20 Butterfly Locs With Curls You Will Love
Butterfly locs already carry that soft, undone texture people love, but adding curl at the ends rebuilds the whole silhouette, trading a flat vertical drop for bounce, framing, and light that moves with you. Below are 20 distinct ways to wear it, sorted by color, length, loc size, and styling, each with the shade undertones, rod sizes, install hours, and exact stylist wording you need to match the set to your face shape, your texture, and your routine.
Edited by Lena Rose · Published July 11, 2026 · 35 min read
Quick Answer
- Best for: Anyone wanting a low-manipulation protective style with movement. The wrapping-hair build suits type 3 and 4 textures and nearly every face shape, and curled ends flatter long, square, and heart faces most by adding width and softness near the jaw.
- Who might skip it: Anyone who needs to fully cleanse and detangle daily, wants a true wash-and-go, or is fine-haired with fragile edges that won't tolerate the added weight at the root.
- Maintenance: Low day to day. Re-dip or re-rod the curled ends every two to three weeks, do a diluted scalp wash every one to two weeks, and expect a full set to hold before takedown.
- Difficulty: Salon-recommended for a first set. Wrapping, distressing the loops, and curl-setting take practice and typically four to seven hours in the chair.
- Cost: Variable by region, stylist experience, and length. Budget a mid-range service fee plus hair; longer, thinner, and multi-color sets sit at the higher end because they eat more time and more packs.
- Wear time / longevity: Four to six weeks is the sweet spot. Past six, new growth and slippage make takedown rougher on your natural hair.
- Standout variation: Boho butterfly locs with loose curly pieces framing the face read soft and custom without much daily effort.
- How to ask your stylist: Name length, loc size (thin, mid, or chunky), color shade with a reference photo, and curl type (loose wave, spiral, or tight), plus whether you want face-framing pieces left out and edges left to style yourself.
In This Guide
- Classic Boho Butterfly Locs With Curly Ends
- Honey Blonde Butterfly Locs With Curls
- Short Bob-Length Curly Butterfly Locs
- Waist-Length Butterfly Locs With Spiral Curls
- Burgundy Butterfly Locs With Curled Tips
- Half-Up Bun Butterfly Locs With Curls
- Jet Black Butterfly Locs With Soft Waves
- Ombre Brown-to-Blonde Curly Butterfly Locs
- Chunky Butterfly Locs With Loose Curls
- Face-Framing Curly Butterfly Locs
- Ginger Copper Butterfly Locs With Curls
- Shoulder-Length Curly Butterfly Locs
- Butterfly Locs With Curly Baby Hair Styling
- High Ponytail Butterfly Locs With Curls
- Platinum Blonde Butterfly Locs With Curls
- Thin Butterfly Locs With Tight Curls
- Butterfly Locs With Accessories and Curled Ends
- Two-Tone Curly Butterfly Locs
- Hip-Length Boho Butterfly Locs With Curls
- Auburn Butterfly Locs With Beachy Curls
Introduction
Butterfly locs with curls land somewhere between polished and undone, which is why they've become a go-to protective style for anyone who wants texture without daily heat. The base is a distressed, looped loc built by wrapping crochet or braiding hair (usually a water-wave or spring-twist texture) around a foundation braid or cornrow, then pulling the loops out along the length so the frayed, airy loops read boho instead of uniform. The variation here is finishing the ends, or weaving in loose pieces, with curl, so the set moves and frames instead of hanging in a flat vertical line.
That one adjustment does real structural work. Curl at the ends adds width and softness at the jaw and shoulders, which balances long and square face shapes and keeps waist-length installs from reading heavy and blunt. It also opens up styling options a straight set can't carry: half-up buns, high ponytails, and face-framing pieces all photograph better with curl in play. Because the curl lives on the added wrapping hair rather than your own strands, you get the movement without heat or manipulation on your natural texture, which is the whole point of a protective style.
This guide walks through 20 versions so you can compare them directly, from short bob-length and boho butterfly locs to blonde, copper, burgundy, and two-tone color stories and updos that keep the curl on display. For each idea you get the details that actually change the outcome: who it flatters, the shade and undertone, the rod size and curl technique, the upkeep timeline, install difficulty, and exactly how to describe it to your stylist.
