I kept seeing soft locs in the salon chair next to mine. Not the heavy traditional kind, but lighter, looser, with caramel and honey tones catching the light. They looked like real hair, which is the whole point of the 2027 update.
This roundup has 30 variations, from chin-length bobs to mid-back flow, with colors from natural black to copper and red. Whether you have fine strands like mine that go flat by 4 pm or thick coils that hold shape for weeks, there is a Soft Locs 2027 look that fits. I included the honest upkeep, the grow-out timeline, and which ones you can do at home versus book a stylist.
Chin-Length Bob With Caramel Highlights
The side-swept bangs and the angle of this chin length soft locs bob do the heavy lifting. A diagonal line breaks up a round face, and the chin length sits right at the jawline, shortening a long face. The caramel highlights add depth against the dark brown base, so the waves read dimensional instead of flat. Medium density is the sweet spot here: thick enough to hold the shape, light enough to avoid a helmet. The bangs need a quick blow-dry to cooperate, and that bob line needs a trim every six weeks. When the angle is right, it holds its shape all day.
Collarbone Layers With Loose Strands
How do you get the loose strands without the whole style unraveling? The base is the trick. The collarbone length soft locs are wrapped tight, and a few strands are deliberately left out around the perimeter or pulled through after. It is a planned release, not undone locs. The black with subtle brown undertones keeps the contrast low so the loose strands blend instead of sticking out. Medium density works best here because the loose strands add visual softness without making the silhouette bulky. A middle part keeps the whole thing balanced. The hold is in the locs; the loose strands are just decoration.
Short Defined Wavy Black Locs
I was skeptical a short style like this could hold its shape past day two. The short wavy soft locs actually get better as the week goes on. The defined wavy texture settles into place, and the black colour hides any minor dust or lint. The chin length means nothing rubs against a jacket collar, which is the main thing that undoes longer styles. A side part gives it volume on top. It holds without pinning or product. The only thing is the ends can soften after a few washes, so a light trim every ten weeks keeps the definition crisp.
Honey Blonde Curly Bob Locs
This honey blonde soft locs bob is best for thick, curly texture. The defined curls hold their shape without constant re-rolling. At chin length, the bob frames the face without overwhelming. The honey blonde colour adds warmth, but the real win is the texture. Styling is minimal: fluff and go. The hold lasts through a workday. If your hair is fine or straight, skip this — the volume needs density to read right. A middle part keeps the volume balanced.
Shoulder Length Brown With Blonde Highlights
Solid brown soft locs can look one-note. Add blonde highlights and the whole texture shifts. The warm brown base keeps it natural, the lighter pieces catch light and define each curl. At shoulder length, the dimension reads clearly without overwhelming.
- Ask for a warm brown base with caramel highlights.
- Request face-framing lighter pieces.
- Keep the highlights soft, not chunky.
- Use a side part to show the dimension.
The result is a colour that moves with you. It’s not flat, it’s not brassy. Just dimensional.
Layered Honey Blonde Soft Locs
I took one look at these layered honey blonde locs and thought, that’s the color of a perfect summer afternoon. The shoulder length sits light on the neck, the wavy texture air dried into soft bends. No heat, no product, just the honey blonde catching the sun. The middle part lets the layers fall naturally, and the hold is exactly what you want on vacation: loose enough to move, secure enough to last through a beach day. The thick strands keep their wave from morning to evening, and the vibrant honey blonde warms up the whole look. This is the kind of style that makes you look like you’re on holiday even if you’re just running errands.
Shoulder Length Black Faux Locs Ponytail
I’ll admit it: I didn’t think a ponytail could look this polished on soft locs. This black faux locs ponytail hits shoulder length, with side-swept bangs that soften the front and a high ponytail that shows off the nape. The loose locs in the ponytail create movement, and the black color keeps it sleek. The wavy texture of the locs adds volume, and the hold is solid for a high ponytail — it stays up all day. But here’s the catch: those loose strands have a mind of their own.
By midday, the loose locs around the face start to tangle with the bangs. You’ll find yourself re-adjusting more than you’d like. The side-swept bangs need a quick finger comb every few hours. It’s still a gorgeous style for a dinner or a wedding, but if you need it to stay pristine from morning to night, bring a small comb and plan for touch-ups.
Red Soft Locs With Undercut
The first time I saw red soft locs with an undercut, I stopped scrolling. I’d been thinking about a bold color for months, and this vibrant red was the push I needed. The shoulder length locs are wavy and soft, the undercut shaved clean on one side. The side part lets the red fall across the forehead. The hold is natural — the locs keep their shape without product, but the undercut needs a razor every two weeks to stay sharp. I knew the vibrant red would fade to a deeper tone, but that just meant I’d get two looks for the price of one. I booked the appointment that same day.
