When you’re having a bad hair day due to stubborn strands, then you probably have a cowlick. Natural and frustrating to deal with, cowlick hair is caused by genetics and everyone has one, but there is no way to remove yours permanently. Whether in the front and near your hairline or at the back of your head, cowlicks can be annoying to work with when you’re styling your hair. While dealing with this section of hair can be a pain, there are many ways to fix a cowlick. To help you with tips and tricks, we’ve compiled this guide on how to get rid of a cowlick. From haircuts and hairstyles to products and styling, explore the different ways you can tame your hair and achieve the style you want.
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What Is A Cowlick?
A cowlick is a patch of hair that grows in a different direction from the rest of your hair. They’re the sections of hair that stick out and don’t like to be combed in the same direction as the rest of your hair. Sometimes the hair on your head grows in a spiral pattern, which creates that little whorl of hair that refuses to be slicked back or combed over. When you get a haircut or try to grow your hair out, cowlicks can become more obvious.
Are Cowlicks Genetic?
Yes, cowlicks are genetic. Because the cowlicks start from the hair follicle, these difficult patches of hair are created by genetics. They’re also influenced by the collagen fibers in each strand of hair, which makes every hair on your head different. Scientists think that everyone has some kind of cowlick. Some are unnoticeable, but there are still patches of hair that grow differently from others. That means there is no way to completely stop cowlick hair, but you can hide these spots with hairstyles and hair products. Although your genetics can play a role, there may be other factors that cause cowlicks in hair to become unruly and hard to tame.
Cowlick Hairstyles
Choosing the right men’s hairstyle is your strongest weapon to combat the cowlick. The length of your hair, the products you use, and your washing routine can make a difference when it comes to making your cowlick behave, but they won’t matter if your haircut makes the cowlick stand out. With so many good hairstyles for men to hide their cowlick, you have a choice between medium-length and short hairstyles. You can also use strong hair products to control your cowlick.
The best hairstyle depends on where your cowlick starts. If you have a cowlick at the front of your head, growing your hair out to a medium length and shaping it into a high volume hairstyle will hide the cowlick. You can style your cowlick hair into a pompadour, quiff, spikes, blowout, or faux hawk with a taper fade or undercut on the sides and back. When styling cowlicks near your hairline in the front, you’ll want to use a high-hold pomade or gel for extra control.
If the cowlick is further back on your head, growing your hair out into a shaggy, tousled hairstyle will weigh down the rebellious hair. If you don’t want longer hair, then you’ll need to try different short haircuts like a buzz cut, crew cut, and crop top. With faded sides and short hair on top, your cowlick will not have enough length to be noticeable.
Hair Products For Cowlicks
The right hair product will make your cowlick blend into the rest of your hair. The best products to choose from are high-hold pomades, waxes, clays, and styling creams. If you have a stubborn cowlick, a light to medium product won’t work. Your hair needs to be pushed a little harder to go in the right direction. Strong products will stay in all day, keeping your wild locks in a neat hairstyle without your hair escaping into a messy cowlick. Whatever hairstyle you have chosen, a heavy-duty hair product is the best bet to tame your mane.
Use A Hair Dryer
Some men think that using a hair dryer won’t make a difference if they’re already applying a good amount of styling product. Luckily, using a hair dryer can make all the difference if you have a cowlick. Just letting your hair drip dry in the air will encourage the hairs, including the spiral of the cowlick, to fall in their natural direction of growth, so air drying makes your cowlick stand out. Using a blow dryer with a round brush will push your hair in the direction needed for whatever hairstyle you’re aiming for and hide your cowlick. A good blowout can eliminate the cowlick by adding heat, volume, and fullness to your look.
Grow Your Hair Out Longer
Medium to longer hairstyles look great on men with cowlicks because long hair has more weight and drags the hair down in an orderly direction. Gravity is your friend. Shoulder length or even longer hairstyles make cowlicks disappear into the rest of the hair. A lot of men think that keeping the hair short will hide their cowlick, but the reality is that men with more hair have more places to hide the cowlick.
Use Less Shampoo and More Conditioner
If you don’t want to grow your hair out, there are other ways to weigh it down. Ramping up your conditioner use is the easiest way to smooth out a cowlick without a radical change to your hairstyle. While shampoo can dry out your hair and make your hair difficult to control, a quality conditioner will flatten the cowlick and make it easier to comb by adding weight and moisturizing the hairs.
Talk To Your Barber
If you need advice, talk to your barber about the best haircuts for cowlicks in the front and back. Asking your barber for professional tricks and hair care tips can be the perfect way to get a stylish hairstyle and recommendations on the right hair products to use. While going to a top-rated barber shop might cost more money, you’ll walk out with a cool hairstyle and an educated opinion on how to get rid of your cowlick. Everyone’s hair is different, so a barber can give you advice on your specific type and cowlick. Barbers and stylists have seen it all and are in a good position to give you advice on dealing with these problems.
Cowlicks Are Sexy
Cowlicks can be sexy. Celebrities like Zac Efron, Leonardo DiCaprio, Chris Hemsworth, and Tom Hardy all have cowlicks and are proud of them. By embracing your cowlick and styling your hair around it, you will get a unique hairstyle. That confidence and willingness to embrace your individuality is hot to women.
How To Fix A Cowlick
- Change your hairstyle so that your cowlick blends in with the rest of your hair.
- Don’t shampoo daily and start using a top-rated conditioner more often.
- Stop cutting your hair and grow it out longer.
- Use a strong pomade, wax, or clay to style men’s hair.
- Talk to your barber and get professional advice about getting rid of and styling your cowlick.
- Instead of trying to hide or stop your cowlick, work it into your haircut for a sexy and unique look. You don’t have to change your natural hair to get a trendy hairstyle.