01Classic Boho Butterfly Locs With Curly Ends {#1}
This is the version most people picture first, and the right baseline for learning the style. These boho butterfly locs keep the signature looped, lightly frayed texture along the full length, then finish with soft curled ends set on a large rod that break up the vertical drop and add width at the shoulders. A medium chestnut brown with a warm-neutral base (think a 4N to 5N depth) flatters warm and neutral undertones and reads convincingly natural in daylight, so it photographs easily and forgives regrowth. Mid-size locs at chest to bra-strap length keep the weight manageable and the install in the four-to-five-hour range, using roughly six to eight packs. This length and size suit almost every face shape, and the curled ends are especially kind to longer faces, restoring roundness near the jaw. Upkeep is low: sleep in a satin bonnet, and re-curl loosened ends with a dime of mousse on a 5/8-inch flexi-rod every two to three weeks. Pro tip: dip only the curled two inches in near-boiling water for five seconds and pat with a towel to reset a soft curl without new product buildup. Ask your stylist for boho butterfly locs with curly human-hair pieces left out at the ends.
02Honey Blonde Butterfly Locs With Curls {#2}
Honey blonde warms the whole style and flatters deep and medium skin especially well, because the golden undertone brightens the complexion instead of washing it out the way an ashy blonde can. The curled ends here are looser, closer to a large barrel wave than a spiral, which keeps the blonde looking sun-touched rather than set and stiff. That looseness is deliberate: a tight curl on a light shade reads costume-like under flash, while a relaxed wave stays wearable in daylight. Because lighter wrapping hair frays and grabs frizz faster than dark, plan to smooth flyaways with a pea-size drop of lightweight oil (grapeseed or a dry-oil mist, not a heavy butter) every few days, and keep product off the loops so the tone doesn't dull. This is a strong summer or vacation install, and on naturally dark hair the root grows in as a soft shadow root that stays flattering for weeks. Pro tip: rinse with cool, never warm, water on wash days so the cuticle stays flat and the blonde doesn't lift toward brass. When you book, bring a photo and ask for blonde butterfly locs in a warm honey shade rather than platinum, with loosely waved ends.
03Short Bob-Length Curly Butterfly Locs {#3}
Short butterfly locs are underrated and quietly the most practical set on this list. Cut to a bob that hits the jaw or collarbone, they feel light, modern, and far easier to manage than a waist-length install, with noticeably less tension at the roots and edges. The curled ends add roundness right at the jaw, which softens a sharp or square jawline and adds welcome fullness to a long or narrow face. Less hair also means fewer packs (often three to four) and a shorter appointment, usually three to four hours. This length suits anyone who runs warm, trains often, or wants the style off the neck, and it reads playful without tipping into fussy. The trade-off is that shorter ends lose curl definition a little faster because there's less weight holding the shape, so plan to refresh roughly weekly on a smaller 3/8-inch rod for a tighter, longer-lasting coil. Pro tip: part the front slightly off-center so the curled ends fall diagonally across the cheekbone and frame the face rather than sitting flat. Ask your stylist for short butterfly locs at bob length with curly ends and a deep side part.
04Waist-Length Butterfly Locs With Spiral Curls {#4}
For maximum drama, take the length to the waist and finish with defined spiral curls set on a thin rod. The spiral is doing structural work here: it keeps all that length from reading heavy and flat, giving the ends visible bounce and a clear stopping point instead of a blunt hang at the hips. This is a genuine commitment. A longer install runs six to seven hours, uses roughly eight to ten packs, and asks for careful nighttime care to avoid the tangling that long added hair is prone to. It best suits those who love a statement, have a slower morning routine, and will actually protect it at night, and it flatters most face shapes because the length elongates while the spiral adds interest near the hips. Gather the locs loosely over one shoulder to display the spiral ends and take weight off one side of the scalp during long days. Pro tip: at night, loosely two-strand twist the length in three or four sections before wrapping, and it'll fall out wave-consistent and tangle-free by morning with the spiral intact. When booking, specify waist-length butterfly locs with tight spiral-curled ends and confirm the packs are pre-curled or will be rod-set in the chair.
