Loc Styles for Women: 51 Looks

An out-there style often associated with the Rastafarian community, dreadlocks could, in fact, be found on the heads of Ancient Egyptians. Well, no matter who claims ownership, we’re glad this creative, sass-packed, and sometimes controversial hairstyle can be seen everywhere, from the high street to the red carpet. With celebrities from Bob Marley (well, duh) to the likes of Erykah Badu and Whoopi Goldberg, stars across the world have rocked daring locs. And with the know-how, you can too!

There are as many ways to style locs as there are people who wear them, so if freedom and experimentation are on your list, they’re the style for you. When it comes to dreadlocks, the key factors are size, neatness, and length. This triad will determine how your dreadlocks ultimately look.

For a wild-child bohemian vibe, we recommend a mixture of sizes and shapes and perhaps a few beads popped in for a cute accessorized style (you can always take them out for work!). You can also have fun with highlights to spice things up. Similarly sized, uniform locs are gorgeous if you prefer things neat and tidy, and you can always tie them into a ponytail or topknot for work.

Of course, length is key when it comes to the overall look. Short locs look punky, quirky (well, even more so), and come with a razor-sharp attitude. Easier to maintain and with the option to grow them longer, short locs are a great choice for newbies. Or, if you have flowing locks you’d love to keep hold of, long locs look gorgeously feminine, too (just make sure you have a crochet hook handy to keep them tidy!).

So whether you’re starting out, faux-ing it for a few weeks first, or revamping locs you’ve had for years, here are the loc styles for women we’d save to show your loctician.

Short loc styles for women

Short locs for women

Woman with chin-length black locs and silver earrings, looking at the camera — The locs stop at the jaw and fall loose around the face.

Woman with short black locs curled under at the ends, seen from the side — Every end is curled under, with the parts showing on top.

Chin-length locs with a little frizz left in on purpose, so they frame the face rather than sit flat. The second photo takes the same length and curls every end under. It’s a good length to start at, and it grows into a bob.

What to ask for Small to medium locs cut or grown to the chin, palm-rolled at the root, with the ends left soft (or set on rods if you want the curl).

Photos: Luxe Digital (left), @braidsdubai_salon_uae (right) Pin this

Short freeform locs

Woman with short freeform black locs standing up and out, and big beaded hoops — No grid and no retwist, so each loc takes its own shape.

Woman with short black locs swept to one side, looking down — A tidier short set, brushed across the crown.

Freeform locs form on their own: you wash, you moisturize, and you don’t comb. That’s why no two sets look the same, and why these ones stand up and out rather than hang. The second photo is a neater, side-swept short set for comparison.

What to ask for If you're starting freeform, ask for a wash and a shape-up at the edges, without a parting grid or retwists.

Photos: Luxe Digital (left), @vanityhairstudionyc (right) Pin this

Short blonde locs

Woman with short honey-blonde locs and dark roots, chin resting on her hand — The blonde starts an inch from the scalp, so the roots stay dark.

Woman with short copper-brown locs curled toward her face, looking down — Copper instead of blonde, curled at the tips.

Honey-blonde short locs with the roots left dark, so the color reads as sun rather than salon. The second photo is a copper take on the same idea, with the ends curled toward the face.

What to ask for Lift the ends only, to honey blonde, and keep an inch of natural color at the root. Short locs, retwisted and curled under at the ends.

Photos: Luxe Digital (left), @johnnie_the_loctician (right) Pin this

Short faux locs

The side part is braided flat and the ends are left curly.

Woman with sleek jaw-length faux locs and a center part — A straight faux bob that stops at the jaw.

Short faux locs with a bit of curl at the tips and a side part you can actually see. The second photo shows a sleek jaw-length faux bob with a center part. It’s the no-commitment way to find out if short locs suit your face shape.

What to ask for Jaw-length faux locs, crocheted or wrapped over box-braid bases, a deep side part, and the ends left slightly curly.

Photos: Luxe Digital (left), @theeyeoftheaquarian (right) Pin this

Loc Bantu knots

Woman with short locs twisted into Bantu knots across her crown, and gold earrings — Four knots sit in a row from ear to ear.

Smaller knots cover the whole head, two-tone on every one.

Short locs wound into Bantu knots, set in a row across the crown. On the second photo there are a dozen smaller knots in honey and brown, sitting all over the head. It’s a way to wear short locs up without a single pin showing.

