Want to hide your cowlick? You’ve come to the right place.
Do you have a small piece of hair that just won’t cooperate? Does it grow in a different direction than the rest of your hair? Stand when the rest sits? Sits when the rest stand? Curl when the rest of your hair grows straight? We’re sorry to break it to you, but you’ve got yourself a cowlick.
We’re always major advocates of embracing your natural hair, but cowlicks are the exception. These pesky growths of hair that refuse to be tamed, controlled, or eliminated can and will ruin any middle part or sleek bob. However, if you’ve been cursed with the dreaded cowlick, there is a light at the end of the unruly tunnel. With strategic haircuts and specific styles, you can make sure your cowlick works with you rather than against you.
And the best part? We’ve listed them out for you.
What is a cowlick?
In case it wasn’t clear, this stubborn and entirely random hair growth has nothing to do with your proximity to farm animals. Although, allegedly, the name derives from the similar swirl pattern that forms when a mother cow licks her calf. Bet you didn’t guess that.
A cowlick refers to a small tuft of hair that grows in the opposite direction, or against the grain, to the rest of your mane.
How can you permanently remove a cowlick?
You can’t. However, there are many styling techniques that will ensure you learn to love (and conceal) your cowlick.
What causes a cowlick to form?
Cowlicks can grow because of genetics, surgery (like a hair transplant), injury to a part of the head, or just because they feel like it. It’s said that most people have at least one cowlick, though some are more obvious than others.
Can you cut your hair to make your cowlick less noticeable?
Yes. However, the exact cut will depend on the location and direction of your cowlick.
For example, if your cowlick sits at the front of your hairline and leans toward the right-hand side, you may want to consider a side fringe that leans to the right.
Best hairstyles to hide a cowlick
#1 Bangs
Similar to Hepburn bangs (which have had a major moment this year), baby bangs (or micro bangs) are only up to four centimetres in length. They’re just long enough to work in with your front-facing cowlick and choppy enough to ensure any gaps are less noticeable.
#2 Side sweep
If your cowlick won’t bend to you, then you must bend to your cowlick. Sometimes splitting it straight down the middle is near impossible (or requires lengthy daily styling). So, your next best thing? Part your hair on the side that your cowlick leans towards.
#3 Beachy waves
Outside of being extremely gorgeous, beach waves are also extremely forgiving. They can conceal dodgy haircuts, grown-out roots, and even stubborn cowlicks.
#4 One-length cuts
Particularly useful for cowlicks that sit at the crown of the head, the key here is to keep everything heavy. By avoiding layers, your hair will all fall in the same spot and each strand will act as an anchor, pulling your cowlick downwards.
#5 Curls, curls, curls
Remember this: curls conceal cowlicks. Allow your curls to do their thing and watch as they camouflage your stubborn spiral.
Main image credit: @hoskelsa
Do you have a cowlick? Do you have any tips for hiding it?
Had to Google, not familiar with cow lick hair. Don’t have the issue, no pointers to offer.
I don’t have any either. Perhaps it isn’t common.
i searched also haha
Not something Ive had to worry about thank goodness…phew
I wish I had curls! Will have to make do with a fringe.
I have a question…. Why are fringes called “bangs”?
By the way, I have a cowlick and it’s not really a problem. Have learned to live with it. I do however have a problem with the term “bangs”. It drives me nuts!!!
I think I’ve got this but it doesn’t bother me nor do I care to do anything to hide it.
That is good to hear!
Ive got one at the crown. Straight cut are needed for the weight.
Don’t have it!
But what about for men? My partner has two cowlicks and his hair can never be tamed
Shave it all off
ha ha Yohanna – simple really 😛
I honestly thought of a farm and it is definitely a strange name to call it.
yeah bit ie is like a cow lick the way it is formed -I was born on a farm and when I was little I thought a cow had liked my hair when my mum cursed my cowlick
Yeah bit like a cow lick the way it forms–I was born on a farm and when I was little I thought a cow had licked my hair when my mum cursed my cowlick
sorry correction
Some really great ideas regarding Hair Styles for Cow Licks.
What a silly name for a rogue hair! I think we don’t have to stress too much, geez if I had to worry about every hair out of place, I would die of stress. I just smooth my rogues down with water, but it is a bit of a fighting battle when it is humid.
Did not know this was an “issue”. My hair does the style naturally, to keep hair out of the face when l;oose. Love
Always liked the look of a cowlick – no need to hide it.
very difficult when you want to wear a different hair style though
Great styling tips!
I have, I rock a side part with curls to work with it.
Not an issue for me but I know people who have them.
Yes I have a cowlick and it is the front of my hairline so I have to sweep my hair over that side
I have a cowlick at my hairline so the hair there is always very short and sticking up in different directions, it makes me look like a mad scientist 😞
I don’t have this.
I don’t have a cowlick but years ago in my teens, the rage was to put bobby pins on your front hair to make them push up. Was great back then but now my hair sticks up all the time. I literally have to hold my front hair really tight when I blow dry it and then use the straightener to try and straighten it down.
Yes we all have a cowslick in this family! I actually like mine!
Cowlicks can look good on some people. I don’t have one.
I love curls. The bigger the better!
I have three cowlicks one at the front and one at the back that are on my hair line You can draw a straight line between the two. The only way I can control them is to straighten. The one on top of my head means that I have to brush my hair a certain way to cover it.