Styling Tools And Products You Need To Help Tame Your Cowlick

If you or somebody in your household has a cowlick, chances are you've tried nearly everything to get that stubborn piece of hair to lay down. NBC News reported that if you have this hair-growth pattern, you're in good company. Among those who also have cowlicks are actress Kristen Stewart, supermodel Claudia Schiffer, and "The Pioneer Woman," Ree Drummond. 

Because the hair on your head needs to lay smoothly in three directions — forward, back, and to the side — the swirling growth pattern can become quite noticeable, especially if you have a shorter hairstyle. "In a perfect world, there would be a line so hair would know which way to go," Dr. Orr Barak, a dermatologist at Tufts Medical Center in Boston, told NBC News. But, unfortunately, hair isn't always perfect, which is why many people end up with one or more clockwise or counter-clockwise swirled hair growth patterns at various locations on their scalps. 

If the unruly whorl of hair is the bane of your existence, the good news is that you can tame it with the proper styling and products (via Knoji). Read on to find out how to get your cowlick to lay down.

If you deal with cowlicks, you know how tough it can be to coax it to lay down smoothly with the rest of your hair. According to Knoji, you can train your swirled hair pattern to fit into your hairstyle. You simply need a few hair tools and products along with a bit of know-how. 

Editorial hairstylist Anike Rabiu told Byrdie that the trick is to "manipulate the direction of the cowlick [at the] root by moving it in the opposite direction of how it naturally grows by using heat on wet/heat-protected hair." A root brush with flexible bristles allows you to brush the cowlick in the direction you want it to lay. Another helpful tool is a hot flat iron, which you can use near your roots to apply heat and direct the strands properly. Also, a hot hairbrush will apply heat as you brush the cowlick in the direction you want it to go. Finally, a strong gel can help set your hair and keep it where you put it.