What to ask for Section the locs into five or six parts, twist each into a Bantu knot, and pin the ends underneath. More, smaller sections for the all-over version.

Photos: Luxe Digital (left), @cocodidthat (right) Pin this

Palm tree loc ponytail

Woman with short locs gathered straight up into a ponytail on her crown — The ends fan out from one tie at the top.

Sandy tips on the pony, and the sides retwisted flat.

Short locs pulled straight up and tied at the crown, so the ends fan out like fronds (hence the name). The second photo is a neater version, with sandy tips on the pony and the sides laid smooth. It’s a one-hair-tie style for short hair on a hot day.

What to ask for Short locs gathered high on the crown in one tie, edges smoothed, ends left loose to fan out.

Photos: Luxe Digital (left), @locs_mwanza (right) Pin this

High-top locs

Height on top, with the sides taken up close.

Thick twists sculpted up over the crown.

All the height sits on top, with the locs at the sides and nape taken up and twisted in. The second photo sculpts thick twists up over the crown. Wear it high for a night out and let a couple of pieces fall at the front.

What to ask for Short to medium locs pinned up into a high top, sides twisted flat toward the crown, a few front pieces left down.

Photos: Luxe Digital (left), @locsbylokelo (right) Pin this

Half-up short locs

Colored thread picks out a few locs in the top section.

The front locs are twisted back from the face.

The top section is pulled back and tied off, and the rest stays down, beads and all. On the second photo the front locs are twisted back from the face and the rest hangs past the chin. It’s the easy way to show off a part.

What to ask for Top section of locs gathered at the crown, the rest left down, a couple of cuffs or beads on the loose locs.

Photos: Luxe Digital (left), @_macxrosee (right) Pin this

Medium and long locs, and loc bobs

Medium locs with honey ends

Woman with shoulder-length black locs with honey-brown ends and a center part — The honey-brown starts around the chin.

Woman with shoulder-length black locs curled at every end, looking down — The same length, fuller, with a curl on each tip.

Shoulder-length locs with a center part and honey-brown ends, so the color does the styling. The second photo is thicker, with every loc curled at the tip. It’s a length that ties back for work and still has swing when it’s down.

What to ask for Medium locs to the shoulder, a center part, and a honey-brown dip on the last three inches.

Photos: @bonolonoli (left), @locsbyprettylex (right) Pin this

Loc bob

Twisted from the root, with the ends curled just above the shoulder.

Woman with a black loc bob curled at the ends, with gold cuffs — Curled under at the ends, with gold cuffs.

A bob made of locs: black, twisted from the root and curled at the ends just above the shoulder. The second photo is black, curled under, with gold cuffs through it. If your locs are long already, you can fake the length with a curl set before you cut.

What to ask for Locs cut to a chin-length bob, the ends curled under, and a slightly longer front if you want it asymmetric.

Photos: @jstylingz (left), @ina90skindofworld (right) Pin this

Half up, half down loc bun

Woman with long thick black locs, the top half in a bun — The bun holds the top half, the rest falls past the chest.

Woman with long black locs, the top section up, looking down — The top goes up, the length falls past the chest.

Long, thick locs with the top half piled into a bun and the rest left down past the shoulders. The second photo takes the top section up and lets the rest fall past the chest. It’s the hairstyle for when your locs are heavy and your neck would like a break.

What to ask for Top half of the locs twisted into a high bun, the rest left down, two or three face-framing pieces pulled loose.

Photos: Luxe Digital (left), @by_eugeny (right) Pin this

Locs with beads

Woman with long black locs threaded with wooden beads near the ends — The beads sit in the last few inches of each loc.

Woman with copper locs, cowrie shells and colored thread wraps, looking down — Cowries at the part and a bright wrap on a couple of locs.

Long locs with wooden beads threaded near the ends, in a row, so they click when you walk. On the second photo the locs are copper, with cowrie shells and a wrap in bright thread. Swap the beads whenever you get bored of them.

What to ask for Beads or cowries threaded two to three inches from the ends, and a thread wrap on two or three locs near the face.

Photos: Luxe Digital (left), @naamies.braids (right) Pin this

Twists with beads

Smiling woman with shoulder-length two-strand twists and clear beads — Clear beads run down each twist to the ends.

