Soft locs are becoming increasingly popular today, and for a good reason. Besides being gentle and attractive, these locs are less damaging to your hair due to less strain.
This hairstyle offers various material alternatives, installation techniques, and design modifications. If you want to commit to a soft locs hairstyle, check out this post to learn all you need to know.
What Are Soft Locs?
Soft locs are a popular hairstyle where you wrap hair extensions to accomplish a complete head of faux locs. Hair stylists form these locs in a way to make the strands appear soft and relaxed.
You can create this hairstyle using several methods. However, the most common tactic is to use a wrapping technique that will install authentic crochet hair.
These locs work to decrease tension in the hair and protect against damaging elements such as pollution or humidity. The length of soft locs can reach up to three feet, which typically surpasses the hips.
Before soft locs developed into their current natural-looking and soft appearance, faux locs were rigid and generally inflexible.
Soft locs are quite the opposite, providing bouncy and loose characteristics. Any faux crochet locs that are soft or not as firm may be categorized as soft locs.
How To Install Soft Locs
Numerous soft locs installation procedures are available online, with just minor variations in specifics. Here, we focus on the most popular technique, which generally involves braiding, crocheting, and wrapping.
Here’s a step-by-step guide to install soft locs:
Step 1: Twist or Braid Your Hair
Select a parting pattern, then twist or braid your hair. Utilize Shine and Jam or any other edge control to maintain the cleanliness of the parts. Alternatively, you may opt to utilize rubber bands.
When using rubber bands, be careful not to cause excessive tension or strain on the hair to avoid breakage when the band pinches on the hair. When braiding or twisting, keep it light and comfortable so as not to strain the hair roots.
Step 2: Prepare Your Water Wave Hair
You can complete this phase as you proceed with other steps or perform it entirely at the beginning. Just separate two strands of water wave hair to ensure you achieve a fluffy but relatively cohesive outcome.
Step 3: Crochet Hair Into the Bottom of Your Twist or Braid
Insert the crochet needle through the bottom of your braid near the scalp. Place the separated hair into the needle’s hook, lock it, and drag it through. Start wrapping with about three-quarters of the water wave hair to one side.
Step 4: Begin Wrapping
Take the shorter section of the water wave hair and secure it with a braid. Then, continue winding the longer strand of water-wave hair around the braid and the shorter piece against it. You should wrap the root five to six times to hold it firmly against your scalp.
However, avoid applying excessive tension. Utilize the thumb technique to generate loops as you wrap.
The Thumb Technique
Wrap a section of the water wave hair snugly around the thumb as you keep looping it down 2-3 times. This procedure provides the signature loops to your loc.
Some stylists recommend performing three standard wraps, then inserting the thumb to ‘grab’ some hair before returning it to the wrapping portion.
Step 5: Seal the Locs’ Ends
After the loc has reached the ideal length, it should be closed and the ends sealed. Create a little loop with your finger at the base of your braid, then wind the remaining hair up until you no longer have the water wave hair.
As you wrap the last few inches, you could utilize nail adhesive for additional hold. The loop is crucial since it offers your loc a great finish and keeps it secure. Avoid burning the ends.
Soft Locs vs. Traditional Dreadlocks
So, what distinguishes soft locs from traditional locs? In either instance, you will obtain a fun, fashionable, and authentic loc style that you will adore.
The locs style and installation procedure choice depends entirely on the individual’s care and protective styling preferences.
Other factors that differentiate traditional locs from soft locs include:
Softer Feel and Appearance
As the name implies, soft locs have a softer appearance and texture than other traditional loc styles because of their distinct wrapping technique.
Reduced Tension
Unlike traditional locs, soft locs are considerably less rigid and stiff. Whereas soft locs could offer the flexibility and mobility of natural locs, it may take some days of styling and care for your artificial locs to lose their hardness.
Lighter Weight
Traditional locs are often slightly heavier than soft locs, which could increase tension or damage your natural hair when not correctly maintained.
Also, if you choose soft locs, you will probably have more flexibility in determining your locs length. While traditional locs come in various sizes, their length without extensions depends on how long your own hair has grown.
On the flip side, you can trim your soft locs for a shorter look.
How To Maintain & Care For Soft Locs
Soft locs free you from detangling and styling your hair for weeks or even months. Nevertheless, you should adopt some care guidelines to ensure they last longer and preserve their aesthetic appeal.
Certified trichologist Celestine Muthoni Gitau adds one caution on wear time:
While you install and enjoy the soft locs style, keep the style on for no more than 4 weeks. This helps avoid tugging from the new growth that may put strain on the hair roots. Keep in mind that very long or heavy locs may also predispose the roots to tension, so keep it moderate and light.
Protect Your Hair Throughout the Night
Rubbing your hair against rough bedding like cotton is inappropriate if you want to avoid frizz and loosening.
Wearing a satin hat or silk scarf can help your soft locs last longer by preventing the wrapping hair from sticking out in the morning.
