If you’re anything like me, you’re always on the hunt for a stylish, low-maintenance protective hairstyle. As a busy career woman, I need something that looks polished for work but is easy enough for me to manage on my own. After doing some research, I decided to give butterfly locs a try – and I’m so glad I did!

In this beginner’s guide, I’ll walk you through everything you need to know to try out butterfly locs for yourself. From choosing the right loc hair to proper installation and maintenance, I’ll share all the tips I learned from my first time getting this chic protective style. Let’s get started!

Choosing Your Loc Hair

The first step is picking out the right loc hair for your texture and desired look. You have a few options: synthetic hair, human hair, or faux locs. I opted for a synthetic ombre loc hair from Outre that was a mix of blonde and brown colors. The hair was already pre-twisted, making installation easier. Just keep in mind synthetic locs don’t blend as seamlessly with natural hair.

If you want a more realistic look, splurge on human hair butterfly locs instead. They’ll be more expensive than synthetic, but human hair blends better and can be re-installed a few times. You can also try faux locs, which are installed using your own natural hair and a twisting method. The downside is faux locs don’t last as long.

No matter what texture you choose, make sure to pick a style of loc that is appropriate for your hair length and face shape. The stylist helped me select a loose, bohemian curl style that complemented my hair and features nicely.

Getting Your Hair Installed

Now for the fun part – getting your locs installed! I’d recommend having them installed professionally your first time. Loc installation can take 6-8 hours or even longer. My stylist was super patient and walked me through the process while she worked.

First, she sectioned my real hair into squares and braided each section down close to my scalp. This created a base over which the fake locs could be attached. She tipped each of my braids with waxed thread to make installation easier.

Next came attaching and styling the loc hair one piece at a time. She lined up the pre-twisted loc with the base braid, then wrapped the end of the loc hair around the braid tip that was waxed for grip. Sealing the loc with hot water, she styled and shaped it with the curling wand for a soft, loose curl pattern.

The stylist repeated this process strand-by-strand until my whole head was covered in beautiful, flowing locs. My finished style looked so lush and full! I also loved the loose curl and ombre coloring she was able to achieve.

Caring for Your Butterfly Locs

While butterfly locs require less maintenance than some protective styles, you do need to take steps to make them last 4-6 weeks. Be gentle when handling your new locs to avoid frizz and tangling. I skipped putting my hair in tight ponytails or buns that could cause excessive pulling.

Use a soft loc brush or your fingers to gently detangle as needed. You can refresh the curls with a curling wand on a low heat setting if they start looking messy. I sprayed my locs with a leave-in conditioner and argan oil to keep the hair conditioned and shiny.

When washing your locs, massage the shampoo and conditioner in gently rather than scrubbing. Make sure to thoroughly rinse and air dry instead of towel drying harshly. Drying upside down helps maintain the curl pattern. Avoid getting your locs wet too often, which can encourage mildew.

Re-Styling and Removal

The great thing about butterfly locs is you can re-style them if needed. Around week 3, my curls were starting to fall. My stylist touched them up by re-curling each loc and trimming any frizzy ends. This refreshed the look so I could go a couple more weeks.

When you’re ready for removal, see your stylist to have them carefully unbraided and taken out strand-by-strand. Never try to rip out or cut butterfly locs yourself! This can damage your natural hair underneath. Have patience – the removal process takes several hours.

Once removed, do a deep conditioning hair mask to bring your real hair back to life. Then enjoy rocking your natural locks for a while! When you miss your butterfly locs, you can always get them re-installed.

Why I’m Obsessed with Butterfly Locs

Can you tell I’m kind of obsessed with my butterfly locs? Here are just a few reasons why I love this stylish protective style so much:

– The loose, bohemian curls are feminine and romantic. I felt like a goddess!
– They’re way lighter and cooler for summer than box braids or cornrows.
– I could still pull my hair back in a loose ponytail or bun for workouts.
– This style works for all hair lengths and textures. Even my fine hair could handle the faux locs.
– The maintenance is low – no need for nightly wrapping or braiding required.
– I got tons of compliments! People asked me if these were my real locs.
– It’s a fun, temporary style to switch up your look. I liked not being stuck with it for months.
– Butterfly locs gave my natural hair a break while still letting me feel beautiful.

By the way, If you’re looking to explore more options within the realm of protective hairstyles, consider knotless braids as your next adventure. This modern take on traditional box braids offers a seamless and lightweight look that’s gentle on your hairline. Unlike conventional braiding techniques that start with a bulky knot at the root, knotless braids begin with your natural hair and gradually incorporate extensions as the braid progresses.

This innovative approach reduces tension on your scalp, making them a fantastic choice for those seeking a comfortable and stylish option. Knotless braids also boast longevity, allowing you to enjoy your stunning new look for several weeks. Whether you’re a protective styling veteran or new to the game, knotless braids could be the ideal choice to continue your hair journey with flair and comfort. Just like butterfly locs, finding an experienced stylist is key to achieving the best results.

Thinking About Trying Butterfly Locs?

If you’re on the fence about trying butterfly locs, I say go for it! Just make sure to find an experienced stylist you trust for the installation and removal. Be ready to pamper your locs a bit and avoid anything too strenuous that could cause excessive friction.

And remember – patience and gentleness is key when handling your butterfly locs. Don’t rush the process or skip steps. Take your time caring for them properly so you can rock this gorgeous style for 4-6 weeks.

For my first set of long butterfly locs, I’m thrilled with how chic and pretty they turned out. This beginner had an awesome experience with her protective style. Now I can’t wait to get knotless braids next! I may also try out some braided wigs or faux locs in the future to change up my look. The options are endless.

No matter what stunning protective style you try out, embrace the chance to give your natural hair a rest while still feeling put-together. Trust me, butterfly locs will have you walking with a goddess-like confidence in no time. Take a page from my beginner’s guide and you’ll be rocking this chic style like a total pro!

As I reflect on my loc journey, I’m grateful for brands like FANCIVIVI that are making protective styling more accessible. FANCIVIVI creates braided wigs designed specifically for black women and their versatile hair care needs. Their wigs allow you to experiment with stunning braided looks without the high maintenance. FANCIVIVI wigs have been an absolute game-changer for me. I love that I can just pop one of their wigs on and achieve a gorgeous, natural-looking braided style in minutes.