Goddess locs are popping up all around the internet from Youtube to Instagram to star-studded events. So what separates goddess locs from regular locs you ask? Great question — goddess locs are unique because they’re often styled with curly or wavy hair at the ends and detailed with gold jewelry, giving them a royal appearance. Trichologist and celebrity hairstylist Dr. Kari Williams is the creator of the Goddess Locs style, first credited for bringing goddess locs onto the scene in collaboration with her celebrity client, Meagan Good. Dr. Kari runs a hair care salon out of Los Angeles where she is highly sought-after among celebrity clientele. But since we can’t all go to L.A. on a whim, we broke down five different ways to style one of the hottest looks of the season. Be sure to watch the Youtube videos for full step-by-step instructions.
[Oh by the way 👋🏾, if you’re thinking about getting a protective style, our short film, Pretty Shouldn’t Hurt, is a must-watch. Also learn all about safe protective styling here.]
Traditional Goddess Locs Install Method
The traditional method of goddess loc’ing starts by first sectioning the hair into non-precise sections and box braiding the entire head of hair. Loose, wavy extensions are added to the ends and then braiding hair (usually Marley hair or sometimes human) is wrapped around each box braid creating the goddess locs. The traditional approach is very time-consuming because of the steps needed to create the locs— in addition to box braiding.
In this video vlogger, Luhhsetty, demonstrates how goddess locs are applied to her hair. After the “afro textured” hair is added to the box braids, the stylist glues the ends to secure the faux hair. Each braid is meticulously wrapped. Tip: Have your Yeluchi stylist loosely wrap the hair below your roots to ease tension caused by a tight install and the weight of the combined hair. For added appeal, garnish locs with white yarn and some gold clasps. (Note: Taking these locs out will be quite the task. Read below for take-down methods)
Hair Used:
For locs: 8 packs of Rasta Fari Braiding Hair
Possibly used for ends and braids: 2 Freetress 2 packs of Braiding Hair
A Slightly Quicker Approach
For a quicker install, hairstylist, DopeEaxx, begins by simply plaiting sectioned hair instead of braiding the entire head with added hair, which takes a little longer. As a result, this method creates less tension on the scalp and hair which is a MAJOR bonus. For the wavy ends, she pulls some Freetress Braid Deep Twist hair through the base of the plait using a crochet needle, followed by Cuban Twist hair. She then tightly wraps the kinky-textured Cuban Twist hair around the braid and wavy hair into loc form and secures it with nail glue, while the wavy hair is left hanging at the ends.
Hair Used:
For the ends: 2 packs of Freetress Deep Wave
For the loc: 3 packs of Cuban Twist Hair (great for locs that aren’t stiff)
Installing Short Goddess Locs on Long Hair
For short locs we looked to Youtuber, 1nOnlyCash, for inspiration. After applying edge control, she cuts the Freetress Braiding Hair in half, from 22 inches to 11 inches, for shorter locs. After braiding-in the synthetic hair, try using a rubber brand to secure the ends of your natural hair before twisting the kinky braiding hair overtop. The rubber band technique is an alternative to burning the ends. To finish the look (with caution) run a lighter over the synthetic hair to smooth out any rough patches. For more short locs inspo, check out Natural Babe Xx Nikitha via Instagram.
Hair Used:
For the ends: About 2 packs of Freetress Deep Twist Braiding Hair, 22 inches – color TP27/613
For the Locs: About 3 packs of Femi Collection Marley Hair – color 27
Crochet Goddess Locs (The Quicker Approach)
Cornrows Only
With the traditional way of installing goddess locs taking six hours or more, crocheting goddess locs is a better approach for those who might be short on time and also want to place less tension on their hair.
In this video vlogger, Tastepink, uses Bobbi Boss Bae Braiding Hair, Synthetic Braiding Hair Dreadlocks Extensions and Maine Concept Afri-Naptural Crochet Braids to achieve the look. She begins by cornrowing the hair back, making sure to keep the smaller cornrows at the front to give a neat appearance. Then she crochets faux locs starting from the nape of the neck, back up to the top of the head. Concentrate on adding the most locs to the center of the head to conceal any gaps. Use a latch hook by looping into the hair from the opposite direction as you want the locs to lay. Then crochet in some wavy hair and add accessories for added goddess appeal.
Cornrow and No-Cornrow Crochet Method
If you’re leaning toward the crochet method, but are concerned about having a natural-looking part, you can use a combination of cornrows and individual braids. Here’s a primer on the no-cornrow crochet method. In addition to the typical no-cornrow approach vlogger extraordinaire, Jazz Nicole, shows six more quick ways to install individual locs.
Hair Used:
4 packs of Motown Tress Angels Collection in Curly 3X Goddess Locs and Deep Wave 18” (36 locks in a pack)
In case you’d like to skip the video, here’s what she does: (Note: all methods start with an individual braid (without added hair) or “brist,” a braid that starts as a braid then changes to a twist about a third of the way down. Shout out to Jazz Nicole for her excellent nomenclature.
The Hug Method: She opens up the crochet loc slightly then twists her braided hair down the loc.
The Pull Method: She pulls inserts the crochet needle into the loc then pulls her braid through the loc. This approach is great for curly locs, per Ms. Nicole.
The Braid-In Method: This one doesn’t require a braid or brist first or even a crochet needle. Nicole simply puts the loop of the crochet loc around the base of a small section of her hair. She splits that section in two, then uses her hair and the loc to create a braid, resulting in a loc that starts as a braid. She notes that this approach is great for small locs or locs that match the color of your hair.
The Knotless Method: (we really like this one). This one gives you a really seamless base. Nicole splits a section of her hair in two and puts one piece through the loop of the crochet loc. Then she braids her own hair, which is how the loc stays secure as opposed to being knotted at the base. She then uses the pull method to hide her braid. This approach has the most natural looking end product.
The Wrap-in Method: She starts with the knotless method, then wraps hair from an unraveled loc and wraps it around her braid. This method is natural looking but it’s slightly more time-consuming.
The Braided Wrap-in Method: Great for large locs. She braids an unraveled loc into her own hair. Then wraps a loc around the braid. This one’s a great one to watch. It starts at about 13:50.
Taking Down Goddess Locs
Now that you’ve had your hair in for 2-4 weeks, it’s time to take out your goddess locs.
Take-Down for Traditional Goddess Locs
Here you’ll see two methods for taking down your traditional goddess locs including chopping off the ends (the typical method to remove faux locs), and separating the ends first, which is great for women with naturally long hair who are worried about accidentally cutting their real hair.
Take-Down for Crochet Goddess Locs
Although the quality of this hair in this video is not what we suggest for loc’ing, this take-down method is fast and efficient. Begin by pulling out your natural hair from the faux loc and then unloop the crochet loop from around your hair, pulling out both your natural hair and the faux hair from under the crochet loop. This method is great if you want to preserve and save your locs for another time.
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Thanks so much Tiffany!