Hair whorls can ruin beautiful hair and sometimes make it very difficult to style your hair. If you have a section of hair that seems to grow in a different direction or pattern than the rest of your hair, you probably have a hair whorl. While you can't wave a magic wand and say goodbye to it, there are things you can do to cover it up and make it more manageable with your hairstyle.

What is a hair whorl?

A whorl is a small section of hair that grows at a different angle than the rest of the hair on the head.

What causes your hair to curl?

Whorls are genetic and are usually located at the top. They can also appear near the front of the hairline, in the middle of the forehead.

Since whorls tend to grow straight, they can also add desirable volume to your hair. While they can be annoying when it comes to ruining a particular hairstyle you want to try, they aren't always a bad thing and you can even use them to your advantage with a particular hairstyle.

How to get rid of hair whorls

If you have a cowlick, a hair dryer will be your best friend when trying to get rid of a cowlick (temporarily). Basically, while your hair is still damp, you'll want to blow dry the cowlick in the opposite direction of your hair's natural growth. Follow our step-by-step guide below.

Step 1. If your roots grow straight up, try blow-drying your hair downward to adjust the direction it lies. This trick also helps create volume. Don't forget to coat your hair with a heat protectant.

Step 2. If you have a hairline with a swirl that affects your bangs or layers, use a comb to blow dry left and right to cover up the swirl.

Step 3. Next, use a round brush to blow-dry your bangs in either a forward or reverse direction (depending on your preference and bang style), until your hair is completely dry and no more frizz is visible.

Step 4. Finally, when you have your hair the way you want it, turn your hair dryer to the cool setting for a few seconds. This cold air will help set your hair in place.

Step 5. Once you've finished heat styling, use a small hair clip to secure the ends of your hair while you complete the rest of your beauty routine. The longer you hold and secure your hair, the longer it will last. When you're ready to go, remove the clip and spray your style with a little strong-hold hairspray.

How to hide hair whorls

Change your hair parting style

Instead of fighting your curls every day, let your hair decide where to part your hair best and enjoy the natural volume it brings. Try different partings that will help you hide your curls while still giving you natural volume.

Try different hairstyles

Just like changing up your hair parting, don’t be afraid to experiment with different hairstyles like braids, buns, and ponytails to see what works best for you. It’s also worth mentioning that curls are often most noticeable on straight hair, so to distract attention and make them less obvious, try a wavy or curly look.