Soft locs are a protective style that mimics the texture of natural locs without the permanent commitment. The trend now leans toward looser, more pliable locs that move and curl like un-styled hair, a clear shift from the rigid uniformity of previous years.
This collection of 25 Soft Locs Hairstyles covers everything from five-minute ponytails to intricate updos, so there is something for every schedule and skill level. Whether your hair is fine and needs a denser wrap or you want a fringe that actually stays put, these looks solve the practical problems without the guesswork.
Intricate Updo With Braided Elements
The braided soft locs updo is a deliberate construction, where each wavy, dark brown loc is woven into place with a precision that looks almost architectural. The mid-back length locs are parted down the middle, then gathered and braided into a sophisticated shape that holds its form without a single strand straying. This is a style for those with thick, wavy locs who need a formal look that lasts through a long event. Ask your stylist for an intricate braided updo with mid-back length soft locs. The hold comes from the braiding itself, reinforced with bobby pins at the base, so you can trust it to stay put from the first dance to the last.
High Ponytail With Face-Framing Locs
Wondering if a high ponytail works with soft locs? It does, especially when the locs are mid-back length and thick, as the weight of the hair gives the ponytail a dramatic swing that shorter styles can’t match. The black, wavy locs are swept up into a high ponytail, but a few are left loose to frame the face, which softens the overall effect and makes it work for most face shapes, from round to oval to square. Ask your stylist for: a high ponytail with loose face-framing locs. To keep it polished, use a strong hair tie and a smoothing serum along the hairline. This high ponytail soft locs style holds well for daily wear, from the gym to a day out.
Loose Locs With Boho Curls
The boho curl soft locs trend lives and dies by the ends, where each loc is curled into a prominent, springy loop that gives the whole style its relaxed, textured feel. The mid-back length black locs are worn loose with a middle part, and the thick, wavy texture is the star here, so you want to let it do its thing. Ask your stylist for loose soft locs with boho curls at the ends. To keep the curls defined, scrunch a light mousse into the ends and let them air dry, but be aware that the curls will relax over time and need a touch-up with a curling wand or flexirods to bounce back. It’s a style that looks undone but actually asks for regular attention.
Mid-Back Deep Red Wavy Locs
If you’re weighing a deep red against the usual black or brown, know that this shade stands out on its own, turning a simple loose style into a statement. The mid-back length locs are wavy and thick, and the vibrant red color is tailor-made for autumn, though it holds its own as a year-round bold choice. Ask your colorist for mid-back length soft locs in deep red. The middle part keeps the focus on the color, and the loose styling lets the waves move naturally. To keep the red from fading into a dull rust, use a color-safe shampoo and conditioner, and expect to refresh the tone every four to six weeks.
Mid-Back Butterfly Locs With Wispy Bangs
Butterfly locs can look heavy or uniform if the details are off. The key is in the details: wispy bangs that soften the face and a curly texture that runs through the ends, breaking up the locs into something airier. These mid-back length black butterfly locs have a distinct curl pattern that adds volume without weight. Ask your stylist for mid-back butterfly locs with wispy bangs, and be specific about the bangs, since they’re the difference between a blunt fringe and the soft, face-framing pieces you want. The middle part keeps the style balanced, and the curly ends hold their shape well, though you’ll want to gently separate them with your fingers each morning to keep them from clumping together.
Collarbone Bob With Loose Wavy Ends
This collarbone bob swaps the weight of traditional locs for a lighter, air-dried finish that lands just at the collarbone. The middle part and loose, wavy ends give it a relaxed, textured look that reads as natural rather than styled. It suits those with hair already at collarbone length who want a shorter, softer silhouette without the commitment of a full chop. Ask your stylist for: collarbone bob soft locs with loose wavy ends. Air drying is the whole styling method here; a quick mist of water refreshes the waves on day two. It’s a salon install, but the daily upkeep is minimal, which is the point.
Shoulder Length Two-Tone Locs
The middle part lets the color variation show evenly on both sides, so the two tone effect is clear. It suits medium density hair that can carry the extra lightness without looking thin. Ask your colorist for: shoulder length two tone soft locs with curled ends. Curling the ends with a heat protectant keeps the shape, and a toning appointment every six to eight weeks keeps the blonde from going brassy.
Collarbone Faux Locs With Burgundy Highlights
How much upkeep do burgundy highlights on faux locs really need? More than you’d think. The black base with burgundy streaks adds depth to collarbone-length wavy locs, and the gold beads give them a boho edge. The side parting keeps the color from pooling in one spot, so the dimension stays visible from the front. It suits anyone with collarbone-length hair who wants a textured, accessorized look without permanent color. Ask your stylist for: collarbone faux locs with burgundy highlights and gold beads. The beads are easy to swap for a different metal or take out entirely. The honest downside: burgundy fades faster than most shades, so expect to refresh the color every few months or embrace the shift to a deeper wine tone.