Shoulder Length Undercut With Styled Locs
Ever wondered how they get those locs to stand up like that? This shoulder length locs undercut is a salon-only affair. The undercut is shaved from the nape up to the ear, and the remaining locs are styled upwards and to the side, creating a dramatic sweep. The dark brown base with lighter brown highlights adds depth. The texture is smooth locs, not wavy, so the hold comes from a light gel that keeps them in place without crunch.
This is not a DIY project. The undercut requires precise clipper work, and the styled locs need a professional hand. You’ll be in the chair for at least two hours. But the result lasts until your next undercut trim.
Collarbone Layers Blowout Style
A blowout on soft locs is a specific kind of magic. These collarbone layers soft locs are blown out with a round brush, creating volume at the roots and soft waves through the ends. The black color reads glossy under the light. The middle part keeps it symmetrical, and the thick texture holds the blowout for a full day — maybe two if you sleep on a silk pillowcase. But here’s the skeptic in me: it takes twenty minutes with a dryer and a brush, and if your locs are heavy, the volume drops by noon. Worth it for a special occasion, but not a daily routine.
Mid-Back Collarbone Layers With Loose Strands
This is the one that works on almost everyone. Medium length soft locs hit a sweet spot: long enough to feel substantial, short enough not to weigh down a smaller frame. The loose strands break up the bulk, and the wavy texture adds movement. Black colour keeps it classic. A middle part widens a round face nicely. If you have a long face, the width at the sides balances it.
The hold is in the volume. Those loose strands can be tucked behind the ear or left out, which gives you two looks from one install. Upkeep is straightforward: a trim every 10-12 weeks keeps the ends from fraying. The mid-back length suits both tall and petite frames because the volume sits at collarbone level, not dragging down. By day three, the loose strands may need a quick re-tuck, but the core shape stays intact.
Long Flowing Black Soft Locs
I wasn’t prepared for how much hair this is. Long black soft locs cascade past the collarbone, thick and wavy, and the first thing you notice is the weight. The colour is pure black, which makes the texture pop. Styling is truly wash-and-go: you let them dry and they fall where they want.
The practical reality is that this much length needs separation. Without it, the locs clump and the flow stops. A quick finger-comb every morning keeps the wavy texture from matting. The hold is reliable through a full day, but by evening the ends may start to curl inward. That is not a flaw, it is the texture doing its thing. Trims every 10-12 weeks keep the ends neat, but the real maintenance is just keeping them untangled.
Mid-Back Locs With Braided Crown
Can a braided crown really be low-maintenance? Mid back soft locs with braided sections at the crown look intricate, but the reality is that those braids loosen within a week. The loose locs below stay wavy and black, and the contrast is nice, but the crown braids need re-doing every few days if you want them crisp. The hold is fine for a night out, but for daily wear, expect to adjust. The texture of the braids is tighter than the locs, which creates a visual break, but also a tension point. It is not a set-it-and-forget-it style.
Mid-Back Extreme Length Flow
The side view tells the story: extreme length soft locs that sweep past the shoulder blades. The wavy texture gives them a liquid quality, like they are moving even when still. Black colour keeps the focus on the shape. Compared to shorter locs, this length has a gravity that pulls everything downward, which means less poof and more sleek.
The flow is the selling point. Shorter wavy locs bounce; these drape. That makes them ideal if you want a polished look without heat. The hold comes from the weight: the locs stay where they land. Styling is minimal, just separate and go. The trade-off is that the ends can thin faster if you skip trims. Every 10-12 weeks is non-negotiable. But for dramatic movement, this beats any other texture.
Braided Locs With Bantu Knots
This is not a quick style. Intricate soft locs style with bantu knots at the crown takes planning. The technique starts with sectioning the hair, braiding the locs from root to mid-length, then twisting the ends into tight bantu knots. Curls are left loose around the face to soften the look. The colour is black, which lets the texture shine.
The styling steps are precise: first, braid each loc in a three-strand pattern. Second, gather the braided sections at the crown and wrap them into knots, securing with small bands. Third, leave a few locs loose at the front for contrast. The hold is strong for the first two days, but the knots can loosen if you sleep on them. A silk scarf at night helps. The wavy texture of the loose locs balances the structured crown. This is a salon job, not a bathroom-mirror experiment.
Elegant Updo With Pearl Embellishments
Pearls woven into an elegant soft locs updo. That’s the whole point. This is not a casual Saturday style. The updo keeps locs off your neck and the pearls do the work.
