In recent years, faux locs on natural hair beauties have become more and more popular. You can spot women sporting faux locs almost anywhere, from the beach to the red carpet.
Faux locs are a great protective style that allows wearers to change up their look and give their natural hair a break. For those who are thinking about locking their natural hair, faux locs can be a great way to get an idea of what their hair will look like once the process is complete.
If you are wondering what the differences are between faux locs vs dreadlocks, faux locs vs twists or faux loc vs braids, look no further. Whether you’re trying to decide on your next protective style, or just curious about the method, here’s all you need to know about faux locs.
What Are Faux Locs?
Faux locs are meant to resemble real loc or dreadlocks. This style is often created using human hair, yarn, or synthetic braiding hair such as 
The hair is wrapped tightly around braids or twists in a downward motion to resemble real locs. When deciding on whether to use yarn vs Kanekalon vs Marley hair, keep in mind that the type of hair/material used will affect the texture and appearance of your faux locs.
Because they are a protective style that’s meant to be temporary, the maintenance routine for faux locs vs real locs will obviously be different. Faux locs made from human hair are often referred to as goddess locs.
They are more lightweight and have arguably the most natural appearance. Actress Meagan Good has helped popularize goddess locs, and they have quickly become her latest signature style.
The price of faux locs vs goddess locs will likely be different because synthetic hair is usually much less expensive. When it comes to synthetic hair, Marley and Kanekalon are the two most popular types of hair used for faux locs.
When it comes to deciding which is the best hair for faux locs, it really depends on the look you’re going for. Some people prefer Marley hair because its kinky texture gives the faux locs a more natural appearance.
Faux locs with kanekalon have a smoother, shinier appearance. For the most natural look, it’s usually best to choose the type of synthetic hair that best matches your hair texture.
However, since your hair will be covered by the faux locs, it doesn’t necessarily need to be a perfect match.
Acrylic yarn can also be used to create faux locs.
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Since yarn is inexpensive, this is the most cost-friendly option. Yarn is also fairly lightweight, so typically the faux locs won’t be as heavy when they’re made of yarn.
However, faux locs with yarn may attract more lint than synthetic or human hair. Keep this in mind when you’re trying to decide between yarn vs Marley hair or Kanekalon hair.
The difference between faux locs vs loc extensions is that the latter are meant to be permanent. For that reason, human hair is typically used to add length.
Over time, the loc extensions will permanently lock into your natural hair. However, it is also possible to create faux locs with human hair.
You can also add faux loc extensions on a temporary basis if you’re just looking to add a little length.
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How to install Faux Locs
There are a few different methods you can use to install faux locs. No matter which method you choose, it’s important to prep your hair by washing, deep conditioning, and don’t forget a protein treatment your hair before the installation.
You want to make sure you start with a clean slate, which means hair that is free of buildup and properly moisturized. If you’re using a synthetic hair such as Marley hair or Kanekalon hair, you also might want to wash it and let it dry before you use it to install the faux locs.
You can do this by soaking the hair in a solution of apple cider vinegar and water, then soaking it in plain water to rinse out the apple cider vinegar. This process will help prevent itching and/or irritation caused by chemicals that coat the Kanekalon hair.
The first method starts by twisting your natural hair in small sections, adding Marley hair to each twist for length (as mentioned above, there are other types of hair you can use, but for the sake of continuity, I’ll use Marley hair as the example from here on out). After all the Marley twists are installed, start by wrapping one strand of Marley hair around each twist, working your way down.
It’s important to start close to the roots, but not too close: you don’t want to put too much tension on your natural hair. Depending on the length of the faux locs, you may need to use several strands of Marley hair for each loc.
When you get to the ends of the twist, wrap another piece of Marley hair at the bottom of the twist and work your way up to secure the hair in place. Finish by running a lighter up and down the ends of each faux loc and rubbing the ends in between your palms to ensure that they don’t unravel.
The second method works best if you want your faux locs to be about the same length as your natural hair. Twist your hair into two-strand twists, then wrap the Marley hair around each twist.
Before you do this, braid a small amount of Marley hair onto the ends of the hair, so that when you burn the ends with a lighter to seal the loc you’re not burning your natural hair. The third method of installing faux locs involves splitting your hair into small sections, braiding the hair near the roots and leaving the ends out.
Then just wrap the Marley hair around your natural hair until it is completely covered. Similar to Marley twists or two-strand twists, if you prefer, you can also braid your hair instead of twisting it.
Depending on the length you desire, you can braid just your natural hair, or add extensions to it.
Caring For Faux Locs
Maintaining faux locs is relatively easy. How much maintenance required is also dependent on your personal preference.
It’s important to keep your scalp moisturized. You can also spritz your faux locs with a light moisturizer every day or every other day.
You can make your own moisturizing spritz with leave in conditioner like 
Be aware that it will take a while to air dry, but you can speed up the process with a hooded dryer.
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You can also use an astringent like 
If you are experiencing frizz and flyaways, you can run a lighter up and down each loc. However, a little frizz is normal and actually gives faux locs a more natural appearance.
The crochet method is an alternative way to install faux locs. For this technique, the natural hair is cornrowed and actual loc extensions are installed using the same method used for crochet braids.
As far as faux locs vs crochet locs, Installing crochet faux locs is much faster because it eliminates the most time consuming step of the installation process: wrapping the hair around to create the locs. If you’re wondering where to buy 
Faux Locs As A Protective Style
The hair used to create faux locs completely covers your natural hair, it serves as a great protective style. As with any protective style, be sure not to leave it in too long or install it too tightly, or else you run the risk damaging the hair you’re trying to protect.
Due to the amount of hair needed, faux locs can cause tension at the roots of the hair which can lead to breakage. If the locs are too heavy, they can also cause neck and back pain.
