How to Style Your Faux Locs

Co-authored by Ashley Adams

Last Updated: March 29, 2019 References

Faux locs are a protective style for African-textured hair and are similar to dreads and Goddess locs. While faux locs look stylish enough on their own, you can take your style a step further by pulling them into buns or ponytails. You can even accessorize them with special metal beads or silk scarves. Once you know the basic styles, the possibilities are endless!

Method 1

Method 1 of 3:

Keeping Your Locs Out of Your Face

1
Pull the hair around your hairline back to keep it out of the way. Gather the faux locs from around your hairline, including your temples and in front of your ears. Pull the locs back behind your head, and secure them with a hair tie.^{[1]
X
Research source}
- Plan on going 1 to 2 locs deep all along your front hairline.
- This style is similar to a half-up, half-down ponytail, except that it uses less hair.
- If you don't want to pull your faux locs straight back, create a middle or side part prior to securing the locs with a hair tie.
2
Twist the hair around your hairline into a headband. Create a deep side part. Gather the hair on the thicker side of the part (about 2 locs deep), twist it upwards into a rope, then pull it behind your head. Repeat the process for the thinner side of the part as well. Gather the two ropes behind your head and secure them with a hair tie.^{[2]
X
Research source}
- The headband should start in front of each ear.
- For a slightly different headband look, twist together pairs of locs that make up each rope.
Advertisement
3
Use a couple of locs as a faux headband. Gather 2 locs from behind each ear. Cross them under your hair, right at your nape. Pull the locs up the sides of your head and tie them together at the top. Wrap the tail ends around the faux headband to secure them.^{[3]
X
Research source}
- Position the headband at least 1 inch (2.5 cm) behind your front hairline.
- You can pull the headband as far back as you’d like.
4
Create a braided headband using the hair from in front of your ear. Gather 3 locs from in front of your right ear. Braid them together, then pull the braid across the top of your head, like a headband. Secure the braid behind your left ear with a bobby pin.^{[4]
X
Research source}
- You can also do this headband starting on the left side of your head instead.
5
Pull back some locs for a romantic look. Create a center part. Gather 3 locs from each side of the part, right at your hairline. Pull the strands around your head towards the back, then tie them together.^{[5]
X
Research source}
- Create a boho-chic look by braiding the strands on each side first. You’ll have something that looks like a braided crown.

Method 2

Method 2 of 3:

Pulling Your Locs into Buns and Ponytails

1
Do a simple high ponytail. Lean forward and gather all of your locs into a high ponytail. Straighten back up, and secure the ponytail with a thin, elastic headband. If you want a fancier ponytail, take 1 to 2 locs, and wrap them around the base of the ponytail to hide the elastic. Tuck them inside the ponytail, or secure them with a bobby pin.^{[6]
X
Research source}
- Keep in mind that if your faux locs are long and thick, the ponytail may feel heavy at first until you get used to it.
2
Pull your locs back into a casual low ponytail. Gather all of your locs, and pull them into a low ponytail, right at the nape of your neck. Wrap a thin, elastic headband around them a few times to secure them.^{[7]
X
Research source}
3
Try a half-up, half-down ponytail or a topknot. Gather the first 2 to 3 rows of locs from behind your front hairline into a high ponytail. Secure the ponytail with a hair tie. Leave it as-is, or twist it into a topknot or bun. Secure the topknot or bun with another hair tie, if needed.^{[8]
X
Research source}
4
Gather your locs into a large bun. Gather your locs into a high ponytail that sits right on the top of your head. Secure the ponytail with a thin, elastic headband. Twist and wrap the locs around the base of the ponytail into a bun. Secure them with bobby pins or another elastic headband.^{[9]
X
Research source}
5
Try a set of mini buns instead. Part your locs down the center. Gather the locs on the left side of your head, from part down to your ear, into a mini ponytail. Secure it with a hair tie, twist it into a bun, then secure it with another hair tie. Repeat the step for the right side.^{[10]
X
Research source}
- Keep the buns on top of your head, not on the sides.

Method 3

Method 3 of 3:

Creating Other Styles with Your Locs

1
Add some metal hair decorations to your locs. They are short, metal tubes that you slide over dreads, braids, or faux locs. They come in a variety of colors and styles, and some even have rhinestones or dangling charms. You can find metal hair decorations online and in stores that specialize in hair extensions, braiding, wigs, etc.^{[11]
X
Research source}
- Mix and match different decorations for a unique look.
2
Combine a messy bun with a scarf for a chic look. Start with a messy bun. Place a silk scarf against the back of your head. Wrap the around your head, cross them in front of the bun, then bring them towards the back. Tie them into a knot, then wrap the tail ends around the scarf to hide them.^{[12]
X
Research source}
- Wrap the bun in such a way so that it is tall and vertical, not low and squashed.
- Fold the scarf in half lengthwise a few times if it is too wide.
3
Twist your locs into a stylish quiff. Gather the locs on the top of your head, spanning from eyebrow-to-eyebrow, into a high ponytail, and give it a single twist. Next, gather more locs from your temples, and cross them over the twisted ponytail. Wrap a loc around the quiff to secure it.^{[13]
X
Research source}
- Use bobby pins to secure the locs, if needed.
4
Try a half mohawk instead. Pull the locs from your hairline into a ponytail and give them a single twist. Gather some locs from about eyebrow level, wrap them over the top of the twisted locs, and tie them. Repeat the process once more using the locs from your temples, just above your ears.^{[14]
X
Research source}
5
Use a bandana to tie your ponytail. Gather your hair into a mid-high ponytail that sits on the back of your crown. Wrap and tie a folded bandana around it to secure it.^{[15]
X
Research source}
- Fold the bandana diagonally to get the most length out of it. You want it to be about 2 inches (5.1 cm) wide.

Community Q&A

Question

Is 14 inches too short to make a ponytail?

Ella Hubbard

Community Answer

No, it is not. I have 10" of hair and I can put it up into a ponytail. To get more length out of your hair, you can straighten it.
Question

How do I style my crocheted braids?

Community Answer

You could a half-up/half-down, or you could a low bun or ponytail. If your braids are very thick, you might want to do the low ponytail. But if your braids are thin, then you might want to do the half-up/half-down.
Question

My hair always comes out of the tie, what do I do?

Enitan

Community Answer

If your locs keep coming out of your tie, you have several options. First, you can use bobby pins to attach your hair to the tie. You can also tie the hair to the band itself. Be careful with this method though, because it can put stress on your hair. My favorite method when I wear faux locs is to use a large tie and pull it over my head, pull the locs through the band, and then push the band back to the nape of my neck to get the perfect ponytail.