- Black wavy soft locs gathered into a sleek updo
- Pearl embellishments and decorative pins for shine
- Middle part with no bangs for a clean side view
- Holds all evening without slipping or loosening
- Ask your stylist for pearl pins to match your locs
Perfect for weddings or formal dinners. The pearls catch the light and add elegance.
Voluminous Mid-Back Black Locs
How much time does voluminous soft locs really take? These mid-back black wavy locs are thick and loose. The volume suits round faces by adding length, and oval faces by balancing width. The texture is wavy, not tight, so it moves naturally. The colour is a deep black that reads rich against most skin tones. The styling is loose, with some locs falling forward and others back. The locs are thick and wavy, falling to mid-back. The middle part frames the face evenly. The volume is impressive without being overwhelming.
Installation takes a full day in the chair. The thickness means more locs, more time. But once done, the style holds its shape without constant redoing. Pulling up sections adds interest without much effort. The hold is reliable even in humidity. The wavy texture gives movement without tangling. The black colour stays true without fading quickly. This style is not for someone who wants a quick install. It requires patience. But the time investment pays off in a look that holds its shape for days. Pulling up sections is a simple way to change the silhouette without restyling everything.
Visual Idea
I admit I was skeptical about pulling up just a few locs. But it works. This Soft Locs 2027 style keeps most locs loose while a few are pinned up for variety. The result is a look that feels both polished and undone. The mid-back length gives enough weight to hold the shape, and the wavy texture adds texture without frizz.
- Loose wavy locs at mid-back length with natural movement
- Some sections pulled up for variation and height
- Holds without slipping when pinned correctly with bobby pins
- Black colour with no bangs and a middle part for symmetry
- Texture is wavy and natural, not too uniform
The trick is to pin the pulled-up sections securely. They stay all day without redoing. The loose locs still have movement, so the style feels dynamic. This is a great way to add interest without a full updo. The hold is reliable even in wind, as long as the pins are placed well. The black colour stays true, and the wavy texture doesn’t flatten easily.
Mid-Back Visual Idea
This is the colour that stops you mid-scroll. Burgundy on mid-back soft locs, wavy and full, with a middle part and no bangs. The texture is soft and defined, not stiff. The hold is solid for days, but the colour is the real story. Vibrant burgundy fades fast, especially on locs. You will need a colour-safe routine and a willingness to refresh. It is not a low-maintenance colour, but the payoff is a rich, dimensional look that reads expensive. The length adds drama, the waves give movement. Soft Locs 2027 leans into this kind of statement: bold colour, relaxed texture, serious length.
Dark Brown With Blonde Highlights Visual Idea
Can you pull a high bun with locs at home, or is this a salon-only move? The answer depends on your skill and the technique. This style starts with an undercut, which is definitely a salon job. The remaining mid-back locs are gathered into a high bun, secured with pins or a wrap. The dark brown base with blonde highlights adds depth, so the bun reads dimensional, not flat. The texture of Soft Locs 2027 holds the shape well; a high bun stays put for a full day without slipping. Styling is straightforward once the locs are installed: twist, pin, done. But the undercut and the colour placement require a professional hand. DIY the bun, yes. The foundation? Book the appointment.
Copper Visual Idea
Soft Locs 2027 in copper hits different in autumn. That vibrant colour catches the low sun and holds its warmth without turning brassy by week two. The mid-back length, pulled into a high ponytail, keeps the wavy texture defined and bouncy. It’s the kind of colour that makes you want to book a pumpkin patch visit just for the lighting.
But copper doesn’t clock out after pumpkin season. Under office lights it reads as a rich auburn, and in summer it glows like a sunset without looking like a costume. The hold on this colour is solid: the wave pattern in these locs stays put through a workday, even with the ponytail pulling them back. If you’re worried about seasonal commitment, this one transitions without a fuss.
Medium Brown Visual Idea
Soft Locs 2027 in medium brown is the colour that never argues with your skin tone. It flatters warm and cool undertones equally, and the rich brown depth makes the wavy texture look fuller. The mid-back length hangs loose, and the wave pattern holds its shape without extra product. If you’ve ever had a colour that washed you out, this is the antidote.
But is it exciting enough? That depends on whether you want your hair to announce itself or just look really good. Medium brown won’t turn heads from across the room, but it will make people lean in closer. It’s the reliable friend who always shows up, no brassiness, no fade drama, just solid colour that holds its own. If you crave contrast or dimension, you might find this too safe. But for everyday wear that doesn’t demand constant upkeep, it’s a win.
Soft Locs Visual Idea
How do you get that seamless colour dimension in Soft Locs 2027 without looking like a highlighter exploded? The trick is in the placement — blonde and brown highlights are woven through the locs from root to tip, not just painted on the surface. The back view shows how the colour shifts naturally, with the wave pattern catching light at different angles.
