What Is a Cowlick and How Do You Hide One?

Cowlick hair troubles can make achieving your hair goals and styling your strands a struggle. What happens is, a section of hair grows in a different direction or pattern than the rest of your mane, and it can prevent your hair from laying how you’d like. While you can’t wave a magic wand and bid a cowlick hairline farewell (oh, how we wish you could), there are things you can do to hide it and make your hair more manageable.

Below, we’re sharing everything you need to know about hair cowlicks. We’ll answer what a cowlick is, how to fix a cowlick, and offer up all our best styling tips. Read on for the scoop.

What Is a Cowlick?

A cowlick is that funny little piece of hair that grows in a completely different direction than the rest of your hair. It can look like a swirl or tuft of hair sprouting up from your crown, hairline, or anywhere on your scalp. The term "cowlick" comes from the swirled effect seen in the hair of young cattle after their mothers lick them.

Cowlicks are extremely common, but they can range from unnoticeable to glaringly obvious. They tend to be less apparent if they’re on your crown and you have long hair. Hair texture can also impact how noticeable cowlicks are. With straight hair, it’s easier to see when some strands are growing in a different spot. Fine hair is also likelier to stick up and can be more challenging to tame.

As you might guess, cowlicks are easier to hide with wavy and curly hair. The twists and turns in your strands help conceal the stubborn tufts. Likewise, thick hair is heavier, which can make it easier to control a rebellious cowlick.

What causes cowlicks?

If you have a cowlick hairline or crown, you can likely thank one or both of your parents—genetics are the main reason cowlicks crop up as your hair grows. Surgeries or injuries to your scalp can also cause cowlicks; if you’re left with a scar, the hair growth pattern may change.

Is it cowlick or calic?

Cowlicks are sometimes mistakenly called calics. Both refer to a piece of hair that grows at a different angle than the rest of your hair, but “calic” is an incorrect spelling and pronunciation. Cowlick and calic can sound very similar, which is the reason for the confusion.

Can You Get Rid of a Cowlick?

Cowlicks are a natural part of your hair’s growth pattern, and you can’t get rid of them. With that said, you can definitely make them less noticeable and easier to manage. There are ways to tame or hide these pesky strands so they blend more seamlessly with the rest of your hair. With the clever use of hair products and tools, and by following our helpful tips, you can learn how to fix a cowlick and achieve a smoother, more polished look. Whether it's through strategic styling, using the right products, or employing the perfect blow-drying technique, your cowlick hair can be controlled and kept in check.

How To Fix a Cowlick: A Step-By-Step Tutorial

If you have a cowlick, your blow dryer will be your best friend when it comes to trying to get rid of it (temporarily). Basically, when your hair is damp, you’re going to want to blow-dry your cowlick in the opposite direction that it naturally grows. Follow our easy how-to below.

Step 1. Blow dry in the opposite direction

If your cowlick grows straight up, then try blow-drying the section of hair downward to readjust the direction that the hair is sitting. This trick also helps to create volume. Don’t forget to prime your strands with a heat protectant like the L’Oréal Paris Elvive Dream Lengths Frizz Killer Serum Leave-In before reaching for your blow dryer.

Step 2. Guide the hair with a round brush

Next, use a round brush to blow-dry your bangs, until they’re fully dry and the cowlick is unnoticeable. Try blow-drying your hair toward the left first, then toward the right. This back-and-forth motion helps to "reset" the hair's natural fall and break the strong pattern of the cowlick.

Step 3. Blast your hair with cool air to set

When you finally have your hair where you want it, switch your blow dryer to the cool-temperature setting for a few seconds. This cold blast of air to finish things off will help to set the hair in place.

Step 4. Use a clip to hold the cowlick

After you’re done heat styling, use a small hair clip to hold your cowlick in place while you finish up the rest of your beauty routine. The longer you hold the hair down and train it in place, the more long-lasting it will be. Once you’re ready to head out, remove the clip and complete your hairstyle with a few spritzes of strong-hold hair spray, like the L’Oréal Paris Elnett Satin Extra Strong Hold Hair Spray.

3 More Ways To Hide a Cowlick

Ahead are three additional styling hacks you can use to temporarily hide a cowlick.

Use a strong-hold hair product

This one may seem obvious, but when you have a stubborn cowlick, you’ll want to use hairstyling products that have an extra strong hold. When styling your cowlick, pat it down to keep it from sticking straight up, and apply a hair pomade like the L’Oréal Paris Studio Line Overworked Hair Putty. When you’re putting the finishing touches on your hairstyle, you can also top it off with a strong-hold hairspray for extra staying power.

Change your part

Instead of fighting your cowlick every day, let it decide where it’s best to part your hair and enjoy the natural volume it provides. If your cowlick is noticeable from the front and you wish it weren’t, experiment with a middle part or a deep side part and see what’s the most flattering and natural-looking for you.

Experiment with new hairstyles

Just like changing your part, don’t be afraid to experiment with different styles like braids, buns, and ponytails to see what works best for you. You can also play around with texture. As we mentioned, cowlicks are usually most noticeable on straight hair. So, to distract from a cowlick and make it less obvious, try sporting wavy or curly hairstyles, like bathrobe curls or a curly perm.

Next Up: How to Style Micro Bangs