Upcycle 22 Faux Locs Segments into Earrings Accessorizing Boldly
You know that feeling when you finish a set of faux locs and have a few leftover pieces you just can’t throw away? I’ve been there more times than I can count. Those extra segments are basically tiny gold mines for accessories, and today I’m going to show you how to turn just 22 of them into bold, statement earrings. This is the kind of project that feels aspirational (hello, custom jewelry) but is honestly so practical you’ll wonder why you haven’t done it sooner. We’re talking instant outfit upgrade, zero waste, and a whole lot of compliments. Let’s get into it.
Why Upcycle Faux Locs Into Earrings?
First off, it’s ridiculously easy. You don’t need any special skills, just a few basic jewelry tools and a little patience. Plus, faux locs are lightweight, so they won’t tug on your ears all day. You can match them to your current hair or go totally wild with color. And let’s be real—wearing earrings that match your hair? That’s a look that screams “I put thought into this,” even if it took you ten minutes.
What You’ll Need to Get Started
Here’s your shopping list, and you probably have most of this already:
- 22 faux locs segments (leftovers from a previous install)
- Earring hooks or stud backs
- Jump rings (a small pack from the craft store)
- Jewelry pliers (two pairs make it easier)
- Scissors (to trim any frayed ends)
That’s it. No glue, no fancy tools. Just stuff you can grab at any craft store or online for under $10.
Step One: Prep Your Faux Locs Segments
Take your 22 segments and give them a quick check. If any ends are frayed or uneven, just snip them straight across. You want them to hang nicely, so clean cuts matter. If you want a more polished look, you can dip the ends in hot water for a second to seal them, but that’s totally optional. For a casual, boho vibe, leave them raw.
Step Two: Choose Your Earring Style
You have a few options here. You can make simple drop earrings with one loc each (that uses 2 segments, but you’ll have extra for future projects). Or go bold with clusters—attach 3-4 segments per earring for a thicker, more dramatic look. For this project, I’m doing clusters of 11 per earring, but you can adjust based on your vibe. The 2026 hairstyles trend is all about personalization, so make these your own.
Step Three: Attach the Jump Rings
Open one jump ring with your pliers (twist it sideways, don’t pull it apart). Slide the tip of a faux loc segment onto the ring, then close it. Repeat for each segment you want in your cluster. For 11 per earring, you’ll do this 11 times. It sounds tedious, but I promise it takes five minutes per earring. Put on a podcast and zone out.
Step Four: Connect the Cluster to Your Earring Hook
Once all your segments are on jump rings, open a larger jump ring and slide all those small rings onto it. Then attach that ring to your earring hook. Close it tight. Give it a gentle shake—if anything feels loose, double-check your closures. That’s it. You just made custom earrings in less time than it takes to scroll through a social media feed.
How to Style These Earrings with Your Hair
This is where the magic happens. If you’re wearing your own faux locs, these earrings create a seamless, intentional look. But they also work great if you’ve changed your hair. Pair them with a sleek quiet luxury bob for a chic contrast, or let them dangle against a vampire haircut for that romantic goth energy. The key is to let the earrings be the star—so keep the rest of your outfit simple.
Mixing with 2026 Hairstyles Trends
The cool thing about these earrings is that they don’t belong to just one trend. They work with the old money hair aesthetic when paired with a sleek, polished updo. They add edge to a glitchy glam hair look with metallic accents. And for romantic goth hairstyles, they bring that soft, dark vibe you’re after. Seriously, I’ve worn mine with a hime cut and felt like a total rockstar.
Why 22 Segments is the Perfect Number
It’s not random. With 22, you get a nice chunky cluster on each ear—11 per side—without it feeling too heavy. If you use fewer, the earrings might look sparse. More than that, and they start to feel bulky. 22 is the sweet spot for that bold, statement look that still feels wearable. Plus, it uses up a whole pack of leftover segments, so you’re left with zero waste.
Color Matching Tips for a Cohesive Look
If your faux locs are a single color, great—just match them to your hair. If you have mixed colors, pick a shade that appears most in your hair and use that for the earrings. You can also go contrasty: if your hair is jet black, use a chocolate brown for a subtle pop. The old money hair trend loves tonal matches, so think rich, deep shades.
