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20 Boho Butterfly Locs Ideas to Save Now

Boho butterfly locs with distressed texture and gold cuffsSave me

Boho butterfly locs are the softest, most effortless version of this protective style - extra distressed, full of loose loops and curly ends, and finished with gold cuffs and beads for that free-spirited, bohemian vibe. This is the look people picture when they think of butterfly locs: lived-in, textured and undone in the prettiest way. It works at every length and in every colour, and leans into the soft frizz that makes the style so easy to wear - a little imperfection only adds to the charm, which is why boho locs often look better in weeks three to five than they did on day one. A full set uses around six to eight packs of water-wave hair, lasts four to six weeks, and costs much the same as a neater install. These 20 boho butterfly locs ideas cover distressed, accessorised, curly-end and coloured styles, from short bobs to long goddess locs, each with a note on who it suits and a styling tip. Save your favourites and plan a dreamy, effortless boho install.

Quick Guide
Best for
A soft, effortless bohemian vibe
Works with
Short, bob and long lengths
Maintenance
Lasts 4-6 weeks; embraces soft frizz
Difficulty
Salon install; easy upkeep
Style vibe
Boho, distressed, effortless

1. Extra-Distressed Locs

Very distressed boho butterfly locs with loose loops

Maximum distress and loose, unravelled loops give the ultimate boho, lived-in finish, with soft frizz feathering along every loc for a barely-styled effect. This is the truest boho look - full of texture, movement and personality, and it only gets softer as the weeks go on. Medium locs at shoulder or mid-back length carry the distress beautifully without feeling heavy. Wear it down and undone for everyday, or gather it loosely off the face on warmer days when you want the texture on show.

Who it suits: Anyone wanting the most undone vibe.

Tip: Ask your loctician to leave the loops extra loose and soft.

2. Curly-Ends Goddess Locs

Boho butterfly locs with soft curls left out at the ends

Soft, loose curls left out at the ends turn distressed locs into a full goddess, bohemian finish that flows and bounces with every movement. Leaving the water-wave texture unsealed at the tips softens the whole silhouette and adds a romantic, dreamy quality that reads effortless rather than fussy. Longer lengths make the curly ends look especially lush and undone. It suits weddings, date nights and any occasion where you want something soft and pretty, worn down so the curls can catch the light.

Who it suits: Anyone wanting a soft goddess look.

3. Gold Cuffs and Beads

Boho butterfly locs accessorised with gold cuffs and beads

Scattered gold cuffs, rings and beads are the signature boho finish, catching the light against dark distressed locs and adding instant free-spirited charm. Placing them at different heights rather than in a neat row keeps the effect relaxed and lived-in, which is exactly the point. It is one of the simplest, most affordable ways to make a plain install feel custom and personal. Cuffs suit absolutely everyone and work at every length - dress them up for events or leave a few in for everyday sparkle.

Who it suits: Anyone wanting the boho-chic finish.

4. Honey Blonde Boho Locs

Honey blonde distressed boho butterfly locs

Warm honey blonde over distressed locs is sunny, soft and effortless, glowing beautifully against deeper skin tones. The gentle golden tone flatters because it warms the face and keeps the whole look feeling light and airy rather than harsh. Soft frizz and loose loops stop the blonde from ever looking too polished, so it stays dreamily boho. This is a brilliant choice for summer, holidays and festival season - wear it down and flowing, or half-up so the honey brightness frames your face.

Who it suits: Anyone wanting a warm, bright boho vibe.

5. Boho Half-Up Bun

Boho butterfly locs in a soft half-up bun

Gathering the top half into a soft, slightly messy bun while leaving loose face-framing pieces out is the perfect boho everyday style. The undone half-up shape keeps distressed locs off your neck on warm days while still showing off their length and texture down the back. Loose tendrils around the face soften your features and make the whole look feel effortless and flattering. Add a gold cuff or two on the pieces left down, and it works just as well for brunch as it does for the office.

