29 Gorgeous Butterfly Locs Hairstyles Ideas For 2026

You adore how butterfly locs look online, but you really don’t like how they feel, how heavy they are, or how tight their roots are.

You also worry that they might get frizzy quickly, cost too much, or make you want to cut them off.

In this article, I  will show you 29 gorgeous butterfly locs hairstyles you can try in 2026.

Let’s jump in!

How long do butterfly locs last?

Butterfly locs normally stay in for four to eight weeks. Most people obtain the finest results when their scalp is clean and their roots stay relaxed for 4 to 6 weeks.

After 8 weeks, new growth starts to coil, it hurts more to take it out, and it’s more likely to break.

Heavy locs, tight installs, a dry scalp, and not protecting your hair at night all make.

Your locs will stay neat longer and feel good the whole time if you clean your scalp carefully, add little moisture, and cover your hair at night.

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Side-Swept Red

Drama shows up before you even turn your head with this deep red, extra-long side fall. 

This style is excellent for parties, photoshoots, and clothing that make a statement and need to show off your hair.

To get the look back, put in long butterfly locs, make a deep part on one side, and pull all the hair forward over one shoulder.

Soft Brown Lob

Warm brown locs at shoulder length keep things polished without feeling heavy. This style is good for everyday wear, work, and casual weekends.

When you want to move around without your hair getting in the way.

To get the same look again, ask for medium butterfly locs with a lob cut, a clean side part, and little front braids. The curls should bounce instead hair falling flat.

Half-Up Pony

Lift changes everything when you pull the crown into a loose pony and let the rest fall free. 

This style is excellent for hectic days, running errands after the gym, and informal situations when you need to keep your hair out of your face without losing volume.

To do it again, use a small elastic to hold the top part in place, leave one front loc loose for softness, and don’t pull too hard so the roots stay comfy.

Neat Mini Locs

Clean parts give this short set a fresh, put-together feel that fits school, workdays, and everyday errands without effort. 

To make it again, ask for little butterfly locs with tight, even portions. Then, keep the front edges softly pressed down for a clean finish.

Use lightweight wrapping hair so that the short length stays the same and doesn’t puff up by the second week.

Triangle Parts

Sharp parting shifts the whole vibe before the locs even move. This style is great for statement looks and imaginative installs.

Request triangle parts at the base, and then put medium butterfly locs over each one so that the pattern may still be seen.

Keep the spacing even so that the design stays visible and doesn’t get lost in the bulk.

Middle Part Flow

Balance hits different when both sides fall evenly and frame your face without effort. 

This style is great for everyday wear, brunch plans, and casual nights out when you want length without a lot of fuss.

To get the look again, use medium butterfly locs with a clean center part. Keep the front two locs a little thinner and don’t use a lot of edge gel so the curls don’t get rigid.

Defined Shoulder Lob

Soft volume falls precisely at the shoulders, so you can move around without your long hair getting in the way.

This style is perfect for work, everyday wear, and casual occasions where you want to appear attractive without adding weight.

To maintain the curls from falling flat by week two, wrap the hair lightly and keep the middle part clean.

Deep Side Part

Face framing gets sharper when the part cuts deep and lets one side carry more weight. 

This style works best for round or big cheeks since the tilt makes the face look thinner quickly and tell the stylist you want a clean side part with medium butterfly locs.

Make the heavier side a little longer and the front baby hairs light so the hairline stays soft instead of stiff.

Blonde Waist Length

Golden tones change the whole mood once the locs drop past the waist with this much fullness. 

This style looks great for vacations, festivals, photoshoots, and bold street looks when hair is a part of the ensemble.

Make it again with long butterfly locs in a honey-blonde mix. To give depth, mix in a few darker roots. 

Ultra Long Drop

Length steals the spotlight when locs fall this far and stay clean from root to tip. This style works for pictures, holidays.

And everyday wear where your hair is the major focus. Request butterfly locs that are exceptionally long and have a clean center portion.

Keep the roots light and don’t use heavy edge gel so the front stays soft instead of stiff.

Classic Center Part

The portion runs straight down the middle, and the locs fall evenly on both sides, which displays quiet confidence.

This style is great for work, school, and everyday looks when you need to look balanced.

Make it again with medium butterfly locs and a pointy section in the middle. Check that that the density is equal on each side, then gently smooth the front.

Soft Chocolate Length

Warm brown tones soften long locs and make the texture look richer under both indoor and natural light. 

This style is excellent for everyday wear, content shoots, and soft glam looks where you desire depth without bright colors.

Recreate it with medium to long butterfly locs in a chocolate brown mix. Keep the front two pieces a little looser.

Glam Night Length

Flash-ready volume shows up once the locs hit mid-waist and catch light from every angle. 

This style is good for parties, night events, and fancy occasions where you want your hair to seem bold but not rigid.

Add a few small gold cuffs to the front of the long, deep black butterfly locs. Keep the roots light so that the length moves instead of pulling on your scalp.

Defined Side Part

Confidence shifts the moment that clean side line cuts through the front and guides all the volume one way. 

This design is great for everyday use, days when you don’t have much to do, and looks that frame the face without needing a lot of hard shaping.

Make it again with medium-long butterfly locs, and when you put it in, ask for a sharp side portion. Keep the edge control light so the front stays soft instead of stiff.

Half-Up Bun

Once the crown comes off and the curls swing loose around your face, the weekend energy kicks in.