Smiling woman with copper two-strand locs and gold cuffs — Copper twists with gold cuffs dotted through.

These are two-strand twists rather than locs, with clear beads clipped all the way down to the ends. The second photo shows copper two-strand locs with gold cuffs. If you’re not ready to loc, twists let you try the look first.

What to ask for Medium two-strand twists to the shoulder, clear beads spaced down each twist, and a side part.

Photos: Luxe Digital (left), @thenaturaljess (right) Pin this

Side-swept locs

Woman with long brown locs swept over one shoulder and purple lipstick — The top is braided flat and the length falls over one shoulder.

Woman with copper curly locs swept to one side and pink glasses — A shorter copper set, swept the same way.

Long brown locs gathered over one shoulder, the top section braided flat so it all sweeps the same way. The second photo is a shorter copper version, swept to one side and curled. It’s a style that looks different from every angle (the other side is all scalp art).

What to ask for Top section braided back and to one side, the length gathered over one shoulder and pinned, ends curled.

Photos: @musykchyk (left), @locs_mwanza (right) Pin this

Sisterlocks, microlocs and braidlocs

Sisterlocks

The small partings show at the hairline.

Smiling woman with grey and copper sisterlocks swept to one side — Grey at the front, copper curls at the side.

Sisterlocks are tiny, and they’re made with a special interlocking tool on a set grid, by a trained consultant. That’s why you can see the neat partings at the front of the first photo. On the second photo they’re grey and copper, curled and swept to one side.

What to ask for Book a certified Sisterlocks consultant and ask about the grid size and how many hours to budget for the install. Microlocs don't need the certification if you'd rather go that way.

Photos: Luxe Digital (left), @locsoflovebyjackie (right) Pin this

Braidlocs

Smiling woman with copper curly locs and a pearl clip — Copper curls pinned back on one side with a clip.

Small locs gathered back, the parts neat at the temple.

Braidlocs start as three-strand braids that swell and lock over time. The first photo shows copper curly locs pinned back with a clip, and the second a set of small locs pulled back into a ponytail. You’ll need about 5 to 6 inches of hair to braid before you start (our knotless braids guide covers the braiding side, and our guide to braids for Black women shows the other braid types).

What to ask for Small individual braids on a square grid, left in to lock, with no extensions added.

Photos: Luxe Digital (left), @sisterlocksqueen (right) Pin this

Burgundy microlocs

Woman with burgundy and red microlocs to the collarbone — Brighter red runs through the burgundy at the ends.

Woman with red microlocs pushed back, seen from the side — Red all over, pushed back off the face.

Micro locs dyed burgundy with brighter red running through, cut to the collarbone. The second photo is the same shade family on a shorter set, pushed back off the face. The brighter red sits on the ends, so it catches the light when they move.

What to ask for Burgundy all over with red highlights through the ends, on micro locs cut to the collarbone.

Photos: Luxe Digital (left), @gracefulllytwistedsc (right) Pin this

Faux locs, soft locs and butterfly locs

Faux locs

Long black faux locs with gold cuffs dotted through, worn down with a side part. The second photo is shoulder length, with burgundy mixed in. Faux locs are wrapped or crocheted over your own hair and come out after a few weeks.

What to ask for Medium faux locs to mid-back, wrapped over box-braid bases, a side part, and five or six gold cuffs.

Photos: Luxe Digital (left), @iam.nubian (right) Pin this

Long faux locs

Woman with waist-length black faux locs with bronze strands and silver charms — Bronze strands wind through the black.

Smiling woman with long wavy black faux locs — Black, wavy at the ends, past the waist.

Waist-length faux locs with bronze strands wound through and a couple of silver charms near the face. The second photo is black and wavy, with the ends curled. At this length, ask your stylist how they’ll keep the weight off your edges.

What to ask for Waist-length faux locs with bronze in the mix, a middle part, and a couple of charms near the front.

Photos: Luxe Digital (left), @jr.tranceria (right) Pin this

Synthetic locs

The top section is twisted into a knot at the crown.

Smiling woman with long black synthetic locs and a jean jacket — Long black locs, wavy toward the ends.

Rust-red synthetic dreads pulled up into a knot at the crown, the sides left down. The second photo shows black synthetic locs, long and wavy at the ends, worn with a jean jacket. Synthetic extensions come in every color, and that’s half the fun.

