There is no limit to the protective hairstyles you can choose from nowadays, but goddess locs should rank high on your list. Designed in partnership with actress Meagan Good and hairstylist Dr. Kari Williams, this gorgeous style was inspired by none other than Lisa Bonet.
Goddess locs themselves are distinguishable from other traditional loc extensions due to their freeform look and curled ends. “I believe that this style gives people—both men and women—the opportunity to experience the beauty of locs without the long-term commitment,” Williams says. With more than 18 years in the hairstyling business and a Ph.D. in trichology, Williams is a hair expert with clients who include Ava DuVernay, Willow Smith, and Brandy Norwood. Ahead, she shares everything you need to know about goddess locs.
The Background
Back in 2015, Good approached Williams to do a loc extension hairstyle that would mirror the look of Lisa Bonet’s natural locs. At first, Williams was unsure she could truly create a loc extension that looked as natural as the inspiration. “I literally prayed, and my prayer wasn’t, ‘God, tell me how to do this.’ My prayer was, ‘God, give me the words to tell Meagan Good it’s not possible,’” Williams says, laughing.
Though it was not easy, she was able to use her years of experience to create a style that would later become known as goddess locs. The style was dubbed “Meagan Good locs” for a while before Williams coined the new name.
How Long the Hairstyle Lasts
Williams recommends that you keep this style in for only three to four months, “because the hair will naturally start to go through a locking process, and you want to make it easier to remove and prevent damage by not wearing it for too long.”
She also stresses the importance of proper application and the use of non-synthetic hair extensions. “When you wear goddess locs for three to four months using synthetic extensions, the likelihood of your hair being really dry when it comes time for removal is high,” she says.
Maintenance Tips
You need to make sure that your goddess locs are receiving enough moisture, so you can prevent your real hair from experiencing a heightened amount of breakage. “When wearing the hairstyle for several months, you need to make sure you’re using hydrating sprays like Dr°K’s Daily Spray,” she says. “It’s easy maintenance—just spray it or mist it on the hair every day; it will absorb into the extension and keep the hair hydrated.”
How Much Goddess Locs Cost
When it comes to professionally having the locs installed versus doing them on your own, Williams advocates for the pro. She further recommends that the hairstyle be done by a professional stylist who has been directly trained in her techniques to ensure that the style is being done safely and correctly. This expertise comes at a cost though: $1,000 is typical for installation.
Of course, there are plenty of stylists who can re-create the look for less, but Williams advises a bit of caution. “You can find a stylist who will do it for less than that. What I can’t guarantee is that you have your edges after wearing the style for three or four months,” she adds.
The Removal Process
If installed properly in the first place, removal should be fairly simple. “I recommend a detangler, like my Dr°K Comb Out Creme, as it helps to soften, detangle, and hydrate the hair while removing the loc,” she says. “I also like to use a little bit of the astringent Sea Breeze on the base of the hair to break down the oil that builds ups naturally as you wear the style over time. The Comb Creme is massaged into the hair at the same time as the extension is removed, and then what’s left is a client’s natural hair.”
Doing it in this manner has helped ensure that her clients do not experience hair loss or breakage during or after the takedown process.
Styling Your Goddess Locs
One might think that styling goddess locs is somewhat limiting—that couldn’t be further from the truth. These locs are as versatile as any other protective hairstyle you might wear. “What I love about the goddess loc is that it’s really eliminating the stereotype around locs, as there’s this idea that they lack versatility, which makes many shy away from the style,” Williams shares.
She also says that you can style the locs the same way you would style loose hair, like in a bun, ponytail, or even a braid. In the end, it’s about “manipulating the locs and creating a silhouette” that you love. Looking for more inspiration? Williams loves how Willow Smith styles her take on the locs.
Why Goddess Locs May or May Not Work for You
Williams says that complaints don’t happen often with the style, but when they do, it’s regarding the weight of the extensions and the general tension and stiffness that can last for around two weeks after installation. She now recommends that her clients interested in the locs first try a similar protective hairstyle (like twists or braids) before graduating to the goddess version.
Jada Jackson
Editorial Fellow
Jada Jackson is a freelance multimedia journalist from Chicago and a graduate of Columbia College Chicago. She enjoys writing about social justice, culture, fashion, sustainability, design and their intersections. Her work has been featured in House Beautiful, Harper's Bazaar, Vogue Business and Vogue Singapore.
