Quick Comparison
| Butterfly Locs | Faux Locs | |
|---|---|---|
| The look | Soft, distressed, looped and boho | Smooth, uniform and defined |
| Hair used | Curly water-wave hair, distressed | Wrapped straight or braiding hair |
| Texture | Loopy, textured, lived-in | Sleek, neat, traditional-loc look |
| Weight | Lighter and more comfortable | Heavier, especially at length |
| Install time | Usually faster (3-6 hours) | Longer (5-8+ hours) |
| Longevity | 4-6 weeks | 6-8 weeks (holds neat longer) |
| Maintenance | Some frizz is part of the look | Stays neater, less frizz |
| Best for | A soft, effortless boho vibe | A polished, defined loc look |
What Are Butterfly Locs?
Butterfly locs are made by wrapping curly water-wave hair around your own hair or braids, then distressing the surface to create soft loops and that signature boho texture. The little loops along each loc give them their name and their effortless, undone look. Because they use curly hair and a distressing technique, they read soft and lived-in rather than sleek. They are usually lighter and faster to install than faux locs, and they last around four to six weeks, making them a comfortable, low-maintenance choice for a boho vibe.
What Are Faux Locs?
Faux locs are created by wrapping straight braiding or wrapping hair smoothly around a braided base, giving a neat, uniform finish that closely mimics traditional locs. They are more defined and polished than butterfly locs, with little to no loopy texture. This sleek finish holds its neat look longer - often six to eight weeks - but the smooth wrapping technique takes more time to install and adds more weight, especially at longer lengths. Faux locs suit anyone who wants a defined, classic loc appearance rather than a soft boho one.
Which One Should You Choose?
Choose butterfly locs if you want a soft, effortless boho look that is lighter, more comfortable and quicker to install - they are ideal for a first protective style or a lived-in vibe. Choose faux locs if you want a polished, defined, traditional-loc appearance that stays neat and lasts a little longer, and you do not mind the extra weight and install time. Both are protective and gentle on your natural hair when installed with comfortable tension, so it really comes down to the finish you love: soft and boho, or sleek and defined.
Main Differences
- Texture: butterfly locs are distressed with soft loops for a boho, lived-in finish, while faux locs are smoother and more uniform, mimicking real locs.
- Hair type: butterfly locs use curly water-wave hair that is wrapped and distressed; faux locs use straight wrapping or braiding hair for a defined finish.
- Weight: butterfly locs are generally lighter and more comfortable, while faux locs are heavier, especially in longer lengths.
- Install time: butterfly locs are usually faster to install because of the wrapping technique, while faux locs take longer for that neat, defined look.
- Longevity: faux locs tend to hold their neat look a little longer (up to 6-8 weeks), while butterfly locs are best taken down around 4-6 weeks.
- Frizz: some softness and frizz is part of the butterfly locs charm, whereas faux locs stay sleeker and more polished for longer.
- Best for: choose butterfly locs for a soft, effortless boho vibe, and faux locs for a defined, traditional-loc look.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the main difference between butterfly locs and faux locs?
Butterfly locs are soft, distressed and looped for a boho, lived-in look, using curly water-wave hair, while faux locs are smoother, more uniform and defined, mimicking traditional locs. Butterfly locs are usually lighter and faster to install.
Are butterfly locs or faux locs lighter?
Butterfly locs are generally lighter and more comfortable because of the curly water-wave hair and wrapping technique. Faux locs are heavier, especially at longer lengths, due to the smooth wrapping.
Which lasts longer, butterfly locs or faux locs?
Faux locs tend to hold their neat look a little longer - often six to eight weeks - while butterfly locs are best taken down around four to six weeks, since their soft texture naturally frizzes over time.
Which is faster to install?
Butterfly locs are usually faster to install, often three to six hours, because the wrapping and distressing technique is quicker. Faux locs take longer, often five to eight hours or more, for that neat, defined finish.
Which is better for a first protective style?
Butterfly locs are a great first choice because they are lighter, more comfortable and quicker to install. If you prefer a polished, defined loc look and do not mind the extra weight, faux locs are equally protective.