Who it suits: Anyone wanting an easy boho updo.

6. Locs with a Headscarf

Boho butterfly locs styled with a patterned headscarf

Tying a patterned or silk headscarf around distressed locs adds a free-spirited, bohemian finish and a welcome pop of colour. Beyond the pretty factor, a scarf is genuinely practical for second and third-week hair, tidying the roots while the loose loops carry on doing their soft, undone thing. Knot it at the front for a retro feel or wrap it as a wide band across the crown. It suits festivals, beach days and any morning you want an easy, put-together look without much effort.

Who it suits: Anyone wanting a boho accessory.

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7. Caramel Ombre Boho

Distressed boho butterfly locs with a caramel ombre

Dark roots melting into caramel ends give distressed locs a warm, sun-kissed depth that looks grown-out in the best way. The gradual fade adds dimension and movement, so the locs never look flat, and the softer tone at the tips plays beautifully with curly ends left out. Because the colour is concentrated lower down, it flatters without overwhelming your face. This dreamy, low-maintenance finish suits everyday wear and holidays alike - style it down and flowing so the ombre reads from root to tip.

Who it suits: Anyone wanting warm, grown-out boho colour.

8. Long Flowing Boho Locs

Long, flowing distressed boho butterfly locs

Waist-length distressed locs flow and sway with every movement, making the ultimate boho goddess statement. The extra length lets the loose loops and soft frizz cascade dramatically down the back, while curly ends left out keep the whole silhouette feeling soft rather than heavy. Long locs read effortlessly glamorous and photograph beautifully, which is why they are such a popular festival and event choice. Scatter a few gold cuffs through the lengths, wear it down and undone, and let the movement do the talking.

Who it suits: Anyone wanting long, dramatic boho locs.

9. Boho Messy Bun

Boho butterfly locs in a soft messy high bun

Piling distressed locs into a soft, undone high bun with a few loose pieces framing the face is effortless, cool and endlessly flattering. It is the easiest boho updo for hot days, lifting all that length and texture off your neck in seconds while still looking intentional. The slightly messy finish suits the style perfectly, since a too-tight bun would fight the relaxed boho vibe. Leave a couple of curly ends escaping at the nape, add a headscarf tied at the base, and it carries you from errands to evenings.

Who it suits: Anyone wanting a relaxed boho updo.

10. Side-Swept Boho Locs

Distressed boho butterfly locs swept over one shoulder

Sweeping all your distressed locs over one shoulder is soft, glamorous and endlessly photogenic. Concentrating the volume and texture on one side creates an instantly flattering asymmetry that draws the eye and shows off loose loops and curly ends at their best. It is a pretty, red-carpet-ready way to wear boho locs down without any real effort. This works especially well at longer lengths for weddings, parties and photos - tuck a gold cuff or small flower near the part on the fuller side to finish it.

Who it suits: Anyone wanting a soft glam finish.

11. Boho Bob Locs

Short distressed boho butterfly locs bob

Cropping distressed locs to a chin or shoulder-grazing bob keeps things chic, light and effortlessly boho. All the free-spirited loop texture and soft frizz translate beautifully to the shorter length, and the reduced weight makes it wonderfully easy to wear through summer. A boho bob flatters because it lifts the face and feels fresh and modern without losing any of the lived-in charm. Add a few scattered gold cuffs or a headscarf to keep the short shape reading unmistakably boho, day or night.

Who it suits: Anyone wanting a light boho bob.

12. Burgundy Boho Locs

Deep burgundy distressed boho butterfly locs

Deep burgundy over distressed locs is rich, warm and dreamy, with a wine-red depth that feels made for autumn. The colour is bold enough to make a real statement yet soft enough to stay wearable, and it glows against the loose loops and soft frizz of a boho install. Burgundy flatters a wide range of skin tones because of its warm, berry undertone. Wear it long and flowing to let the shade shift in the light, or gather it into a low loose bun for cosy, cooler-weather occasions.

