Locs take care. They need a shampoo that does not leave residue, regular moisture, a retwist every few weeks, and time to dry fully after every wash. A good gift for a man with locs makes one of those jobs easier. This guide is sorted by the job, starting with the biggest one.
If he is new to locs, our guide on how to wash dreads explains the routine these gifts fit into.
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Quick picks
- The big gift: a Red by Kiss hood dryer.
- A dryer that packs away: Gold N Hot soft bonnet dryer.
- Wash day: Dollylocks clarifying shampoo or a Lion Locs shampoo bar.
- Daily moisture: Locsanity rosewater and peppermint spray.
- Retwist: Jamaican Mango and Lime Start-A-Loc gel.
- Small add-on: a large satin bonnet or gold loc cuffs.
A dryer for wash day
Locs hold a lot of water and can take hours to air-dry. A hood or bonnet dryer cuts that time and frees his hands. Some retwist gels, such as Jamaican Mango and Lime, say to sit under a dryer to set the hold.
Red by Kiss 3000 Hood Dryer
The Red by Kiss 3000 hood dryer is a 1875-watt hood dryer with a large 14-inch hood, 4 heat settings and ceramic tourmaline technology. The hood adjusts up to 4.5 inches in height, and it is light enough to store between uses.
Gold N Hot Ionic Soft Bonnet Dryer
The Gold N Hot ionic soft bonnet dryer is made for textured hair, with jumbo drawstrings to fit all hair lengths and 4 heat settings: cool, low, medium and high. A soft bonnet folds away, which suits a smaller bathroom. If he already owns a good handheld dryer, the Granteva XL bonnet attachment clips onto it: a 32-inch satin-finish hood made for long locs, with a separate headband that keeps heat off the ears and neck.
Wash day
The rule for loc shampoo is no residue, since anything left behind builds up inside the locs. Our guide to the best shampoo for dreads compares more options.
- Dollylocks Clarifying Liquid Shampoo in Tea Tree Spearmint is a plant-based, sulfate-free, residue-free shampoo with aloe and coconut-derived cleansers.
- The Lion Locs shampoo bar is a residue-free bar for locs, braids and twists with shea butter and coconut oil. It is TSA-friendly and helps remove hard-water residue.
- Taliah Waajid Love My Locs Honey Mint Clarifying Shampoo is a sulfate-free shampoo made for coily hair.
Daily moisture
Locs dry out between washes, and heavy oils cause buildup. A light, water-based spray is the usual answer. The Locsanity rosewater and peppermint spray is a residue-free daily moisturizer with peppermint oil to soothe an itchy scalp. The Lion Locs rose water spray is another lightweight, vegan option that also works as a face mist. For shine, Taliah Waajid Honey Shine Loc Sheen is an alcohol-free spray with honey, hibiscus and thyme.
Retwist and maintenance
Every few weeks, new growth at the roots needs a retwist or interlock. Our guide to the best locking gel for dreads goes deeper.
- Jamaican Mango and Lime Start-A-Loc gel gives a firm, no-flake hold for starting and retwisting locs, with moringa oil, manuka honey and aloe vera.
- Lion Locs locking gel is a creamy, vegan gel for retwists and palm rolling, with aloe, wheat protein, argan and jojoba oil.
- Lockology Loc Retwist Butter gives a light hold with a lavender and rosemary scent, for neat retwists without a stiff finish.
If he interlocks instead of palm rolling, a set of tools is a useful gift. The WILLBOND interlock tools are four metal tools for micro to large locs. The AUGSUN crochet hook set has three 0.75 mm stainless steel hooks with bamboo handles plus two locking tools, for tidying loose hair and fixing locs.
Overnight and every day
Cotton pillowcases pull moisture out of locs and leave lint behind. A large satin bonnet made for locs has a satin lining, a breathable bamboo outer layer and an adjustable band so it stays on. The RED by Kiss dreadlock tube is a long, stretchy silky spandex cover for sleeping or working out. For winter, a satin-lined cotton beanie keeps him warm without the frizz a plain knit hat causes.
Loc jewelry
Loc jewelry is a personal, easy gift. The VENOFEN gold loc jewelry set has 27 metal cuffs, rings and charms in more than 7 styles that slip onto locs with no tools. Our guide to loc styles for men has ideas for wearing them.
How to choose
If he air-dries his locs, a hood or bonnet dryer is the gift that changes his wash day most. If he has a loctician who handles retwists, stick to wash-day and moisture products. If he maintains his own locs, a good gel and an interlocking tool set fit his routine. Small items such as a satin bonnet or loc jewelry make easy stocking stuffers; see our grooming stocking stuffers for men for more.
Frequently asked questions
What is a good gift for a man with locs?
A hood or bonnet dryer for a bigger gift, or a residue-free shampoo and a loc spray for something smaller. Both fit the routine every man with locs already has.
Why do locs need a residue-free shampoo?
Locs are dense, so anything a shampoo leaves behind can stay trapped inside them. Clarifying, residue-free shampoos are made to rinse out fully.
Is loc jewelry a good gift for men?
Yes, if he likes to style his locs. Cuffs and rings slip on without tools and can be moved or removed any time.
Do men with locs need a satin bonnet?
It helps. Satin creates less friction than cotton, so locs keep more moisture and pick up less lint overnight.
