Soft locs have quietly become the protective style that refuses to go out of rotation. They mimic the textured, slightly undone look of goddess locs without the long install time, so you can step out with a full head in an afternoon rather than a full day at the salon.
The picks below lean on synthetic low-temperature fiber (a heat-friendly synthetic that holds its shape under warm water but stays soft to the touch), pre-looped crochet construction (each strand has a tiny loop at the top so you hook it through a cornrow instead of sewing), and strand counts generous enough to cover a full head. Each option brings something slightly different to the table, whether that’s length, a particular color blend, or a tighter curl pattern.
A Snapshot Of The Selections
LIYATE 18 Inch Goddess Faux Locs 3 Tone 1B/30/27
LIYATE 14 Inch Goddess Faux Locs 3 Tone 1B/4/30
LIYATE 14 Inch Goddess Faux Locs 3 Tone 1B/99J/530
LIYATE 18 Inch Goddess Faux Locs 3Tone 1B/4/30
LIYATE 6 Packs Spring Twist Braiding Hair 8 Inch
LIYATE Goddess Locs Crochet Hair 12 Inch 1B/30
LIYATE Goddess Locs Crochet Hair 12 Inch 1B
LIYATE 12 Inch Goddess Locs Crochet Hair T1B/27
Inside Each Recommended Option
When length is the goal, eighteen inches of wavy, three-tone fiber changes the whole silhouette of a protective style. This LIYATE pack lands well past the shoulders, which makes it a strong fit for anyone who wants the dramatic, hip-grazing goddess loc look without committing to yarn or human hair. The synthetic low-temperature fiber is handcrafted to feel close to natural hair, and the pre-looped crochet construction (each strand has a small loop at the top so you hook it through a cornrow instead of sewing) means a faster install than traditional faux locs.
For a self-install, the 108-strand count typically covers a full head, which keeps you from chasing extra packs mid-project. Compared to the 14-inch LIYATE options coming later in this list, the extra length here opens up styling flexibility, like tucking one side behind the ear or pulling hair into a low ponytail. The 1B/30/27 color story also reads as dimensional, blending off-black, warm auburn, and a softer caramel without looking striped.
The Value In It
- Eighteen-inch length gives a dramatic, hip-grazing finish that shorter packs can’t match
- Three-tone 1B/30/27 blend looks dimensional and sun-kissed straight out of the pack
- Six packs totaling 108 strands usually covers a full head in one purchase
- Pre-looped crochet design speeds up self-installation for at-home styling
- Low-temperature synthetic holds up under light steam and warm-water sets
Things To Consider
- Longer fiber can tangle at the ends during sleep, so a satin scarf or bonnet is a practical addition
- Heavier than shorter sets, which may strain fine cornrows during the first few days of wear
Who Will Love This
Anyone chasing a long, free-flowing goddess loc look with built-in color variation rather than a single flat shade.
Skip It When
The 14-inch LIYATE options in this list are a better match for first-time installers who want shorter, lighter strands to learn the crochet method.
Fourteen inches is the sweet spot for many protective-style lovers, long enough to wear down, short enough to manage day to day. This LIYATE set keeps the same handcrafted, low-temperature synthetic fiber as its longer sibling but trims four inches off, which lightens the overall feel on the scalp. The 1B/4/30 trio blends jet-black roots into a deeper natural brown and a chestnut auburn, so the color reads as warm without veering into bright.
Self-installers tend to gravitate toward this length because it stays out of the way during styling and won’t catch on jacket collars or car seats. If you found the eighteen-inch LIYATE option above too dramatic, this lands in that friendlier middle ground. You still get the same 108-strand count across six packs, which keeps the math simple when budgeting for a full install.
The Good Stuff
- Fourteen-inch length is versatile for shoulder-grazing or collarbone-skimming looks
- 1B/4/30 blend reads naturally with subtle warmth rather than high-contrast color
- Six-pack format with 108 strands typically fills a full head
- Lighter than 18-inch sets, putting less tension on fresh cornrows
Worth Noting
- Color blend runs subtle, so anyone wanting a bold or visible highlight effect may want a brighter option
- May need a light pass with warm water or low heat to settle the curl after unboxing
Best Suited To
First-time crochet installers and anyone who wants a manageable mid-length that looks dimensional without high-maintenance length.