Loose Mid-Back Length Locs
Length and volume define this style, with loose locs that have room to move. These mid-back locs fall in a natural black, parted down the middle, with no bangs to distract from the sheer density. The weight of the hair pulls the waves straighter toward the ends, which gives the style its unfussy character. It suits thick, wavy textures that can hold that much length without looking stringy. Ask your stylist for: loose mid-back length soft locs. A light oil on the scalp and ends keeps the hair moisturized without weighing it down. For rounder face shapes, the vertical line of the middle part and the length below the chin elongate the face nicely.
Soft Mid-Back Locs Texture Focus
Soft texture is the whole story here. These mid-back black locs are styled loosely with a middle part, but the real focus is how the waves move. The trade-off: maintaining that softness takes consistent finger-separating and a light hand with product. Heavy creams or gels will stiffen the locs and kill the effect. Ask your stylist for: mid-back soft locs showing texture. It’s a salon install, but the daily refresh is just a few minutes of gentle pulling at the roots to fluff the volume. If you prefer a more defined, uniform loc, this one will frustrate you.
Flowing Mid-Back Wavy Locs
The middle parting lets the wavy texture of these black soft locs do the talking, and it is a conversation starter. At mid-back length with a loose, flowing style, the hair moves with you and stays flexible, which is the appeal of soft locs.
Ask your stylist for: loose, flowing mid-back soft locs. This is a salon build, not a weekend DIY, so budget a few hours in the chair. The style works for summer beach days or a relaxed evening out without a single bobby pin. A light sheen spray keeps the natural glow visible, and you can let it air dry after washing. No heat needed, no fuss, just the locs doing what they do best.
Extreme Length Wavy Locs
Why go mid-back when you could go longer? These deep black wavy locs are the maximum length game, and they come with a job description. The thick, dense texture means more hair to manage, so if you are not ready for the upkeep, a shoulder-length version is the lighter lift.
Ask your stylist for: long, mid-back wavy soft locs. This is a salon commitment, not a quick install, and the daily reality includes detangling and protecting the ends. The honest drawback is tangling, especially if you sleep without a satin bonnet. Regular trims keep split ends at bay, though you will trade some length for health. If you want volume and drama, this is the one. If you want low maintenance, keep scrolling.
Voluminous Curls With Subtle Highlights
The side parting breaks up the density of these dark brown soft locs, and the blonde highlights add dimension. The thick, curly texture creates voluminous curls that suit round or oval faces, and the mid-back length balances the volume.
Ask your colorist for: mid-back soft locs with subtle blonde highlights and voluminous curls. The curls need a curl-defining cream to keep their shape, and you will be refreshing them daily to avoid a flat crown. This style works for everyday wear and special occasions, but requires daily upkeep. The highlights need toning every six to eight weeks to keep the blonde from going brassy.
Bohemian Locs With Gold and Silver Beads
The gold and silver beads are threaded onto the locs during the install, so the placement is fixed. These dark brown faux locs with blonde highlights reach mid-back, and the middle part keeps the bohemian style symmetrical.
Ask your stylist for: mid-back faux locs with blonde highlights and beads. The technique involves sliding the beads onto individual locs and crimping them shut, which takes time but holds for the life of the style. The loose, flowing way the locs fall makes the beads visible as you move. It is a festival-ready look, but you can dress it down for casual days. Just check the beads regularly to make sure they stay put.
Loose Locs With Gold Accessories
What if you want the accessory effect without committing to beads on every loc? These black soft locs with subtle brown highlights get their personality from gold accessories like beads and crosses, placed selectively. The wavy, medium-density texture extends to mid-back, and the loose styling keeps it wearable.
Ask your stylist for: mid-back soft locs with gold accessories. The trick is placement: have the stylist thread the pieces onto a few locs near the front and sides, so they frame the face without weighing down the whole style. Lightweight accessories prevent pulling on the roots. Secure them well, and they will last until you take the locs down. This is a salon build, and the result is a personal touch.
Medium Brown Locs With Braided Texture
Braiding a few sections near the root adds grip without committing the whole head to a braided style. These mid-back soft locs in medium brown with subtle lighter highlights keep movement where it counts, the wavy texture breaking up any uniformity. Medium density means the style holds its shape through a workday, though you will spend a minute each morning smoothing the roots with a light pomade to keep the braided bits from frizzing. This is a salon-leaning install, roughly three hours in the chair, and the one real drawback is that the braided sections need redoing sooner than the rest of the locs. Ask your stylist for: mid-back soft locs in medium brown with braided texture.
