Stride through 2023 with stylish starter locs styles, or achieve the style effortlessly with faux locs.
Locs are an iconic natural hairstyle that has been around for centuries, and their popularity is continuing into 2023. If you’re on the search to start your own, the first thing you will need to do is to choose a starter loc style. In this guide, we’re taking you through 6 starter loc styles to kickstart your journey.
If you’re eager to flaunt these styles without waiting for your hair to naturally loc, then faux locs are the best option for you:
Starter Loc Styles
Starter locs, or baby locs, are the initial phase of locing your hair. Starter loc styles include different processes of locing your short, natural hair to achieve long, mature locs over time. Start your journey with the best style for you with any of our 6 beginner locs styles.
- Two Strand Twists
- Comb Coils
- Backcombing
- Braids
- Sponge Method for Short Hair
- Kickstart Your Journey with Faux Locs
1) Two-strand Twists
Two-strand twists are a quick starter loc style that over time will result in twisted locs. They have a fuller, thicker texture and feel, which is a popular style for locs. This style works with both shorter and longer hair, but hair that’s around 4 inches long is recommended.
Achieve two-strand twists by first separating your hair into sections at a size of your choice. Divide each individual section in half and simply twist the two hairs around each other from the root to the ends of the hair. Finish with a lightweight holding cream to keep your twists secure.
Two-strand twists are a popular choice as they are easy to DIY at home. The twisting technique also means that are less likely to become untwisted, making them easy to maintain.
2) Comb Coils
Comb coils are a common and good beginner loc style. This results in clean, cylindrical locs over time, being best-suited for hair around 2 to 3 inches in length.
To create comb coils, start by separating your hair into small sections, with the thickness being up to you. Starting at the root, you will then gently spin or coil each section of hair in circular motions around a rattail or fine tooth comb. Once all of the hair is coiled, you will then need to use a locking gel or cream to hold the coils in place.
This starter loc style can take from a few weeks up to a couple of months to loc, depending on your hair length and how tight your coils are. Make sure to give your comb coils the care and moisture they need, especially in the first few weeks, to make sure they don't come untwisted.
3) Palm Rolling
Palm rolls are another easy starter locs style that you can do yourself. Palm rolling gives your dreadlocks a stylish, uniform and round shape. Palm rolls are best done on hair longer than 2 inches, meaning that you can start your locs early in your natural hair growth journey.
To palm roll your hair, first divide your tresses into small size sections. Starting with the sections at the nape of your neck, take an individual section and place the hair in your palm. Gently roll the hair in your palm until you achieve a uniform starter loc. Make sure to roll all your hair in the same direction.
In the first few weeks, palm roll locs can easily come undone, so it is important to care for your locs and cleanse your hair gently in your first wash. Once your locs are formed and mature, palm rolling is also a great way to keep the strands maintained.
4) Backcombing
Begin your locing journey with the backcombing starter style. This is one of the best starter styles for hair with a thinner texture. The backcombing method works best on hair that is 6 inches but can also work on hair that is as short as 3 inches.
Using a comb, divide your hair into small sections. Take each individual section and use a dread comb to brush the hair back towards the scalp. Continue this process slowly and gently until you have a knotted rope.
Backcombing is a popular choice as your hair will loc a lot faster and your roots will have a free-part finish. The backcomb locs are also a lot more durable than other starter styles, meaning that they are easier to maintain.
5) Braids
The braid starter style is easy, quicker, and is suitable for any length of hair, as long as it is longer than 2 inches. If you have looser texture hair, then braids are the ideal starter loc hairstyle.
To start braiding your hair, divide your hair into sections in your choice of size. Take each individual section of hair and, starting at the roots, gently braid the hair into tight, uniform plaits. You can use rubber bands to keep the plaits secure initially.
However, there are a few downsides to using the braid locs style. Braids, or plaits, are thinner and flatter, meaning that your locs will have this same aesthetic. It can also take significantly longer for your braids to turn into locs.
6) Sponge Method for Short Hair
Starting locs with shorter hair can be difficult with a lot of styles, unless you use the sponge method. This beginner locs style uses a dread sponge brush to gradually turn your natural hair into gorgeous locs.
While it would be easier to go to a professional stylist for this method, you can do it yourself at home. This twisting technique involves rubbing small portions of your hair in circular motions with the sponge brush. This circular motion will form rolled or twisted locs that you can secure with rubber bands.
The sponge method is a perfect choice if you are looking for locs with a free-part finish. Your locs will also have a softer, less-uniform aesthetic, allowing you to have dreads that signify your style.
Kickstart Your Journey with Faux Locs
Natural locs are a powerful hairstyle that radiates confidence, but they are also a style that requires extreme patience and commitment. While starter locs generally take between 3 to 6 months to start forming short locs, depending on your hair texture and how fast your hair grows, achieving long and mature locs can take months or even years.
Rocking locs in 2023 is easier and faster with faux locs. Faux locs are temporary hair extensions that have a loc'd look and feel, allowing you to get that authentic loc hairstyle in a few hours. Faux locs can be made from synthetic or natural hair and come in a variety of styles, ensuring that you can wear your selected faux locs style with confidence.
One of the popular faux locs choices for a natural, authentic loc look is Supreme Locs. Supreme locs are a straight loc style that captures the classic look, making these faux locs the ideal choice for achieving the iconic hairstyle quickly.
Goddess Locs are another popular choice for flaunting the loc style with faux locs. Goddess locs offer a striking look with the twist-and-curl pattern. The added versatility and effortless style of goddess locs makes them a strong style choice.
No matter your selected faux locs style, faux locs are the protective style that offers a faster way to achieve the authentic and iconic style of natural locs.
Rock locs in 2023 with faux locs styles from Boho Locs.