Look Elsewhere When
The LIYATE 6 Packs Spring Twist Braiding Hair 8 Inch option further down the list gives you a much tighter coil pattern if you’d rather skip the wavy goddess look entirely.
The 1B/99J/530 color combo is the most adventurous blend in this LIYATE lineup. Jet-black roots feed into a deeper wine-toned burgundy and finish with a brighter strawberry-blonde copper at the ends, giving the finished style a flame-like, sunset quality that doesn’t show up in the more natural 1B/4/30 option above. Same fourteen-inch length, same handcrafted low-temperature fiber, same pre-looped crochet design, but the personality is much louder.
It’s a smart pick for anyone bored with subtle ombre (a graduated color transition from dark roots to lighter ends) and ready to lean into something more visible. The 108-strand count across six packs still covers a full head, so you don’t need to mix brands to fill in gaps. If you keep most of your wardrobe neutral, this color story adds a focal point without committing to a permanent dye job.
What Pays Off
- High-contrast 1B/99J/530 blend delivers a visible, eye-catching color payoff
- Fourteen-inch length stays manageable while still feeling dramatic
- Pre-looped strands cut install time compared to traditional wrapped faux locs
- Works as a statement piece without needing permanent hair color underneath
Minor Gripes
- Bolder colors can look mismatched against very dark natural hair if too few strands are used, so a full-head install matters here
- Multi-tone fiber may show slight shade variation between packs, which is worth checking before install
Built With In Mind
Anyone who wants a confident, dimensional goddess loc look with a warmer, more colorful edge than a typical brown ombre.
Where Another Pick Suits Better
The LIYATE Goddess Locs Crochet Hair 12 Inch 1B/30 option later in this list is the better call for someone who prefers a more natural dark-to-auburn ombre rather than a vibrant blonde finish.
Think of this as the longest, lowest-contrast option in the LIYATE family. Same eighteen-inch length as the first pick in this list, but the 1B/4/30 color blend keeps things soft and natural. Off-black fades into a medium brown and finishes in chestnut auburn, so the gradient looks like a long, healthy blowout rather than a high-contrast fashion color.
That makes it a smart go-to for anyone who wears locs for weeks at a time and wants a look that pairs with both casual and dressy settings. The 108-strand count across six packs still handles a full head, and the handcrafted low-temperature synthetic behaves similarly to the other 18-inch LIYATE option. Where the first pick leans into drama, this one leans into everyday wearability.
Well-Handled Touches
- Eighteen-inch length with a subtle, natural color blend reads as effortless rather than styled
- 1B/4/30 trio complements a wide range of skin tones and wardrobe palettes
- Same trusted pre-looped crochet construction as the rest of the lineup
- Six-pack format covers a full head without mixing brands or buying extras
Small Caveats
- Length may be more than necessary for those who prefer short, low-maintenance styles
- Subtle color story can look understated in photos or under bright lighting
Key Specs
Whose Shelf It Belongs On
Anyone who wants goddess locs long enough to swing but neutral enough to wear to work, school, or a casual outing without drawing big attention to the color.
Consider Something Else When
The LIYATE 12 Inch Goddess Locs Crochet Hair T1B/27 pick later in this list works better for anyone who wants a sharper dark-rooted, honey-blonde contrast at a shorter, lighter length.
Spring twist hair breaks from the goddess loc look entirely, swapping long waves for tight, springy coils that bounce with movement. This LIYATE pack lands at eight inches in the 1 colorway, which sits closest to a soft natural black. The synthetic fiber is designed to mimic the touch and feel of human hair and tolerates low-temperature styling, so you can fluff or reshape without scorching the strands.
Because the spring curl pattern packs visual volume into a shorter length, this is the pick to reach for when you want fullness without the commitment to eighteen-inch fiber. It’s a meaningful shift from the wavy LIYATE goddess loc options earlier in this list, which all lean long and loose. Six packs at 15 strands each is the listed configuration for the eight-inch run, which is the lightest install in the roundup by strand count.
