If you’ve ever had a bad hair day, then you might have had a cowlick. Cowlicks can be in the front at your hairline or at the back of your head in the crown. Cowlick hair can be stubborn and annoying to deal with, especially when you’re styling your hair and want to look good. Whether you have short or long hair, there are many easy ways to hide or tame a cowlick, and men just need to experiment with the right method for their hairstyle. If you’re tired of having unruly hair, check out our complete on how to get rid of a cowlick. From hair products to men’s hairstyles, here’s everything you need to know if you want to fix a cowlick.
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What Is A Cowlick?
A cowlick is a section of hair that grows in a different direction, against the flow of hair, and resists being brushed flat. Cowlick hair is generally caused by genetics and most men find them at the crown of their head.
The name “cowlick” stems from a scientist who remarked that the phenomenon appears similar to when a cow licks its calf’s head and the hair stands up.
Are Cowlicks Genetic?
Cowlicks are genetic, although other factors can cause and affect your hair. Because cowlick hair is a result of your genetics, there is no simple way to permanently remove it or stop your hair from sticking up in the back or front.
The most prevalent theory about what causes cowlicks is that they have different collagen fibers and this results in unique natural growth patterns in the hair.
There is also evidence to suggest that this section of hair is formed in the uterus when you’re a baby. That means you’re going to have to deal with it for the rest of your life unless you start to go bald. Naturally, there are ways to tame a cowlick by either growing it out or hiding it.
Does Everyone Have A Cowlick?
Yes, everyone has a cowlick. Most people have a cowlick at the back of their head and some have a second one in the front or near the part in their hairline.
Cowlicks are common in both men and women, yet they are harder to spot with women because they usually wear their hair longer. The spiral of a cowlick is linked to your dominant hand. Right-handed men are 90% more likely to have a clockwise whorl, while left-handed guys have a 50% chance of a counterclockwise pattern.
Can A Cowlick Look Good?
Cowlick hairstyles can be sexy and cool. The trick to dealing with cowlicks is how you carry yourself. Men that embrace their cowlick hair are some of the most wanted guys on the planet.
Some of the most famous actors and celebrities such as Tom Hardy look good with a cowlick. Hardy’s cowlick is wild and untamed at the back, yet he pulls it off with style and sophistication. The key is not to let something that’s out of your control impact your confidence.
How To Get Rid of a Cowlick
Cowlick Hairstyles
There are many cowlick hairstyles you can style to cover up or tame this section of hair. The right men’s hairstyle for you will depend on where the cowlick is, your preferred way of cutting your hair, and the stylish look you want.
Good hairstyles for guys with cowlicks tend to start with medium length to long hair. Whether your cowlick is in the front or back, longer styles allow the weight of your hair to pull down the strands while blending in with the rest of your hairstyle. If long hair doesn’t suit your style, you should pick a cut based on the position of the lick.
Guys who get it at the front of the head can use a quiff, pompadour, spiky or side swept hairstyle to hide the cowlick. A short hair cowlick can also be styled messy with a matte product for a textured, natural finish. These haircuts and hairstyles for men work well if your hair is thick, full and healthy.
Men with short thin hair can spike it up so that the styling act as camouflage, whereas a cowlick in the front can be hidden with a fringed style or cropped top. Longer bangs can help deal with unruly hair when styling.
With short hair on the sides and back paired with a short to medium-length hairstyle on top, guys can style their with a cowlick in front and still look stylish.
Use The Right Hair Products
The best hair products for cowlicks depend on your hair type, length, haircut and the hairstyle you want to achieve. Men’s hairstyles like the crew cut, comb over, pompadour, quiff, slick back, and side part are going to require a styling product with a high hold.
If you want to style a shaggy, messy look, consider using a strong matte pomade, wax or clay for a textured finish. For guys with wavy or curly hair, a styling cream, sea salt spray, or mousse can enhance your hair’s natural texture while minimizing frizz.
When applying the best product for your cowlick, you’ll want to use a blow dryer to maximize the strength of your styling product.
Use A Hairdryer
Using a hairdryer should be your go-to move for dealing with a cowlick. Letting your hair dry naturally adds more emphasis to the flow of your tresses as they move in any position they please.
With a hairdryer, it’s easier to make your cowlick part of the cut as you can blow it out so that it appears less edgy. Do it while it’s wet as this will give your hair more flexibility, and use a brush to coax it into place.
Grow Your Hair Out
Growing your hair out works well because it incorporates extra volume and fullness into your style. When this happens, your hairstyle can hide the untamed parts and your cowlick won’t stand out as much. Longer hair is also heavier and can be used to fix a cowlick by weighing it down. For this reason, guys with short hair have more prominent cowlicks while long hairstyles tame the issue.
Use Less Shampoo and More Conditioner
You will need an alternative if you don’t like the way long hair looks, and using less shampoo and more conditioner is the answer. This is because your conditioner adds volume to your hair by imbuing it with oils and vital nutrients. Shampoo has the opposite effect, making your hair lighter and more likely to stand out in the form of a cowlick.
Talk To A Professional Barber
Your last resort is to speak to a professional barber or stylist about your options. Thanks to their specialist knowledge, they can advise you on what steps to take. For example, if you have short hair and want to grow it longer, ask your barber to cut it so that your cowlick is shorter and fades into your hairstyle rather than growing it out with the rest of your hair.
Stylists also know which hair products are the most useful, so it’s always wise to pick their brains.
Although consulting a professional may cost more than treating a cowlick yourself, at least you get peace of mind that it’ll be less noticeable after they’ve finished trimming and styling. If you have a friend who has a cowlick and like their cut, you should ask them which barber they use.
How To Get Rid of A Cowlick
- Use strong hair products such as high-hold pomade, wax, clay or gel.
- Grow your hair longer to add extra weight and volume.
- Choose a hairstyle for the type of cowlick. A quiff or pompadour is best for cowlicks in the front near your hairline, while a crew cut taper or crop top fade is useful if it’s in the back.
- Shampoo less and condition more often to take advantage of your hair’s natural oils.
- Ask your barber about new haircuts and hairstyles that will fix a cowlick.
- Work a cowlick into your style and embrace the look.