If you love locs but can’t imagine locking your hair, your best bet is to go for faux locs. But what if you love butterfly braids but wouldn’t want to spend hours installing them with an unreusable extension? The solution—try butterfly locs.
As the name implies, this hairdo is the faux locs version of butterfly braids. It’s gorgeous and durable. And if you’re contemplating rocking it, see this piece as the nudge to go for it. Why? Because we’ll be exploring everything about this hairdo, including the latest style inspirations.
What’s Special About Butterfly Locs?
This hairdo is actually faux locs. But the difference between it and the regular locs is that it features small ruffled curves or curls around each loc that gives it a distressed or unravelled look. Your hairstylist achieves this coiffure through the crochet method. Either they crochet the butterfly locs extension or they loop wavy hair into a braid using a crotchet needle and then loosely wrap it to create that distressed or unraveled look.
Furthermore, besides giving that boho-chic vibe like bohemian braids, distressed faux locs are an excellent protective style. Like regular synthetic locs, when you have them on, your natural hair sits protected from breakage and environmental harm.
In addition. This style tends to look better when it gets messier. So you need not worry when your locs are old. You’ll still look superb.
What Kind of Hair Extension is Used for Butterfly Locs?
This hairstyle has its own hair extension. But most hairstylists use synthetic braiding to create these locs. They’re affordable with an irregular pattern that creates better volume and looks like natural afro-textured hair.
How Long Do Butterfly Locs Usually Last?
This hairstyle can last up to four to eight weeks. However, this depends on how well you maintain it. So if you want your hairstyle durable, consider sleeping with a satin bonnet, cleaning your scalp with methylated spirit, or shampooing and blow-drying afterward. This will help you avoid frizz or dandruff.
But be careful not to wear your locs for too long lest it should become matted and damage your hair underneath.
How Long Does it Take to Install Butterfly Locs?
The installation time depends on the density of your hair and your desired size and length. But on average, it takes three to six hours to install these locs.
Do Butterfly Locs Damage Your Hair?
Distressed faux locs do not damage your hair unless you leave them to stay way too long or your hairstylist installs them wrongly. They’re one hairstyle that protects your hair from environmental and handling damage.
How Many Packs of Extensions are Needed for Butterfly Locs?
Depending on the number and length of locs you aim to achieve, you need at least two to eight packs of locs hair extensions. Most extensions have different numbers of locs in them so you wouldn’t know how many would do until you have a talk with your stylist.
Can You Wash Your Butterfly Locs?
Yes, you can wash your butterfly locs hairstyle. But after washing, you’ll have to properly blow-dry your hair to get rid of moisture so it doesn’t smell.
What Do I Need to Install this Coiffure?
You need the following:
- Already prepped hair
- Locs extensions
- Edge control
- Crotchet needle
- Hair oil/moisturizer
Everything else you need, your hairstylist will provide.
How Do You Know When It’s Time To Remove this Hairdo?
You’ll know when:
- Your scalp gets itchy or irritated.
- The hair becomes too messy.
- The roots of your natural hair begin to lock.
If any of these happens, then it’s time to uninstall your locs.
What’s The Best Way To Remove Butterfly Locs?
As Erinn Courtney, a StyleSeat hairstylist, shared with Instyle:
“The best way to take them out is to cut the end of the loc and unravel the hair from the bottom.”
But this depends on how it was installed. If, for instance, your hairstylist doesn’t crochet but uses a thread to tie the locs to your natural hair, you’ll have to cut the thread off carefully so you don’t cut your hair in the process.
How Much Does Butterfly Faux Locs Hairstyle Cost?
The price of the butterfly locs depends on your location and the hairstylist. Different locations and artisans have their prices. However, on average, it can cost between $150 – $500. But if you’re in Nigeria, the average cost ranges from ₦12000 to ₦20,000. Again, it depends on your location and hairstylist.
What is the Difference Between Passion Twists And Butterfly Locs?
Though these styles may look alike, they aren’t the same. While passion twists are textured twists achieved using wavy or curly hair extensions, butterfly locs are a variant of faux locs with a distressed look.
Also, passion twists are relatively low-maintenance and put less tension on your natural hair than faux locs. In addition, they don’t have the curly loops that give butterfly faux locs their signature look.
Butterfly Faux Locs Styles to Inspire You
Here we go:
Short Locs
If you like your hair sitting pretty around your neck or shoulders, this one is for you.
It offers convenience, comfort, and style like every other short hairstyle.
Long Butterfly Faux Locs
If you love to make a style statement with your coiffure, your best bet is to either use colored extensions or increase the length.
Long butterfly locs bring some attention to your back view. They give people a reason to turn back when you walk past.
Neural-Colored Butterfly Faux Locs
Your regular black and brown extensions fall under this category. They’re muted and perfect for blending in.
White and gray may also work in this category, though they’re loud neutral colors.
Bright-Colored Butterfly Faux Locs
Bright colors of extensions such as pink, blue, purple, green, red, etc. are perfect for standing out with your hairdo.
Just pick a color that suits your skin tone or any you feel like wearing and you’ll look unique.
Mixed Colors
You can also mix different colors of extension together.
It could be black and brown or two or more different colors that catch your fancy.
Accessorized Locs
Beautify your locs some more by adorning them with hair accessories.
This can be beads, cuffs, barrettes, headbands, scarves, hair clips, etc.
Butterfly Locs are Timeless
Like every dreadlocks with extensions, unravelled faux locs save you from the huge commitment of real dreads. Besides, they’re more versatile and appealing compared to real locs or regular faux locs.
The best part is the styles are endless. So, if you want more distressed faux locs than what you’ve seen so far in this post, it’s our pleasure:
