11 of the Best Hairstyles For Starting Locs (2024)

11 of the Best Hairstyles For Starting Locs (1)

In This Article

Comb CoilsPalm RollingTwo-Strand TwistsBraidsFreeform LocsSisterlocks

Instant LocsLoc ExtensionsGoddess LocsBackcombedInterlocked

When you decide to start growing locs, one of the first steps will be choosing your starter loc style: Basically, a loc-friendly hairstyle that, with proper maintenance and time, will eventually grow into mature locs. The style you land on will largely depend on your hair texture and the end look you're going for.

Not even sure where to begin? We chatted with master loctician Sherelle Whitney Holder to learn more about starter loc styles and asked her for her best tips and product recommendations. Ahead, check out some of the best hairstyles for starting your loc journey.

Meet the Expert

Sherelle Whitney Holder is a master loctician and the owner and lead stylist at Karibbean Kinks hair salon.

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Comb Coils

11 of the Best Hairstyles For Starting Locs (2)

One of the most common starter styles, comb coils are made by spinning small sections of hair with the teeth of a rattail comb or coil twist comb. You just grab a section of hair by the end, insert the fine-tooth comb, and begin spinning until the hair has formed a coil.

To maintain this style, Holder says, "You want to make sure you are keeping it moisturized at all times using a hair oil of your choice and wearing a head scarf at night."

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Palm Rolling

11 of the Best Hairstyles For Starting Locs (3)

As the name suggests, this style is created by rolling sections of hair between the palms of your hands to help your strands find their shape. This look not only works great as a style on its own or for maintaining locs, but it's also a good choice for starting your locs. By leaving your palm rolls in, your hair will naturally loc over time. Decide how large you want your sections to be before beginning to palm roll, and make sure they are as uniform as possible.

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Two-Strand Twists

11 of the Best Hairstyles For Starting Locs (4)

Depending on your hair type, you might find comb coils difficult to prevent from unraveling, so try two-strand twists instead. Just like palm rolls, two-strand twists are their own style but can be left in to grow into locs as well, with a fuller, thicker end result. You'll need at least a couple of inches of hair to form two-strand twists (at least four inches will give you the best results). You can use palm rolling or comb twisting to maintain the twists as they grow.

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Braids

11 of the Best Hairstyles For Starting Locs (5)

Braids (or plaits) may be the go-to starter loc style for people with a looser hair texture to prevent unraveling in the beginning loc stages, particularly when the hair gets wet. Keep in mind that braid locs will not be as circular as rolled or twisted locs; since the braid is flat, your locs will be as well. It may take a year or longer for the braid pattern to disappear and your loc to form.

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Freeform Locs

A classic loc style, freeform locs take on their own unique shape and form. Instead of starting with a deliberate style, this variation of the starter loc happens organically, with little twisting or manipulation.

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Sisterlocks

Thanks to their small size, sisterlocks have a lot of versatility when it comes to styling, which makes this starter loc style a favorite for those who love to switch up their look. Because this is such an intensive process that requires using a specific technique, this type of starter loc should be done by a certified sisterlock consultant. "Sisterlocks are a hair care system that requires training, and you should make sure that your stylist is knowledgeable in sisterlock education," says Holder. "The initial install can range from 16-18 hours, depending on the length and thickness of your hair."

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Instant Locs

11 of the Best Hairstyles For Starting Locs (6)

This is the technique to use if you're starting with longer hair and want instant results (hence the name instant locs). While it can take years and years to grow some of the other starter loc styles into mature locs, instant locs give you the look right away. This technique involves using a crochet hook to loc your loose natural hairs together.

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Loc Extensions

11 of the Best Hairstyles For Starting Locs (7)

This starter loc method is exactly how it sounds. If you don't have the patience to grow mature locs, loc extensions can be added to your hair for a faux loc style that looks like the real thing. Holder recommends using "Afro kinky bulk hair because it's lightweight and can be colored and manipulated like real dreadlocks."

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Goddess Locs

11 of the Best Hairstyles For Starting Locs (8)

This faux loc style is easily identified by its loose curls at the ends of each loc. The way to achieve this look is by wrapping loose braiding hair around braided sections of your own hair to create a longer faux loc.

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Backcombed

11 of the Best Hairstyles For Starting Locs (9)

If your hair is on the wavier to straighter side, backcombing might be a good option for starting your loc journey. Backcombing involves combing/teasing your hair backward (hence the name) with a metal comb and is best for people with hair on the longer side. Once the hair is teased enough, you roll it into your desired loc shape with the palms of your hands.

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Interlocked

Interlocking is a process for creating locs that uses a crochet needle/latch hook, Holder explains. This method is done by pulling the ends of the hair through the roots using the needle in an east, west, north, and south rotation until no new growth is left.

What Are Passion Twists? A Guide to the Stunning Natural Hairstyle

11 of the Best Hairstyles For Starting Locs (2024)

FAQs

11 of the Best Hairstyles For Starting Locs? ›

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.

What hairstyle is best for starting dreads? ›

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.

What are the best starter locs to start with? ›

Braids/Plaits - Locs can be started with braids / plaits with at least 5 inches of hair of any texture. Braid Locs are ideal for those that sweat a lot in their scalp or that wish to maintain their locs with interlocking. Comb Coils - To start locs with comb coils, you only need about 2-3 inches of hair of any texture.

What hair type is best for locs? ›

Every hair type can loc, but the kinkier the hair is the faster it will loc - in most cases that is. Finer or straighter hair can take longer to loc and might look different from someone with kinkier hair.

What is the best style for locs? ›

10 Quick and Easy Hairstyles for Your Locs
  • Side part. ...
  • Ponytail on top. ...
  • One bun on top. ...
  • Two buns on top. ...
  • Two ponytails. ...
  • Headband. ...
  • Headwrap with bangs. ...
  • Headwrap with loose hair on top. I like to put my hair into a loose bun or ponytail and wrap fabric around my head to frame my hair.
May 28, 2024

What not to do with starter dreads? ›

How do I maintain my new starter locs?
  1. Avoid conditioners and detanglers. Any product that is meant to help detangle your hair can cause your starter locs to loosen and unravel.
  2. Avoid manipulating your locs. ...
  3. Shampoo infrequently at first. ...
  4. Limit the number of hair products you use. ...
  5. Be patient!
Jul 13, 2021

Is it better to do starter locs on wet or dry hair? ›

Always loc wet hair and then dry it thoroughly. Drying together will help the strands fuse, and wet curls or kinks are easier to handle.

Which hair locs the fastest? ›

In general, thicker and more tightly coiled hair locs faster.

How long before starter locs look good? ›

"In the starter stage, it may seem difficult because your hair keeps coming undone when shampooing," says Faulk. The length of this stage is entirely determined by your hair type and how fast your hair typically grows, but expect about three to six months. Your locs will look pretty uniform and neat.

What are the 5 stages of starter locs? ›

We are currently experiencing technical issues. Getting the locs you have always wanted takes a process, and it's important to know the different stages of locs journey so you can know what to expect. There are five stages of locs, namely the starter stage, budding stage, teen stage, maturity stage, and rooted stage.

Are locs better than dreads? ›

As for physical differences, locs have a well-kept and tidier look to them compared to dreadlocks, which have a more natural appearance. Additionally, locs have a more defined root compared to dreadlocks. Dreadlocks and locs don't have to be for only natural hair.

What kind of locs does Jay Z have? ›

A closer look at Jay-Z's hair tells us that he has 10-20 thick dreadlocks across his head. Some mistake these dreads for wicks style dreadlocks, but they are in fact freeform. We know this because wicks dreads are typically fewer in number and much more gravity resistant than freeform dreads.

What does 4a hair look like? ›

Type 4a hair has medium-sized, loosely packed curls. The curls have a springy S-shape and are about the size of a crochet needle. Each 4a strand independently curls or spirals away from other neighboring strands.

What's the best hairstyle to start dreadlocks? ›

“Typically, I suggest starting with comb coils, two-strand twists, interlocking, or loc extensions,” Faulk says. But before you choose one at random, Faulks says there are tons of things to keep in mind when choosing your ideal starter loc style.

How should I start my locs? ›

There Are Different Ways To Start Your Locs

Traditionally, people do the comb coil method. This method involves sectioning the hair and using the fine teeth of a comb to twist the hair into a tight coil. You can also do mini twists or braids and leave the hair to loc that way. Yet another method is instant locing.

How do you get the perfect locs? ›

Use comb coils for an easy method to start locs.

Just wash, detangle, and dry your hair, then split it into sections. Place the end of a section of hair between the teeth of a comb and twist it from root to tip to create the coil. Repeat with each section until your entire head is covered.

Which way is the best way to start locs? ›

There Are Different Ways To Start Your Locs

Traditionally, people do the comb coil method. This method involves sectioning the hair and using the fine teeth of a comb to twist the hair into a tight coil. You can also do mini twists or braids and leave the hair to loc that way. Yet another method is instant locing.

Which method is better for starter locs? ›

Interlocking

This method generally holds up better than other methods. And while they can still unravel, it's nowhere near as much as other methods. When you start your locs by interlocking, you can use the same technique for maintenance. In fact, this can be a great way to retighten locs started with any method.

Should you do styles on starter locs? ›

Manipulating them less will help them grow healthy and thick. 2.4 Avoid Tight Styling: Styling the locs too tightly can cause breakage and can put too much traction on hair strands and hair follicles which makes the hair weaker and can cause irreversible damage, like, hair loss, in the long run.

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