What Stands Out
- Tight spring curl pattern adds visible fullness at a shorter length
- Eight-inch cut keeps the style light and easy on the scalp
- Low-temperature fiber tolerates warm water for reshaping after unboxing
- Single-tone 1 shade pairs easily with most natural hair colors underneath
Points To Note
- Shorter pack length won’t reach the dramatic mid-back effect of the 18-inch LIYATE picks
- Spring coils may need a separating pick through the ends to keep them from clumping during wear
The Right Fit
Anyone who wants a bouncy, coiled protective style that finishes around the shoulders and skips the wavy goddess look entirely.
A Better Fit Elsewhere
The LIYATE Goddess Locs Crochet Hair 12 Inch 1B pick later in this list is the better option for someone who wants a longer, wavier texture rather than a tight spring curl.
This LIYATE goddess loc set shifts the design language a bit. Instead of a uniform wavy strand, each piece carries one to two curly segments woven into the length, which is where the bohemian, slightly undone goddess loc look gets its charm. The 1B/30 colorway walks the line between dark natural roots and a warm auburn finish, which is the most-requested color story in the goddess loc world.
Twelve inches keeps the style close to the shoulders, which is friendly for beginners practicing the crochet hook technique. Compared to the 14-inch LIYATE options earlier, the slightly shorter length and added curl detail shift this from a flowing wavy finish to a fuller, more textured one. It’s the right pick when you want the visual richness of curly goddess locs without managing the full 18 inches.
Real-World Strengths
- Boho-style curly segments add fullness and a softer, undone texture compared to uniform wavy locs
- Twelve-inch length is approachable for first-time crochet installers
- 1B/30 ombre delivers a classic natural-to-auburn transition
- Lightweight low-temperature fiber is comfortable for longer wear windows
Room For Improvement
- Curly segments can catch on combs, so finger-detangling is the gentler maintenance approach
- Twelve inches may feel too short for anyone who wants locs well past the shoulders
Made For
Anyone who prefers a fuller, more textured bohemian loc look at a manageable, beginner-friendly length.
Not Your Match When
The LIYATE 18 Inch Goddess Faux Locs 3Tone 1B/4/30 option earlier in this list is the better choice for shoppers who want dramatic length rather than a shorter textured silhouette.
For anyone who wants a single-tone, jet-black goddess loc with no ombre decisions to make, this LIYATE 1B pack keeps the color story simple. The same boho design language carries over from the previous pick, with one to two curly segments along each strand, but the entire head reads as a uniform natural black from root to tip. Twelve inches keeps it shoulder-friendly, and the lightweight low-temperature fiber stays soft through multi-week wear.
The straightforward color makes this the most forgiving option for first-time installers. You don’t need to think about where colors land, how light interacts with the ombre, or whether the shade matches your natural hair underneath. Compared to the 1B/30 option just above, this one trades dimensional color for a clean, low-fuss finish that still delivers the curly goddess loc texture.
Points In Its Favor
- Solid 1B black reads as a clean, natural look without ombre complexity
- Boho curly segments add visual texture and softness to each strand
- Twelve-inch length is approachable for self-installs and shorter wear preferences
- Simplified color choice makes it the easiest match for natural dark hair underneath
Trade Offs
- Single-tone finish can look flat under bright lighting, where ombre picks show more dimension
- Curly details may need a spritz of water to revive the shape after sleeping on the style
- Limited color flexibility for anyone hoping to experiment with highlights or contrast
Feature Snapshot
Perfect Match For
First-time crochet installers and anyone who wants a clean, dark, single-tone goddess loc without committing to a multi-color blend.
Reach For A Different Pick When
The LIYATE 14 Inch Goddess Faux Locs 3 Tone 1B/99J/530 option earlier in this list is a smarter match for shoppers who want a longer length with a much bolder color story.
The T1B/27 colorway closes the list with one of the most dramatic color stories in the LIYATE goddess loc family. T1B starts as a near-black root shade, then transitions into a warm honey blonde 27 at the ends, producing a high-contrast ombre that mimics the look of freshly highlighted natural hair. The same twelve-inch length and boho curly segments carry over from the previous two picks, so the texture stays consistent across this trio.