Wash Your Locs Regularly, but Not Too Often
You should maintain a clean scalp for any protective hairstyle, whether soft locs or comb coil. Nonetheless, you should not wash your hair too often.
Constant washing, blow-drying, and styling products could make your hair brittle and dry. Remember that moderation is always the best approach, even regarding hair hygiene.
Hair Drying
Utilize a towel to squeeze out excess water from the locs before allowing them to air dry. You could also use a blow or bonnet dryer to expedite the process, but do not forget to apply a heat protectant to the roots.
Conditioning
Regular moisturizing cream is required to preserve the health of the scalp and hair roots. You can use a conditioner or hair-friendly oil designed for locs and braids.
Spraying the hair with nourishing and hydrating cocktails is also an excellent alternative.
How To Take Out Soft Locs
Follow the steps below to remove soft locs gently:
- Take off any hair accessories so that you avoid snuggling your natural hair
- Loosen the hair’s loop on top
- Pull the hair and crochet through the top loop gently
- Pull out the locs and secure the hair braid
- Detangle the hair
- Apply conditioner to each region of hair so that it remains wet
If you have been thinking of wearing soft locs for some time, you now have all the necessary information to achieve your desired look.
Soft locs are ideal if you want to try out a protective hairstyle that will keep your hair healthy and intact. With proper care, your soft locs can last longer than most hairstyles.
Soft Locs Hairstyle Ideas
1. Side-Swept Locs with Loose Curls and Cuffs
Long locs sweep to one side, with loose curls and small cuffs adding detail through the lengths. The front strands are drawn back from a deep side part.
2. Half-Up Curled Locs
Curled locs are gathered high at the crown, with spirals spilling around the face and lower lengths left loose. Warm brown accents stand out against the dark strands.
3. Elegant Updo
Black ladies can keep it elegant at formal events by twisting back their side locks with a middle or side part and wrapping all the strands in an updo at the back.
As for the hair color, a dark to light brown gradient is worth a shot.
4. Half-Up Loc Ponytail
Why complicate when a simple hairdo is enough to turn some heads? Apart from leaving those curly locs on the loose or wrapping them into an updo, take the front ones and create a high half-up ponytail for a change.
Experiment with half-up space buns too and you won’t regret it!
5. Curled Shoulder-Length Locs
Shoulder-length locs curl around the face, with curved ends creating a light, rounded outline. The front strands are held away from the forehead.
6. Curly Wrapped Locs with Blonde Accents
Dark wrapped locs form large curls and loose loops through the lengths, with golden-blonde strands adding contrast. Neat root sections and swooped edges frame the face.
7. Burgundy Wrapped Locs
Burgundy wrapped locs fall around the shoulders, with small loops adding texture through the lengths. Neat sections at the roots contrast with the more irregular ends.
8. High Wrapped-Loc Ponytail
Wrapped locs are gathered into a high ponytail, with thicker textured lengths falling behind the head. Two front strands remain loose to frame the face.
9. Curly Loc Bob
Short locs form a curly bob, with blonde accents brightening the ends. A deep side sweep brings several curls forward beside the face.
10. Jumbo Bun
Another hairstyle to flaunt those freshly done soft locs. The chunks are twirled and twisted around into a jumbo bun sitting on the top of the head.
Spare a single loc on both sides of the head and wrap each along its length to dangle around freely giving off some strong tribal vibes.
11. Brown and Blonde Half-Up Locs
Long locs mix dark brown, medium brown, and pale-blonde shades. The front sections are held back while the remaining lengths fall loosely over the shoulders.
12. Faux Hawk with Loc Buns
Those who’ve got any kind of dreadlocks but haven’t tried a faux hawk hairdo yet are truly missing out!
Create multiple buns in line from front to back and secure them in place with pins. Don’t worry about the mess, as it adds to the look. It can’t get any easier!
13. High Loc Bun with Crossed Hair Sticks
Adding some hair accessories is the easiest way to spice up your soft locs hairstyle.
Whether you keep your hair loose or style it in a high ponytail or bun, add some hair rings, cuffs, beads, or hair sticks as depicted here and get ready to become the center of attention wherever you go.
14. Half-Up Loc Topknot
A top knot bun is a must-try when getting soft locs. Just swirl half of the strands on top of the head leaving the remaining loose on the shoulders.
Take a step ahead and recreate this hairstyle with an undercut and shaved design along the sides. You are going to love it!
15. Golden-Blonde Wrapped Locs
Golden-blonde wrapped locs hang from neatly divided root sections. Dark roots contrast with the bright lengths, while small flyaways soften the cylindrical strands.
If you have been contemplating this trendy hairdo for some time, you now have all the necessary information to achieve your desired look.
Soft locs are ideal if you want to try out a protective hairstyle that will keep your hair healthy and intact. With proper care, your soft locs can last longer than most hairstyles.
