Faux Locs
Faux locs are derived from dreadlocks that are matted-up pieces of hair that are locked into place. Dreadlocks are believed to have been worn in several ancient civilizations throughout many countries.
They are prevalent in the Rastafarian culture, where dreadlocks are associated with biblical times, and it is believed that uncombed hair can prevent energy from escaping the body.
With such a rich history, many people want to achieve the look without permanence. As their name suggests, faux locs or fake dreadlocks are installed without allowing human hair to lock on itself and can be removed without cutting off all of the locked hair as you would with real dreadlocks.
This method is similar to the loc extension technique used in starting real dreadlocks. Extensions are used to mimic the look of dreadlocks, and over time you begin to lock your roots to create the actual hairstyle.
Faux locs have been made famous by some celebrities such as Zendaya, Rihanna, and Eva Marcille.
Faux Locs Quick Method
What Are Faux Locs?
Faux locs are essentially fake dreadlocks, as the name states. They create the same look and feel as the real hairstyle but lack permanence. Synthetic hair is usually used to wrap around your real hair, which then generates the matted style.
How to Do Faux Locs?
Faux locs are a great hairstyle, but the method used to achieve them can be very time-consuming and tedious. There are several methods, but we will go step-by-step through the original and lengthier process.
- Prep your hair. In this step, you need to wash, condition, detangle and moisturize your hair. You can also blow dry your hair in this step as it may make your installation easier and sleeker.
- Decide on the density and length you want your faux locs to be. They can be installed in various sizes and lengths.
- Part your hair out into the amount of faux locs you’d like before starting. This will make your parts more uniform as opposed to doing it as you go.
- Beginning your faux locs is very easy if you know how to complete box braids. You’ll want to use your extension hair and create a box braid as the base of your loc. Make it the length and size of your desired faux locs. This can also be done with a twist as well, but a braid will be sturdier.
- Now you’ll want to take what you wish to use to complete the faux loc look. This can be done with Kanekalon hair, yarn, or Marley hair. Each will give you a different appearance. Marley hair will be the best choice of faux locs hair if you want the closest look to natural dreadlocks.
- Take your yarn or extension hair and begin wrapping it around the base of your box braid or twist multiple times to ensure it is secure. Once it’s safe, you can proceed to wrap it around the remaining length of the braid or twist. As you wrap, make sure you’re pulling the hair up so that it is very tightly bound around the braid/twist. Once you run out of a piece, add another and continue wrapping until the hair is covered.
- When you get an inch to the bottom of the braid/twist, you should tuck it upwards and continue wrapping the hair around until the end is completely covered. This will help make sure that the end is not noticeably thinner than the rest of the loc.
- To secure the end, you can gently palm roll it, burn the ends, or lightly use super glue to keep it in place.
Faux locs can be achieved in multiple ways. As previously explained, the hair can be braided or twisted first, then yarn or braiding hair is wrapped around the existing braid.
For a faster method, the hair can be cornrowed, then packs of ready-made faux locs can be crocheted into the hair like regular crochet braids.
Another approach is to crochet unbraided Marley hair into the cornrows and then wrap additional hair around the Marley hair (similar to the first method). Yarn or hair can also be wrapped around unbraided, stretched natural hair for a smaller loc.
On average faux locs can take 9 to 12 hours to complete using the original method. Using the crochet methods can almost cut the time in half. The price to have them installed begins at $180 and can go up depending on size and length.
How To: Quick Distressed Faux Locs
Are Faux Locs Versatile?
Faux locs can be extremely versatile. They can create many updos and can also be worn curly or straight. They give you the ability to try out a permanent hairstyle without actually making it permanent.
How Long Do Faux Locs Last?
Your faux locs can be maintained by regularly oiling your scalp and washing with a diluted form of regular shampoo or dreadlock shampoo. Do not wash locs more than twice a week as that will cause frizz, and the shampoo used should be residue-free.
With proper care, original faux locs can last for up to 3 months, while faux locs crochet will last half that time.
Who Are Faux Locs Suitable For?
Faux locs can be done on all hair types; however, the hairstyle has immense tension. The braiding and tight wrapping on top can be very painful if it is not done with care.
Always talk to your stylist on whether they should loosen it up a bit. This hairstyle can easily lead to breakage and traction alopecia. For these reasons, this style can be too much for some sensitive scalps.
When to Wear Faux Locs?
Faux locs can be worn year-round.
Pros and Cons
Pros
- Faux locs allow you to experience dreadlocks without permanence. Dreadlocks are such a trendy and beautiful hairstyle, but it requires full commitment since they are permanent. Faux locs allow you to try the style with the freedom of easy removal.
- Faux locs are a unique protective hairstyle. Everyone gets box braids and twists, but faux locs are such an unusual choice for protective styling.
- Faux locs are incredibly long-lasting. This style can last you up to 3 months. Unlike braids and twists, faux locs look better the longer they are worn since dreadlocks naturally have a rougher appearance.
Cons
- Faux locs can cause hair loss and breakage. With all the tension and wrapping involved with faux locs, it is easy for them to be installed too tightly. This will tug on your hair and have harmful consequences on the health of your hair.
- Faux locs can be expensive. Since the style involves so many steps, it is a pricier hairstyle than options such as box braids or twists.
- Faux locs involve a lengthy installation process. The hairstyle can take 12 hours or longer to complete, which is exceptionally long compared to other protective hairstyles.