It’s the shortest piece in the lineup with the loudest color, which makes it a strong statement option for someone who already has dark natural hair and wants to dip into a blonde goddess loc look without bleach. Compared to the 14-inch 1B/99J/530 LIYATE option earlier, this one trades the burgundy-to-copper warmth for a more recognizable dark-to-blonde contrast that photographs well in natural light.
Why It Works Well
- T1B/27 dark-root-to-honey-blonde ombre delivers a high-contrast, recognizable highlighted look
- Twelve-inch length keeps the style light and shoulder-grazing
- Boho curly segments add fullness and a softer, undone texture
- Works as a blonde moment without bleaching natural dark hair
Worth Bearing In Mind
- Bold two-tone contrast can look harsh in low-light settings, which is something to factor in for evening wear
- Blonde ends may show frizz faster than darker shades and benefit from a light serum
Who Should Grab It
Anyone with dark natural hair who wants a temporary honey-blonde goddess loc look without permanent dye or bleach.
Swap It Out When
The LIYATE 14 Inch Goddess Faux Locs 3 Tone 1B/4/30 option earlier in this list is the better pick for someone who wants a subtler brown ombre at a longer length instead of a sharper blonde contrast.
How To Pick The Right Soft Locs For Your Style
Choosing soft locs comes down to three calls: length, color story, and curl pattern. Length drives the silhouette. Twelve-inch sets land near the shoulders and feel light on the scalp, fourteen-inch sets hit a versatile mid-length, while eighteen-inch sets deliver drama but add noticeable weight to fresh cornrows. Pick the length based on how low-maintenance you want day-to-day handling to be.
Color matters more than people expect. A solid 1B single-tone reads as a clean, natural style that works anywhere. A 1B/4/30 ombre adds gentle warmth without screaming for attention, while 1B/99J/530 or T1B/27 blends lean bold and read as a deliberate fashion statement. Match the color energy to the wardrobe and occasions you live in.
Curl pattern shapes the overall vibe. Wavy goddess locs flow like soft, loose rope. Boho designs with one or two curly segments per strand add fullness and a softer, undone look. Spring twist coils bounce tightly and feel closer to a curly protective style than a wavy one. The right pick depends on whether you want free-flowing waves, fuller boho texture, or tight coils.
Key Considerations Across These Picks
Pitfalls Shoppers Hit
A common slip is choosing length based on the look alone, not the maintenance. Eighteen-inch sets tangle more at the ends during sleep, so you’ll need a satin scarf or bonnet on hand. Another mistake is underestimating strand count. Most full-head installs need the full six-pack configuration listed, so buying a smaller bundle to save money usually leaves the style looking thin at the crown.
What The Higher Tier Buys
Higher-priced options in the soft locs category tend to deliver a softer hand-feel, more believable curl memory, and color blends with smoother transitions between tones. The upgrade pays off most for anyone who wears locs for multiple weeks at a time and wants the style to hold its shape and softness through the full wear cycle without going fuzzy or limp.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long does a soft locs install typically take?
A self-install using pre-looped crochet hair usually takes three to five hours for a full head, depending on your cornrow pattern and experience. First-timers often run closer to the longer end of that range.
Can soft locs be washed after installation?
Yes. Diluted shampoo on the scalp and a light rinse-down of the lengths works well. Avoid heavy scrubbing at the roots so the crochet loops stay secure.
How long do soft locs usually last?
Most wearers get three to six weeks of wear before the style starts to look fuzzy or the cornrows grow out. Gentle nighttime care and a satin pillowcase help extend the timeline.
Are soft locs heavy on natural hair?
They add more weight than a sew-in but less than yarn locs. Keeping cornrows small and not wearing styles past their freshest window protects your natural hair underneath.
Can you dye soft locs after install?
Most low-temperature synthetic fibers don’t take traditional hair dye. For a color change, swapping out packs is the safer route than attempting to dye the strands directly.
The Takeaway
Soft locs work because they shortcut the install time of traditional locs without sacrificing the bohemian goddess loc finish that drives the trend. The right pick comes down to matching length, color, and curl pattern to your everyday style rather than chasing the longest option in the listing. Take your time choosing the color blend that fits your wardrobe, plan for a satin scarf if you go long, and the rest of the install will fall into place.
