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27 Loc Styles - Dreadlock Styles [+ Locking Tips & Products]

Loc styles & unique dreadlock designs are more and more popular with natural hair lovers of African descent, both men and women.

These natural Black hairstyles come in short, medium to long and in various style like updos, with bangs, in cute buns, ombre-colored, you can use dope dreadlock accessories, beads and more.

Dreadlock styles originated with indigenous people in Kenya, Africa and remain a social status symbol of authenticity and pride in our aboriginal roots.

Although some folks dread the name "dreadlocks" as a bad thing, it is actually describing the feeling of enemy colonizers who struggled mightily when fighting against these strong loc'd warriors who dwelled in the mountains and came down to defeat those who encroached on their land.

Thus, their colonizer enemies felt dread to see these valiant guerilla warriors.

The forefathers of Rastafarianism found great pride in the news clippings they received of Mau Mau warrior resistance and found dreadlocks as both a symbol of anti-colonialist demonstration of self-love and self-acceptance while inflicting ‘dread inna Babylon’.

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Dreadlock Hairstyle Ideas - Loc Styles for Women

Dreadlock styles are mainly an expression of self-love and authenticity, but we can admit that there are many faux loc styles out there too and many look really good.

We're not here to judge whether you choose real dreadlocks or faux loc styles, we just want you to look and feel amazing.

{Related NHP Article: Get bonnets for dreads & satin-lined cap for locs...]

I will admit that this page won't be showing many faux locs options, we want to give you the most authentic loc styles that we could find.

We'll dedicate a seperate page to faux dreadlocks so sign up for our natural hair newsletter if you want to see more Black hairstyles as we post them.

Although many folk prefer the longer and/or thicker dreadlock styles, we also adore the look of these thinner and somewhat short locs in the picture above.

The dreaded bangs are super-cute and color is "to dye for"!

This next dreadlock hairstyle was styles by @locsbyneek on Instagram - this ombre colored loc style is simply gorgeous.

You can keep these dreadlock styles with Lion Locs hair locking dreads moisturizer.

Short loc styles for females look amazing when the roll up into a chic and elegant dreadlock bun that can be worn at a formal dinner, weddings and any other black tie affair.

Loc styles like these are great for lovers of short natural hairdos and true head-turners.

Loc Styles Are Versatile [Dreadlock Hairstyle Options]

Dreadlock styles come in a variety of forms, designs and colors allowing you to really get your creative juices pumping and ready to grab your spiral style dreadlock beads.

That’s why we make these image loc styles galleries so that you can find some super-cute ideas to show your loctician!

Here are some ideas that you’ll see in this image gallery:

• Loc styles for short hair
• Loc styles for medium hair
• Dreadlock styles for long hair
• Loc styles for kids 
• Fancy dreadlock styles for special occasions 

Dreadlock styles give the impression of realness, earthiness and comfort with one's G0d-given beauty and aura.

Because more Foundational Black Americans and African-Americans are quickly becoming more in-tune with their hair and rejecting false Western standards of beauty, loc installation is becoming and ever-more popular hairstyle choice among beautiful Black women and handsome Black men.

How To Do Dreadlock Loc Styles

There are several natural Black hairstyles that serve as the perfect starting point on your road to achieving cute loc styles. Palm rolls, individual braid styles, two-strand twist hairstyles, and comb coils are all effective ways to begin the dreadlocking process.

You can also move right into a loc style with a process like Sister Locks—your hair won't actually loc up for some time, but it will give the appearance of being locked. The tighter the starter style, the quicker your hair will loc into a proper dreadlock style.

Loc styles do best when left alone and handled with care, especially at the start of your dreadlock journey. You should treat your starter locs as if they're babies and teenagers. Just as a teenager shouldn't do certain activities because they're not mature enough to handle it. Baby and teenage locs are similar. This is because during the early stages, dreadlocks aren't loc'd up fully yet, making them prone to disruption and even unraveling.

With even slight manipulation, baby locs can easily come undone. So if you keep loc styles in for long periods of time, it may leave an impression on the locs (such as indents, curls, etc.) keeping the form of the previous style.

You may have read or heard that cleansing dreadlocks is a no-no, but that's bad advice.

Without a doubt, ensuring your scalp is healthy should always be the priority. With dreadlocks, you'll want to build a routine and product line up with your unique loc journey in mind.

There is no one-size-fits-all in haircare, especially in the case of loc styles. Talk with your loctician about your lifestyle and hair concerns, so they can help craft a schedule with dreadlock products that work for you and your hair. 

[SEE MORE NHP HAIRSTYLES: 21 Dope Crochet Braid Hairstyles...]

Thes dreadlock hairstyles pictures should give you some great ideas of how you want your locs to look.

Always remember that if you aren't ready to take the full leap into authentic dreadlock styles you can always test the waters with faux locs and progress from there.

If you opt for real loc styles you can hydrate, freshen, and rejuvenate your skin and locs without leaving any residue, build up, or flakes by using a good organic conditioner.

One product with amazing ratings is Lion Locs Rosewater Spray with Aloe, Essential Oils, Vitamins, and Glycerin.

As you can see from the hairsyle picture above, loc styles for long hair and hair that isn't type 4C is still very common. As long as your hair can maintain a decent curl you have a great chance to develop and mature sme really exciting dreadlock styles. Hey, and you want to see something different, check these cute feed-in stitch braidstyles...

 

I can feel the vibes....

Can you?

This updo loc style above is a favorite for many women, the regal updo bun, the coloring, the loc'd bangs, OMG you gotta love the Black. Girl. Magic...  

She's SERIOUS.

Seriously Loc'd and seriouly gorgeous.

Sometime you just have to let em' know that the crown is firmly fixed and all is good in the loc'd queendom.

TRULY REGAL!

She knows she's fine. Livin that loc styles life!

And this next sista is dreadlock styles like a kinky-haired BOSS, her hair ans smile are GORGEOUS! Check her out...

I don't know about you but this burgandy halo loc style gives me the chills, so chic and unique....

If her whole look doesn't scream "I'm feelin' myself, you should follow suit", then I don't know what I'm seeing.

The messy dreads are poppin', and she knows it.

She is killin' it...

The color of these locs match the lipstick for a next-level fashion statement, so cute...

Try Dreadlock Loc Styles For Yourself

Yes, there are pros and cons to loc styles for short, medium and long hair. Ultimately though, they look amazing when they are done correctly and you care for them well at night and wear your satin-lined long bonnet for locs or even spandex dreadlock caps.

So please, choose your style according to what fits your lifestyle and personality best and talk to your loctitian stylist about a good dreadlock haircare routine.

[Related NHP Article: See Beyonce-inspired Lemonade Braids Here...]

Loc Styles Look Amazing When Done Right:

Contrary to popular belief, dreadlock styles shouldn't be used as a protective hairstyle. True loc styles are not something you can come in and out of at will, dreadlocks styles are definitely a long-term hairstyle decision.

Dreadlock styles mature fastest and best on types 3C to 4C hair.

However, if you’re white and don't have kinky-curly hair you can still develop your own version of loc styles but it will take much longer.

This style will require a lot of covering at night so that your dreads don't pick up lint ant debri from your bed.

Hey, make sure to join the NHP-Hive for free hair tutorials and styles idea galleries...

Follow Editor of Loc Styles Photo Gallery...

 Enjoy NHP!