What to ask for Synthetic loc extensions to the waist, in rust red, the top section twisted into a bun.

Photos: Luxe Digital (left), @estudiomahza (right) Pin this

Long locs with a top bun

Woman with long curly-ended locs, copper strands and a top bun — Copper strands through the length, curls at every end.

Woman with waist-length black soft locs worn down — Soft locs to the waist, worn straight down.

Long, curly-ended locs with copper strands running through, the top half twisted into a bun. The second photo is black soft locs worn down to the waist. Both sit well past the shoulder blades.

What to ask for Long soft locs to the waist with copper mixed in, the ends left curly, and a high bun for the top section.

Photos: Luxe Digital (left), @glow_by_ava.fr (right) Pin this

Long locs with curly ends

Woman with waist-length black locs with curly ends swept over one shoulder — Loose curls hang from every loc.

Smiling woman with long brown and black locs with curly ends — Brown mixed with black, curls spilling past the chest.

Waist-length locs with loose curls hanging from every end, swept over one shoulder. On the second photo the locs are brown and black, with the curly ends spilling past the chest. The curls are hair left out of the loc on purpose.

What to ask for Long goddess locs with curly ends, a square parting, and the curls left out at the tips.

Photos: Luxe Digital (left), @ijelalacrochet (right) Pin this

Blue locs

Woman with midnight-blue soft locs to the collarbone and a side part — Midnight blue, cut to the collarbone.

Woman with collarbone-length black faux locs and a center part — The same collarbone length, in black.

Midnight-blue soft locs cut to the collarbone, worn with a side part. The second photo is the same length in black, for when you want the cut without the color. It’s a color that looks almost black until the light hits it.

What to ask for Butterfly or soft locs in dark blue, cut to the collarbone, a deep side part.

Photos: Luxe Digital (left), @theeyeoftheaquarian (right) Pin this

Long blonde locs

Woman with waist-length ash-blonde goddess locs and an orange top — Curly strands are left out along each loc.

Smiling woman with long boho locs in honey, platinum and black — Honey and platinum mixed through black.

Ash-blonde goddess locs past the waist, with curly strands left loose along each one. The second photo mixes honey and platinum with black, in curly boho locs. Faux blonde means your own hair never sees the bleach.

What to ask for Waist-length boho locs in ash blonde, curly strands left out along the length, a middle part.

Photos: @glow_by_ava.fr (left), @stylesbyloveluxehair (right) Pin this

Blonde locs with a top knot

Woman with honey-blonde faux locs, the top twisted into a high knot — The top third is twisted up, the rest falls past the chest.

Woman with platinum faux locs, short bangs and the top pulled up — Platinum, with bangs cut above the brow.

Honey-blonde faux locs with the top section twisted into a high knot and the rest down. The second photo is a platinum set with short bangs and the top pulled up. A top knot keeps the blonde off your face on a busy day.

What to ask for Honey-blonde faux locs to mid-back, the top third twisted into a high knot, a few pieces left out at the front.

Photos: Luxe Digital (left), @locsbybisolamichal (right) Pin this

Small blonde locs

Woman with small blonde curly locs to the shoulder and an off-shoulder top — Tight curls run through every small loc.

Woman with long honey-blonde curly locs and a center part — Longer and honey-toned, with curly ends.

Small blonde locs with tight curls running through, cut to the shoulder. The second photo is longer, in honey blonde, with curly ends and a center part. Small locs give you more ways to style them.

What to ask for Small curly boho locs in honey blonde, to the shoulder or a little longer, with curly strands left out.

Photos: Luxe Digital (left), @locsbymira (right) Pin this

Loc updos, buns and ponytails

Twisted loc updo

Rolls wrap the head and finish in a coil at the nape.

Woman with crochet locs piled into a curly bun, a few down at the sides, looking down — Curly loc ends piled on top, a few left down.

The locs are twisted and pinned into sculpted rolls around the head, with a coil at the nape. On the second photo crochet locs are piled into a curly bun, with a few left down at the sides. It’s a formal-occasion updo that takes a stylist and an hour or two.

What to ask for A sculpted updo with the locs twisted into rolls, a coil at the nape, and the edges smoothed.

