If you’ve ever spent way too long trying to tame that one stubborn section of hair that refuses to lay flat, you’re not alone. A cowlick can turn even the best hair day sideways—but the good news is that with a few professional tricks, you can train and control it. Today, we’re sharing six hairstylist-approved ways to fix a cowlick, whether you’re dealing with unruly bangs, a tricky crown, or a swirl that has a mind of its own.
Cowlicks aren’t flaws—they’re natural growth patterns. But if they’re ruining your sleek ponytail, fresh blowout, or fringe moment, these tips will help you conquer them for good.
What Causes a Cowlick?
A cowlick is simply a patch of hair that grows in a different direction than the rest. You’ll most often find them:
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At the hairline
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In the crown area
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Around the forehead or near the temples
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Along the nape of the neck
Cowlicks are usually genetic and totally normal. But with the right hair styling techniques, you can manage and style them like a pro.
1. Train Your Cowlick With Heat Styling
One of the most effective ways to fix a cowlick is to retrain the hair using heat. Hair stylists swear by:
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A round brush
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A blow dryer with a concentrator nozzle
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A straightener (used lightly)
How to do it:
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Start with damp hair—it’s easier to reshape.
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Use medium heat and tension with your brush.
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Blow-dry the cowlick in the opposite direction of its natural growth.
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Finish with cool air to lock the new shape in place.
This method helps your hair “unlearn” its stubborn pattern over time.
2. Style With the Right Products
Products play a huge role in taming unruly sections—especially at the roots. If your cowlick is lifting, separating, or creating unwanted volume, use lightweight but effective formulas.
Recommended styling products include:
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Volumizing mousse (helps anchor hair)
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Root-control gel or paste
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Light-hold hairspray
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Texturizing spray (to disguise separation)
Pro tip: Avoid heavy waxes or oily serums at the root—they can make the area look greasy and more noticeable.
3. Change or Adjust Your Part
Sometimes the easiest fix is a simple shift in your part. If a cowlick makes your middle part zigzag or creates puffiness at one side:
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Move your part slightly left or right
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Try a soft diagonal part
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Experiment with a deeper side part
Cowlicks often blend seamlessly when they’re not fighting the direction of your styling.
4. Use Water to Reset the Hair Shaft
If your cowlick acts up midday, wetting the area is the fastest way to reset it.
You can use:
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Water mist from a spray bottle
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Leave-in conditioner
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A hydrating curl-refresh spray
Once damp, reshape the section using your fingers or brush and allow it to air dry or hit it with a blow dryer for a quicker fix.
5. Consider a Strategic Haircut
Sometimes the only thing standing between you and cowlick control is the wrong cut.
Stylists recommend:
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Longer layers around the cowlick for weight
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Avoiding choppy bangs if your hairline flips up
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Trying side-swept bangs that follow the natural pattern
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Choosing feathered layers instead of blunt cuts
A professional can cut your hair in a way that works with your cowlick instead of against it.
6. Try “Root Training” With Daily Styling
Cowlicks can improve over time if you consistently style them the same way.
To root-train your hair:
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Apply light product to the damp cowlick area
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Comb hair into the desired direction
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Blow-dry using consistent tension
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Repeat daily for 2–3 weeks
Like muscle memory for your hair, repetition helps create a new pattern.
Bonus: When to Seek a Pro Hairstylist
If you’ve tried everything and still struggle, a hairstylist can offer:
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Customized product recommendations
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A cowlick-friendly haircut
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Texture or smoothing treatments
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Bang trimming for stubborn front cowlicks
Sometimes an expert eye is the quickest way to flawless styling.
Final Thoughts: You Can Beat Your Cowlick
A cowlick can definitely be annoying, but it doesn’t have to rule your hairstyle. With a mix of heat, styling products, smart parting, and consistent training, you can tame even the most stubborn swirl or lift. The key is working with your hair instead of fighting it.
Ready for smoother, sleeker, more manageable hair days?
Explore our hair tools, styling products, and salon-approved essentials to keep your strands looking flawless—cowlick or not.
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