Faux Locs vs. Butterfly Locs: How to Choose Your Style in 2026

What if butterfly locs aren’t a style separate from faux locs, but a more textured take on them? That’s the key to understanding faux locs vs butterfly locs, though the names can still make the choice feel less clear than it should.

Butterfly locs are a type of faux loc, with a deliberately undone, loopy finish. Traditional faux locs often have a smoother, more uniform appearance. The styles create different textures and impressions, so your choice comes down to the look and feel you prefer.

Here’s how the styles compare in appearance, installation, and everyday care, plus what to consider before choosing. At Phemmie’s Place in Glen Burnie, master stylist Phemmie offers both faux locs and butterfly locs, with one-on-one attention to help you talk through your preferred finish.

Faux Locs vs. Butterfly Locs: Understand How the Styles Relate

The names can sound like two entirely separate choices. The simplest distinction is that faux locs describe a broad family of loc-inspired protective styles made with added hair, while butterfly locs are one distinctive style within that family.

Faux locs are the umbrella category; butterfly locs are a textured variation. You’re comparing a broad style category with one particular finish, not two unrelated categories. Faux locs can vary in appearance and installation, so the name alone doesn’t describe every detail of the finished look.

What are faux locs?

Faux locs use added hair to create the appearance of locs without locking your natural hair into that shape. They can be created in different ways, including wrapping or crochet approaches, and the finish can look more or less smooth depending on the technique and styling. For background on the look they imitate, Dreadlocks, also known as locs, are rope-like strands of hair, and faux locs are a temporary protective style that mimics their appearance.

Think of faux locs as the starting point for a range of loc-inspired looks. Some have a sleek, consistent surface; others are intentionally textured. The shared idea is an appearance inspired by locs, created with added hair.

What makes butterfly locs distinctive?

Butterfly locs sit within the faux loc category, but their surface is deliberately less uniform. Their signature distressed texture includes visible loops along the locs. These details create a softer, more undone impression than a smoother faux loc finish. The loops aren’t a flaw to correct; they’re part of the style.

Imagine two loc styles side by side: one with a more even surface, the other with loose-looking loops and a textured outline. Both are faux loc styles, but they create different visual impressions. When browsing inspiration, look at close-up photos as well as full-style images. Close-ups show the surface texture, while a full view shows how it reads across the hairstyle.

This distinction can also help you explain what you want. You might ask for a faux loc style with a smoother, more uniform appearance, or point to butterfly locs if you’re drawn to a looped, distressed texture. Reference photos can clarify details that a style name alone may leave open.

Keep the comparison simple: faux locs are the broader category, and butterfly locs are one textured expression of it. Once you know that, you can focus on the finish you like and how it fits your preferences.

How Faux Locs and Butterfly Locs Differ in Installation and Finish

Once you understand how the styles relate, compare how they’re created and what their surfaces look like. Faux locs can be installed in different ways, and butterfly locs can also be made using more than one approach. The method alone doesn’t determine the final appearance. Wrapping, texture, and finishing all contribute to the result.

How installation approaches can vary

Some faux loc styles are created by wrapping added hair around sections, while crochet approaches can also be used. Butterfly locs are commonly associated with both wrapping and crochet methods. These are broad approaches, not fixed rules for every installation. Focus on the texture you want as well as the method.

Wrapping shapes the loc’s surface as hair is worked around it. Crochet approaches offer another way to create the style. Neither method automatically produces a sleek or distressed result. A wrapped loc can have a more even surface, while butterfly locs are recognized by their intentionally irregular texture. The technique is only one part of the styling picture.

How texture shapes the finished look

A loc with a consistent surface from top to bottom can give faux locs a neat, defined impression. Butterfly locs look different: their loops and distressed texture create visible variation along each loc. The finish feels softer and more undone, with an intentionally relaxed appearance rather than a uniform outline.

When comparing faux locs vs butterfly locs, look beyond the overall silhouette. Which surface would you enjoy seeing up close: smooth and consistent, or textured with noticeable loops? Compare close-up and full-view photos. A close-up shows details along individual locs; a full view shows how the texture comes together across the hairstyle.

• More uniform finish: Look for locs with a consistent surface and a tidier visual outline.