Photos: @keishacharmaine (left), @stylewithoutlimits_ (right) Pin this

Loc halo

Back of a head with locs wrapped around it like a crown — The parts meet in a star at the back.

Back of a head with locs wound into a lattice under a bun — The locs cross in a lattice under the bun.

The locs are wrapped around the head like a crown, so the partings show as a star at the back. The second photo winds the locs into a lattice under a bun. It’s a style for locs long enough to go round the head once.

What to ask for A halo wrap: locs taken around the head in one direction and pinned, with the parts showing at the back.

Photos: Luxe Digital (left), @seienstyle_dreadstuff (right) Pin this

High loc bun with bangs

Woman with a high loc bun and short locs curled down over her forehead — The bangs are the front locs, rolled under.

Woman with teal and black locs, the top in a high bun and the rest down — A high bun on top, the rest left long.

The length is piled into a bun on top, and a row of short locs is curled down over the forehead. The second photo piles two-tone locs into a high bun and leaves the rest long. The bangs are just the front locs, rolled under and pinned.

What to ask for A high bun at the crown, the front locs curled under into bangs that stop above the brow, sides smoothed back.

Photos: Luxe Digital (left), @modernsalon (right) Pin this

Messy loc bun with bangs

Woman with a messy high loc bun and a fringe of locs — The bun's ends point up, and the fringe falls to the brow.

Woman with burgundy locs, the top twisted into a high knot and the rest down — Burgundy, with the top twisted up and the length left long.

A messier high bun, with loose ends pointing up and a fringe of locs falling in front. The second photo swaps black for burgundy, with the top twisted into a knot and the rest left long. It’s a good one for locs that aren’t all the same length.

What to ask for The back pulled up into a high bun with the ends left out, the front locs cut or pinned to fall as bangs.

Photos: Luxe Digital (left), @kersti.pitre (right) Pin this

Loc space buns

Woman with two high loc buns and loose locs hanging at the sides — A few locs are left down beside each bun.

Woman with two small space buns on long black locs, and glasses — Two small buns on top, the length left down.

Two buns high on the head, with a few locs left hanging at the sides. The second photo is a neater pair of small buns on long black locs. It’s a playful one for a weekend.

What to ask for Two space buns high on the crown, a few locs left down at each side.

Photos: Luxe Digital (left), @_kinksnkurls_ (right) Pin this

Looped loc updo

Looped locs piled high, with gold cuffs.

A smaller version, twisted up from the nape.

The locs are twisted into loops and piled on top, with gold cuffs catching the light. The second photo twists short locs up into a small bun. It’s a showier way to put everything up.

What to ask for Locs twisted into loops and pinned high, a few gold cuffs, and the edges laid.

Photos: @hairlocsjourney (left), @nappstar_atl (right) Pin this

Loc tower bun

Woman with golden locs wound into a tall bun, seen from the side — The length is wound round and round into a tower.

Woman with black locs piled into a big bun with a pearl clip — A big stacked bun, held with a pearl clip.

Golden locs wound into a tall cylinder on top of the head, with the sides kept neat. The second photo is a black version, stacked into a big bun with a pearl clip. You’ll need a lot of length for this one (and a lot of pins).

What to ask for Wrap the length round and round into a tall bun at the crown, pinned tight, sides retwisted flat.

Photos: Luxe Digital (left), @tshaircloset (right) Pin this

High loc ponytail

The sides are retwisted flat into the tie.

Woman with locs pulled back into a ponytail, a few left down at the front — A softer pony, with locs left out to frame the face.

A sleek high ponytail of long locs, with the sides retwisted flat into the tie. The second photo leaves a few locs down at the front of a softer pony. It’s a work-to-dinner style with no pins at all.

What to ask for A high ponytail with the sides retwisted flat into it, and a few locs left out at the front if you want the second look.

Photos: Luxe Digital (left), @rosiejay_ (right) Pin this

Low loc bun

Copper shows at the ends inside the bun.

Woman with locs gathered into a low bun, parts crossing at the back — The parts cross before the locs meet at the nape.

The locs are pulled back into a low bun at the nape, with a bit of copper showing at the ends. The second photo gathers them low with the partings crossing at the back. It’s a low-key style that works in any office.

What to ask for Locs gathered into a low bun at the nape, edges smoothed, ends tucked.

