First, you want to work on clean hair. Just like any hair type, things like dirt, sweat, and even lint can build up in your hair, and you don’t want to twist these things further into your locs.

There’s plenty of reasons to stop by your local craft store this summer, especially if you’re looking for a fresh protective style. It’s where you’ll find aisles of quintessential ...

Starter Locs (Twist or Braid Method) This is one of the most common methods for starting locs. In this style, your hair is either two-strand twisted or braided to begin the loc process.

2. Feed in braiding hair. You’re probably going to need them—simply feed them into your locs while twisting to create thicker, fuller-looking strands. Add in beads to the base of your twists.

Comb coils are an ideal starting point for 4C hair that’s two to three inches long. “To create this look, a pencil-sized loc is formed by twisting small strands of hair around a twist comb ...