7 Ways To Manage A Cowlick & Best Hairstyles For Cowlicks

You want to style your locks to impress your loved one, but a section of your hair never listens to you. Well, that is a cowlick. So, is it possible to manage a cowlick?

A cowlick is that part of your hair that grows at a different angle than the rest. It is often seen at the crown of your head and in the front, just by the hairline. It often plays a spoilsport, but managing it is not tough either. In this article, we have listed some best tips to hide your cowlick hair. Scroll down for more information.

Did You Know?

Anne Hathaway, Lauren Conrad, Kristen Stewart, Kate Bosworth, and Megan Fox are some famous personalities who have cowlicks.

What Is A Cowlick?

The cowlick is a hair section that grows in a different direction than the rest of the hair. This hair section follows a natural growth pattern that is different from the rest of the hair. It may stand straight at an odd position and has a swirling pattern. Everybody has a cowlick or two that appear at the crown of your head (the backside) and define the hair growth pattern. However, it may show up anywhere, including the front hairline, disrupting your hair orientation.

A study was done on 557 children to understand the scalp hair whorl patterns. The study found that 70.3% of them had a single hair whorl in a clockwise direction located in the vertex area, 15.7% had a single counterclockwise hair whorl, and 12.4% of the cases had two hair whorls on the parietal region.

But cowlick is something that can often be confused with balding. Continue reading to know more about their differences.

Cowlick Vs. Balding

Cowlick is referred to as a specific hair growth pattern, whereas balding is characterized by temporary or permanent hair loss on the scalp. Their appearance can initially seem similar, leading to confusion between the two. There is a spot of exposed skin at the center of a cowlick’s twist that can give the impression of thinning hair or hair loss. Cowlicks can form naturally on the scalp but balding can be genetic or hormonal. However, you may experience hair loss from the area where you have a cowlick. If you notice thinning hair, it’s better to consult a doctor

In cowlicks, frontal cowlicks can be the most annoying. If you have one, here is what you can do to manage, hide, and prevent it from ruining your hairstyle.

How To Get Rid Of A Cowlick

1. Get The Right Haircut

If you are struggling with a cowlick at the hairline, change your hairstyle. Choose a style that supports the cowlick and effectively hides it. For instance, long side-swept bangs look relaxed and support your cowlick’s natural pattern, adding movement to it. Never go for shorter bangs as it may expose the cowlick. If you have long hair, you may also take ideas from different hairstyles for girls with long hair that can elevate your look.

2. Use Heat Styling Tools Wisely

Using the right heat and hair styling tools can help control cowlicks. For instance, use a concentrator (the removable mouth) with a blow dryer in the opposite direction to tame the cowlick.

Also, use the right hair styling product like a round brush for greater styling control. This grooming technique can change the way your hair looks.

Root tamer irons have fine-toothed comb-like edges that can tame thicker strands. They provide tension as you direct the cowlick towards your desired direction.

3. Pick Hair Care Products Wisely

The right hair care products can help tame the stubborn cowlicks.

Use a lightweight and flexible hold hairspray for thinner strands. It does not weigh down your hair and make it stiff or sticky.

Dry shampoos work great for finer strands. They absorb the natural oils that weigh down the cowlick and make it obvious. They also lift your hair.

You can also buy creams, gels, and pomade to style and hold your cowlick when blow drying.

4. Use Bobby Pins

Clip the stubborn hair strands in place with bobby pins. This is the easiest way to prevent the cowlick from ruining your hairstyle.

After heat styling, apply hair gel, pin your cowlick down with a bobby pin, and blow dry. By the time you are ready to walk out of the house, your cowlick hair should have settled down a bit.

5. Grow Your Hair

This is one of the best ways to hide your cowlick. Growing your locks will weigh down the cowlick a bit and blend it with your natural hair, making it less noticeable.

6. Keep The Cowlick Wet

Wetting the cowlick is an easy way to tame it. Run a wet brush or comb through the cowlick a couple of times and use a blow dryer to set it. This makes it easier to style the hair in the direction you want.

7. Change Your Parting

Sometimes, you have to go with the flow. Instead of fighting with the cowlick, switch the parting. Follow the cowlick’s natural pattern to adjust your hairstyle. Do not waste your time trying to straighten or make it sit.

8. Consult A Professional Hairstylist

If dealing with a cowlick becomes too frustrating, try to visit a professional hairstylist. They can offer personalized advice based on your hair type and texture. A stylist can suggest specific cuts, styles, or products that work best for taming the cowlick, making it easier to manage while ensuring your overall hairstyle looks great.

Quick Tip

Waxing and cosmetic surgery are some other ways to correct a cowlick.

Best Hairstyles For Managing A Cowlick

The best way to manage cowlicks is to learn to work with them. Here are a few hairstyles that might go hand in hand with your cowlick:

1. For Forehead Cowlicks

Hair maintenance and management of forehead cowlicks can get quite tricky. You need to brush your hair in the opposite direction. Some of you may have a widow’s peak (the downward V-shaped hairline at the forehead). You can hide it with soft, swooping bangs with a mix of rounded curls or go for longer bangs.

2. For Crown Cowlicks

Cowlicks in the crown area of the head can be an issue for both short and long hair. Go to a hair salon and consult your hairdresser about the suitable hairstyle for crown cowlicks. For short haircuts, go for a pixie wedge. Cut the cowlicks shorter and keep the top and sides longer to hide the crown cowlick. For long hair, cut your hair at one length to add more weight at the bottom. If you love length but want a fresh cut, the latest hairstyles for long hair offer a variety of on-trend options.

3. For Nape Cowlicks

If you have long hair, nape cowlicks will not be noticeable. But if you have short or bob hair, it is better to go for a buzz cut at the neckline and keep it shorter than the rest.

Jackie, a blogger, discussed her recurring struggle with her unique and frustrating cowlick and how she managed it. She said, “The best I could manage was a mix of blunt bangs with an inadvertent poof in the middle (circa. 4th grade) or an ill-conceived attempt at swoopy bangs as a college freshman (i).”

Some people are okay with their cowlick, while some look for ways to get rid of it. But is it possible? Find out in the next section.

Can You Eliminate Cowlicks Permanently?

No. You cannot get rid of or eliminate cowlicks permanently as it is your natural hair pattern. However, you can work with them. Embrace them as a part of your look. Try different hairstyles, use hair products, and try various styling techniques to make them less noticeable.

Infographic: Top 5 Tips To Tame Cowlicks

A cowlick is the spoilsport hair strand that fails to listen to your comb, and the reason is primarily the altered growth angle. Check out the infographic and read about the top 5 hair tips to tame the hairline cowlicks for a flawless hairstyle.

Illustration: StyleCraze Design Team

Frequently Asked Questions

Do cowlicks occur more easily on wet or dry hair?

Cowlicks occur more easily on dry hair. Hair is easy to manipulate when wet because of the weakened bonds, but the bonds lock closer as they dry. Therefore, you might need to wet the cowlick to tame it.

Do people with natural hair get cowlicks?

Generally, people with curly hair do not get cowlicks as it is not very obvious. However, if there is a stray cowlick on curly hair, it is probably time for a wash. You can try specific hairstyles for curly hair that enhance and define your curls beautifully.

Is a cowlick genetic?

Scientists believe that genes do play a significant role in causing cowlicks. However, it may not be a necessary factor.

Illustration: Ways To Manage A Cowlick & Best Hairstyles For Cowlicks

Image: Dall·E/StyleCraze Design Team

Tired of fighting with your cowlick? Check out the following tutorial video to learn how to get rid of it forever with a few simple steps.