05Burgundy Butterfly Locs With Curled Tips {#5}
Burgundy is the shade that makes people ask where you got your hair done. A deep, wine-toned red (a cool 3RV to 4RV depth) flatters cool and neutral undertones and gives deep skin a rich, dimensional glow that flat black can't match. The curled tips catch light and reveal the color's depth, showing the shift from near-black in shadow to true wine where the light lands. Rich reds carry the largest dye molecules but also the most excess pigment, so they're the most prone to transfer when brand new; wear darker tops and skip pale scarves and light upholstery for the first day or two until the excess rinses clear. This is a cool-weather standout that photographs beautifully against knitwear and coats, and it suits mid to long lengths where there's room for the color to gradate through the curl. Pro tip: wash with cool water and a sulfate-free, color-safe cleanser, since heat and sulfates are precisely what strip red the fastest. Ask your stylist for butterfly locs in a deep burgundy or wine shade with curled ends, and confirm the hair is pre-colored at the factory rather than dyed after install, which fades unevenly.
Save this to Pinterest to build a color shortlist for your next appointment.
06Half-Up Bun Butterfly Locs With Curls {#6}
Styling matters as much as the install, and the half-up bun is the most useful trick in the butterfly loc playbook. Gather the top third to half into a bun or topknot and leave the rest down so the curled ends stay on full display. It clears hair off your face for work or workouts while keeping the movement visible, and it instantly refreshes a set you've worn for weeks without any product. This works at almost any length, though mid to long gives the best balance between a full-looking bun and enough hanging curl to matter; on short sets the bun can look sparse. There are no special booking notes, since any curly-ended set styles this way at home in minutes. The one thing to protect is the gather point, because repeated tension in the same spot is exactly where slippage and thinning start. Pro tip: use a large satin scrunchie rather than a rubber band, wrap it only twice, and move the bun's height every few days so the same front locs aren't always bearing the pull. For a fuller crown, gently tug a few loops loose around the bun before you set it so it reads soft rather than slick.
07Jet Black Butterfly Locs With Soft Waves {#7}
Sometimes the strongest choice is the simplest. Jet black butterfly locs finishing in soft, loose waves read clean and glossy, and true black suits every skin tone without any undertone math to get wrong. The waves here are gentle rather than curly, set on a large rod, which keeps the look elegant and boardroom-appropriate while still adding just enough movement to avoid a flat, heavy drop. Black wrapping hair also camouflages frizz and regrowth far longer than any lightened shade, so this is one of the lowest-maintenance, longest-wearing options here. It holds the full six weeks with minimal fuss. It suits anyone who wants a protective style that reads polished for the office, a wedding, or an interview, and it flatters every face shape. Pro tip: mist a light, silicone-free shine spray down the length and smooth with flat palms to revive the gloss without the greasy buildup a heavy serum leaves on dark hair. Ask your stylist for black butterfly locs with soft waved ends, and specify a natural soft black (1B) rather than a blue-black (1) if you want it to read warmer and less severe.
08Ombre Brown-to-Blonde Curly Butterfly Locs {#8}
Ombre gives you color without committing at the root, which makes it one of the smartest regrowth strategies here. The locs start dark brown and melt into blonde toward the curled ends, so the lightest, most eye-catching color lands exactly where the curl and the movement are. That downward pull elongates the neck and draws the eye through the length, flattering rounder and shorter faces in particular. It also grows out gracefully, since your natural dark root already matches the top of the gradient, so there's no harsh line of demarcation as the weeks pass. This suits anyone who wants dimension but a low-fuss grow-out, and it works across lengths, though mid to long gives the melt more room to blend convincingly. The one care note: lightened ends run drier and more porous than the darker length, so they drink moisture faster. Pro tip: concentrate a light, water-based leave-in only on the blonde curled section every few days, keeping the darker roots product-light so they don't look weighed down or greasy. Ask your stylist for ombre butterfly locs, dark brown roots melting to blonde curly ends, and bring a photo showing where you want the color to break.
09Chunky Butterfly Locs With Loose Curls {#9}
Chunky locs mean fewer, thicker locs across the head, which reads bold and cuts install time significantly, often to three or four hours. Paired with loose curls, the extra thickness stays soft and full rather than severe or top-heavy, and the larger loops show off the distressed boho texture at scale, which photographs as generous rather than fussy. This size flatters fuller and rounder face shapes and anyone who wants a voluminous silhouette without a marathon appointment. Because there are fewer parting lines and the added weight is distributed across more anchor points per loc, chunky sets often feel more comfortable on the scalp than very thin ones, so they're a good first-install choice: impact, comfort, and speed together. The trade-off lands on wash day, since thick locs hold water and take much longer to dry, and any loc sealed while still damp can develop a mildew smell at the core. Pro tip: wash in four to six sections, squeeze water out through a microfiber towel, and air-dry with a fan aimed at the roots for a few hours before styling. Ask your stylist for chunky or jumbo butterfly locs with loose curly ends.
