👰 How To Style Faux Locs For Wedding
I have spent years helping brides find the perfect balance between protective styling and high-fashion elegance.
Faux locs offer a stunning, textured canvas that holds its shape far better than natural hair during a long day of photos and dancing.
This guide comes from my personal experience behind the chair, ensuring your wedding hair stays secure from the first “I do” to the final dance.
Quick Overview
Creating a bridal masterpiece with faux locs requires patience and a gentle touch to ensure the weight is distributed evenly.
- Time needed: 60 to 90 minutes
- Difficulty: Intermediate
- What you’ll need: Large hair pins, edge control, gold or silver hair wire, decorative pearls or flowers, and a lightweight sheen spray.
Step 1: Refresh and Moisturize the Locs
Start by lightly misting your faux locs with a water-based leave-in conditioner or a rosewater spray.
Faux locs can sometimes look a bit dull or dusty if they have been in for a few weeks, so you want to bring back that healthy glow.
Apply a small amount of lightweight hair oil to your palms and run them down the length of each loc to add shine.
Avoid heavy greases or waxes, as these will weigh the style down and make the locs look greasy in high-definition wedding photos.
Pro Tip: Focus the moisture on your natural roots and the scalp to prevent any itching during the long wedding ceremony.
Step 2: Section the Hair for Volume
Create a clear horizontal part from ear to ear to separate the front section from the back.
This allows you to manage the bulk of the locs more effectively and prevents the style from looking like a single, heavy mass.
Clip the front section forward so it stays out of the way while you work on the foundation of your updo.
The back section will serve as the “anchor” for your style, providing the height and stability needed for veils or heavy accessories.
Step 3: Secure the Base Ponytail
Gather the back section of locs into a high ponytail at the crown of your head.
Use a thick, snag-free hair tie or even a long piece of ribbon to secure the locs without snapping your natural hair.
Ensure the tension is firm but not painful, as you will be wearing this style for many hours.
If your locs are very long and heavy, consider splitting the back into two smaller ponytails stacked on top of each other to distribute the weight.
Step 4: Sculpt the Regal Bun
Take the locs from the ponytail and begin wrapping them around the base in a circular motion.
Instead of a tight, compact bun, try to keep the wraps loose and overlapping to create a “rose” effect.
Tuck the ends of the locs underneath the main body of the bun as you go.
This creates a seamless look where no stray ends or synthetic fibers are poking out of the finished shape.
Pro Tip: Use large U-shaped hair pins rather than standard bobby pins to lock the heavy locs into place without them sliding out.
Step 5: Style the Front Face-Framing Pieces
Release the front section of locs that you clipped away earlier.
You can choose to sweep these straight back for a sleek look or create a deep side part for a more romantic, vintage vibe.
Drape the locs over your forehead slightly to soften the features and frame your face beautifully.
Secure these front pieces into the base of the bun using pins, making sure to hide the pins deep within the texture of the locs.
Step 6: Refine the Edges
Apply a small amount of long-wear edge control to your hairline using a soft-bristled brush or a dedicated edge tool.
For a wedding, you want the edges to look polished but natural, so avoid using too much product that might flake or turn white.
Swoop the baby hairs into gentle curves that complement the direction of your updo.
This step is crucial because it bridges the gap between the structured locs and your natural skin, creating a professional finish.
Step 7: Integrate Bridal Accessories
Thread gold or silver jewelry wire through the locs if you want a bohemian, ethereal look.
You can also place individual pearl pins or small silk flowers into the “valleys” of the bun where the locs overlap.
Check the placement in a mirror from all angles, including the back and sides.
The accessories should look intentional and balanced, adding a touch of sparkle without overwhelming the natural beauty of the locs.
Step 8: Set the Style for the Day
Spray a light-hold hairspray or a finishing sheen over the entire style.
This helps to lay down any tiny flyaways that may have popped up during the styling process.
Gently press your hands over the surface of the hair to ensure everything is smooth and locked in.
Your style is now ready to withstand the heat of the dance floor and the breeze of an outdoor ceremony.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
Using Too Many Heavy Pins
It is tempting to use dozens of bobby pins to feel secure, but this often leads to a headache by the middle of the reception. The weight of the locs combined with the pressure of the pins can cause significant scalp tension. Instead, use a few high-quality, large hair pins that can grab more hair at once and distribute the weight evenly across the base of the ponytail.