• Butterfly texture: Notice the loops, bumps, and deliberately irregular surface.

• Different methods: Wrapping or crochet describes an approach, not a guaranteed finish.

Bring reference photos that show the surface texture you like. You can also point out whether you prefer a consistent finish or the looped detail of butterfly locs. At a loc styling appointment, master stylist Phemmie can give you one-on-one attention as you consider the finish that suits your preferences.

Compare Faux Locs and Butterfly Locs by Appearance, Feel, and Upkeep

Appearance is only part of the decision. As you weigh faux locs vs butterfly locs, consider how you want the style to feel and what kind of care fits your everyday routine. Neither finish is better for everyone. The right choice is the one you feel comfortable wearing and looking after.

Which visual finish feels more like you?

For a clearer comparison, look at reference photos with similar loc lengths and colours. That keeps the texture in focus. A more even surface can create a neat, defined impression, while butterfly locs’ visible loops bring a relaxed, intentionally undone quality. Picture each finish with the outfits and styling choices you enjoy, then consider which overall look feels most natural to you.

Use the table as a starting point, not a strict rule. Faux loc styles vary, and your impression may depend on the specific finish. Compare close-up and full-style images to see both the surface detail and how the texture works across the whole look.

What should you consider about upkeep?

Upkeep depends on the installation and your routine, not the style name alone. Consider the care you can maintain comfortably. Gentle scalp cleansing, avoiding vigorous scrubbing of the locs, and protecting your hair at night can make care more manageable. Your stylist can also guide you on caring for your chosen installation.

Don’t choose a style based on a promised wear duration or a fixed maintenance schedule. Those aren’t the same for everyone, and this comparison isn’t a timetable. Instead, think about what you prefer to maintain: a more consistent-looking surface, or a texture where some irregularity is part of the overall impression.

For more detailed advice on caring for locs over time, explore this loc maintenance guide. Use care preferences alongside reference photos to make your choice with a clearer sense of both the look and the routine.

Choose the Loc Style That Fits Your Look and Routine

Bring the choice back to what feels right for you. A style can be popular and still not match your preferences. Think about the texture you enjoy, the visual impression you want, and what feels comfortable for your hair needs. Those details offer a steadier guide than trends alone.

Choose faux locs for the finish you want

Faux locs give you a broad category to explore, with different loc-inspired finishes rather than one universal look. Before choosing, note your preferred length, surface texture, and overall effect. You might picture a defined, more even finish, or have a reference showing another faux loc variation. Be specific about what stands out to you.

Choose butterfly locs for a textured look

If visible loops and a distressed finish are the details you keep returning to, butterfly locs may suit your taste. Save a few reference photos that show the texture clearly, not just the overall hairstyle. The final appearance also depends on the installation and styling, so use images to communicate your preference rather than expect every example to look identical.

Try this short decision path:

• Start with texture: Decide whether you’re drawn to a more even surface or prominent loops and irregular detail.

• Picture the finish: Choose the overall impression you want, such as defined and structured or relaxed and textured.

• Consider your hair needs: Bring up any preferences or concerns that matter to you so they can guide the styling conversation.

• Check your routine: Think about the care you can comfortably maintain, then weigh it alongside appearance.

Gather photos with similar lengths and colours. That makes it easier to focus on texture rather than differences in colour or proportions. Include a full-style photo and a closer view if possible. Then point out what you like in each: the loc surface, the finish, or the way the style comes together.

Use your saved images as conversation starters, not strict templates. Your hair needs and preferred finish should lead the discussion, with trends playing a smaller role. At a one-on-one appointment with master stylist Phemmie, you can talk through your preferences and consider faux locs or butterfly locs with personal attention.

If you’re still weighing the care side of your decision, explore these healthy loc care habits as part of your planning. When you’re ready to discuss the finish you have in mind, plan your loc styling appointment and bring your reference photos along.

Explore Faux Locs and Butterfly Locs at an Appointment in Glen Burnie

Photos can turn your ideas about faux locs vs butterfly locs into a clear conversation. If you’re considering either style in Glen Burnie, bring images that show the texture and overall finish you’re drawn to. You don’t need to arrive with every detail decided. A one-on-one appointment with master stylist Phemmie gives you space to share what you like and talk through your style choice.