10Face-Framing Curly Butterfly Locs {#10}
This is the single detail that makes any set look custom rather than uniform: a few loose, curly pieces left out around the hairline to frame the face. Those soft front pieces break up a solid, heavy hairline, soften angular or square features, and flatter a high or wide forehead by adding curl and width exactly where the face wants softness. It layers onto any length or color on this list and costs nothing extra to request, which makes it the highest-impact, lowest-cost upgrade in the whole guide. The only real upkeep is those front pieces, which get touched, tucked, and slept on more than anything else and so drop their curl fastest and frizz first. Pro tip: wrap the two framing pieces around a single 1/2-inch flexi-rod overnight and unravel them in the morning for a fresh, defined curl that lasts the full day. Ask your stylist to leave out face-framing curly pieces at the front during install, cut and shaped to sit just below the jaw so they read intentional rather than like strays that slipped free.
Save this to Pinterest and note the details you want to ask your stylist for.
11Ginger Copper Butterfly Locs With Curls {#11}
Ginger copper is warm, autumnal, and far more wearable than its brightness suggests. The golden-red tone pulls out warm undertones in the skin and gives deep and olive complexions a striking, lit-from-within glow, while the curled ends keep the vivid color reading soft and modern rather than costume. It's at its best in fall and winter against warm, earthy wardrobes, though there's no wrong season for it. Copper sits in the same care category as blonde: it's a lightened shade, so it will drift toward brassy orange over time as the cooler pigments fade out first and the warm ones hang on. A color-safe, sulfate-free routine and cool-water rinses slow that shift considerably. This shade suits mid lengths and mid-size locs, where the color has room to show dimension through the curl without overwhelming the face. Pro tip: a sheer blue- or green-tinted conditioner used sparingly every couple of weeks knocks back the brass and keeps the copper true rather than muddy. Ask your stylist for butterfly locs in a warm ginger or copper shade with curly ends, and bring a reference photo, since copper ranges widely from soft penny to bright pumpkin.
12Shoulder-Length Curly Butterfly Locs {#12}
Shoulder length is the practical middle ground and, for many people, the single most versatile choice here: long enough to gather into buns and ponytails, short enough to stay easy to live with. With curled ends, the locs graze the shoulders and bounce when you move, which keeps the look youthful and light rather than weighty or matronly. It is a smart step for anyone moving up from a short set or scaling down from very long, and it splits the difference on install time at roughly four to five hours and five to seven packs. Less length also means less weight and less root tension, which is meaningfully easier on your edges over a full six-week wear. The curled ends sit right at the shoulder, adding width there that flatters longer and heart-shaped faces by balancing a narrow chin. Pro tip: this length ties into a low bun or half-up in seconds on busy mornings, and the curled ends still peek out so it never reads flat or severe. Ask your stylist for shoulder-length butterfly locs with curly ends, and specify collarbone rather than chin if you want the extra styling room.
13Butterfly Locs With Curly Baby Hair Styling {#13}
Edge styling turns a good install into a finished one, and it's entirely about the front, not the build underneath. Laid, softly curled baby hairs around the hairline give butterfly locs a crisp, deliberate frontline that echoes the loose curl on the ends and ties the whole look together into something intentional. Because this is pure finishing, any set works, and you control exactly how bold or subtle it reads. Keep the edges soft and swooped rather than stiff and lacquered, which flatters more face shapes and reads current rather than dated. This is ideal for photos, events, or any day you want to feel put-together with five minutes of effort. The priority is protecting the fragile natural edges underneath, which are easily thinned by daily brushing and heavy, drying gel. Pro tip: use a soft-bristle edge brush and a light, alcohol-free gel, lay them once in the morning, then tie a scarf over them for ten minutes to set rather than re-brushing the same delicate hairs all day. Ask your stylist to leave your natural edges out at install so you can style them yourself between appointments.
14High Ponytail Butterfly Locs With Curls {#14}
A high ponytail shows off length and curl at once, which is why it's the standout going-out style for a curly-ended set. Gather the locs up and secure them so the curled ends spill out and cascade down, creating a dramatic, festival-ready shape that also lifts the hair off your neck in heat. It reads best on mid to long sets, where there's enough length to fall well past the shoulders once gathered; on short sets the pony can look stubby and top-heavy. There are no booking notes, since this is pure home styling, but the tension is real: a high pony pulls every root forward at once, and doing it daily is exactly where edge stress accumulates over a six-week wear. Pro tip: wrap one loc around the base to hide the tie and secure it with a bobby pin instead of double-wrapping an elastic, which spreads the tension and looks cleaner; then give your scalp a down day between high styles. Anchor with a strong but fabric-covered tie so nothing snags or snaps the added hair at the gather point.