Neglecting the Back of the Head
Brides often focus entirely on what they see in the front mirror, forgetting that guests will spend the entire ceremony looking at the back of their hair. If the back is messy or the hair ties are visible, it ruins the illusion of a professional updo. Always use a hand mirror to check the back and ensure your bun is symmetrical and all loc ends are properly tucked away.
Overloading with Product
Synthetic faux locs do not absorb products the way natural hair does, so any excess gel or oil will just sit on the surface. This can lead to a sticky texture that attracts dust and lint throughout the wedding day. Use products sparingly and only where necessary, such as on the roots or for smoothing down specific frizz spots.
Pulling the Hairline Too Tight
The “snatched” look is popular, but for a wedding, you want to avoid looking like you are in pain. Excessive tension on the hairline can lead to visible scalp irritation or redness in your photos. Keep the perimeter locs slightly looser to allow for natural movement and to protect your delicate edges from breakage.
Troubleshooting
The Style Feels Too Heavy
If the updo feels like it is pulling your head back, you likely have too many locs concentrated in one spot. Try removing a few locs from the bun and letting them hang down as tendrils or a side-braid. This shifts the center of gravity and relieves the pressure on your neck and scalp.
Frizz is Peeking Through the Locs
If your natural hair is starting to frizz out from underneath the faux loc wraps, do not panic. Use a tiny amount of hair wax or a styling stick to smooth the natural hair back into the loc. You can also wrap a decorative gold cord around the frizziest parts to hide them while adding a regal touch to the style.
Visible Gaps in the Bun
Sometimes the locs don’t lay perfectly, leaving small gaps where the hair tie or your scalp is visible. You can fix this by gently tugging on the surrounding locs to “fan” them out and cover the hole. If that doesn’t work, place a decorative flower or a large hair pin in the gap to turn the mistake into a design choice.
Key Takeaways
- Prep is essential: Always clean and moisturize your locs before styling to ensure they look vibrant and healthy.
- Distribute the weight: Use multiple anchor points or high-quality pins to prevent scalp tension and headaches.
- Focus on the edges: Polished baby hairs are the difference between a casual style and a bridal masterpiece.
- Check every angle: Use a mirror to ensure the back and sides are just as perfect as the front.
- Less is more: Choose a few high-impact accessories rather than cluttering the hair with too many details.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I style faux locs that are several weeks old for my wedding?
Yes, you can definitely style older locs, and sometimes they actually hold styles better because they are less slippery. The key is to focus on refreshing the roots and cleaning up the edges. A good sheen spray and some careful tucking of frizzy ends can make month-old locs look brand new for your big day.
How do I attach a wedding veil to faux locs?
The best way to attach a veil is to slide the comb into the top of the bun where the hair is most secure. If the veil feels unstable, use two bobby pins crossed in an “X” shape over the teeth of the comb to lock it into the locs. Make sure the veil is placed behind the crown so it doesn’t obscure the front of your beautiful updo.
What if my faux locs are too short for a high bun?
If your locs are short, consider a low chignon or a side-swept style instead of a high bun. You can also use a “hair donut” or padding underneath your locs to give the illusion of more volume and length. Simply wrap your shorter locs over the padding and pin them securely to create a full, rounded shape.
Should I wash my faux locs the morning of the wedding?
I would strongly advise against washing your locs on the morning of the wedding. Faux locs take a very long time to dry, and the extra water weight will make styling nearly impossible. Wash them two or three days in advance so they are completely dry and lightweight by the time you start your bridal transformation.
Our Top Recommended Finds
- Large U-Shaped Hair Pins: These are much stronger than standard pins and are specifically designed to hold the weight of heavy braids and locs.
- Gold Decorative Hair Wire: This flexible wire can be wrapped around individual locs to add a custom, metallic shimmer that matches your wedding jewelry.
- Firm-Hold Edge Control: Look for a brand that offers a non-flaking formula to keep your hairline smooth from the ceremony until the late-night departure.
Your Wedding Day Hair Journey
The most important part of your wedding day is feeling confident and beautiful in your own skin.
Faux locs provide a regal and timeless look that honors your personal style while meeting the formal demands of a wedding.
Take some time this weekend to do a “trial run” of this updo so you can get a feel for the weight and the pin placement.
Once you master the foundation of the bun and the art of the edges, you will be able to walk down the aisle with total peace of mind.
You might also want to look into different ways to accessorize with fresh flowers versus metallic jewelry to see which fits your dress better.
Start practicing today, and give yourself the gift of a stress-free, stunning wedding morning.
