14 Faux Locs with Shaved Side Looks Every Black Woman Should See
Faux locs already bring versatility and protective style benefits, but adding a shaved side turns the look into something bolder and more personal. The contrast between smooth, clean-cut skin and flowing locs creates a shape that feels both edgy and elegant at the same time. It’s a style that lets your hair make a statement without saying a word.
This list rounds up 14 faux locs with shaved side looks, covering different loc thicknesses, lengths, colors, and design details. Whether you want something subtle or a fully sculpted undercut, there’s an idea here that fits your style and your hair goals.
Here are 14 faux locs with shaved side looks worth trying next.
1. Classic Side Shave with Medium Locs
This look keeps medium-thickness locs on top and one side, while the other side is shaved close to the scalp. It’s a timeless combination that balances fullness with definition, giving you a shape that reads as intentional rather than accidental. The medium thickness makes styling easy, since locs are neither too heavy nor too thin to manage.
This style also works well for people trying faux locs with a shaved side for the first time, since the shaved section is small enough to grow out easily if you change your mind later.
Shave Maintenance Tips
Get the shaved side touched up every 1 to 2 weeks. This keeps the edge crisp against the fuller locs. Moisturize the shaved scalp regularly. Dry skin can show more on a bare section than under a full head of hair.
2. Chunky Faux Locs with Full Side Shave
Chunky locs paired with a fully shaved side create serious visual impact. The thickness of the locs contrasts sharply with the bare scalp, making this one of the boldest looks on the list. It’s ideal for anyone who wants their hair to be the center of attention.
Because chunky locs are heavier, they tend to hold their shape well, which means this look stays defined even with daily movement and styling.
Bold Style Tips
Balance weight by keeping locs slightly shorter. This prevents strain on the scalp from thicker sections. Use a satin scarf at night. It protects both the locs and the shaved side from friction and dryness.
3. Thin Faux Locs with Subtle Shaved Design
Thin locs offer a softer, more delicate look, and pairing them with a subtly shaved side keeps the overall style elegant rather than dramatic. This idea suits workplaces or occasions where you want edge without going too bold, since the shaved section can be kept small and easily hidden when needed.
Thin locs also allow for more styling versatility, since they can be pulled into updos, braided further, or left loose with ease.
Versatility Tips
Section thin locs loosely for updos. This prevents strain on individual locs at the roots. Keep the shaved side trimmed short. A neat, tight fade complements the fine texture of thin locs.
4. Faux Locs with Shaved Undercut and Design
Taking the shaved side further, this idea adds a carved design, like lines, curves, or geometric shapes, into the undercut. The design becomes a personal detail that pairs beautifully with the natural flow of the locs above it. This look works especially well for special occasions or anyone who wants a truly one-of-a-kind style.
Because designs grow out faster than the surrounding shaved area, this idea requires more frequent upkeep to keep the pattern sharp and visible.
Design Upkeep Tips
Visit your barber every 7 to 10 days for design touch-ups. Patterns fade quickly as hair regrows. Avoid heavy oils directly on the design. Excess product can blur clean lines.
5. Long Faux Locs with Shaved Side
Long locs cascading down one side while the other stays shaved creates dramatic length contrast that’s hard to miss. This idea gives you the flowing movement of long locs while still showing off the sharp detail of the shaved section underneath. It’s a favorite for special events, photoshoots, or anyone who loves a statement look.
Long locs also open up more styling options, like half-up looks or side-swept ponytails that showcase both the length and the shaved design at once.
Length Care Tips
Tie longer locs loosely at night. This reduces tangling and protects the ends from breakage. Trim split ends periodically. Even faux locs benefit from occasional end maintenance to look their best.
6. Colored Faux Locs with Shaved Side
Adding color, whether a few highlighted locs or a fully dyed set, brings extra dimension to a shaved-side look. Warm tones like copper and honey blonde tend to stand out beautifully against darker shaved skin, while bold colors like burgundy or blue make the style feel even more expressive.
Because faux locs use synthetic or pre-colored hair, you can experiment with color without committing to a permanent dye job on your natural hair underneath.
Color Styling Tips
Choose colors that complement your undertone. Warm tones suit warm undertones, while jewel tones pop on cooler undertones. Ask your stylist about ombré placement. Color that darkens near the roots looks the most natural.
7. Faux Locs Bun with Shaved Side
Pulling faux locs into a high or low bun while leaving the shaved side exposed creates a polished, elevated look. This idea is perfect for formal occasions, workdays, or anytime you want the shaved detail to take center stage instead of being covered by loose locs.
Buns also reduce daily manipulation of the locs, which helps them last longer and stay neater between styling sessions.
Updo Tips
Use a soft-bristle brush to smooth flyaways before bunning. This keeps the style looking clean. Secure with a loc-friendly hair tie. Thinner elastics can dig into thicker loc sections and cause damage.
8. Half-Up Faux Locs with Shaved Side
The half-up style pulls the top section of locs back while letting the rest fall naturally, all while the shaved side stays visible throughout. This idea offers a nice middle ground between a full updo and wearing locs completely down, giving you face-framing movement with a clear view of the shaved detail.
It’s also a practical everyday option, since it keeps hair off the face without requiring a full styling routine.
Everyday Styling Tips
Use a claw clip for a quick, secure half-up look. It’s gentle on locs and easy to adjust throughout the day. Keep edges laid with a light-hold gel. This polishes the overall look without extra effort.
