Why Your Cowlick Decides Where Your Hair Parts
Learn how your cowlick controls your natural hair part and how to work with it for a better haircut.
Have you ever tried to comb your hair to the left, but it pops right back to the right? You might think your hair is just being stubborn. But there is a real reason for this. It is called a cowlick.
Here is how your cowlick works, why it chooses your natural part, and how to use it to get a great haircut.
What Is a Cowlick?
A cowlick is a small spot on your scalp where hair grows in a circle. It looks like a little swirl or a whirlpool. It got its funny name because it looks like a baby calf licked your head.
Most people have at least one cowlick near the crown, which is the top back part of your head. Some people even have one right in the front near their forehead. You are born with them, and they never go away.
Why It Controls Your Part
Your hair wants to follow the direction of the swirl. If the hair grows clockwise, it naturally leans one way. If it grows counter-clockwise, it leans the other way.
When you part your hair where the swirl wants it to go, your hair lies flat and stays smooth. If you try to force a part on the wrong side, you are bending the hair backward against its root. That causes your hair to puff up, stick out, or fall out of place all day.
How to Find Your Natural Part
You can find your true part in three easy steps:
Wet your hair completely in the shower or sink. Brush all your hair straight back away from your face. * Gently push the hair forward from the crown with your hand.
Watch where the hair splits open on its own. That line is your natural part. It points right back to your cowlick.
What This Means for Your Next Cut
Working with your cowlick makes your mornings much easier. Here is what to keep in mind:
Talk to your barber: Tell your barber where your cowlick is. Ask them to cut your hair so it follows your natural part. A good barber will leave extra length around a cowlick to weigh it down, or cut it short enough so it does not stick up.
Face shapes: A side part dictated by a cowlick works great for round and square faces because it breaks up the symmetry and adds height. If your natural part is close to the middle, it balances oval and long faces nicely.
Daily upkeep: If you work with your cowlick, you need less gel and less time with the blow-dryer. If you fight it, you will need strong pomade and heat every single morning to keep it down.
See Your Best Look First
Before you sit in the barber chair, it helps to see what style fits your head best. HairMatch AI scans your face shape for free. If you want to see how a new part or cut looks on your actual face, you can unlock realistic photo packs starting at just $0.99. Test your next style before the scissors touch your hair.