Who it suits: Anyone wanting warm, bold boho colour.

13. Face-Framing Boho Locs

Boho butterfly locs with lighter face-framing pieces

Placing a few lighter, loose locs right around the face creates a soft boho money-piece that brightens your complexion and frames your features. Because only the front pieces are lifted to a paler tone, the effect stays subtle and effortless rather than a full colour commitment. The loose, distressed texture up front keeps it feeling undone and free-spirited, exactly as boho should. It suits almost everyone and works at any length - leave those front pieces down when your locs are up so the brightness always shows.

Who it suits: Anyone wanting soft brightness up front.

14. Beaded-Ends Boho Locs

Boho butterfly locs with wooden and gold beads at the ends

Threading wooden and gold beads onto the ends adds a rich, free-spirited boho detail that feels handmade and personal. The mix of natural wood grain and warm metal gives the tips real character and a gentle weight that helps distressed locs hang and sway. Beaded ends look wonderfully authentic against curly, unsealed tips and catch the eye whenever you move. This charming finish suits festivals, holidays and everyday wear - concentrate the beads on the lower third so they show while your locs are down or half-up.

Who it suits: Anyone wanting a detailed boho finish.

Tip: Mix bead sizes and materials for an authentic boho look.

15. Low Loose Boho Bun

Boho butterfly locs in a soft low loose bun

Gathering distressed locs into a soft, low, slightly undone bun at the nape with a few loose tendrils escaping is romantic and effortless. Sitting low, it feels relaxed and grown-up while the loose pieces around the face keep it unmistakably boho rather than severe. The soft frizz and loosened loops give the bun a gentle, lived-in fullness that a sleek style could never match. It is a pretty choice for weddings, dinners and workdays alike - tuck a small flower or gold pin into the twist to dress it up.

Who it suits: Anyone wanting a romantic boho updo.

16. Copper Boho Locs

Warm copper distressed boho butterfly locs

Vivid copper over distressed locs is radiant and warm, glowing like autumn leaves against the soft loop texture. Brighter and more fiery than caramel, the shade makes a bold, dreamy statement while still flattering warm skin tones with its rich orange-red undertone. The distress and soft frizz stop the vivid colour from ever looking too done, keeping it firmly boho. Copper is gorgeous long and flowing so the light plays through the lengths, and it looks especially striking with a few gold cuffs scattered in.

Who it suits: Anyone wanting warm, vivid boho colour.

17. Braided-Accent Boho Locs

Boho butterfly locs with a few small braids woven in

Weaving a few small braids through distressed locs adds intricate detail and extra free-spirited charm. The contrast between tight, neat braids and loose, frizzy loops creates a pretty, mixed boho texture that feels handcrafted and one-of-a-kind. Placed near the crown or scattered through the front, the braids catch the eye and give the whole style a layered, artful finish. It suits festivals, holidays and anyone who loves a bit of detail - thread a couple of beads or a gold cuff onto the braids to make them stand out even more.

Who it suits: Anyone wanting extra boho detail.

18. Mixed-Length Boho Locs

Distressed boho butterfly locs at mixed lengths

Varying the loc lengths builds soft, natural-looking layers that frame the face and give the whole style effortless movement. Shorter pieces around the front and longer lengths through the back mimic the way real hair falls, so the boho texture reads organic rather than uniform. The mixed lengths also add lovely dimension, letting curly ends and loose loops peek out at different levels. This flattering, undone finish suits everyday wear beautifully - style it down so the layers show, or half-up to let the shorter front pieces soften your face.

Who it suits: Anyone wanting soft boho movement.

19. Locs with Floral Accents

Boho butterfly locs styled with small floral accents

Tucking small dried or fabric flowers into distressed locs gives a festival-ready, whimsical boho finish that feels straight out of a summer daydream. Nestled among the loose loops, the blooms add soft colour and a romantic, garden-party sweetness without weighing anything down. Cluster a few near a side part or scatter them through a half-up section for the prettiest effect. This look is made for festivals, weddings and boho events - pair it with a couple of gold cuffs and curly ends left out for full soft-goddess charm.