9. Faux Locs with Shaved Side Ponytail
Gathering all the locs into a single ponytail on the non-shaved side creates a dynamic, asymmetrical silhouette. This idea puts equal focus on both the sleek ponytail and the shaved detail, making the whole look feel styled and deliberate rather than one-sided.
A ponytail placement can also be adjusted, high for a sportier feel or low for something more relaxed and elegant.
Ponytail Tips
Wrap the base of the ponytail with a thin strand of hair. This hides elastics for a cleaner finish. Adjust ponytail height based on face shape. Higher ponytails elongate the face, while lower ones soften angular features.
10. Goddess Faux Locs with Shaved Side
Goddess locs, known for their soft, wavy texture and curly ends, bring a romantic feel that contrasts beautifully with a sharp shaved side. This idea softens the boldness of the shave with wispy, textured locs, creating a balance between edgy and feminine in one style.
The curly, distressed texture of goddess locs also means less pressure to keep every strand perfectly in place, making this a fairly forgiving option day to day.
Texture Care Tips
Spritz locs with a light setting spray to refresh curls. This revives texture between wash days. Avoid brushing goddess locs. Brushing disrupts the wavy texture; finger-styling works better.
11. Faux Locs with Shaved Side and Beads
Adding beads to the ends of a few locs brings movement, sound, and a personalized touch to a shaved-side look. This idea works especially well on thinner or medium locs, where beads don’t add too much extra weight. It’s a nod to traditional styling elements that feels fresh against the modern edge of a shaved side.
Beads can be placed sparingly for a subtle accent or throughout for a fuller, more decorative effect.
Bead Styling Tips
Choose lightweight beads for longer locs. Heavy beads can pull on locs and cause discomfort over time. Secure beads with a small rubber band before sliding them on. This keeps them from sliding off the ends.
12. Faux Locs Mohawk with Shaved Sides
This idea takes the shaved-side concept further by shaving both sides completely, leaving a thick strip of locs down the center like a mohawk. It’s one of the most striking looks on this list, combining strength and softness in a single style. The center strip of locs can be styled straight up, to the side, or even braided for extra detail.
Because both sides are shaved, this look requires more frequent touch-ups but rewards you with a truly standout appearance.
Mohawk Tips
Keep the center section neatly parted before styling. A clean part line makes the shape look more precise. Use a strong-hold gel on the shaved sides. This helps blend baby hairs into the overall design.
13. Faux Locs with Shaved Side and Curly Ends
Pairing sleek, uniform locs with soft, curly tips creates a stylish contrast in texture, and adding a shaved side takes it one step further. This idea plays with three different textures in one look, straight sections, curly ends, and smooth shaved skin, resulting in a style that feels layered and thoughtfully put together.
The curly ends also soften the overall look, keeping it from feeling too severe despite the shaved detail.
Curl Definition Tips
Twist curly ends around a rod overnight for extra definition. This keeps curls bouncy and fresh. Apply a curl-defining cream only to the ends. This avoids weighing down the sleek sections above.
14. Two-Tone Faux Locs with Shaved Side
Combining two contrasting colors within the same set of locs, like black and honey blonde or deep brown and burgundy, adds visual depth that pairs perfectly with a shaved side detail. This idea creates a layered, dimensional look that changes appearance depending on how the locs are styled or parted.
Two-tone color placement can be customized, whether it’s alternating locs, a color block on one section, or an ombré effect throughout.
Two-Tone Styling Tips
Alternate colored locs evenly throughout the head. This creates a balanced, intentional pattern rather than a random mix. Part hair differently throughout the week. Changing the part reveals different color combinations each time.
FAQs
How long do faux locs with a shaved side last?
Faux locs typically last 6 to 8 weeks, though the shaved side will need touch-ups every 1 to 2 weeks to stay defined.
Will a shaved side damage my natural hair?
When done properly by a professional, shaving the side shouldn’t damage the hair underneath, though regular moisturizing helps keep the scalp healthy.
Can I still protect my hair with a shaved side style?
Yes, the locs themselves still offer protective styling benefits, while the shaved section is simply left exposed rather than covered.
What loc thickness works best with a shaved side?
Both thin and chunky locs work well; thinner locs create a softer contrast, while chunky locs make the shaved detail stand out more boldly.
Do I need to book separate shave appointments?
Many stylists can handle both the locs and the shaved design in one appointment, though touch-ups for the shave alone can often be booked separately and more frequently.
Can this style be done with natural hair instead of extensions?
Yes, if your natural hair is long enough to loc or twist, though most people use extensions for added length, fullness, and faster installation.
How to Care for Your Shaved Side Between Salon Visits
The shaved section of this style needs more attention than the locs themselves, since regrowth becomes visible faster on bare skin. Keep the area moisturized daily to prevent dryness and flaking, and protect it at night with a silk or satin scarf to reduce friction. If you’re maintaining the shave at home between salon visits, use a clean razor or trimmer and always work in the direction of hair growth to avoid irritation and uneven lines.
Final Words
Faux locs with a shaved side bring together two powerful style elements, the flowing texture of locs and the sharp precision of a shaved design, into one unforgettable look. From subtle undercuts to full mohawk shapes, these 14 ideas show just how versatile this combination can be. Choose the version that matches your personality and maintenance routine, and let your hair do the talking.