Photos: @kemslocs (left), @locmajesty (right) Pin this

Loose loc updo

Smiling woman with thick locs piled loosely on top, at the beach — A big, soft updo with the ends left free.

Woman with locs criss-crossed at the front and piled into a bun — The locs cross at the front before they go up.

A big, soft updo of thick locs piled on top, worn at the beach. The second photo criss-crosses the locs at the front before they go up into a bun. It’s the style for a day when you want it all off your neck.

What to ask for Locs piled loosely on top and pinned, a few ends left out, or crossed at the front first for the neater version.

Photos: Luxe Digital (left), @stylesbydria__ (right) Pin this

Loc mohawks and braided locs

Loc mohawk with braids

The side locs are braided flat up toward a rolled top.

The locs are cornrowed up from the hairline.

The sides are braided flat up toward the center, and the top locs are rolled and pinned into a mohawk. The second photo cornrows the locs back from the hairline into a bun. It’s a style that looks as good from behind as from the front.

What to ask for The side locs braided flat up toward the center, the top locs rolled and pinned into a mohawk.

Photos: @locsbylokelo (left), @brunolocks1 (right) Pin this

Braided locs

Woman with long locs braided and swept over one shoulder — The locs are braided in pairs down the length.

Woman with locs braided back over a shaved side, seen from behind — One thick braid down the back, the side shaved.

Long locs braided together in pairs and worn over one shoulder. The second photo gathers them into one thick braid over a shaved side. It keeps long locs out of the way without putting them up.

What to ask for Locs braided together in twos down the length, swept to one side, or into one braid down the back.

Photos: @_dacari (left), @justapeach__ (right) Pin this

Curly loc mohawk

Curled locs stand up along the center.

Woman with curly locs piled into a high bun with gold cuffs — Curls piled high, with the sides kept close.

Curly locs piled into a tall mohawk, with the sides twisted flat. The second photo piles the curls into a high bun instead. Set the curls first, and the mohawk holds its height.

What to ask for Set the locs on rods for curl, then pin them up the center into a mohawk, sides twisted flat.

Photos: Luxe Digital (left), @laydandslayd (right) Pin this

Sculpted loc mohawk

Copper tips on the rolls at the front.

Woman with short locs curled on top and swept forward — A softer take, curled and swept to one side.

A sculpted mohawk with copper-tipped rolls at the front and the sides twisted in. The second photo is a softer take, with the top curled and swept forward. It’s a formal look that’s still clearly a mohawk.

What to ask for A mohawk updo with the locs rolled at the front, sides twisted up, copper on the ends.

Photos: Luxe Digital (left), @aba_allure (right) Pin this

Locs with an undercut

One side is shaved close, with a design cut in.

The side is shaved close under the long top.

Long locs gathered on top, with one side shaved close and a design cut in. The second photo sweeps long locs over a shaved side. The shaved side needs regular trims to stay sharp.

What to ask for One side (or the nape) shaved close with a design, the locs on top left long and gathered.

Photos: Luxe Digital (left), @melforddivashair (right) Pin this

Blonde loc mohawk braid

One thick twist runs from the forehead to the nape.

Cornrowed sides, the locs falling from the top.

Golden locs twisted into one thick rope that runs from the forehead to the nape. The second photo cornrows the sides up and lets the locs fall from the top. It’s a braid that lets the color show on every twist.

What to ask for The locs gathered into one thick twisted braid down the center, sides smoothed in, blonde on the length.

Photos: Luxe Digital (left), @duafehairsalon (right) Pin this

Colored locs: blonde, red, blue and rainbow

Curly red locs

Woman with bright red curly locs swept to one side and a wooden earring — Red curls swept over one shoulder.

Woman with deep red curly locs and glasses — A deeper red, curly all the way down.

Bright red curly locs, swept to one side, with a big wooden earring. The second photo is a deeper red set, curly all the way down. Book the color with a loctician who colors locs, not just a colorist.

What to ask for Red all over, set curly, swept to one side, ends to the collarbone.

Photos: Luxe Digital (left), @sisterlock_diva (right) Pin this

Red curly locs to the shoulder

Woman with long crimson soft locs, standing outdoors — Crimson soft locs, long and straight.

Red curly locs cut to the shoulder, with the roots kept dark so they blend. The second photo shows crimson soft locs, long and straight. Keeping the roots dark means less upkeep between colors.

