Nataly is an experienced freelance writer well-versed in lifestyle, beauty, and fashion. She enjoys testing new hair products to tame her long locks. Believing in the power of self-care, Nataly collects styling tips like gems. Currently, she delivers exclusive content on the latest hairstyle trends and transformations.
Read full bio Editorial guidelinesDiscover the world of wick hair styling ideas for a head-turning look!
Hair wicks are the type of dreads with much thicker locs that vary in length and style. They are created with the help of a special needle by snagging and twisting the hair in a dreadlock-like manner. As a result, the strands stand upright, resembling the wick of a candle.
The history of wicks is tightly woven with African-American and Afro-Caribbean cultures that brought their hair fashion to the spotlight some time ago. This type of locs originated in South Florida and soon became associated with traditional black ‘dos. So, if you’re still wondering what a wick hairstyle is, our selection of hair ideas is your chance to figure it out!
Thick wicks are the signature style amongst many Black men today who want to make a powerful fashion statement with their natural hair. The benefit of the look is that you get fewer locs around your head compared to traditional dreads, so they’re easy to maintain and wear.
Spice up your mane with some pops of color at the tips. Usually, the stylist weaves in colorful hair extensions to bulk each loc up and shape it nicely. The technique also allows for style experimentation, so you can easily switch between the size and length of your dreadlocks.
Curly hair wicks are great protective hairstyles for Black men to try out after wearing dreads. The hairdo will blend your kinky strands together, smoothing out all loose strands and resulting in evenly twisted locs that fall down your shoulders beautifully. Pair the look with a sharp line up at the front and get ready to rock your new glam.
For the ultimate statement look, choose thicker locs this time. They’re commonly referred to as trunks because they’re as long and thick as an elephant’s trunk. Four dreads on each side will be enough to show off the texture and fullness of your hair.
Sometimes, all you need is to cut, transform, and reattach your locs to get trendy wicks hair. Make sure to divide your tresses into equal square parts as if you’re creating box braids. Depending on your hair length and styling, the wicks will stand upright or lay flat.
If you choose long, thick dreads, make sure you know how to style them for comfortable wear. One way to achieve this is to gather your bonks in a half updo. It will keep the locs from falling in your face and create a put-together look.
Flat globs are a perfect starter look that doesn’t weigh your hair down and leaves easy access to the roots for future retwists. Opt for shorter wicks at first to get used to the new style and then switch to different styles if you like.
The freeform method is a popular technique to get defined dreads. It requires you to comb your strands together, twist them at the roots, and work the needle through the loc to secure the new form and get rid of sagging parts.
Chunky hair wicks are usually created with the help of afro kinky hair bulk products that imitate the fullness of the strands. You can mix black and brown extensions to achieve the ombre effect during your next salon visit.
Interlocking small wicks and combining them in bigger sections is a great styling idea for those who like hair experiments. This half up half down style will give you braided roots and loose ends to work with.
Just like a regular haircut, your bonks can also be layered at the back of the head to add textural depth and volume. Combine the style with a clean-shaved side fade, and you’ll get your dream look.
Small wicks look quite similar to dreads, but they lend your hair more definition and visual complexity. This ‘do reveals how different types of locs may enhance your features and frame your face.
Don’t limit yourself to black color only when you choose wicks extension for your glam. Add brown and blonde strands to the locs for a dimensional effect and creative twist. Keep the sides well-trimmed and enjoy your style upgrade.
Long hairstyles look cool and alluring on men. The same goes for traditional black ‘dos like bonks. Add extra long extensions to the locs and see how your daily glam transforms into something more sophisticated and refined.
With this technique, the strands are combined using a crochet hook that forms thick, wick-like locs. It makes your dreads look tight and secure, especially at the ends where they’re rounded nicely to avoid frizz and breakage.
Tie your jumbo-like globs in a low knot at the back of the head to imitate a ponytail hairstyle. While the chosen size of the locs might feel heavy, this hairdo will keep them in place and bring the hair away from the face.
Try out mid-length wicks that are a bit thicker than traditional dreads. They will direct attention to your natural hair texture and protect it from breakage. Use high-quality hair oil to keep your tresses moisturized and tame the flyaways.
For this retwist, the barber uses a variation of the rubber band method when small dreads are tied together to form larger wicks. However, instead of leaving those twists as they are, the stylist adds hair extensions by wrapping them around the base of the loc tightly.
This creative spiky hairstyle features short, pyramid-shaped wicks with the client’s natural hair only. The look is great for starting a new hair styling journey and reimagining traditional hairdos for Black men.
Whether you want to refresh your dreads or try something new next time, wicks are a great opportunity to level up your hair game. From classic crochet locs to more expressive freeform twists – your styling options are truly countless.
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