Cowlicks are frustrating growth patterns in the hair that make it difficult to style. They stem from hair follicles that grow in opposite directions, causing hair strands to lay flat, stick straight up, or go in a different direction. Most people with straight hair have at least one cowlick, and some are more pronounced or in more obvious areas. (Curly-haired individuals are generally exempt from cowlicks.) Additionally, it is common to have multiple cowlicks. But just because most people have them does not mean they are necessarily fun to deal with, and they certainly can interfere with what might otherwise be a good hair day. So here, we share several ways how to get rid of a cowlick. Fortunately, it doesn’t take too much effort on your part.
Start with a good haircut.
One of the best places you can start is getting a good haircut from an experienced stylist. First, your stylist should look at your hair overall and identify any characteristics that may make certain hairstyles out of the question. Indeed, they should map out different features that may make or break particular looks for you.
One of the biggest things you want to keep in mind with cowlicks is to stay away from very short haircuts. When you go too short, the cowlick is exposed, and you leave no weight or length from the hair to conceal it. Of course, you can have a shorter cut, but your stylist should be able to advise you on how short you can go and how you can style it. For example, if you have multiple cowlicks, you may be able to get away with a more funky or messy look, but again, you will want a good assessment of your hair characteristics.
Another factor you will want to consider is how much time you want to spend styling your hair. Longer hairstyles generally take less daily maintenance. Therefore, if you don’t want to spend a lot of time styling and working with a cowlick, you will probably benefit from leaving it longer.
Gather some tools.
A diffuser may very well be one of the best hair-styling tools you will need to combat pesky cowlicks. Most people who try to conceal cowlicks use a blow dryer with a diffuser attached to help the hair dry in a desirable direction. Of course, when using a blow dryer, you will want to use a heat-protectant product to keep your hair from getting damaged.
Additionally, having a spray bottle is helpful because on days when you do not feel like washing your hair, you can spray the cowlick and comb through it in the direction you want the hair to fall. From there, you can use the blow dryer with the diffuser attached to help it dry in the right direction.
Lastly, having a decent comb and a hand mirror are necessary to taming that cowlick, no matter how short or long your hair falls.
Grab the right products.
Some hair products will weigh your hair down, whereas others will give you just the amount of hold you need without compromising your volume. So, once you have dried your hair in the right direction, you will want to use some sort of hair spray to keep it in place. Aside from a hair spray that is light (especially if you have thin hair), consider using a dry shampoo, especially if you are prone to oil buildup. Oil can weigh your hair down, so dry shampoo can add the lift you need to conceal your cowlick.
Products made for damp hair are also useful, especially if you struggle to get your hair to go the direction you want with blow-drying or if you have short hair.
Don’t over wash your hair.
Washing your hair too often can actually make a cowlick more noticeable, as hair that is too clean is harder to manipulate. That said, too much oil is also challenging, so it can be a fine line. But, if you want to help train your hair in the right direction, regular conditioning is important so make sure not to skip this step. Knowing your hair type and having the right products are key to mastering irksome cowlicks.