Multi-Toned Locs In A High Ponytail
Pulling multi-toned locs into a high ponytail changes the whole look: the blonde and brown highlights stack into a single block of color, while the wavy texture turns the tail into a chunkier statement. Worn loose, those same tones scatter and soften, each loc catching light on its own. The ponytail suits thick, mid-back locs because the weight keeps the base smooth and the middle parting stays put. It also moves better for active days, no strands swinging into your face. If you prefer your color to blend as one unified tone, keep it loose. Ask your colorist for: mid-back soft locs with blonde and brown highlights in a high ponytail.
Defined Shoulder Length Locs
Shoulder length with a middle part, these black locs get their appeal from definition: each wave is distinct, the medium density keeping the style from looking heavy. That clarity flatters round and oval face shapes, the length sitting just below the jaw to elongate without adding bulk. If your hair is fine or thin, the defined texture reads as more volume than it actually has, which is a win. Ask your stylist for: shoulder length soft locs with definition. A light leave-in conditioner maintains the shape, but skip heavy brushing, it pulls the waves apart and turns crisp into fuzzy.
Shoulder Length Wavy Locs
The technique here is all in the set: each loc is rolled or banded while damp to lock in that uniform wave pattern, then left to dry fully before the bands come out. Shoulder length black locs with a middle part rely on the bend holding, which it does for a few days if you sleep with a scarf or bonnet. Medium density means the waves show clearly without the style looking sparse. To refresh, give the locs a gentle shake at the roots to lift volume, and trim any stray ends that break the line. Ask your stylist for: shoulder length wavy soft locs.
Thick Shoulder Length Dark Brown Locs
Thick locs at shoulder length have a presence that thinner sets do not, the dark brown color with subtle lighter undertones adding depth without needing highlights. The wavy texture gives the thickness somewhere to go, so the style moves rather than sitting like a helmet. This is a salon install, and plan for a few hours, but the daily upkeep is simple: a moisture-rich serum keeps the locs soft and prevents the ends from drying out. The real drawback is weight, thick locs pull at the roots, so if your scalp is sensitive, this length may feel heavier than it looks. Ask your stylist for: shoulder length thick soft locs in dark brown.
Shoulder Length Ponytail With Loose Pieces
How do you get the benefits of a ponytail without losing the softness of soft locs hairstyles? Pull the top half back and leave the rest loose. The side part and shoulder-length wavy texture keep it from feeling severe, while those face-framing pieces do exactly what they say on the tin. Ask your stylist for: shoulder length ponytail with loose face-framing locs. A decorative clip on the elastic adds a little polish without extra effort.
Side Part Ponytail With Face-Framing Locs
A side part ponytail with face-framing locs wears differently than a middle part one: the asymmetry pulls more weight on the side you sweep it to, so the loose pieces hit at an angle rather than falling symmetrically. That makes this a better call if you want a bit more movement around the jawline. Ask your stylist for: shoulder length ponytail with face-framing locs. A middle part would give equal weight on both sides; this one lets the hair feel looser without actually being loose.
Collarbone Locs With Defined Baby Hairs
Those defined baby hairs are the difference between a casual collarbone style and one that looks intentionally finished. The wavy black locs hang loose, but the hairline gets a clean, sculpted edge that draws the eye forward rather than down the length. Ask your stylist for: collarbone soft locs with defined baby hairs. The honest trade-off is time: getting those edges to lay flat and stay put means a strong hold gel and a few extra minutes in front of the mirror. If you are not willing to commit to that precision, skip the baby hairs and let the locs do the work alone.
Mid-Back Ponytail With Styled Baby Hairs
This is a salon build: the high ponytail pulls all the mid-back length upward, and the styled baby hairs along the hairline add a deliberate frame around the face. The middle part keeps the foundation clean so the texture of the wavy locs does the visual work. Ask your stylist for: mid-back soft locs in a high ponytail with styled baby hairs. A DIY version is possible with a strong gel and a fine-tooth comb, but getting the baby hairs symmetrical and the ponytail centered usually takes a second pair of hands.
Intricate Updo With Loose Strands
Can an updo look intricate without looking stiff? This one manages it by pairing a high bun with a braided detail on one side and a few loose wavy strands left to fall around the face. From the back, the mid-back length is still visible, which keeps the silhouette from reading as too formal. Ask your stylist for: intricate soft locs updo with braided detail and loose strands. The hold depends on how well the pins are placed, but a style this built generally stays put through a long event.
Final Thoughts
For maximum impact with minimal styling effort, prioritize styles with a defined baseline and consider adding subtle color dimension. If you prefer a low-maintenance look, opt for loose, mid-back styles that require little manipulation.
- Trim loose ends as needed to maintain a neat appearance.
- Moisturize scalp regularly with a light oil or serum.
- Sleep with a silk or satin bonnet to protect texture.
- Avoid excessive manipulation to prevent frizz and tangling.
Soft locs offer endless possibilities for stylish, protective wear.
