Labor Day Sale · Aug 28 - Sep 7 · Up to 50% off wigs, bundles & braids · See the flyer

What You Need for Butterfly Locs

Butterfly locs are distressed locs: the loops pulled out along the length are the whole look, and they're created deliberately rather than being wear and tear. Water wave hair is what makes it possible, since the pattern gives the loops something to hold.

The hair

Water wave wrapping hair, and it needs to be water wave specifically. Straight kanekalon does not produce the loops, and marley hair is too matte and dense to catch the light the way the style depends on. Buy it in one purchase so the wave pattern is consistent, since mismatched texture shows immediately in a style built on texture.

Creating the loops

The loops come from wrapping loosely and pulling small sections of the wrapping hair back out as you go, or from pushing the wrap up the loc to bunch it. It looks accidental and is not: even, deliberate loop placement is what separates a good install from a messy one. Working out your rhythm on the first few locs before doing a whole head is worth the time.

Weight and comfort

Lighter than traditional faux locs because the wrapping is looser and the hair is springier, though longer versions still carry real weight. The usual rules apply: if it hurts on day one it's too tight, and shorter or fewer locs is a legitimate way to make a style wearable rather than a compromise on the look.

Keeping them looking intentional

The distressed look ages differently from a smooth style, since new frizz blends in rather than standing out. That's an advantage. What ages badly is buildup along the parts, so wash the scalp with an applicator bottle every couple of weeks and dry the roots properly. Satin at night keeps the loops from flattening on one side.

Take-down

Unwrap slowly and cut the wrapping hair clear of your own. The loops can catch on each other during take-down, so work section by section with conditioner or detangler rather than pulling anything through.