Adding Hardware for Extra Glam
Want a little sparkle? Before you attach the jump rings, slide a small gold bead or spacer onto the loc. It breaks up the texture and catches light. This is especially cute for glitchy glam hair moments, where a bit of shine feels intentional. Just make sure the bead hole is big enough to fit the loc through. You can find these at any bead store for pennies.
How to Store Your New Earrings
Faux locs are sturdy, but they can get bent if you toss them in a drawer. Hang them on a small earring tree or lay them flat in a box. They’ll last through dozens of wears. If they get dusty, a quick rinse with water and mild soap does the trick. Just let them air dry completely before wearing again.
Wearing Them with a Quiet Luxury Bob
This is my personal favorite combo. The quiet luxury bob is all about understated elegance, and these earrings add just enough edge to keep it from being boring. The length of the earrings mirrors the bob’s clean lines. It’s a match made in heaven. Plus, it feels very 2026—effortless but intentional.
Pairing with an Asymmetrical Lob
An asymmetrical lob already has a cool, modern vibe. Adding these earrings to the shorter side draws attention to your jawline. It’s a quick way to balance the asymmetry. I’ve done this for a night out and got asked twice where I got the earrings. Spoiler: I made them.
Going Full Romantic Goth with a Vampire Haircut
If you’re into romantic goth hairstyles, you already know texture is everything. A vampire haircut with its choppy layers pairs perfectly with these earrings. Use black or deep burgundy locs for maximum mood. Add a silver chain or charm to the bottom for that dark, ethereal touch. It’s giving main character energy.
The Hime Cut Connection: Soft and Bold
The hime cut relies on graphic lines, so you want earrings that don’t get lost. These faux loc earrings have enough volume to stand out against the sharp bangs. Wear them long so they dangle past your jaw. It creates a beautiful frame for your face. Super Japanese street style meets bohemian.
Quick Fix if a Segment Comes Loose
It happens. Just re-open the jump ring, slide the loc back on, and close it tighter. If the loc itself frays, trim a tiny bit off the end and reattach. Keep a small pair of pliers in your bag for emergencies. No one will ever know, and you’ll look like a pro.
Making Them Giftable
These earrings make incredible, thoughtful gifts for friends. You can customize the color to their hair, or make a set in a fun color they’d never buy for themselves. Wrap them in tissue and add a note: “Made these from my leftover locs, thought of you.” It’s personal, sustainable, and costs almost nothing.
One More Trend: Glitchy Glam with Metallic Locs
For the glitchy glam hair fans, use faux locs that have metallic threads or glitter woven in. They catch every light and look digital in the best way. Pair them with an all-black outfit and let the earrings do the talking. This is peak 2026 hairstyles—techy, bold, but still natural.
How to Keep Them from Tangling in Your Hair
Here’s a practical tip: if you have long hair, tuck it behind your ears or wear a half-up style. The locs can get caught in loose strands. A quick spritz of hairspray on your hair near the ear helps keep things smooth. Or just embrace the tangly boho look—it works too.
Final Thoughts Before You Start
You don’t need to be a jewelry designer to pull this off. It’s honestly one of the most beginner-friendly DIYs I’ve ever done. And the payoff is huge—custom accessories that no one else has. Plus, you’re being sustainable, which always feels good. Whether you’re going for old money hair vibes or romantic goth hairstyles, these earrings can roll with it.
What to Do with the Remaining Segments
If you only use 22, you might have more. Save them for a future project—maybe a bracelet, a keychain, or even a tiny fringe for a bag. They’re too useful to toss. Store them in a jar with your jewelry tools so they’re always ready when inspiration strikes. Trust me, it will.
And that’s the whole deal. You took something that was destined for the trash and turned it into a wearable piece of art. That’s the kind of energy I love. Now I want to see your versions—tag me or drop a comment below with how you styled yours. Did you go bold and chunky, or keep it delicate? I’m honestly so excited to hear.
Save this post to Pinterest so you can come back to it next time you have leftover locs. And tell me in the comments: what color are you making yours? I’ll be replying to every single one.
