If you have a spot where your hair grows in the opposite direction from the rest of your hair, it might be a cowlick. Although these irregularities in hair growth are common, they can make styling your hair challenging. Thankfully, there are numerous hairstyles you can try, regardless of your hair type or styling preference. We consulted three experts—two hairstylists and the former artistic director at Kérastase—for advice on how to conceal a cowlick. Keep reading for a comprehensive list of 24 hairstyles, ranging from long hair to curly updos and pixie cuts.
1. Side Part
Elle Fanning side part hair
Changing your hair part can effectively hide a cowlick. If your cowlick is in the center, consider switching to a side part. The fuller side will help conceal any bumps within your strands.
2. Middle Part
Anna Sawai middle part hair
For those with a cowlick on the side of the head or temples, a middle part may be ideal. Anna Sawai slicked her hair back behind her ears, which is an excellent way to conceal a cowlick.
3. Heavy Fringe
Heavy Fringe
Steve Granitz / Getty Images
If your cowlick is located right at the front hairline, Nina Dimachki suggests going for a heavy fringe. “Having heavy fringe will help weigh down over the cowlick so that if it pops up, it’s completely concealed. Ask your hairdresser to cut the thickest portion of the bangs directly behind the cowlick—think of the classic triangle bangs, where the triangle point is at the top of the head. Even if it’s slightly asymmetric, you’ll win the battle,” she explains. Use a texture spray like Moraccanoil Dry Texture Spray to style your fringe.
4. Curly Lob
Curly Lob
Taylor Hill / Getty Images
If you have naturally curly strands, you’re in luck! According to Trey Gillen, the natural bends, twists, and flips pair nicely with stubborn cowlicks. He recommends using Sachajuan Curl Treatment to achieve silky, workable, frizz-free curls. “This conditioning mask transforms stiff, coarse hair into smooth, soft curls,” he says.
5. Baby Bangs
Baby Bangs
Taylor Hill / Getty Images
Ready for a bold chop? Consider baby bangs. “Wear these choppy and straight—the cowlick will add to the character,” says Gillen. Use Sachajuan Moulding Spray to blend the cowlick into the rest of the fringe.
Byrdie Tip: Always blow-dry a cowlick opposite the direction it naturally wants to go, then direct the heat straight down on it to flatten it so it doesn’t spring up.
6. Curly Updo
Keke Palmer curly updo hair
If you have naturally curly hair, take advantage of the additional volume to hide your cowlick. An updo can be styled in various ways, whether you want a casual everyday look or something more elaborate. Create a high ponytail and let your strands fall loose on top. Carefully arrange your curls to complete the look and hide your cowlick.
7. High Ponytail with Face-Framing Strands
Selena Gomez high ponytail hair face framing
A slicked-back ponytail is not just a classic hairstyle; it can also conceal a cowlick. For extra coverage, opt for face-framing strands, which will help cover your temples and the sides of your face.
8. Loose Waves
Loose Waves
Ian Gavan / Getty Images
Blake Lively’s loose wavy hair is the perfect disguise for a cowlick, according to Dimachki. “This style is perfect for any cowlick, anywhere on the head. Its looseness in texture is forgiving to any accidental front or back partings from cowlicks, and the shoulder-blade length helps weigh it down from getting out of hand,” she says. Recreate the look using Ouai Wave Spray.
9. Wispy Bangs
Wispy Bangs
Frederick M. Brown / Getty Images
Instead of hiding your cowlick, embrace it and let it work in your favor. “Try a center part and allow the cowlick to separate your bangs for a carefree and easy fringe style,” says Gillen. He recommends using Sachajuan Hair Cleansing Cream as an alternative to shampoo and conditioner. “My clients swear they get the best blowouts after using it.”
10. Long Hair
Lex Scott Davis long hair volume
In some cases, longer hair can better conceal a cowlick. This is because longer strands hold more weight and can help flatten out any irregular volume.
11. Layered Lob
Cate Blanchett blonde layered lob bob hair
If you have medium-length hair or a lob, consider adding layers. It will help boost volume near the top of your head and hide your cowlick, especially if it is at the back of your head.
12. Blunt Cuts
Blunt Cut
Paul Zimmerman / Getty Images
If your cowlick is at the crown, Dimachki suggests cutting your hair all one length, as seen here on Olivia Palermo. “Keeping hair at one length will maintain the heaviness at the bottom that the hair needs to conceal any crown cowlicks. The finer the hair, the more tension is needed while blow-drying. [Apply] a hazelnut size of Kérastase L’incroyable Blowdry Crème Hair Cream to the crown area and massage it into the hair that the cowlicks are most affected, then use a small metal round brush, [which] is great to grip the hair while blow-drying without sacrificing soft volume,” she says.
