How To Style A Mohawk

Written by Kimberly Hart

As a lady who has been sporting her mohawk for several years now, I have come into contact with many methods of getting gravity defying hair - from gelatin to hair spray, and school glue to expensive gels. It all depends on your hair, and how easy it is to handle. Only you can determine which method is best.

The first thing that you must ask yourself is just what sort of mohawk are you going for? There is more than one type - that's for sure. If you would like to dedicate your life to getting those perfect spikes up high and just right, than welcome to my daily nightmare - I mean, uh, routine.

For the past few years, I have noticed a trend that has come about. The mohawk has snuck it's spiky head back into everyday life - and in what form? A short and stubby cut known as the "faux hawk" - or, put very bluntly - a Fake Mohawk.

Personally, I was hoping that more of an authentic 'hawk might have came about, but that's just how mainstream society works. Mainstream society sees an alternative and underground look, tones it down a little, markets the crap out of it, and incorporates it into their own lame culture. Nowadays, you can see popular celebrities such as David Beckham styling their hair into an embarrassingly stubby 'hawk. If you are going for this look, almost any sort of styling gel or glue will hold it up - but I am not going to waste my time on such lame rip-off styles.
 
I am a PROUD female owner of a tall and beautiful mohawk - and there is nothing subtle or toned down about it. It's a good foot high, black, and most of the time - fluffy. I will go into details about that later.
 
If you have fine or thin hair, putting up a set of spikes, also known as "Liberty Spikes", will be much more easier for you. Start subtle with hair spray or gel. Wash and blow dry your hair, spray thoroughly with hair spray, and part your hair into large or small sections - depending on how big you want your spikes. Holding one spike at a time, spray it with hair spray or mold with a hair gel or glue. As you hold them, take the other hand and give it a good blast with the hair dryer. Keep holding and blowing until it is dry and holds itself in place.
 
If you are going for more of a fin look, also known as the "Fan", this will take a bit more practice. Scoop your hair into sections, spray, gel, hold, smooth into a flat fan, and blow dry. Personally, I find that resting your head sideways on your bed works very well - but don't forget to lie down a towel. If you are doing this for the first time, it also helps to have someone help you. After many days of wandering around with an obscure or crooked mohawk, you will eventually get this method down to an art.
 
For those of us who have thick hair, sometimes finding a product to get your hair up can prove to be difficult. If you don't mind sacrificing your hair, I would suggest going for some good old Knox Gelatine. Just mix an envelope of this powder with enough water to form a paste, and than use as you would any sort of gel. They even sell Knox Gelatin in a gel form - you can find them at the grocery store with the Jell-O. If you are looking for a rock hard 'hawk, this is the way to go. If you take care of it and touch it up everyday, you can keep it up for weeks if you wanted to. It may take a few shampoos to wash out, and friends might start to complain about the awful smell due to the fact you haven't washed your hair in weeks - but if you wanted a 'hawk, you've got one baby.
 
Other "gels" that may be worth a try can be things like school glue or egg whites. When using glue, get your hands on the blue stuff - you know, the school glue that goes on blue but dries clear. Do NOT use white school glue, unless you want a good case of heavy looking "dandruff". Same goes for egg whites - use as a normal gel, but be warned that it can go flaky as well.
 
Now, earlier I told you about my mohawk, and how it is big black and fluffy - this is called a "deathhawk". Now, a deathhawk, about 3 inches wide, is much thicker than a standard mohawk, which is about an inch in diameter. This allows you to do more of a "fluff" than prominent spikes or fans.
 
To get this effect, wash and blow-dry your hair. Apply a good coat of a very strong but weightless hair spray - my personal favorite is Dove's "Extra Hold hair spray with Natural Movement & Weightless Moisturizers". What you want is a very tall and fluffy 'hawk, but you don't want to use any gel, as gel weighs it down. Get yourself a teasing comb, wide wire brush, or a fine pick comb.
 
Starting at the ends of your hair, brush towards the scalp instead of away - this creates fluff, also known as "back-combing". I would suggest starting at the front, and working your way towards the back - but this depends on your comfort. Repeat the back-combing with layers of hair spray, and you have yourself one big fluffy 'hawk, my friend.
 
If all of these instructions sound a little too rigid and excessive for you - a mohawk might not be your thing. Why not show off your "rebellious" side and style your hair like Mr. Beckham?
 
Happy 'hawking!