If you are a hairstyle enthusiast, you may’ve seen soft locs on Instagram. Indeed, this hairstyle is quickly gaining popularity among young people, and for good reasons.
Soft locs can handle a wide variety of occasions, from casual family gatherings to galas. You won’t feel over-dressed wearing them to work. You don’t have to worry about appearing humble at a wedding ceremony.
In this post, I will take you on a journey to explore the numerous benefits of soft locs. You will also get a step-by-step tutorial for installing and removing the locs at home. Maintenance tips are also offered.
Keep reading to see whether this hairstyle is your perfect fit!
What are Soft Locs?
Soft loc, also known as butterfly loc, is a protective hairstyle that imitates dreadlocks. It is achieved by adding hair extensions to the hair.
Soft locs use fine hair, which is more delicate and lighter than regular faux locs. The lightness also brings more movement to the locs upon installation and is 100% safe on all skin types.
Benefits of Soft Locs
Soft locs are gorgeous. But that reason alone can’t explain its popularity. In fact, soft locs has many practical benefits.
Highly Versatile
Soft locs are praised for their versatility. The tender texture of the locs makes them open to limitless styling options. They are flattering whether worn down, tied into a ponytail, or worn half-up and half-down.
Like dreadlocks and other protective hairstyles, soft locs goes well with hair accessories. Headscarf, colorful clips, hair jewelry, and others – you can be as creative as you like.
Soft locs can also be dyed to complement your natural shade. Or, you can form interesting contrasts between the hair extension and your hair. A popular color combination is 1b/30 – adding middle brown soft locs to your black hair.
Easy on the Scalp
Another reason for soft locs’ popularity is their weight. If you’ve ever held a pack of soft locs, you will know that they almost feel like nothing. Soft locs are made from natural hair with a thin diameter. That explains its lightness.
Soft locs are gentle on the scalp. Unlike faux locs, which can cause tension, soft locs add little burden to your head. If you have a delicate scalp, soft locs are a friendly option.
An extra benefit of this lightness is that your hair gets more movement upon installation.
Give Your Hair a Break
Soft locs are easy on the scalp, but their benefit goes far beyond that.
As a protective hairstyle, soft locs provides “safety in numbers.” Your hair navigates friction and heats better being enclosed in locs like this. That means less entangling and slower hydration. There’s also less chance that your hair got snagged on your clothing or hair clip – a lifesaver if you’ve got a hectic life.
Soft locs are also a perfect solution for giving your hair a break. Natural hair can go through significant damage from heat treatment and chemical processes like breaching. From time to time, it needs time to recover.
But that doesn’t mean your hair iron has to gather dust. In this much-needed rest, wrap your hair with soft locs, and you are good to resume heat styling. The hair extensions cut down on the heat, so your natural hair is being cared for.
A Great alternative to Dreadlocks
Dreadlocks are gorgeous. But it requires commitment, both in time and money. If you long for this look yet hesitate to take the leap, consider trying soft locs first.
Soft locs create a similar look to dreads. If soft locs look nice on you, then there is a high possibility that dreadlocks will also be flattering. You also get a foretaste of scalp tension, so you can decide whether you like it or not.
Accepting trial and error means accepting error, but smart people make mistakes less painful. Soft locs are a great alternative to switch to a lock look temporarily.
Quick to install
Dreadlock installation can take 8-12 hours. Extra thin variations like microlocs can even take two days. That means dedicating at least a whole day sitting in a chair.
Soft locs are quick in comparison. Short hair or big locs can be completed within two hours. For long hair and thin locs five hours. It is possible that you can still go out for dinner that night to show your new look to family and friends.
Pocket Friendly
Soft locs are not on the cheapest side when it comes to price. Yet, compared to installing similar size dreadlocks, soft locs are pocket friendly. The cost varies from $150 to $400, depending on your location, your preference for size and length, and the skill level of the hairstylist.
A smart way to cut the budget is to do it at home. In this way, you only need to pay for hair extensions and tools. The tools can also save you the trouble of going to the hairstylist to get soft locs removed.
Continue reading, and you will find a step-by-step tutorial for installation. Hope you will find it helpful!
Embracing Self-Expression
Your hairstyle tells people who you are. As a loc hairstyle, soft locs speaks for your pride in your African origin. It also signals an active lifestyle, and an unique and vibrant personality.
Soft locs can be styled in limitless ways. You can use them to make a bold statement about your personality wherever you go.
How to Install Soft Locs?
Soft locs are generally installed in two ways: crocheting or wrapping. The first approach involves crocheting natural braids into pre-made soft locs. The latter one is about covering the extension around the natural hair.
