Butterfly locs hairpiece in South Africa: faux locs, goddess locs and soft dreads
A butterfly locs hairpiece in South Africa is usually pre-looped crochet hair sold in packs, and the same shops sell faux locs, goddess locs and soft dreads. Single listings in the table start at R39 for soft dreads and R78.90 for butterfly locs on 6 Oct 2026. Butterfly locs usually need 3 packs a head, so price the whole head.
Butterfly, faux, goddess locs and soft dreads at a glance
Locs and dreads, and what they start at
A lighter, boho loc look
Lightweight and distressed, per the listings
R78.90
A long-wearing loc look
Wrapped locs can be heavier than crochet ones, says YWigs
R130
Boho goddess styles
Light, soft and wavy, per the listings
R169.99
Quick dread looks
Natural-look dreaded texture, per the listings
R39
Packs and weights
- 3 packsButterfly locs: Afrotex Butterfly Locs 24 inch at Cosmetic Connection requires 3 packs a head, Angel Beauty 22 inch is sold as a pack of 3, and a Sapphire 20 inch listing says 3 packs are enough.
- 2 packsRiver locs: Takealot's 20 inch Admire and Tress-Licious listings say 2 packs are adequate on average for a full head. The Tress-Licious listing counts 48 locs per pack.
- 1 to 3 packsSoft dreads: Cosmetic Connection says Durban Dread 22 inch requires 3 packs a head and Eco Dread 22 inch requires 1 pack.
- 100 g a packThe Angel Beauty butterfly locs listing gives the weight as 100 g for each of 3 pieces, 300 g in all, as an approximate value.
- 4 to 7+ packsA US crochet hair seller's table for crochet locs: 4 to 5 packs at 12 to 16 inch, 5 to 6 at 18 to 22 inch and 7 or more at 24 inch and longer. Its packs are not the same size as the SA ones above.
- 14 to 24 inchButterfly locs on the listings we read run from 14 inch (Universal Dealers) through 20 and 22 inch (Takealot) to 24 inch (Cosmetic Connection).
How to choose at the shop
- Check the pack says pre-looped if your braider will crochet the locs in.
- Read the packs per head and, where given, the locs or strands per pack.
- Check the length and the weight in grams. Weights are often missing, so ask the seller.
- Look at the ends. Butterfly locs have curly loops, and goddess locs have open wavy ends.
- Ask your braider whether they will crochet the locs in or wrap them by hand. Wrapping takes much longer.
- Check the fibre is synthetic and hot water or heat guidance on the pack.
- Match the colour code to the pack photo in daylight, and buy all packs for one head together.
Locs and dreads prices across SA stores
Checked 6 Oct 2026Cheapest first. No store pays to be listed or ranked here.
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Butterfly locs hairpiece in South Africa, explained
What a butterfly locs hairpiece is
A butterfly locs hairpiece in South Africa is hair sold for butterfly locs, usually as pre-looped crochet locs in packs. Bangstyle describes butterfly locs as soft locs with a twist, made by wrapping wavy hair loosely around braids so bits of curly loops peek through. Takealot's Angel Beauty listing calls its butterfly locs pre-looped, in a 22 inch length, and Cosmetic Connection's Afrotex Butterfly Locs 24 inch are described as a natural distressed look with a lightweight feel.
The same shops sell faux locs, goddess locs and soft dreads. They are different looks and different products, covered below.
Faux locs, goddess locs and soft dreads
Faux locs is the general term. Bangstyle calls them loc-inspired protective styles that are not permanent, made with extensions, usually synthetic, wrapped or crocheted around your natural hair. Goddess locs are a variation of faux locs. Instant Arẹ̀wà Hair says faux locs have sealed, straight ends while goddess locs have open and wavy ends.
Soft dread is the name you will see on South African shelves for soft dreaded pieces. Be Beautiful Hair sells Afri Dreads, Marley Dreads and Mega Marley Dreads, and Cosmetic Connection lists Durban Dread and Eco Dread 22 inch as a natural-look soft dreaded texture. Universal Dealers files Nu Locs, Natural Locs, River Locs and butterfly locs under Faux Locs, and lists Sapphire Soft Dread under braids.
The hair each style needs
Butterfly locs are sold as pre-looped crochet locs, usually 3 packs for a head: Afrotex 24 inch requires 3 packs at Cosmetic Connection, Angel Beauty 22 inch comes as a pack of 3, and a Sapphire 20 inch listing with curly ends says 3 packs are enough.
River and goddess locs are sold pre-looped with soft wavy ends. Takealot's 20 inch Admire and Tress-Licious listings say 2 packs are adequate on average for a full head. Be Beautiful Hair builds its own: its River Locs combo is 1 Mzansi Curls, 1 Lushy Locs and 1 Afro Kinky Long, for soft distressed locs, and its Boho River Locs combo is 1 Dancing Curls and 1 Lushy Locs, for boho goddess locs.
Soft dreads vary by product. Cosmetic Connection says Durban Dread 22 inch requires 3 packs and Eco Dread 22 inch requires 1. For wrapped faux locs, YWigs says each loc is wrapped by hand around your braided hair, which takes 6 to 10 hours or more, against 2 to 4 hours for crochet locs. We did not find a pack count for wrapped faux locs from a South African seller, so ask your braider what they use.