Take these factors into consideration when you decide on your installation method, the type of hair you use, the length and thickness of the faux locs. Long faux locs are very popular; however, short faux locs can be just as cute and stylish, especially when they are the length of a bob.
When the proper precautions are taken, faux locs for natural hair can be an excellent protective style that is as cute as it is functional. Despite its popularity among naturalistas, faux locs are also a great protective style for women with relaxed hair.
This style is also great for women who are transitioning from relaxed to natural hair. Styling transitioning hair can sometimes be a challenge, so faux locs can give you a much needed break from dealing with the two textures.
Just keep in mind that transitioning hair is more prone to breakage, so be sure to deep condition before and after installation. A protein treatment can also help strengthen the hair before installation.
If you have concerns about your hair being damaged, have a consultation with a trusted stylist before you commit to faux locs on relaxed hair.
How Much Hair Is Needed For Faux Locs?
The amount of hair needed for faux locs will depend on the desired length and thickness of each loc and your method of installation. If you decide to create the faux locs on top of Marley twists for example, you’ll need more hair than if you install the locs over just your natural hair.
So depending on these factors, you may need anywhere from eight to twelve packs of hair. Please be aware that the more hair you use, the heavier your faux locs will be.
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How Long Do Faux Locs Last?
With proper maintenance and upkeep, faux locs can last for up to three months. You may need to touch up the roots as your hair grows out.
You don’t want to leave faux locs in too long, as it is possible that your natural hair will actually start to lock. The price to have faux locs installed by a professional stylist will vary significantly by location, length of the locs, and the type of hair used, but typically ranges anywhere between $150 to $300.
If you choose to install them yourself, then your faux locs price will be significantly lower, as you’ll just be paying for the hair. That cost will also vary; you can find Marley hair for as low as $5 a pack.
Be sure to do your research, as it may be worth it to buy better quality hair at a higher price. Once installed, there are a variety of ways to style your faux locs.
A faux locs bun is a popular style that is very easy to do. The bun can be high, low, loose or tight.
You can also style faux locs into a simple half up, half down style by pulling the locs in the front of the head into a bun and leaving the rest down. You can also find cute accessories for faux locs hairstyles, such as 
Curling faux locs is a relatively easy process. You can wrap them around perm rods, flexi rods, or even pipe cleaners.
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After you’ve wrapped all your faux locs around the curling tools of choice, dip each one in boiling hot water for about 30 seconds. Be very careful not to burn yourself with the hot water and be sure to have a towel handy.
Your safest bet is to focus on the ends of your hair so you don’t run the risk of damaging your natural hair. Knowing how to curl faux locs opens up even more styling possibilities.
Now that you have all the information, it’s up to you to decide if faux locs are right for you. One of the greatest benefits of faux locs is that they are temporary.
As mentioned before, faux locs are a great way to see how you’d look with real locs before making the commitment. If you decide they’re not for you, it’s no big deal; you’ll be back to your regular look in no time.
With their growing popularity, it looks like faux locs for natural hair won’t be going anywhere anytime soon.
Featured image source:
Blacknaps.org
Janet D Neal says
September 2, 2018 at 6:13 amI have dreads and I wanted to add faux locs to them but I wanted them to stay in forever what should I do to maintain them as my own locs
Patrina says
September 3, 2018 at 12:58 pmYou still need to have a proper hair care routine in place.
Tassy says
November 5, 2018 at 1:24 ami want it……….
Yamiah says
November 10, 2018 at 9:12 pmWhich method of installation would you suggest for someone with a TWA ?
Patrina says
December 14, 2018 at 3:00 pmFor faux loc on natural hair I like the crochet method best.
Briana says
January 3, 2019 at 7:08 pmHi Patrina,
I wanted to ensure I understood correctly. When I use to get sew-ins they would itch like crazy whenever I would use the Kanekalon hair to braid down my natural hair. I have since learned about the soaking method in vinegar to clean the hair. To avoid any itch attacks with the locs-I should steer to getting the GODDESS locs which only uses human hair, and If I want the FAUX locs I should vinegar soak the Kanekalon or Marley locs prior to install?
Patrina says
January 12, 2019 at 12:23 pmYes, all hair has the coating that may cause irritation.
Phomello says
January 6, 2019 at 9:17 pmThank you for sharing this valuable information on faux locs, I really appreciate it. I wish I had read this before I paid some hairdresser a whooping $1200 for faux locs that were done with Marley extensions. They are very heavy and making me have neck pain and headache, they are also very tight, I cant sleep if I dont take an advil.
Patrina says
January 12, 2019 at 12:17 pmOh no. I’m so sorry you had that experience.
Emma says
January 9, 2019 at 5:49 pmThank you. Very helpful
Cindi says
January 31, 2019 at 8:30 pmcan you recommend the best place to get crochet faux locs to have done in NYC. I live in the bronx(10473), I have shaved sides and don’t want a lot of locs put in… Thanks for your recommendation if you can…..
Patrina says
February 1, 2019 at 3:26 pmI’m sorry I’m on the west coast and don’t know anyone.
Bonita Saunders says
May 5, 2019 at 3:04 pmI am interested in Faux locs. I had real life for 7 yrs. And I cut them off to a “TWA”…I want them back and don’t want to wait. My hair is gray and I love it so insane gray Marley hair! Do you know of any company that makes Gray Marley haid?
Patrina says
May 6, 2019 at 1:30 pmI’m sorry I do not.
Janaya says
May 26, 2019 at 5:52 pmWhat brand of hair would you recommend for goddess locs?
Patrina says
June 2, 2019 at 2:59 pmHi Janaya,
I’m not up to date on the best brands. It would be best to research the top 3 brands and read reviews.