Starting locs is exciting, but it is also a commitment. Unlike many salon services where you walk in with one look and leave with the finished result, starter locs are the beginning of a longer journey. Your hair will go through different stages before your locs fully mature, and the method you choose at the start can impact how healthy, strong, and manageable your locs become over time.
At DES Curl Spa Salon in Vancouver, we believe the best starter loc journey begins with a thorough consultation. Before we recommend a starting method, we look at your hair, your scalp, your lifestyle, your goals, your inspiration photos, and your expectations. Every client’s hair is different, which means every loc journey is different too.
Here is everything you need to know before beginning your starter loc journey.
1. What starter loc method do we recommend most often?
The honest answer is: it depends on the client’s hair.
There is no one perfect starter loc method for everyone. The best method depends on your curl pattern, hair density, strand thickness, hair length, scalp health, lifestyle, and the final look you want your locs to mature into.
During a starter loc consultation, we go through everything from A to Z. We look at the current health of your hair, your scalp condition, your hair history, your inspo photos, and how you want your locs to look as they mature. We also set realistic expectations based on what we see, because your loc journey will not look exactly like someone else’s.
The most common starter loc methods we recommend are:
Two strand twists
Two strand twists are a great option for clients who want a fuller, more voluminous, fluffy, boho looking loc result. This method can create a softer look in the beginning stages and may be a good foundation for clients who want their locs to have more body as they mature.
Comb coils
Comb coils are often recommended for clients with shorter hair, tighter curl patterns, or those who want a more defined starter loc look. This method can give a clean, structured foundation and works well for certain textures that naturally coil and hold shape.
Interlocking
Interlocking may be recommended right away for clients with very active lifestyles, clients who sweat often, clients who wash frequently, or clients who want very small locs, such as micro locs. It can also be a better option for clients who want their roots to stay neater for longer between maintenance appointments.
The right foundation for healthy locs long term is the method that matches your hair, your lifestyle, and your goals. That is why consultation is so important. We are not just choosing a style. We are choosing the beginning of your loc journey.
2. What is the biggest misconception clients have about starting locs?
One of the biggest misconceptions is that locs are completely low maintenance.
Locs can be lower maintenance compared to some loose natural hair routines, but they are not no maintenance. Healthy locs still require structure, consistency, and care.
To help your locs mature properly, you need to follow a routine. That includes washing your hair, using the right products, avoiding heavy buildup, and staying consistent with your maintenance appointments. Whether you choose retwists or interlocking, maintenance matters.
Locs can attract lint, dirt, and buildup over time, especially if you are using the wrong products or not washing often enough. When buildup sits in the hair for too long, it can lead to dryness, dullness, odor, and unhealthy locs.
Another expectation we have to set is what starter locs actually look like.
Starter locs do not look like mature locs right away. They go through stages. In the beginning, they may look thinner, smaller, less dense, or less full than what you imagined. They may shrink. They may frizz. They may not fall the way you want them to at first. This is normal.
It can take several months to over a year for locs to fully mature, depending on your hair texture, routine, and starting method.
We also remind clients that locs will not always look freshly done and polished. Right after maintenance, your parts may look crisp and your grid may be visible. But as your hair grows and you move farther away from your appointment, locs naturally become softer, fuller, and less polished.
If you are someone who always wants your hair to look very neat, sleek, and freshly maintained, locs may not be the best fit. Maintaining or retwisting too often can lead to thinning, tension, and damage over time.
Healthy locs need balance. They need care, patience, and space to mature.
3. What can happen when the wrong starter loc method is chosen?
We once had a client come to us after starting her locs at another salon. We did not start her locs, but we helped her repair and maintain them.
She came in with type 3A to 3B hair, medium strands, and very dense hair. Her goal was to have smaller locs with a boho look. She wanted around 14 rows and brought in inspiration photos to show the look she was hoping for.
At her original appointment, the locs were started with two strand twists. Curly human hair was also added to the ends to create a boho effect.
