How To Part Your Hair For Starter Locs

4 WAYS TO PART STARTER LOCS

After you’ve decided that you’re ready to begin your loc journey, the next step is determining how to part your hair for your starter locs.  The way that you part your hair for locs is formally known as your parting system.

A parting system is defined as a systematic approach to sectioning the hair.

There are 4 commonly used parting systems for locs— square parts, diamond parts, crescent parts, and organic parts— with each parting system having advantages and disadvantages depending upon your hair texture, hair density, and how you want your locs to mature. You want to take careful consideration of your parting system because it is the foundation for your locs and is essentially the last time that you will be parting your hair— like ever (at least while you have locs).  I encourage you to explore each parting system in more detail to determine which technique would be best for your hair.

4 Ways to Part Your Hair For Locs

How To Part Your Hair For Starter Locs

The parting systems that are most commonly used for starting locs are the square parting system, diamond parting system, crescent parting system, and the organic parting system.



Square Parts for Locs

Square Grid Parting System for Lcos

image from Google Search

The square parting system is one of the most well-known ways to section your hair to start locs, and it’s really easy to do. This parting system can be executed by a professional or by yourself if you chose to start your own locs. However, in either instance, you do have to be cautious of how the squares are placed on your head. If the square sections are arranged in a grid pattern, this will create straight lines for styling purposes, but a significant amount of scalp being shown when the hair is not styled— especially if you have fine hair and/or thicker locs.

Diamond Parts for Locs

Diamond Parts on Locs

Image from NuGrowthSalon.com

The diamond parting system is one of the more advanced parting systems because you’re essentially putting diamonds on a round shape. This parting system must be executed by a professional and it not a DIY parting system. There are several benefits to using the diamond parting system on all sizes of locs. One of the benefits of using a diamond parting system is that even when your hair is pulled back in a simple ponytail it appears very intricate. This makes the diamond parting system a great option for you if you do not like to spend a lot of time with complicated styles and prefer to wear ponytails or let the locs hang down more often than not. Also, as it relates to thicker locs, a diamond parting system will show the least amount of scalp; however because you will have fewer locs the intricacy of the diamond parting system will not be as evident as with smaller locs.

My current set of locs were installed using the diamond parting system and I absolutely love them! In my latest video, I share my 3 reasons for choosing the diamond parting system for my locs.

[tg_youtube width=”400″ height=”225″ video_id=”N-kZzni4I34″]

Crescent (Half-Moon) Parts for Locs

Crescent Parts on Locs

Image from Instagram

The crescent parting system, also known as c-shaped parts,  is most common amongst people that want to have a more natural or semi-freeform loc journey. One of the benefits of the crescent parting system is that it is fairly easy to do and it gives a natural fall to the locs regardless of what size they are. This parting system is especially great for women because the locs will fall in a way that frames the face.

Organic Parts for Locs

Organic Parting System for Locs

Image from Google Search

You can also choose not to have specific parts and this would be known as an organic parting system. Simply put, your hair is randomly sized and would offer no systematic approach to the way the locs are arranged on your head. An organic parting system is typically the result of a freeform foundation.

 

What Type of Parting System Would You Chose?

These 4 parting systems are the foundation of how your locs form. Which should you choose and why?

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Jocelyn Reneé

Jocelyn Reneé is a Licensed Cosmetologist, Loctician and Textured Hair Educator. She was born and raised in the Washington DC area and is a graduate of the Aveda Institute Cosmetology Science program. With over 14 years in the Hair Care Industry, from Salon Assistant to Natural Hair Blogger to Professional; Jocelyn is passionate about cultivating healthy hair.

Blog Comments

[…] your starter locs, you are establishing your parting system and the ideal starting method that works best for your hair texture to achieve your desired result. […]

I started my loc journey on 18 Feb 2017. My hair is thick but curly. I want a different parting pattern. I want a triangle pattern. I have a vision of my hair in locs, but I want to see as much scalp as possible; I think it looks cleaner, sharper.

Can you offer any advice?

Unfortunately to change your parting system you will need to restart your locs. There is no way around it if you want to keep them healthy because of the part to loc ratio.

Thank you for posting this! I am going to start my loc journey this weekend and couldn’t decide between the squares or the c-parts. They all are beautiful either way!

Thank you! Helpful article! MJ

I will be starting my locs with comb coils. With the c-parting can I achieve a head full of locs? I’m guessing I have to start with very small or can I have medium starters.

You can start locs of any size using the c-shape/crescent parting system.

My hair is soft, short and natural curly but i want locs everybody tells me it can’t happen but I’m trying it now it just been two weeks so how long will it takes to loc or will it loc.Neecey from Birmingham Alabama. I have pix of my hair now in tge first stage

All hair types and length can grow locs. With looser curl patterns it will just take longer. On average about 12-18 months before it is locked.

Can you maintain diamond parted locs with interlocking?

Yes, absolutely! However, you cannot get Sisterlocks with diamond parts.

This page of loc-knowledge is so wonderful!!! It has made me aware of how to look at my son a little differently with his beginning journey. We have been struggling with the attempt to freeform, and I just don’t know how to help manage or maintain, maintenance…any of that. Is it possible that his curl pattern is meant to have a certain part shape, if his organic shape is looking unhappy?

It may not be that the parting is the issue, his hair type may not be able to freeform.

I went to a hair shop to start my lovks a few days ago, they didnt put them into sections though. Is that ok??

If it is ok with you, then it is ok. However if you have a certain look you are going for or desire your locs to fall a certain way on your head then I would say that not having a parting system will be concerning as they mature.

I think I will try the diamond part. I am worried because I do like chunky locs, but worry about having to combine them then having really large locs.
My main question with parting is, could I part on a slant? I regularly wear two strand and plan to loc from there. It just frames my face better. Would you advise against this?

How do you feel about micro braid locs?

Lol, so many questions, so little time!

Diamond parts are not for larger locs, and you definitely don’t want to combine any locs with the diamond parting system because it can make the combined loc grow flat. Parting on a slant is possible, hence diamond parting, but it is a bit more complex than just parting diagonally.

Using braids to start microlocs is possible, but my preference is always interlocking over braiding.

I hope that helps and if you need more guidance, feel free to schedule a Virtual Consultation with me!

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