What is a Widow’s Peak on Men’s Hair?
Work that widow's peak like a boss!
A widow’s peak is used to describe a ‘peaked’ or slightly pointed central hairline on men and women. Its resemblance to the peaked hoods worn by widows during mourning is the main reason behind its seemingly morbid name. And some old wives’ tales have even suggested that the widow’s peak was a sign that you’d outlive your husband or wife! But the truth is, it’s just like any other hairlines, so fear not: the widow’s peak is completely harmless!
Don’t worry if you’re not completely clued up. In fact, we bet that for most people, their knowledge of this unique hairline is murky at best. So, to help you with your widow’s peak queries, we’ve taken it upon ourselves to answer some of the most common questions to aid in your hair education, below.
So, whether you love having a widow’s peak or think it’s cumbersome to style, find out everything you need to know about this mysterious-sounding hairline, below!
How do you get a widow’s peak?
The camps are split in the science barracks about what causes this distinctive hairline, but one thing’s for sure: like most of our physical characteristics, it’s genetic. So if you have one, you can thank your family for it because it’s pretty likely that one of your parents or grandparents has one, too!
Can you get rid of a widow’s peak?
There’s nothing you can do to rid yourself of this distinguished hairline. But if you’re not a huge fan of your widow’s peak, there are some clever styling tips you can adopt to hide it. For one, you can try a side parting, as this will help to partially disguise your widow’s peak. Try working some Lynx Signature Definition Wax (£4.29*) into towel-dried hair (this works best if you have medium-length hair) and mould it to one side. If your mane’s a little longer, then you could try a comb-over, too.
Another option for hiding your widow’s peak is, of course, by growing out a fringe. Depending on the results you want, try working in the VO5 Texture Surf Style Paste (£3.99*) if you want to add natural-looking textures to achieve a low-key, messy look. Or if a neater, more clean cut-looking fringe is what you’re after, try working in some Toni&Guy Mens Styling Fibre (£6.99*) into damp hair, before blow-drying gently until almost dry, then misting a strong-hold hairspray over the top to seal in the style.
The most important thing to remember is that if you don’t want to draw attention to your widow’s peak, try to avoid slicked-back hairstyles like ponytails and buns!
What hairstyle are there for men with widow’s peak?
Looking for styles and cuts that will help you embrace your unique hairline? Cool, brushed-up quiffs and classic slicked-back ‘dos are all perfect for showing off your widow’s peak. But if you’re looking for something a little more low-maintenance, then a classic, simple short crop, like the buzz cut, is a fail-safe option that’s perfect for the time-poor.
*RRPs are Unilever suggested retail prices only, it is at the discretion of the individual retailers to set the actual price.