What to ask for Red on the length only, dark roots, curly ends set to the shoulder.

Photos: Luxe Digital (left), @locsbybisolamichal (right) Pin this

Copper-red locs, from the back

Back of a head with copper-red locs gathered up in rows — The locs are pulled up in rows from the nape.

Burgundy with gold cuffs, gathered at the crown.

Copper-red locs pulled up and back in rows, seen from behind. The second photo gathers burgundy locs at the crown with gold cuffs. Both show that the back of a loc style can be the main event.

What to ask for Copper-red on the locs, the back retwisted in rows and gathered on top, the nape shaved or tapered.

Photos: Luxe Digital (left), @keeblack_ (right) Pin this

Honey-tipped loc bun with bangs

Woman with a honey-tipped loc bun and short locs curled over her forehead — Honey on the ends only, with bangs in front.

Woman with a brown loc puff bun and neat parts at the side — A brown puff bun with the sides retwisted.

A honey-tipped bun on top and a row of short locs curled forward over the forehead. The second photo is a brown puff bun with neat partings at the sides. The color’s on the ends only, so the regrowth doesn’t show.

What to ask for Honey-brown on the last few inches, a high bun, and short locs curled forward into bangs.

Photos: @urfavoritecolor (left), @morena_hair_style (right) Pin this

Blonde swirl bun

Woman with golden blonde locs wound into a swirl bun, looking down — Dark roots, golden length, wound into a swirl.

Smiling woman with honey-brown locs half up in a bun — Half up in a bun, with the rest left down.

Golden blonde locs wound into a swirl at the crown, with dark roots and a neat retwist at the sides. The second photo has honey-brown locs, half up in a bun, the rest down. A fresh retwist keeps the swirl neat.

What to ask for Golden blonde on the length, a fresh retwist, and the locs wound into a swirl bun at the crown.

Photos: @_royalshouseofbeauty_ (left), @b_classicsalon (right) Pin this

Blonde loc space buns

Woman with two big blonde loc buns with curly ends, looking down — The curly ends are left out of each bun.

Woman with platinum faux locs, the top in a high bun, looking down — Platinum, with one high bun instead of two.

Two big blonde loc buns with the curly ends left out. The second photo goes platinum, with one high bun and the rest left down. They’re a softer, fluffier cousin of plain space buns.

What to ask for Two space buns high on the head, curly ends left out, blonde on the length.

Photos: Luxe Digital (left), @polishedbraids (right) Pin this

Rainbow locs

Colored strands are wrapped into a few locs at a time.

Woman with dark twists and bright pink strands, looking down — Pink strands through dark twists.

Short dark locs with strands of red, yellow, green and pink wrapped into some of them. The second photo does the same with pink faux strands through dark twists. You can add the color and take it out, with no bleach at all.

What to ask for Colored thread or synthetic strands wrapped into a handful of locs, spaced through the head.

Photos: Luxe Digital (left), @marishairchair (right) Pin this

Yarn loc space buns

Woman with burgundy yarn locs in two high buns and gold cuffs, looking down — Burgundy buns, with the parts left visible.

Back of a head with small locs in two high buns and the rest down — Two small buns on top, the length left down.

Burgundy yarn locs piled into two high buns, with gold cuffs and the parts showing. The second photo shows two small buns from behind, with the rest of the locs left down. The gold cuffs pick up the warm tone in the red.

What to ask for Burgundy yarn locs, two buns high on the head, a couple of gold cuffs, the parts left visible.

Photos: Luxe Digital (left), @classicdreadlocks (right) Pin this

Blue, purple and pink curly locs

Four colors pinned up in one side updo.

Woman with long curly locs in copper and black — Copper and black, curly all the way down.

Blue, purple, pink and blonde curly locs pinned into a side updo. The second photo mixes copper and black in long curly locs. Faux color lets you try this for a few weeks before anyone gets the bleach out.

What to ask for Curly locs in blue, purple and pink with blonde at the front, pinned up to one side.

Photos: Luxe Digital (left), @cjhbrand (right) Pin this

What counts as a loc style, and how to choose one

A loc style is anything you do with locked hair: cutting it, coloring it, putting it up or wearing it down, plus the faux versions that copy the look with extensions. Locs themselves are sections of hair that have matted and locked over time, and once they’ve formed you style them like any long hair, with a bit more patience.