This design is ideal for days when you don’t have to work, brunch plans, or when you want to appear nice without wearing something too much weight.

Do it again with short to medium butterfly locs. Put the top piece in a messy bun and leave the two the hairs in the front out so the look stays soft rather than stiff.

Full Back Fall

Length takes over once every loc drops straight down your back with no styling breaking the flow. 

This configuration is great for photoshoots, fancy events, and long days when you want to look tidy and strong without needing to change it all the time.

Ask for long butterfly locs that are the same thickness from the crown to the ends. Trim the tips a little and keep the roots light.

Caramel Volume

Warm brown curls bring instant fullness without dragging the face down. This shape works for everyday use, comfortable outfits, and soft glam looks.

When you want volume without feeling too stiff. Tell your stylist to give you medium-long butterfly locs with a caramel blend.

Keep the parts minimal, and tell them to change the curl tension so the texture stays fluffy instead of stiff.

Soft Shoulder Bounce

The curls that hit right at the shoulders and frame the face without dragging it down are the best part.

This style is great for elegant casual outfits, dating nights, and restaurants when hair needs to look alive but still be in charge.

Pick small to medium butterfly locs, allow the curl pattern flow free, and clip the ends so that the bounce maintains the exact same and doesn’t get too huge at the bottom.

Side Crown Lift

Energy changes quickly when the volume increases at the top and flows down one side with a purpose.

This style is great for work days, content shoots, and everyday wear when you want your hair to appear fantastic without having to spend extra time styling it.

Make it again with medium-long butterfly locs and ask for a side portion that is higher up you install it. Keep the top secure but not too tight so the roots stay calm and natural.

Subtle Ombre Tips

Depth comes out from the rear as the ends fade into a gentle brown color without making a big deal out of it.

This style is suitable for everyday wear, outdoor shoots, and trips because the color adds interest without clashing with clothes.

Use medium-long butterfly locs again, blend dark roots with warm brown tips, and make the color fade instead of being striped by making it gradual.

Playful Top Puff

Fun takes the lead once the crown lifts into a loose puff and the rest drops freely around your face. 

This style is perfect for casual days, hanging out outside, and fun clothes where you want to be able to move around without having your hair get in the way.

Recreate it by using short to medium butterfly locs. Gather the top portion lightly without tugging it tight, and leave a few front locs loose.

Purple Accent Mix

Color sneaks in fast when deep purple runs through black locs and lights up the whole back view. 

This style is great for people that are bold, artistic, or have content days when they want their hair to shine out without complete dye.

Use black butterfly locs and spaced purple wraps to make it again. Keep the highlights unequal for a natural look, and don’t pack color at the roots.

Auburn Glam Length

As soon as those long locs frame your face under clear studio lighting, warm auburn changes the mood completely.

This style is perfect for beauty sessions, parties, and days when you want your hair to look rich and done.

To obtain the same look, use medium-thick butterfly locs in a reddish-brown mix. Make sure the middle part is sharp and ask for lighter wrapping around the ends.

Gold Cuffed Bob

The small gold cuffs between the short, bouncy locs catch the light rapidly and make the whole look taller without making it longer.

This hairdo is perfect for summer clothes, daytime activities, and days when you want to look attractive but don’t want to wear a lot of hair.

Cut butterfly locs short above the shoulders. Add a few cuffs to the front and sides alone, and let the rest open so the bob doesn’t get too boxy.

Straight Back Flow

Length speaks first when every loc falls straight back without crowding the front. This style is excellent for workdays, lengthy trips, and weeks.

When you don’t want to have to do much with your hair. Request lengthy butterfly locs with clean straight-back sections.

Make sure the density is the same from the crown to the ends, and don’t use thick edge gel so the front stays natural instead of flashy.

High Puff Updo

When the locs go up high, the energy swiftly rises, leaving a few bold pieces dancing at the front.

This Style is ideal for days when you have a lot to do, are working out, or are just hanging out on the street and need your hair to stay in place and your neck to breathe.

And leave two front locs open so the face can see through stays framed instead of tight.

Textured Box Bob

Sunlight shows every curl when short locs stop right at the shoulders with clean, boxy weight. 

This cut is great for hot days, outdoor activities, and weeks when you don’t want to do much but have long hair.

Request short butterfly locs with blunt edges, space them out equally at the back, and add a few light cuffs just in the center rows.

Natural Mid Length

When the locs end at the chest and fall without excessive shaping, things get easier.

This length is great for workdays, family events, and everyday use when you want to look attractive without a lot of weight.

Make it again using medium butterfly locs, and ask your hairdresser to make the curls a little smaller.

Long Curtain Frame

Soft length falls forward here and naturally frames both sides of the face without the need for layers or shaping.

This style is perfect for casual glam, content shots, and days when you want your hair to frame your face.

Don’t use a lot of edge control, and cut the front pieces a little shorter.

FAQs

Do butterfly locs work on narrow edges?

Yes, but only if the arrangement is light and spaced out. Thin edges can’t handle heavy locs or tight front parts.

If you want fewer locs around your hairline, don’t ask for strong edge control, and don’t choose patterns that draw everything back.

On the first day, you should be able to feel pressure at the front.

Can you swim with butterfly locs without ruining them?

Swimming won’t ruin the style, but salt water and chlorine will dry them out quickly.

Gently squeeze out the water after rinsing with clean water and spray with a mild leave-in spray.

If you don’t do this step, the locs will lose their delicate texture in a few days and frizz will show up early.