15Platinum Blonde Butterfly Locs With Curls {#15}
Platinum is the boldest blonde here and makes the biggest statement of any shade on the list. Icy, cool, and high-contrast, it looks especially striking against deep skin and photographs like a runway look, with the curled ends adding the softness that keeps such a stark, near-white tone from feeling severe. The trade-off is upkeep: because the tone is so light, every flyaway and frayed loop shows in a way it never would on dark hair, so this set rewards daily smoothing with a light serum or single drop of oil and gentle handling to keep the loops intact. It suits events, shoots, and seasons when you actively want to be noticed, and it needs the most conditioning of any option here, since the lightest hair both reads and feels the driest. Pro tip: keep a purple-toned drop in your wash routine to hold the icy tone and stop it from yellowing at the ends, and mist a water-based leave-in on the curled section nightly. Ask your stylist for platinum or icy blonde butterfly locs with curled ends, and bring a reference photo, since platinum ranges from a warm beige-blonde to a true silver-white.
Save this to Pinterest to compare the blonde shades before you commit.
16Thin Butterfly Locs With Tight Curls {#16}
Thin locs paired with tight curls give a delicate, intricate finish with a lot of individual movement, and they photograph as refined and detailed rather than bulky. More, smaller locs mean a longer install, often six to seven hours, and slightly more scalp visible at the parts, but the payoff is a set that feels custom and full despite the fine size of each loc. The tight curls at the ends, set on a small 3/8-inch rod, add dense texture that makes the whole head read voluminous even though every loc is slim. This suits detail-lovers who don't mind the chair time and who like intricate updos, since thin locs braid, pin, and twist far more cleanly than chunky ones. The main practical note is wash day: many small locs hold water and take the longest of any set here to dry fully, so build in generous air-dry time. Pro tip: because thin locs put more parting lines on the scalp, ask for comfortable tension at install and follow a moisturizing scalp routine so the many small partings don't feel tight or flake. Ask your stylist for thin or small butterfly locs with tightly curled ends.
17Butterfly Locs With Accessories and Curled Ends {#17}
Accessories are the fastest way to make a set feel personal, and they layer onto any install you already love without changing the build. Gold cuffs, beads, and thin thread wraps scattered along the length add shine and detail while the curled ends keep the overall look soft and current rather than busy or heavy. Since this is decoration on top of the loc, choose a base length and color first, then accessorize to the occasion and remove or swap pieces as you like. Cuffs sit most securely on chunky or mid-size locs, where the loc diameter fills the cuff and it won't slide; on thin locs they migrate down toward the ends and clink. This is ideal for weddings, festivals, and photo days. The care note is weight and tension: heavy metal distributed along the length adds pull at the root, and beads slept on can dent and flatten the curl beneath them. Pro tip: slide cuffs on loosely and crimp gently with pliers, cluster them in odd numbers for a more designed look, and remove the heavier pieces before bed. Mix metallics for an eclectic feel or stay one tone for something sleeker.
18Two-Tone Curly Butterfly Locs {#18}
Two-tone sets weave two colors throughout the whole head, such as black and honey blonde, so the contrast runs from root to end rather than sitting only at the tips the way ombre does. The curled ends then reveal both tones at once for a dimensional, peekaboo effect that shifts as the locs move and catch light. It is a bolder color story than ombre but still grows out gracefully, since your dark natural base blends into the darker of the two tones with no hard regrowth line to touch up. The blend flatters across skin tones, and you can tune it warmer or cooler by choosing the lighter shade: honey for warmth on golden skin, ash for a cooler, higher contrast on deep or neutral skin. Practically, running a dark tone all the way through the set hides frizz and regrowth far better than an all-blonde install, so it delivers real color with meaningfully less daily upkeep. Pro tip: ask for the two colors braided together within each loc rather than alternating whole locs, which gives a finer, more woven blend instead of stripes. Ask your stylist for two-tone butterfly locs, for example black blended with honey blonde, with curly ends.
