15 Loc Hairstyles For When You Don't Know What To Do With Your Hair (2024)

FAQs

What should I Loc my hair with? ›

Use comb coils for an easy method to start locs.

Just wash, detangle, and dry your hair, then split it into sections. Place the end of a section of hair between the teeth of a comb and twist it from root to tip to create the coil. Repeat with each section until your entire head is covered.

When you reach the rooted stage of your dreadlocks, the versatility in hairstyles that awaits you is endless but it takes some time to get there. The average loc journey can take 18-24 months so it's definitely a process that requires a lot of patience and upkeep.

The tighter the starter style, the quicker your hair will loc. "Overall, styling starter locs are great; I just suggest taking breaks in between each style," says Faulk.

The TikTok-loved style is meant to imitate locs from afar, but up close they resemble what's known as Senegalese or Marley twists. To achieve the look, hair is twisted at the root and then secured with a wrapped knot at the end. It combines the techniques of locs and twists to fuse the two aesthetics together.

Getting the locs you have always wanted takes a process, and it's important to know the different stages of locs journey so you can know what to expect. There are five stages of locs, namely the starter stage, budding stage, teen stage, maturity stage, and rooted stage.

The Mature or Maturation Stage is what we all look forward to. Not only do your locs retain length, but they also experience less frizz. If you started with two-strand twists or braids, the pattern is likely gone by this time. Your locs will become firmer, and you will start to see more length gradually.

In the starter phase, you should retwist your locs every four weeks and may even retwist every two to three weeks for the first four to six weeks. After that, retwist every four to six weeks in the budding phase, four to six weeks in the teen stage, and eight to twelve-plus weeks during the mature and rooted phases.

While dreads are forming they can tend to be a little more frizzy, but this will settle down as they mature. You may also notice your dreads are more frizzy especially after washing, or if it's been a while since you had any maintenance.

What is the best style to start locs? ›

Comb coils are a common and good beginner loc style. This results in clean, cylindrical locs over time, being best-suited for hair around 2 to 3 inches in length.

Stop Spraying Your Locs With Water🚫 Spraying water on locs can have negative consequences on their health and appearance. Excessive moisture prolongs drying time, leading to potential mildew and odors. Moreover, it weakens the locs, making them susceptible to breakage and frizz.

Wet hair is more elastic and malleable to twist, says Courtney, whereas twisting dry hair can cause breakage and damage.

We recommend using residue-free and clarifying shampoos for starter locs. Some top-rated options include Neutrogena Anti-Residue Shampoo and Shea Moisture African Black Soap Deep Cleansing Shampoo.

Always loc wet hair and then dry it thoroughly. Drying together will help the strands fuse, and wet curls or kinks are easier to handle.