13. Side-Swept Fringe
Side-Swept Fringe
Jon Kopaloff / Getty Images
If your fringe won’t cooperate, Gillen recommends growing it out into a side swoop with shoulder-length locks. “The shoulder length perimeter will flip up slightly and complement the swoop,” he explains. “Sachajuan Volume Cream gives just enough oomph without feeling like there’s product in the hair.”
Byrdie Tip: To get a pesky cowlick to disappear, break its growth pattern. Blow-dry your cowlick back and forth from right to left repeatedly. This will “overwork” the hair and cause it to lay flat.
14. Slicked-Back Bun
Slicked-Back Bun
Fred Duval / Getty Images
For days when unruly locks need taming, Dimachki recommends opting for a classic slicked-back bun or textured braid.
15. Pixie Wedge
Pixie Wedge
Elisabetta A. Villa / Getty Images
A pixie wedge is one of the best options for cowlicks at the back of the head. “Keeping the top and sides longer than a traditional pixie can add volume. These small changes make it easier to control the cowlick at the crown of your head,” Gillen explains. He recommends using Sachajuan Rootlift and a medium-size round brush to lift and control the area and keep it from separating.
16. Beach Waves
Singer Ciara with long, beachy waves in her hair
Paras Griffin/Getty Images
Beach waves aren’t just chic and timeless; they are also a great way to hide a cowlick. “Loose waves or beach waves are another great hairstyle to hide cowlicks. By having a tousled, textured look, cowlicks will be harder to notice. Finishing this style off with a soft finish hairspray will also help hold the style in place. I recommend using Pureology Soft Finish for this style,” says Jennifer Korab.
17. Modern Shag
Modern Shag
Taylor Hill / Getty Images
Want a trendy new haircut that will help disguise your cowlick? Try a modern shag. “It complements a cowlick with all the flirty, tousled movement,” Gillen explains. “Use Sachajuan Ocean Mist for beachy texture with movement and memory.”
18. Add a Barrette
Aisha Dee curly hair barrette
Don’t discount the utility of a hair accessory. Here, Aisha Dee wears fluffy curls with multiple barrettes along the top of her hairline. Not only is the final look immensely chic, but it’s also a great way to flatten loose strands.
19. Classic Pixie
Michelle Williams with a short, blonde pixie cut
Monica Schipper/Getty Images
Michelle William’s classic pixie cut is one of the best styles around for hiding a cowlick. “Pixie cut is a great haircut to help hide a cowlick,” Korab says. “This shorter hairstyle will help hide and camouflage the cowlicks making it easier to control them. I love to use a texture paste or spray when styling a pixie cut.”
20. Curly Hair
Roberto Cavalli fashion show model curly hair
Cowlicks are more noticeable on straight hair, so wearing your hair curly—and therefore more voluminous—can be a helpful way to hide a cowlick. If your hair isn’t naturally curly, consider opting for a curly perm or styled ringlets using a curling iron.
21. Slicked Back
Jennifer Lopez with slick back hair
Marc Piasecki/WireImage/Getty Images
Jennifer Lopez’s sleek, slicked-back style isn’t just chic; it also serves a purpose. “A slicked-back style is another great option to hide cowlicks,” Korab says. “Smoothing the hair down and sleek will control the cowlicks from popping up. I like to use a mousse to create this look and finish off with an oil for added shine. Use a firm hold hairspray to lock the style in place.”
22. Spiky Pixie
Celia Imrie spiky pixie cut
A messy or spiky pixie is a great way to add movement and volume to short hair. Here, Celia Imrie shows that the look can be dressed up for special occasions.
23. 90s Blowout
Cindy Crawford with a 90 inspired blowout
Steve Granitz/FilmMagic/Getty Images
Korab thinks the iconic and classic 1990s blowout—famously worn by Cindy Crawford—is one of the best hairstyles to hide a cowlick. “Long layers and styles like the 90’s blowout will help reduce the appearance of cowlicks. These styles are meant to have a tousled look and move in different directions,” she says. “Using a mousse like Kérastase Densifique Leave-In Thickening Mousse will help create movement and volume to enhance this style.”
24. Long Layers
Long Layers
Steve Granitz / Getty Images
Long layers are foolproof and also super flattering. Pair them with a long fringe to add some weight on the cowlick to help weigh it down. “Long layers and a longer, face-framing fringe will help with any cowlick,” Gillen says. “To get bounce and volume you’ll want to use a little more product with longer hair.” He recommends using Sachajuan Hair Mousse to recreate a similar look, as he says it is weightless but still delivers bounce and body.