19Hip-Length Boho Butterfly Locs With Curls {#19}
For the longest, most romantic version, take boho butterfly locs all the way to the hips and finish with curl. The extra length gives the distressed, looped boho texture room to show along the drop, and the curled ends provide a soft stopping point so the length doesn't look blunt or heavy at the very bottom. This is the most dramatic and the most demanding option on the list: it's heaviest on the scalp, uses the most hair (often ten-plus packs), runs the longest install at seven-plus hours, and needs the most disciplined nighttime routine to prevent the tangling and matting that hip-length added hair invites. Reserve it for when you want a statement and have the morning time to manage it, not for a busy stretch. The length flatters tall frames especially and elongates the whole silhouette. Pro tip: sleep with the length loosely gathered and twisted into a large satin scarf, never loose, and separate the boho loops gently by hand rather than combing so the frayed pieces stay intact. Ask your stylist for hip-length boho butterfly locs with curly ends, and confirm they will distribute the weight evenly to spare your edges.
20Auburn Butterfly Locs With Beachy Curls {#20}
Auburn is the softer red, a warm reddish-brown (a 4R to 5R depth) that flatters almost every complexion and feels far less bold and more everyday than burgundy or copper. Paired with relaxed, beachy curls, it reads sun-kissed and easy, as if the ends air-dried into loose shape on their own rather than being set. That combination makes it the ideal transitional color for anyone curious about red but not ready for a vivid shade, because the brown base keeps it grounded and wearable while the loose curl keeps it soft. It suits warm and neutral undertones especially and works across every length here. The beachy curl is one of the lowest-maintenance finishes in the guide, since a little looseness looks intentional rather than fallen, so you can comfortably stretch the time between refreshes to two or three weeks. Pro tip: scrunch a light mousse into the ends and air-dry, or rake your fingers through slightly loosened curls to revive that undone, beachy shape without ever reaching for rods. Ask your stylist for butterfly locs in a warm auburn or reddish-brown tone with loose beachy curled ends.
Pro Tips from the Editor
- Buy one extra pack of hair in your exact shade. Running short mid-install means an emergency store run or a mismatched dye lot, and a spare pack in the same batch also covers refreshes and repairs weeks later when that color may be sold out.
- Cleanse the scalp, not the locs. Dilute a sulfate-free shampoo in an applicator bottle, apply it to the scalp along the parts, and let it rinse down through the length rather than scrubbing the locs, which frays the loops open and shortens the wear of the whole set.
- Refresh curl with water and heat before reaching for product. A quick near-boiling-water dip on the ends, then flexi-rods, resets the curl with far less buildup than re-mousse-ing every few days, which eventually leaves the loops crunchy and dull.
- Match rod size to the curl you actually want. Larger rods (5/8 inch and up) give soft, loose waves that forgive a skipped day; small rods (3/8 inch) give tight, defined coils that read polished but drop fastest and want attention every day or two.
- Protect your edges from day one. The most common regret is thinned edges, and it comes from a too-tight install plus daily high ponytails and heavy edge gel, not from the locs themselves. Keep tension comfortable and give your hairline rest days.
- Take them down by six weeks. Past that point, new growth and slippage tangle at the root and make removal rough on your natural hair. Book the takedown appointment, or set aside the hours, before you even install.
- Deep-condition your natural hair at takedown. Weeks under wrapping hair leave your own strands craving moisture, so plan a clarifying wash and a deep conditioning or protein-light treatment for the same day you remove the set.
How to Choose / Get the Look
Work through four decisions in order and the rest falls into place.
1. Length and lifestyle. Short and shoulder-length sets are lighter, quicker to install, gentler on your edges, and far easier to live with day to day. Waist and hip-length sets make a statement but demand more chair time, more packs, and a disciplined nighttime routine. If this is your first install, or you've got a busy stretch ahead, lean shorter.
2. Loc size. Chunky and mid-size locs go in faster, distribute weight comfortably across more anchor points, and suit first-timers; thin locs read the most refined and pin into intricate updos but add hours in the chair and drying time on wash day.
3. Color for your undertone. Warm tones (honey blonde, copper, auburn) flatter golden and neutral skin; burgundy and platinum lean cooler and higher-contrast and pop on deep and neutral skin. Ombre and two-tone options grow out the most gracefully, because your natural root already blends the top of the gradient and hides regrowth.
4. Curl type. Loose beachy waves are the lowest upkeep and most forgiving of a skipped refresh; defined spirals and tight curls read the most polished but need re-setting every day or two.