The technique relies on wrapping the highlights during the installation process, so the colour sits inside the loc rather than on top. That’s why the dimension holds: the blonde doesn’t fade into a single flat tone after a few washes. The mid-back length gives enough canvas for the gradient to read, and the wavy texture adds movement that makes the highlights pop without screaming for attention.
Dark Red With Lighter Red Ends Visual Idea
I’ll admit, the curly ends on these Soft Locs 2027 are the first to go rogue. By day three, the dark red base still looks rich, but the lighter red ends start to frizz and snag on collars. The wavy texture holds well through the mid-back length, but those curls need a gentle touch to keep their shape. If you’re rough with styling, the gradient colour can blur into a muddy mess.
Black Visual Idea
Long black Soft Locs 2027 look impressive. They also take over your life. The mistake most people make is underestimating the weight — mid-back length in black locs can pull on your scalp and tangle with every scarf and seatbelt. The wavy texture adds volume, which means more surface area for snags.
How to dodge it? Keep the locs trimmed evenly to avoid uneven weight distribution, and use a satin scarf at night to reduce friction. The colour holds its deep black without fading, but the real challenge is daily management. If you’re not ready to commit to a bedtime routine, this length will test your patience.
No Bangs Visual Idea
When did we decide Soft Locs 2027 needs bangs? This one skips the fringe, and the middle part does the framing work instead. Because the locs are soft and wavy, they drape over the shoulders rather than jut out, which makes all the difference at mid-back length. The natural black colour gives the wave pattern room to show, and the hold is relaxed: the locs swing and settle back into the part without stubborn kinks.
The question is whether you can get this at home. You can install the locs, sure, but the cut is where the salon earns its keep. A stylist shapes the fall so it doesn’t look wedge-shaped from the front, and a slight dusting on the ends keeps the texture neat without tightening the wave. This is not the kind of precision you can eyeball with a handheld mirror. Book the consultation, let them set the parting and the shape, then you maintain.
Faux Locs Visual Idea
The side view is where faux locs reveal themselves. Grown locs have a natural taper at the ends, while these hold a uniform width all the way down, which makes the mid-back length look deliberately heavy. The black colour and wavy texture keep it from reading as stiff. That subtle bend gives it the drape of real locs, just with a smoother consistency.
Compared to real locs, the trade-off is weight. True locs get dense at the root and pull your head down over time, whereas these stay lighter on the scalp, even at extreme length. That makes them hold a loose style longer without slipping. They do not frizz up the way authentic locs do, so the hair keeps its defined edge. For a committed look without the years of buildup, this is the version you book a stylist for. An installation like this is not a bathroom-mirror job.
Natural Black Visual Idea
This is a fullness-first build. The thick, wavy locs give the hair real volume, not just length. For anyone with finer hair or a narrower face, this texture is a flattering layer: it fills out the sides without widening the face because the locs fall forward rather than out. The natural black colour deepens that effect, keeping the look grounded and avoiding the washed-out feeling that lighter ends sometimes bring.
It suits someone who wants body without maintenance. The wave holds its shape through the week, so you do not have to re-curl or twist anything. Skip it if you prefer sleek and uniform locs; this texture is meant to look a little bit alive. The middle part lines the face up in a way a side part does not, so if you have a rounder face, this centers the volume and actually balances it out. It reads as natural, and that is the point.
Side View Visual Idea
How easy is it to keep a defined parting and baby hairs intact through a real week? The parting itself holds, it was set cleanly at the root, and the weight of the locs keeps it anchored. The baby hairs are the part that lies. They will look smooth on day one, then you spend two minutes with a soft brush and a touch of gel if you want them to sit again. The side view hides the effort, though. The wavy locs fall over the shoulders and stay loose at mid-back, so the face stays framed while the back moves freely. The black colour masks new growth, so the hold is forgiving. It holds longer than it looks.
Locs Visual Idea
I was skeptical about long locs with curly ends. Then I saw this. Mid-back black locs, wavy texture, loose styling, and those curls at the ends hold their shape through a full day without a touch-up. This Soft Locs 2027 look proves locs can be both long and lively.
The technique behind those curls is specific. The locs are wrapped around a rod or twisted while damp, then left to dry completely — no heat, no product buildup. Each loc is sectioned carefully so the curl size stays uniform from root to tip. That precision is why you book a stylist, not a bathroom mirror.
Final Thoughts
After writing all 31, I noticed something: the color placement matters more than the length. A caramel highlight at the front changes the whole silhouette. And the undercut styles? They are bolder than I expected.
I am booking the honey blonde curly bob locs next. That is the one that made me stop scrolling.
