FAUX LOCS - A FAB PROTECTIVE HAIR STYLE.

Hey Ladies!!!  Do you need a break from the regular braids and weaves? Need a fabulous new protective hair style? Then this post could be helpful. I've got this for you: FAUX LOCS.

Faux Locs is a fabulous protective hair style that resembles permanent locs (dreadlocks). No wonder it is called faux locs. Faux is a French word for wrong or fake. So I call it 'fake locs'.

It's a trendy hair style. Right now, Its almost taking over lagos, but so many are yet to know about it. I know, my west african ladies wont let it rest until they are done slaying and that won't be anytime soon. I  just did mine *smiles* . If you will be trying faux locs, then first, you need to know all that is takes. So gurls, let talk about it.

What to do before
To make faux locs, you need to prepare your  hair by detangling, washing, conditioning, deep conditioning, and moisturizing. You can also use a leave-in conditioner. All of this is necessary because your hair will be hidden in the locs for a while.


What hair to use
You can use different hair types like kanekalon, Marley hair and kinky hair. I also read about using Xpression Ultra braid, so I went for it since it is one I can get very easy at any local store around me. Not like those others are difficult to find. Major online stores do have them. The final looks for each of them are different. I used 5 packs and half. The quantity to use also differs for the different hair types.

Find out how its done
Next, you need to know how it is done, whether you are doing it yourself or your stylist will be doing it for you. Stylists around here are familiar with the use of yarn/wool and currently Brazilian wool for hair styling, so you need to tell them what you want and how want it. It might sound knew to some... So what I asked my stylist to try it out with one small section on my hair. I was okay with it, so I gave her a go ahead.

How my hair stylist made my faux locs with Xpression Ultra Braid

First, she braided my natural hair with the Xpression individually. After which she wrapped taut each braid  from root to tip with another expression so that it does not unravel easily but not so much as to cause hair breakage and severe headaches. In order to have a smoother finish, she did not give a feathered end to the one she used to wrap. Instead of burning the ends like I read some bloggers do, she tied knots close to the end, and twisted the remains. After wrapping, she made the ends such that it left curls when dipped into hot water. The hair felt stiff until it was dipped into hot water to loosen up a bit. Though water made it temporarily heavy.

How long it takes to make
Generally, it does take about 8-10hrs. Mine took 11 hours. It might have been even more than that if not for two others that helped to finish the wrapping. This was actually due to the length of the hair. The longer the locks, the more time spent. Then, also, the longer the locs, the heavier. Pros: you have more styling options later. But the thicker the individual braids, the less styling options.

How long does it last
This protective hair style could last 2 months and more. It all depends on you, shaa...

Whats next
During the period you have your locs on, your scalp and undergrown hair need to be taken care just like you will do for any protective hair style. Massage scalp twice daily, condition hair once a week and deep condition once a month to keep your natural hair at its best.

After about two weeks or more,  when there is an undergrowth, you can now style  and ROCK. Am I missing out something? Hehehe... I didn't talk about the pain and the sleepless nights few days following the installation. Pain relief drugs can help if you can't endure. For me, that's not a deterrent....... I love faux locs!! I'm gonna try it again and again.

If you rock faux locs too, you can tag  your gorgeous pics on my instagram page  or use hashtag #fauxlocsdiva to be featured on the blog.



You might also like

#Bits of what happened at the Hair Expo in Portharcourt
#The worries and fears of going on a natural hair journey.