Prepare for your loc styling appointment

Choose reference images that make your preferences easy to see. A close view shows the loc texture, while a full-style photo gives a sense of the overall finish. If you have several examples, point out what you like in each rather than relying on one image to communicate everything.

It can also help to describe the look in your own words. You might say you prefer a more even surface, or that you’re drawn to a visibly textured finish. Mention the overall impression you want, such as defined, relaxed, or softly undone. These details help guide the conversation without requiring you to know styling terminology.

Keep your preparation straightforward:

• Save photos that show the loc texture you prefer.

• Include an image of the overall finish that appeals to you.

• Think about the words you’d use to describe the style and how you want it to feel.

Use images as inspiration, not as a promise that your finished style will match them exactly. They’re a helpful way to share your taste and give the conversation a clear starting point.

Take the next step with a local stylist

Phemmie’s Place offers faux locs and butterfly locs in Glen Burnie. At your appointment, master stylist Phemmie gives you one-on-one attention as you discuss the style you’re considering. Bring your references, share what matters to you, and talk through your preferred texture and finish.

The salon is appointment-only and does not accept walk-ins. If you’re ready to discuss your reference photos and explore faux locs or butterfly locs, book an appointment with Phemmie's Place.

Make Space for the Loc Style That Feels Like You

Your next step isn’t to find a universally “best” style. It’s to choose the look you’ll feel happy wearing, with a texture and finish that suit your taste. The question of faux locs vs butterfly locs can be a starting point, but your own preferences should lead the decision.

Give yourself room to arrive with questions and talk through the details. A thoughtful style choice doesn’t need to follow a trend or match someone else’s idea of what locs should look like. It can simply reflect what feels right for you.

At Phemmie’s Place, you can explore faux locs and butterfly locs with master stylist Phemmie in a one-on-one appointment in Glen Burnie, Maryland. Book an appointment with Phemmie’s Place and take the next step toward a style that feels like your own.

Frequently Asked Questions

How long do faux locs and butterfly locs last?

Faux locs are often worn for about 4 to 6 weeks, while butterfly locs may last around 6 to 8 weeks. These are general estimates, not a set schedule. Installation method, hair growth, daily habits, and how the style is holding up can affect when it’s time for removal. Check your roots and the condition of your natural hair as the style wears.

Can faux locs be installed on short natural hair?

Often, yes, but your hair’s length and condition can affect how the installation is secured and how the finished style looks. Very short sections may be more challenging to work with, and the result may differ from photos taken on longer hair. Share a clear photo of your current hair alongside a style reference so the stylist can discuss how your starting length may shape the look.

How do you wash your scalp with butterfly locs?

Part the locs into small sections so you can reach the scalp beneath them. Apply cleanser along the part lines with your fingertips, then rinse carefully so product doesn’t remain at the roots. Work around the head rather than trying to clean every area at once. After rinsing, check the scalp for leftover product and allow the locs to dry thoroughly before styling them again.

How should you sleep with faux locs?

Arrange your locs so they aren’t trapped beneath your head or twisted awkwardly as you settle in. If they’re long, gather them loosely to one side or above your pillow, and avoid tight ties that pull at the roots. Adjust the arrangement if you wake up feeling pressure or pulling.

Can faux locs or butterfly locs be reused after removal?

Sometimes, but it depends on the extension hair and its condition after removal. Check for tangling, fraying, or a changed shape before considering reuse. Make sure you can separate the extension hair from your natural hair without force. If the pieces are difficult to untangle or no longer hold their appearance, it may be better to set them aside.

How long does it take to install faux locs or butterfly locs?

Installation time varies with the style and method. General estimates are about 4 to 6 hours for faux locs and 3 to 6 hours for individually wrapped butterfly locs. A crochet installation using prepared locs may take around 1 to 1.5 hours. These are broad estimates, not a promise for every appointment. The chosen length and styling details can also affect the time.

How do you remove faux locs without pulling on your natural hair?

Remove them slowly, one loc at a time. First identify where the added hair ends and your natural hair begins. If you can’t see that clearly, don’t cut. Unwrap or loosen the extension in small sections, then use your fingers to separate any tangles. Stop if you feel resistance. A stylist can help with removal if you’re unsure where your natural hair is within the loc.