Butterfly Locs vs Faux Locs: Best Choice for Henrico Hair Routines
By BRAIDS BY AMY | November 3, 2026
If you want a soft, textured loc look that usually feels lighter on your head, Butterfly Locs tend to be the better pick. If you want a sleeker, more “dread-like” finish that often holds up longer between touch-ups, Faux Locs might fit you better. I install Butterfly Locs in Henrico, and the service starts at $220 with the hair provided, so you’re not running around trying to match texture last minute.
Around Tuckahoe and the West End, a lot of people want a protective style that looks good fast and still behaves in humidity. That’s where the small differences between these two styles start to matter.
Butterfly Locs vs Faux Locs: what you’re actually wearing
Butterfly Locs are meant to look a little “undone” in the best way. The finish is airy and textured, with that feathery, slightly messy wrap that gives you volume. The look is forgiving, which is part of why it photographs so well and still looks cute when you’re just living your life.
Faux Locs go for a smoother, more uniform loc look. They can be gorgeous when you want that clean, consistent vibe. They also tend to read more “traditional loc” at a glance, especially when they’re installed with a tighter wrap or a heavier hair choice.
Both are protective styles. The difference is the finish and how that finish behaves over time. In Richmond and Henrico summers, texture hides a little frizz. Sleek styles show it quicker, so your upkeep habits matter.
The trade-offs that decide it: weight, wear time, and Henrico humidity
Let’s talk about what actually changes your day-to-day, not just how the style looks in a photo.
Look and texture
Butterfly Locs give you a soft, textured finish with volume. Faux Locs look smoother and more uniform. If you know you’ll be in and out of stores around Short Pump or dealing with moisture and heat, that Butterfly texture usually hides “real life” frizz better.
Weight and comfort
Butterfly Locs are usually lighter because the style is meant to be airy. Faux Locs can feel heavier, especially when they’re long or installed with a denser hair choice. Comfort matters. I check in during the appointment to make sure you’re not sitting through tightness just to “get it done.”
Longevity and maintenance
Faux Locs often win on wear time. They’re smoother, so you can go longer before the “fuzzy” look shows up. Butterfly Locs stay pretty, but they do best with gentler upkeep so the texture doesn’t get crushed or overly frizzy. I’ve had clients tell me their hair lasts at least 3 months, and that’s usually a mix of solid install plus at-home habits.
Install time and cost
My Butterfly Locs appointment is scheduled for about 240 minutes, and pricing starts at $220 with the hair included. Faux Locs can run longer and higher depending on length, density, and the method, especially if you’re anchoring each loc with added braid structure.
“She took her time to answer all my concerns prior to and made sure my braids were neat, comfortable, and EXACTLY the style I wanted.”
one of our long-time clients
Quick real-life note: If you’ve ever left a braiding appointment feeling sore or “pulled, ” say that upfront. I’d rather adjust my tension and placement than have you powering through the next week.
Short hair, busy routine, or tender scalp: which style fits you?
Butterfly Locs tend to be a great match if you want volume without that heavy feel, or if you like a textured look that doesn’t need to be perfectly sleek to look finished. They also work well when you want a protective style that looks intentional even after a humid day in Henrico.
Faux Locs make sense if you’re aiming for a smoother loc look and you don’t mind doing the little things that keep it neat longer, like controlling oil at the roots and watching buildup. If you know you want a very uniform finish for weeks, Faux Locs often deliver that better.
Why Butterfly Locs look different when I do them in the West End
I’ve been braiding in Henrico for 11 years, and my goal is simple. You should leave with hair that’s neat, comfortable, and true to what you asked for. People come to me because they want detail work without the chaos. More than one person has pointed out my studio is clean and calm, and I take that seriously.
I’m also responsive. I’ve accommodated same-day appointments when I’ve had the space to do it, and I don’t rush the actual install just because my phone is ringing. If you’re commuting around I-64 or coming in from Glen Allen, Short Pump, or Lakeside, I respect your time and I respect your hair.
“My hair lasts me atleast 3 months and the environment is super relaxing.”
one of our regulars
If you’re still deciding: start with our locs services in Tuckahoe and the West End for a bigger picture of options.
If you already know you want Butterfly Locs, I also wrote a straightforward guide on Butterfly Locs aftercare so you can keep the texture cute in humidity and avoid that stiff, over-oiled look.
A few honest next steps before you book Butterfly Locs
Send me a message with your goal length and a quick note about your routine. If you’re active, sweat a lot, or you’re in and out of the humidity all day, I’ll steer you toward the install choices that hold up best.
I serve Richmond, Glen Allen, Short Pump, Tuckahoe, the West End, and Lakeside. If you’re coming from outside Henrico, that’s fine too. People do travel for a braider they trust.
Ready for Butterfly Locs starting at $220?
I’ll confirm the look you want, talk through length and upkeep, and make sure the install feels comfortable the whole way through.
Call +18043934096 or email adiarra.ad@gmail.com. You can also stop by: Andover rd, Henrico, VA 23229.
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