How to Do Faux Locs

Co-authored by Shona Williams

Last Updated: June 6, 2023 References

Faux locs are a great way to test out the look of dreads and other more permanent styles without commitment. Regular faux locs are longer and thick throughout the strand. Goddess faux locs are much lighter and thinner. They start out as regular faux locs, then end in curly strands of braiding hair. Both versions are time consuming, the regular version taking the longest. The results are well worth the time an effort, however!

Method 1

Method 1 of 2:

Doing Regular Faux Locs

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1
Take a thin section of hair, and apply moisturizer to it. Use the handle of a rat-tail comb to take a 1 to 2-inch (2.54 to 5,08-centimeter) square-shaped section of hair from your hairline. Lightly mist the section with water, then apply a moisturizing hair cream to it. ^{[1]
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- A combination of castor oil and coconut or olive oil would work especially well for this. You can also use any other cream you'd normally use for making corn rows.
2
Place a thick strand of braiding hair behind it. Purchase some braiding hair or Marley hair. Select a thick strand, find the center, then place it behind the section of natural hair. You will have three strands of hair: a left synthetic strand, a center natural strand, and a right synthetic strand. ^{[2]
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- Make sure that the hair you are using is synthetic.
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Cross the left strand over the middle one, then cross the right strand over the middle one. Keep braiding, making the stitches nice and right, until you run out of natural hair to braid. You will be left with two strands of synthetic braiding hair. ^{[3]
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4
Finish off with a rope braid for a few inches. Twist each strand of synthetic hair clockwise form two ropes. Next, twist the two ropes together counterclockwise to form a thicker rope. Do this for a few stitches, then stop. ^{[4]
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- If the hair is very slippery and does not have a lot of texture to it, it may unravel during the next step. Secure it with a small hair elastic.
5
Add a new strand of synthetic hair to the top of your braided hair. Hold the first 1½ inches (1.91 centimeters) of the synthetic strand against your braid. Make sure that the tip of the synthetic hair is pointing down towards the end of the braid, and not up towards your scalp. ^{[5]
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- Secure the strand with a small hair elastic, if needed.
6
Wrap the synthetic strand around the braid. Hold the 1½-inch (1.91-centimeter) tip of the synthetic strand against your braid with one hand. Use your other hand to wrap the rest of the strand around braid and tip tightly. Start at your root, and continue downwards until you run out of hair to wrap. ^{[6]
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- Overlap the hair slightly as you wrap so that you have no gaps.
Hold the first 1½ inches (1.91 centimeters) of the new strand against the rest of your hair section. Secure it with a small hair elastic, if needed, then wrap the rest of the strand downward. Keep doing this until your faux loc is the length you want it to be. ^{[7]
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8
Trim off the excess hair. Hold the synthetic hair you were wrapping with away from the core. Trim the excess hair from the bottom of the core with a pair of scissors. Do not cut the hair you were wrapping with just yet.
- The "core" is the first strand of synthetic hair that you braided into your hair at the very begging.
9
Finish wrapping the synthetic hair, then trim it off with a razor comb. Wrap the synthetic hair downwards until it covers the core hair completely. Trim it off using a razor comb, then wrap it back upwards until you have nothing left to wrap with. ^{[8]
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- You don't have to use a razor comb, but it will give you a nicer finish.
Turn on a lighter and pass it up and down the length of your faux loc. If using fire around your faux hair makes you nervous, use a drop of nail glue instead. ^{[9]
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This process can take a while, so it would be a good idea to get some help or take lots of breaks. Work your way in sections, row by row, until you are done.

Method 2

Method 2 of 2:

Doing Goddess Faux Locs

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1
Start with freshly washed, braided hair. Wash and condition you hair. Section it off into 1 to 2-inch (2.54 to 5,08-centimeter) square-shaped sections using the handle of a rat-tail comb. Mist each section with water, then apply a moisturizing hair cream to it. Braid each section of hair. ^{[10]
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- A simple mixture of castor oil and coconut or oil will work just fine for this. You can also use your favorite braiding cream instead.
Buy some braiding hair that has a water wave texture. Select a thin strand, find the middle, then hold it behind your first braid, about 1 inch (2.54 centimeters) above the root. ^{[11]
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You should have three strands: a left synthetic strand, your natural braid, then a right synthetic strand. Braid these strands together until you reach the end of your natural braid. ^{[12]
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Split the synthetic hair into three sections, then braid them together for about 1 to 2 inches (2.54 to 5.08 centimeters). You can also simply twist the two strands into a rope braid instead. ^{[13]
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5
Pull a faux loc through the base of your braid. Buy a package of pre-made faux locs. Slide a crochet hook or a latch hook through the base of your braid, close to the root. Catch the top of the faux loc, then pull it back through the braid to form a 1-inch (2.54-centimeter) long loop. ^{[14]
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- Pre-made faux locs are strands of synthetic hair coiled into a tube.
- Choose faux locs that match the color of your braiding hair.
Give the loop a slight twist first, then slide the hook under the braid. Use the hook to catch the rest of the faux loc. Hold the loop with your fingers, then slide the faux loc through the loop. Gently tug on the loc to tighten the knot. ^{[15]
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Unravel the top of the faux loc a little. Wrap it around the braid, letting it coil back into its natural shape. Do this for 1 to 2 inches (2.54 to 5.08 centimeters), then stop. ^{[16]
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Find the bottom of your faux loc. Slid the tip of the crochet or latch hook up through the loc until it comes out the top. Scrunch the loc down the hook as needed to get it all to fit. ^{[17]
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Do not catch the braided part that includes your natural hair. Instead, catch the part that only contains the synthetic braiding hair. ^{[18]
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10
Slide the braiding hair down through the faux loc. Gently tug down on the hook, pulling the braiding hair and the braid down through the faux look. Slip the hook off of the hair. If there are any loops of braiding hair sticking out the side of your loc, tug downward on the braiding hair. Slide the faux loc up and down the braiding hair as needed to adjust the look. ^{[19]
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- The faux loc won't cover all of the braiding hair, but blend into it.
Since your hair is already all braided, all you have to do is add faux locs to it. It would be easier, however, if you start from the bottom of your head, and work your way upwards.

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Tips

To remove a faux loc, trim off the burnt end, unravel the loc, then unbraid your hair.

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There will almost always be some frizz on faux locs. You can help keep it ay bay by moisturizing it and wrapping a silk scarf around your head at night.

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Most faux locs can last up to three months.

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Warnings

Avoid installing the hair too close to your root, or you'll have too much tension, which can lead to hair loss and thinning.

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Things You'll Need

Doing Regular Faux Locs

Rat-tail comb
Spray bottle with water
Moisturizing hair cream
Elastic hair ties (optional)
Synthetic braiding hair/Marley hair
Lighter
Scissors
Razor comb (optional)

Doing Goddess Faux Locs

Rat-tail comb
Spray bottle with water
Moisturizing hair cream
Braiding hair (water wave texture)
Pre-formed faux locs
Crochet hook or latch hook

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How to Do Faux Locs

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Doing Regular Faux Locs

Doing Goddess Faux Locs

Expert Q&A

Tips

Warnings

Things You'll Need

Doing Regular Faux Locs

Doing Goddess Faux Locs

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