux locs is entirely up to you. However, you should know that long locs will be harder to maintain. But on the bright side, with longer locs, you can create a plethora of different styles, from updo dreads to long braids. But as we said, they are more challenging to maintain, and you are going to need a lot more patience.
On the other hand, shorter locs are easier to live with, and you can still create some hairstyles. Plus, you won’t need to spend a lot of time getting ready if you are in a rush to go out since shorter locs stay in order most of the time.
Can faux locs damage your hair?
Faux locs can damage your hair if they are too heavy. It can cause tension at the root of your hair, and it can cause some pretty serious breakage. For some people, using heavy faux locs causes bald spots and hair fall, so it is better to sport the hairstyle temporarily. You can always wait until your hair is long enough to create natural locs—especially if you fell in love with having long locs and you just want to sport the hairstyle permanently.
To avoid damaging your roots, it is always best to make sure the faux locs are not too heavy, or better yet, work with a professional hairstylist who knows what they are doing. This brings us to the question, how much do faux locs cost. Usually, skinnier and lighter faux locs are the best choice if you want to avoid getting permanent hair damage.
How much do faux locs cost?
The cost of getting a professional hairstylist to make you faux locs depends on a few things, such as your location and how long you want your locs. Some bigger cities have higher rates that come with their fancy hair salons, but if you can find a place that can do it for a lower price—make sure that they are licensed.
The next thing that affects the price of getting faux locs is the length. The longer the faux locs are, the more expensive they will be. And a full head of hair may cost anywhere between $150 to $300. Fortunately, you can always do it yourself. But it is much better if you can get a friend to help you.
How long do faux locs last?
Although you might mistake faux locs for natural dreadlocks, do not get confused. Natural dreadlocks can last a lifetime, but that is not the case for faux locs. Synthetic locs can be worn for 4 to 6 weeks, and it is not advisable to wash faux locs if you want them to last longer.
But keep in mind that as your natural hair starts to grow out, the risk of breakages and damages is higher. Plus, faux locs with grown-out hair will not look very good unless you have time to crochet the growing roots to make them look clean again.
Because faux locs are considered a protective style, your natural hair will be protected from environmental damage and breakage from bruising and combing. And because of that, there is no need to wash them while worn. However, if you do feel the need to wash it—cleanse and rinse it every 2 weeks with apple cider vinegar and water to keep your scalp’s pH balanced.
If you want to wash your hair, it is better to use a sulfate-free shampoo for a gentler wash. It will allow you to feel fresh without wearing out your faux locs—enabling you to wear it for a maximum period.
What is the difference between soft locs and faux locs?
The difference between soft locs and faux locs is determined by the hair type you used, installation type, tension, hair flexibility, length, and the overall finished look. Basically, soft locs are faux locs that use crochet or distressed wrapping hair at the roots. On the other hand, faux locs use synthetic hair like Marley or Kanekalon.
Can faux locs become permanent?
It is possible for faux locs to become permanent, but it is not advisable—primarily if you used synthetic hair. Over time, synthetic hair can have adverse side effects such as unpleasant odor.
But if you used natural human hair as extensions, you can transition it into a permanent hairstyle. Just make sure you re-loop your natural hair as it grows from the roots, and after a few years—you can remove the soft locs and go all-natural.
Types of faux locs
Faux locs have different types that you can style in several ways. Each specific style is versatile. Each type can be styled differently, and here are your choices:
Regular Locs
Regular faux locs look more natural than any other type. If you are going for the Rasta look, regular locs is the way to go. However, it is more time-consuming than the other faux dreadlock types.
Crochet Faux Locs
Crochet locs are probably the easiest to achieve. However, it does not look as realistic as regular faux locs. The hair is pre-wrapped and you can quickly install them and crochet and twist them to connect to your natural hair.
Goddess Faux Locs
Goddess faux locs are very similar to regular faux in terms of looks and installation. However, the only difference is that goddess locs have wavy ends. Many people rock the goddess faux locs look, but some prefer sealed ends, which appear more uniform.
Bohemian Faux Locs
Bohemian faux locs or simply Boho locs are a little bit messy. However, it does look more natural than crochet locs. They do not follow the uniform look of regular locs and are easy to install. If you are going for a messier look, Boho is the way to go.
Butterfly Faux Locs
If you want a more distressed look, butterfly locs are your best bet. You will need packs of deep wave hair for wrapping, and the entire process includes braiding your hair as well. You will also need to crochet the unraveled hair at the roots of each braid, then wrap the hair to create the style you want. These faux locs require little maintenance, but some people moisturize the natural hair to avoid damage.
FAQ
How long do faux locs take to install?
Faux locs installation can take anywhere between 4 to 9 hours. Yes, it is a pretty long time, but if you are going to get it done at a salon, make sure you bring snacks and beverages or your phone to pass the time. If you have a friend do it, make sure you get ready for a long time of precious bonding. The length of the process will depend on how long and how skinny you want your locs.
How many packs will you need?
The amount of synthetic or natural hair you will need depends on the style you want. But the most common number of packs to cover a full head of hair would be 5 to 6 packs. Some brands sell larger packs that can cover a full head of hair, so make sure you read the product description on each brand you are about to purchase.