Use this spec table to translate those choices into what to expect in the chair:
| Length | Rough packs | Install time | Scalp weight | Nighttime effort |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bob / short | 3–4 | 3–4 hrs | Light | Bonnet only |
| Shoulder | 5–7 | 4–5 hrs | Light–medium | Bonnet, loose gather |
| Waist | 8–10 | 6–7 hrs | Heavy | Section, twist, scarf |
| Hip / boho | 10+ | 7+ hrs | Heaviest | Section, twist, scarf nightly |
And this one to match your priority to the full spec at a glance:
| Priority | Best length | Best loc size | Lowest-upkeep curl | Regrowth-friendly color |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| First-timer / easy | Short to shoulder | Chunky or mid | Beachy wave | Natural black, ombre |
| Statement / drama | Waist to hip | Mid or thin | Spiral (accept refreshing) | Two-tone, burgundy |
| Lowest daily effort | Shoulder | Chunky | Soft wave | Black, ombre, two-tone |
| Most polished / events | Any | Thin or mid | Tight curl | Platinum, burgundy |
Bring a clear reference photo, name the shade and curl type out loud, request face-framing pieces if you want the soft custom finish, ask that your edges be left out to style yourself, and book a professional for a realistic multi-hour appointment.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long do butterfly locs with curls last?
A full install typically lasts four to six weeks. The curled ends loosen sooner than the base because they take the most handling, but you can refresh them at home with mousse and rods or a quick near-boiling-water dip between salon visits. Past six weeks, new growth and slippage make takedown harder on your natural hair, so book removal before then rather than stretching it.
Are butterfly locs with curls hard to maintain?
Day to day they're low-effort: sleep in a satin bonnet or on a satin pillowcase, smooth flyaways with a little lightweight oil, and re-curl the ends on rods when they drop. Lighter colors like honey blonde, copper, and platinum fray and show frizz faster, so they need noticeably more attention than a black or two-tone set that hides regrowth on its own.
Can I get butterfly locs with curls on short natural hair?
Yes. The style is built with wrapping hair around a foundation braid or cornrow, so your own length matters far less than you might think. Short natural hair readily supports short bob-length or shoulder-length curly butterfly locs; you mainly need enough length, usually a couple of inches, to braid the base securely so nothing slips.
Do the curled ends damage my natural hair?
The curl lives entirely on the added wrapping hair, not your own strands, so the ends themselves aren't the concern. Damage risk comes from three things instead: too much root tension at install, leaving the set in beyond six weeks, and a dry, neglected scalp. Keep tension comfortable, take them down on time, and moisturize the scalp so the style stays protective.
How much do butterfly locs with curls cost?
Cost varies widely by region, stylist experience, length, and loc size. Longer, thinner, and multi-color installs sit at the higher end because they take more time and more packs, while short chunky sets in a single color are the most affordable. Budget separately for the hair itself, and buy one extra pack in your shade for refreshes and repairs.
How do I keep the curls from falling out?
Some curl drop is normal, especially at the ends that get slept on and touched most. Wrap the length loosely in a satin scarf at night, keep heavy oils off the curled section so nothing weighs it down, and re-set with rods or a hot-water dip when needed. Tighter spirals on small rods hold their shape longer than loose waves but want more frequent refreshing to look their best.
Can I wash butterfly locs with curls?
Yes, and you should every one to two weeks. Dilute a sulfate-free shampoo in an applicator bottle, apply it to the scalp along the parts, let it rinse through the length, and avoid scrubbing the locs, which frays the loops open. Squeeze water out through a microfiber towel and air-dry fully, ideally with a fan, before styling so damp locs never develop odor at the core.
How do I sleep with long butterfly locs?
For waist and hip-length sets, loosely two-strand twist or gather the length into three or four sections, then wrap it all in a large satin scarf so it's contained but never tight. This prevents the overnight tangling that long added hair is prone to and keeps the curled ends from matting or roughing up at the very tips while you turn in your sleep.
How do I ask my stylist for this exact look?
Bring a reference photo and name four things clearly: length, loc size (thin, mid, or chunky), color shade, and curl type (loose waves, spiral, or tight). Add face-framing pieces, accessories, or an edges-out request if you want them, and confirm any colored hair is pre-dyed at the factory rather than dyed after install, which fades unevenly. Specific requests get you closest to the photo.