Choose with the three things that decide how locs look: size, neatness and length. Size is set on day one (micro, small, medium or thick), so pick it before anything else. Neatness is how often you retwist and whether you go freeform. Length decides which of the styles above you can wear: bobs and Bantu knots work short, and towers and halos need a lot of length.

Which loc style suits you?

If you like your mornings short, a neat, uniform set that ties up for work is the practical one. Short locs are easier to maintain and let you grow them out as you go. If you’d rather change your look every month, small locs give you more ways to style them, and a mix of sizes with a few beads gives you the bohemian vibe.

Not sure yet? Try faux locs or soft locs first. They usually last four to six weeks (butterfly locs sometimes six to eight), and that’s long enough to find out if you like the weight and the look before you commit your own hair.

What to ask your loctician for

Go in with the loc size, the parting and the style. Say whether you want small, medium or thick locs, and what grid you want them on. For faux locs, give the length (shoulder, mid-back or waist), the color, and whether you want curly ends. Say how you want them retwisted too: interlocking pulls the loc through at the root, and palm rolling smooths and rounds it.

Bring both photos from the look you like, and read out the ask line under it.

How much upkeep do locs take?

Locs need a retwist every four to six weeks as a general rule, and once they’re mature you can go eight to twelve weeks or more. Don’t retwist more often than that, because it thins the locs and can break them.

Wash them too. Mature locs can be washed every week or two, and a residue-free shampoo stops build-up settling inside the loc. With starter locs, many locticians say to wait about two weeks after a retwist before you wash.

What’s the difference between locs and dreadlocks?

It’s the same hair, with a different name. Many people prefer “locs” because of the word “dread”, while the Rastafari used “dread” for reverence. You’ll still see “dreadlocks” and “dreads” around (including on this page’s older looks), and “locs” is the word you’ll hear in the chair.

What are the types of locs?

Locs are usually named after how they’re started or how big they are. Comb coils suit short hair. Two-strand twists need about 4 to 5 inches, and braids (which become braidlocs) need about 5 to 6. Freeform locs form without any combing. Sisterlocks are made with a trademarked interlocking tool on a set grid, and they’re installed by certified consultants; microlocs are a similar size with no such rule. Then there are the faux kinds, faux locs, soft locs and butterfly locs, which sit over your own hair.

Type	How it starts	Worth knowing
Comb coils	Coiled with a comb	Suits short hair
Two-strand twists	Twisted in pairs	Needs about 4 to 5 inches
Braidlocs	Three-strand braids	Needs about 5 to 6 inches
Freeform	No combing	Every loc forms its own way
Sisterlocks	Trademarked interlocking tool	Certified consultants only; about 8 to 36 hours to install
Microlocs	Any method, small sections	About 6 to 24 hours to install
Faux, soft and butterfly locs	Extensions over your own hair	Usually four to six weeks of wear

What are soft locs?

Soft locs are faux locs made with lighter, softer hair, so they pull less on your scalp. Butterfly locs are a looser, fluffier wrap with little loops along each loc. Both are faux locs, both come out after a few weeks, and both are how plenty of people try locs before they start their own.

How long do locs take to mature?

Usually 15 to 18 months, though your hair texture and your routine change that. Locs go through stages on the way: starter, budding, teen and mature. Starter locs look small and neat, and they swell and matte as they go, so don’t judge them by the first few months.

How often should you retwist locs?

Every four to six weeks is the usual rule, and mature locs can go eight to twelve weeks or more. More often isn’t better: over-retwisting thins the locs and can break them. If you wear them freeform, you skip the retwist altogether.

How often should you wash locs?

Every week or two for mature locs, with a residue-free shampoo so nothing builds up inside. Skipping washes won’t make starter locs lock faster. Many locticians do say to wait about two weeks after a retwist before you wash starter locs, so they have time to set.

More styles: if you’re thinking of cutting your locs off, our guide to short hairstyles for Black women has pixies, TWAs and tapers. There are braids, twists and natural curls in our hairstyles for Black girls, and box, knotless and stitch braids in our guide to braid types. If you want color without dyeing your locs all over, start with our highlights on Black hair.

So pick your photo, read out the ask line, and book the retwist before the next one’s due. Your locs (and your edges) will thank you.

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