Locs hairpiece prices
On 6 Oct 2026 the table shows Be Beautiful Hair's Afri Dreads at R39, Universal Dealers' Sapphire Soft Dread at R39.99 and Marley Dreads at R60. Cosmetic Connection lists Durban Dread 22 inch at R70.90 and Eco Dread 22 inch at R104.90. Butterfly locs run from R78.90 for Afrotex 24 inch to R150 for Universal Dealers' 14 inch and R169.99 for its 20 inch. Takealot's butterfly locs in a pack of 3 were R237.
Faux locs start at R130 for Universal Dealers' Nu Locs. River locs were R169.99 and R199.99 at Universal Dealers, R299 for Be Beautiful Hair's Boho River Locs and R394 for its River Locs combo, and R390 for Takealot's 20 inch pack of 2. Multiply by the packs per head: 3 packs of Afrotex butterfly locs at R78.90 is R236.70, and 3 packs of Durban Dread 22 inch at R70.90 is R212.70.
Weight, wear time and short hair
YWigs says crochet locs are lightweight because the locs are hollow and attached at the braid only, while wrapped faux locs are heavier because each loc wraps around your natural hair. Nadula says the same of butterfly locs, that they are generally lighter than faux locs, which can be quite heavy when installed tightly. YWigs adds that wear time is set by the base, the product and your care rather than the style name.
For short hair, the question is whether your braider can build a base. YWigs says crochet locs are looped through cornrows. We did not find a minimum natural hair length from a source, so ask your braider. Shorter butterfly locs exist: Universal Dealers lists a 14 inch pack.
Where to buy
Cosmetic Connection lists Afrotex butterfly locs and the Durban and Eco Dread pieces. Universal Dealers, at 14 Strand Street, Central, Gqeberha, has the most locs listings in our table, delivers across South Africa and offers in-store pickup. Be Beautiful Hair sells Lushy Locs, soft dreads and the river locs combos on its own site. Takealot has the 3 packs of butterfly locs and the 20 inch river locs. We have no verified list of shops by suburb yet, so phone before you travel.
Protect your hairline
Heavy styles pull on the roots. The British Association of Dermatologists lists tight braids, such as cornrows and dreadlocks, and attached weaves or hair extensions among the hairstyles often associated with traction alopecia, and says stopping tight hairstyles is the most important step to stop hair loss getting worse. YWigs suggests keeping hairline rows at lower tension for crochet styles. Ask your braider for a lighter install, and take the style out if your scalp is sore.
Locs and dreads hairpieces: questions
What is a butterfly locs hairpiece?
It is hair sold for butterfly locs, usually pre-looped crochet locs in packs. Bangstyle describes butterfly locs as soft locs made by wrapping wavy hair loosely around braids so curly loops peek through. SA listings call them distressed and lightweight, in lengths from 14 to 24 inch, and most ask for 3 packs a head.
What is the difference between faux locs, goddess locs and butterfly locs?
Faux locs is the general term for loc-look extensions wrapped or crocheted onto your own hair. Goddess locs are a variation with open, wavy ends, while faux locs have sealed straight ends, says Instant Arẹ̀wà Hair. Butterfly locs are soft locs with a twist, with curly loops showing, according to Bangstyle.
How many packs of butterfly locs do I need?
The SA listings we read say 3 packs. Cosmetic Connection says Afrotex 24 inch requires 3 packs per head, Angel Beauty 22 inch is a pack of 3, and a Sapphire 20 inch listing says 3 packs are enough. Longer lengths and thicker looks may need more, so confirm with your braider.
What is a soft dread hairpiece?
It is a soft dreaded crochet piece with a natural-look dreaded texture, sold under names like Afri Dreads, Marley Dreads, Durban Dread and Eco Dread. Prices in our table start at R39. Packs per head differ: Cosmetic Connection says Durban Dread 22 inch requires 3 packs and Eco Dread 22 inch requires 1.
How much does a locs hairpiece cost in South Africa?
On 6 Oct 2026 soft dreads started at R39, butterfly locs at R78.90 and faux locs at R130, with river locs from R169.99. Takealot's butterfly locs pack of 3 was R237. Multiply the pack price by the packs per head, and remember your braider's fee is extra.
Can I wear a locs hairpiece with short hair?
That depends on your braider and your base. YWigs says crochet locs are looped through cornrows, so your hair has to be long enough to braid. We did not find a minimum length from a source, so ask your braider. Universal Dealers lists a 14 inch butterfly locs pack for a shorter look.
Are faux locs heavy?
Wrapped faux locs can be. YWigs says wrapped faux locs are heavier because each loc wraps around your natural hair, while crochet locs are lightweight because the locs are hollow and attached at the braid only. Nadula says butterfly locs are generally lighter than faux locs, especially when faux locs are installed tightly.
Where can I buy locs hairpieces in South Africa?
Cosmetic Connection, Universal Dealers in Gqeberha, Be Beautiful Hair and Takealot all listed locs or dreads on 6 Oct 2026. Universal Dealers delivers across South Africa and offers in-store pickup. We have no verified suburb-by-suburb shop list yet, so phone a store before you travel.