Today we will focus on the wrapping method, which is beginner-friendly and popular.
Step 1: Braid your Hair
Apply shiny jam to ensure smoothness at the root. Braid your hair tightly, or the soft locs will mess up when attached to the hair.
Step 2: Attach the loc
Push the crochet needle through your braid. Attach the twist to the hook and pull it through. Pull your braid through the hole at the top of the lock.
Step 3: Wrap the Loc around your Braid
Use a crochet needle to pull a strand of soft loc through the root of the braid. Start wrapping.
Wrap about five times around the roots to make a neat start. Your wrap doesn’t have to be neat.
When you wrap to the very bottom, secure the end with some Got2b glue. Rub the loc in your palms to create a smooth appearance.
How to Remove Soft Locs?
Soft locs are not hard to install. They are even easier to remove. With lots of patience and a little practice, you can unravel your soft locs at home.
Step 1: Find that Little Loop
Hold the twist at the base. Looking at the direction in which the locs are wrapped. If you are right-handed, there’s a greater chance that your locs are wrapped to the right. Untwist the loc in the opposite direction, and you will start to see a little loop at the root.
Step 2: Unravel the twist
Take a scissor and snip the loop. None of your natural hair is in the loop, so don’t worry.
Unravel the spring twist hair for a little while. Take the other end that you have snipped and unravel that too.
Step 3: Slide out the Loc
Look where your natural hair ends and snip the rest of the loc. Unravel the braid and slide out the loc gently.
5 Tips to Care for Soft Locs
Great, you have your soft locs installed! The good news is that you get this dreadlock look with short-term commitment. The bad news is that maintaining soft locs is no simpler than dreadlocks.
But things become easier when made into a habit, doesn’t it?
Washing
Your hair is enclosed in the soft locs, so they don’t need regular shampooing. But you still need to do some cleansing to ensure scalp hygiene.
Rinse your scalp twice a week with apple cider vinegar. Gently rub the scalp with your fingertips. This brings away dust and oil, keeping your scalp from itching, building up, or flaking.
Shower
Wear a shower cap to shield your locs from gushing water. Wet locs tend to slip down from natural hair. You may need to rewrap the locs if that happens.
Moisturizing
Soft locs protect your hair from hydration loss. But for the hair to stay in the optimal state, regular moisturizing is still needed. Aloe Vera is a popular hydration product. The gel helps retain hydration and is a lifesaver for brittle hair.
Apply Mousse
Soft locs are sleek when first installed. As time goes on, the cuticle on the hair is damaged, and your locs start to look frizzy. This is the time when you should consider removing the locs.
But it is understandable that you want to wear locs for a few more days. In this case, you can apply mousse to tame flyaways. But remember, too much mousse will build up product in your hair.
Sleep
What could be more comfortable than jumping into bed immediately after a long day’s work? But hold on, put on a bonnet first.
Silk or satin bonnet protects your locs from friction and pulling during sleep, keeping your locs in good shape. If you don’t want to wake up with a head of frizzy locs, do make it a habit.
FAQs about Soft Locs
What Kind of Hair is Used for Soft Locs?
To get perfect soft locs, you should choose the right type of hair. Passion twist or spring twist hair are the most popular options for this hairstyle. They are thin, light, curly, and buoyant. The delicate curls and waves let the hair wrap nicely on your braids.
How long do Soft Locs Last?
Soft locs can frizz or slide out within a week without proper care. But with regular upkeep, soft locs can last about 4-6 weeks. If you prefer a neat and fresh look, you can take the locs down as soon as they frizz. If you like a fluttery “aged” look, you can wear the locs longer.
Can You Keep Soft Locs Permanently?
Unfortunately, no, though I completely understand this wish. Even with proper care, the locs will be prone to slipping after a while. With your natural hair growth, the length can place an excessive burden on your root, causing tension or even headache.
How Many Packs of Soft Locs Do I Need?
You need at least five loc bundles to make a full head of soft locs. To add extra volume, I recommend adding two or three more bundles to your cart. Get enough bundles at once because you don’t want to rush to the store during installation.
Do Soft Locs Cause Tension?
Soft locs are more friendly to the scalp than faux locs. But they can still cause unwanted tension. With natural hair growth, your strands may get heavier. Tension generally happens when the locs go beyond the medium length.
Takeaway
Soft locs comes with lots of benefits. Rock this hairstyle to explore a new look or to give your natural hair a break.
Remember, only with regular and scientific upkeep can soft locs serve as a beauty boost. Take your lifestyle into consideration before committing to this hairstyle.
If you have decided that soft locs is your next look, check out this article on soft loc hairstyle!