The issue was that the consultation was not thorough enough, and the expectations were not properly set. Based on her texture, the added curly hair, and the method used, there was a lot of slippage. The extensions were not locking well, the ends became tangled, and the locs started to look messy very quickly.
She was also maintaining her locs with retwists. But because of her lifestyle, interlocking would have been a much better fit. She is very active, dances competitively, sweats often, and washes her hair frequently. She also values a neater look.
When she found our salon, we started with a consultation. She had sent photos beforehand, and we could tell her locs needed support. During the consultation, we talked honestly about her options. She could either restart completely, or she could commit to the current locs and allow us to improve them over time.
She chose to keep her locs.
We ended up cutting off the added human hair because it was tangled, messy, and not locking properly. We also switched her maintenance method to interlocking because it matched her lifestyle much better.
This is why the consultation matters so much. Starter locs are not just about creating a look on day one. They are about choosing the best foundation for your real hair, your real routine, and your real lifestyle.
4. What do we assess during a starter loc consultation?
Every starter loc consultation begins with two things: subjective information and objective observation.
Subjective information
This is everything we learn from the client.
We want to know:
- What made you want to start locs?
- What do you want your locs to look like?
- What are your inspiration photos?
- What is your current hair routine?
- How often do you wash your hair?
- How do you currently style your hair?
- What are your hair goals?
- What are you currently struggling with?
- Have you had colour, relaxer, heat damage, or chemical services?
- When was your last trim?
- How active is your lifestyle?
- Do you sweat often?
- Do you prefer a neat look or a more natural look?
All of this information helps us understand what you expect from your locs and whether those expectations match your current hair and lifestyle.
Objective observation
This is what we assess when looking at your hair and scalp.
We look at your scalp health, hair health, density, length, curl pattern, texture, split ends, breakage, and overall condition. We want to know if your hair is healthy enough to start locs and whether your current length and density can realistically achieve the look in your inspiration photos.
We also look at your curl pattern and texture to explain how your hair may behave during the starter loc phase. Some textures loc faster. Some textures take longer. Some hair types experience more unraveling or slippage in the beginning.
This helps us set realistic expectations before the appointment begins.
A proper consultation allows us to recommend the best method, the best maintenance plan, and the best aftercare routine for your loc journey.
5. What do we wish every client understood before booking starter locs?
The biggest thing we wish every client understood is that starter locs are a commitment.
With many hairstyles, you get instant gratification. You walk into the salon with your hair one way, and you leave with your desired finished look.
Starter locs are different.
You walk in with your goals, your excitement, and your inspiration photos. But you leave with the beginning of the journey, not the final result.
Starter locs may look smaller, finer, or less full than you expected. They may not have hang time yet. They may feel lightweight. They may not fall the way mature locs fall. They may frizz, shrink, or change shape as they begin to lock.
That does not mean anything is wrong. It means your hair is beginning the process.
Locs require patience. They require trust. They require maintenance. They require you to commit to the journey before you see the full result.
That is why we always set expectations during the consultation, and again before the starter loc appointment. We want every client to understand what they are starting, how their hair may look afterward, and what kind of care is needed to help their locs mature in a healthy way.
Final Thoughts: Starting Your Loc Journey in Vancouver
Starting locs is a beautiful decision, but it should be done with the right knowledge, the right method, and the right expectations.
At DES Curl Spa Salon, our goal is to help you start your loc journey with a healthy foundation. We take time to understand your hair, your lifestyle, your goals, and your expectations before recommending a method.
Whether your starter locs begin with two strand twists, comb coils, or interlocking, the goal is always the same: healthy locs that mature beautifully over time.
If you are thinking about starting locs, we recommend booking a starter loc consultation first. This allows us to assess your hair, talk through your goals, review your inspiration photos, and recommend the best path forward for your loc journey.
Your locs are not just a hairstyle. They are a process, a commitment, and a journey. Starting with the right foundation makes all the difference.
