Term

Cowlick

A cowlick is a section of hair that grows in a different direction from the rest, often at the front hairline or crown, which can affect how short layers sit. It matters because it can push a fringe up or sideways and make crown layers stand differently. Tell your stylist before they cut, so they can work with the growth direction. A curtain or side-swept fringe is sometimes easier to manage than a blunt one. See also: Crown, Curtain bangs, and the guide Bangs and Shag Haircuts: Choosing a Fringe That Works.

A person seen from behind with a choppy, layered shag haircut in copper-brown against a warm amber background.

All terms