Who it suits: Festivals, weddings and boho events.

20. Natural Black Boho Locs

Classic natural black distressed boho butterfly locs

Keeping locs natural black with plenty of distress shows off the boho texture at its purest, letting the loose loops and soft frizz take centre stage without any colour distraction. It is the most classic and versatile boho look, flattering every skin tone and pairing effortlessly with any outfit or accessory. Deep black also makes gold cuffs, beads and headscarves pop beautifully against the dark, matte texture. This timeless finish works for absolutely any occasion - wear it down and undone, or gathered into a messy bun whenever you want easy, elegant boho.

Who it suits: Anyone wanting a timeless boho vibe.

Tip: Add a few gold cuffs to keep classic black locs feeling boho.

What Makes Butterfly Locs Boho?

Soft, distressed boho butterfly locs with loose loops

The boho version of butterfly locs is all about leaning into softness and texture. Where a neater install keeps the loops tight and uniform, boho locs are extra distressed, with loose loops, soft frizz and often curly ends left out for that goddess feel. Gold cuffs, beads, headscarves and even small flowers finish the free-spirited look. The whole point is that it looks effortless and lived-in rather than perfectly styled, which is exactly why it is so easy to wear - a little frizz and imperfection only add to the charm.

Styling Boho Butterfly Locs

Boho butterfly locs in a soft messy bun with loose pieces

Boho locs style best when you keep it soft and undone. A messy half-up or low bun with loose face-framing pieces is the signature everyday look, while a headscarf or scattered gold cuffs add instant boho charm. Leaving a few curly ends out gives a goddess finish, and worn down with a side sweep, the distressed texture looks glamorous and effortless. The key is to avoid anything too tight or too polished - the beauty of boho locs is in the relaxed, free-spirited finish.

Caring for Boho Locs

Satin scarf and light oil for boho butterfly locs care

Boho locs are forgiving because the style embraces soft frizz, but they still need basic care to look their best. Wrap them in a satin scarf or bonnet at night to keep the texture soft rather than matted, cleanse your scalp gently every one to two weeks, and use a light oil on loosened loops. Resist the urge to pick at the loops - the softness is the look. Because boho locs lean into lived-in texture, they often look better as the weeks go on, right up until take-down at around six weeks.

Frequently Asked Questions

What are boho butterfly locs?

Boho butterfly locs are an extra-distressed version of butterfly locs, with loose loops, soft frizz and often curly ends left out, finished with gold cuffs, beads or headscarves for a free-spirited, bohemian look.

How are boho locs different from regular butterfly locs?

All butterfly locs have some looped texture, but boho locs lean into it - they are more distressed, softer and often accessorised, for a lived-in, effortless goddess vibe rather than a neat, uniform finish.

Do boho butterfly locs frizz more?

Yes, and that is intentional. Boho locs embrace soft frizz as part of the look, so you do not need to fight it. Wrapping them at night keeps the frizz soft rather than matted, but a lived-in texture is the whole point.

How do I accessorise boho butterfly locs?

Scatter gold cuffs, rings and beads at different heights, add wooden beads to the ends, tie in a patterned headscarf, or tuck in small dried flowers for festivals and weddings. Mixing accessories creates an authentic boho finish.

Do boho butterfly locs suit short hair?

Yes. A distressed boho bob is chic and effortless, with all the free-spirited texture in a lighter, shorter package. Add a few gold cuffs or a headscarf to keep a short style feeling boho.

Which butterfly locs look are you saving?

Boho butterfly locs are all about embracing softness - loose loops, curly ends, a little frizz and plenty of gold accessories for that free-spirited finish. Because the look leans into texture rather than fighting it, it is one of the easiest, most forgiving styles to wear. Save the boho looks you love and bring the photos to your loctician so your install captures exactly that effortless vibe.

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