Complete Guide to Butterfly Locs
If you’ve heard anyone mentioning doing “Locs,” the first thing that comes to mind is “Protective hairstyle.” And while this may be true, it is also important to know that there are different types of Locs, and they all differ in installation method and care. One of many trending natural hair options in the Butterfly Locs – get to know more about them below.
What are Butterfly Locs?
Butterfly Locs are not the same as Faux Locs. As a matter of fact, they can be regarded as soft boho locs. They are also sometimes confused with distressed locs, but the difference is in the curly loops created. Nonetheless, they take the mixture of goddess locs and passion twists and are natural and low maintenance. Butterfly Locs mostly uses curls and coils to protect the hair.
What Type of Hair is used for Butterfly Locs?
Making Butterfly Locs is dependent on different factors – one is the natural hair length; another is the length of te locs. If you consider these two factors, you may discover you have to use two different types of hair.
The first is a water wave hair (about 6 to 8 packs; between 22 to 28 inches). You can only use it if you don’t want your locs longer than your natural hair. Using it, you should have a bouncy and curly result – the butterfly locs with loops.
The other is a filler hair. You can only use it if you want your locs longer than your natural hair. The filler hair increases the thickness and length, making it bouncier. However, you may find some braiders use kinky marley hair to achieve this same result – braiding and wrapping with the filler.
How Long Do Butterfly Locs Last?
Butterfly Locs have a different time limit, depending on the braiding technique or installation method. They could last between 4 to 6 weeks.
Sometimes, the hair type, length, and maintenance routine also determine how long they would last.
Do Butterfly Locs Break Your Hair?
Faux Locs and Butterfly Locs may be two different hairstyles, but one thing they don’t do is break your hair. Their similarity is that they are protective hairstyles. Butterfly Locs protect your hair from damage or breakage and ensure it grows optimally to the desired level.
Can Butterfly Locs Get Wet?
There is always a misconception about Locs, especially when they get wet. Some believe that all Locs shouldn’t get wet because they become too heavy. Well, this may be true for Faux Locs but not Butterfly.
Butterfly Locs are bohemian styles that can maintain good contact with water without getting damaged. Ideally, you can wash them with shampoo. You can even swim with them.
If you are washing Butterfly Locs, you should know that you won’t get a 100% clean result since you aren’t getting underneath the braiding and water wave hairs.
Why are Butterfly Locs a Protective style?
Butterfly Locs are beautiful hairstyles that add beauty to the face and give confidence. And while doing that, they also remain protective. The reason why they are called a protective style is simply how they appear on the head. The natural hair is bound and protected by the water wave or filler hair, thus, preventing it from exposure and breakage due to environmental factors.
Butterfly Locs share this characteristic with faux locs. Hence, contrary to popular opinion, Locs do not damage the natural hair; instead, they protect it. And your choice should depend on what appearance you want to keep.
How Do You Install Butterfly locs?
The ethereal bohemian loc has different installation methods; however, each takes a similar pattern. Below is a step-by-step guide on how to.
Hair Washing and Conditioning
The first step is washing and conditioning your hair. You must do this so that the hairstyle can do exactly what it is meant to do – protect your natural hair. Also, with the hair treatment, it would be easy to work smoothly and get beautiful results in no time.
To wash and condition your hair, you can soak it in apple cider vinegar rinse it for a few minutes. It is a hypoallergenic solution that will protect the scalp (if you have a sensitive one), making it possible to create Butterfly Locs.
Natural Hair Braiding or Twisting
The next step is braiding ir twisting your natural hair. As aforementioned, you have to braid the natural hair before creating locs. You can start by choosing neat parting patterns to braid or twist smoothly. While doing that, you should keep the hair moisturized – it would enhance strong and healthy hair.
And as you are doing that, you should start prepping the water wave hair. Separate them into different pieces so that it won't be difficult when you have to work with them.
Hair Wrapping
Once you are done braiding your hair, crochet the water wave hair into the braid using a crochet needle. It would be best to start from the root/base up to the top. The whole process shouldn’t be difficult if you are skilled in crocheting or a professional braider.
When you are done crocheting, run your fingers through the water wave hair and spread them out evenly. Proceed with wrapping – tightly first, and then loosely. As you wrap your hair, ensure to create loops that will give it a natural Butterfly Locs look.
Butterfly Locs Sealing
As soon as you reach the desired length for Butterfly Locs, you can now start sealing. You can do this using nail glue. Loop the hair up around your finger like you are creating a knot. You can cut off the excess hair around or keep wrapping the hair until they are fully secure.
Installing Butterfly Locs is indeed not difficult. However, it would be best if you never dipped them in hot water because the wrapping and loops keep the hair secure independently. The more the loops you create, the fancier the Butterfly Locs.
Types of Butterfly Locs
Butterfly Locs come in two different types depending on the installation method – the Braid and Wrap and the Crochet.
Braid and Wrap Butterfly Locs
The Braid and Wrap method is the most common. It involves braiding the natural hair and wrapping the water wave hair from the base up to the top. It also requires an amount of sealing to get the perfect natural look.
Crochet Butterfly Locs
The Crochet method is the most comfortable Butterfly Locs hairstyle. It involves making cornrows and attaching the water wave hair at the ends. It is also a versatile option.
How to Remove Butterfly Locs?
After you’ve carried the Butterfly Locs for a number of weeks and you want to let it down, here is what you should:
First, use a pair of scissors to cut the locs’s ends. Doing this will expose your natural hair, making it possible to unbraid.
Secondly, keep a bottle of hair oil close by. At intervals, you should apply oil to the base of the locs to reduce tension and remove buildup.
Finally, when the locs are off, you should clean your hair properly with shampoo. By doing this, you are trying to improve your hair health, strengthen the strands, and prepare it for the next hairstyle you are interested in.