hair styling · haircuts
Best Hairstyles for a Cowlick (and How toTame One)
The best hairstyles for a cowlick at the front or crown, for men and women, with how to dry it into place, what to ask your barber, and which cuts fight it most.
Hairover Team
A cowlick is a section of hair growing in a different direction from the rest, usually at the front hairline or the crown. You can’t remove one, but you can choose a cut that goes with it, or train it while it’s wet. The key is to style it in the direction it wants to go. Textured cuts hide it best, and tight, flat styles fight it the most.
Find your cowlick’s direction
Wet your hair and comb it straight down. Then watch how the hair lifts and turns at the spot. Knowing whether it sweeps left, right, or swirls in a circle lets you pick a part and a cut that follow its lead.
Cuts for a front cowlick
Side-swept fringe. Sweep it in the direction it wants to go. Often the cowlick helps by adding natural lift. See curtain vs. side-swept bangs.
Curtain bangs. A center or off-center part works with many front cowlicks, particularly if they split the fringe anyway.
Quiff or pompadour (men). Lift the front up and away, so the cowlick becomes part of the shape. See pompadour vs. quiff.
Side part. Part on the side your cowlick already favors. See side part vs. comb over.
Textured crop. Messy texture hides the turn, and it doesn’t need to lie flat. See the textured crop guide.
Cuts for a crown cowlick
Medium-length layers. Weight holds your hair down, and layers hide the swirl.
Messy textured top. Choppy length disguises the direction.
Longer buzz. Even length removes the issue, so long as your barber cuts in several directions. See the buzz cut guide.
Shag or wolf cut. Volume at the crown turns the lift into a feature. See shag vs. wolf cut.
Cuts that fight it
- Blunt, straight fringes split or kick up over a front cowlick.
- Very short lengths at the crown can make hair stand on end.
- Slick backs show every change of direction, unless you use a strong product.
- Precise center parts only work if your cowlick already goes that way.
How to tame it
Timing matters most, since a cowlick sets when it dries.
- Wet the spot thoroughly, right down to the roots.
- Blow-dry against the direction of growth, with a nozzle, using your fingers or a flat brush.
- Switch directions. Push it left, then right, then finish in the direction you want.
- Use a cool shot to set it.
- Add a little product. A matte paste or small amount of hairspray can hold it in place.
Don’t try to fix it when it’s dry. That rarely works. Re-wet it and start over. Our guide on how to blow-dry your hair has more tips.
What to tell your barber or stylist
Point it out before they begin.
“I have a cowlick right here. It pushes to the left. Please leave a bit more length there, and could we choose a part that works with it?”
A good barber will check it while your hair is wet. Our what to tell your barber guide has a full script. Also, a double crown works in a similar way, so show them both swirls if you have two.
Work with what you have
The easiest fix is a cut that makes the most of your growth pattern. Upload a clear photo to Hairover, get a hair analysis, and try hairstyles on your own face in Style Studio.
FAQ
Can you get rid of a cowlick?
Not permanently, because it comes from the way your hair follicles grow. You can train it for the day with heat and direction, or choose a cut that works with its direction.
Should I cut a cowlick short?
Very short hair can make it stick up more, because there is no weight to hold it down. Keeping it a bit longer can help. A very close buzz is also an option, since it hides the swirl.
What is the best haircut for a crown cowlick?
Medium-length textured styles work best, because they hide the swirl. Avoid cutting the crown too short, and ask your barber to leave some weight there.
