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Anchor hair with a side comb

A curved side comb can hold a front section away from your face while leaving the rest of your hair loose. Use a small section that reaches the side of your head without pulling.

Step by step

  1. A woman sweeps a small front section back while holding a curved side comb clear of her hair.
    STEP 1 OF 6

    Sweep a small section back

    • Start with dry, detangled hair and a smooth curved side comb. Keep it within reach; a fixed mirror can help you see the side of your head.
    • Use your fingers to sweep a small front section back above your ear. Hold it with one hand, leaving the roots relaxed and the rest of the hair loose.
  2. A woman supports a swept section and places the reversed side comb against its surface, with the teeth pointing toward the back of her head.
    STEP 2 OF 6

    Catch a little hair with the comb reversed

    • Keep holding the section. Take the comb by its solid edge with your other hand, with its teeth pointing toward the back of your head.
    • Turn its curve away from your head. Draw the teeth a short way backward across the held section, catching only a little surface hair.

    The teeth start by pointing away from your face. You are catching a thin layer to anchor the comb, not combing the whole section through.

  3. The side comb has been turned toward the woman’s face and is held slightly away from her head before sliding under the supported section.
    STEP 3 OF 6

    Turn the comb toward your face

    • Keep the section supported. Roll the comb over at that spot so the teeth change direction and point toward your face.
    • The comb’s curve should now follow the side of your head. Keep it slightly out from the scalp until you are ready to slide it underneath.

    If the turn pulls or traps too much hair, reverse the movement gently, release the caught strands and start again with less hair.

  4. A woman supports a swept side section while sliding a curved side comb forward beneath it.
    STEP 4 OF 6

    Slide the teeth under the section

    • Still supporting the hair, slide the teeth forward beneath the swept section and into a little of the hair underneath it.
    • Keep the comb flat along your head and stop once it holds. If the teeth press your skin or snag, back it out; do not push harder.
  5. A woman lowers her arms to check the swept section, with the comb’s teeth tucked beneath the hair and its solid edge visible.
    STEP 5 OF 6

    Lower your hands and check the hold

    • Let go and turn your head gently. The section should stay back without your hands supporting it, and the comb should not press, pull or sting.
    • If it slips, remove it using step 6 and refit with a little underlying hair. If it presses or pulls, try less hair or a closer fastening point.
  6. A woman supports her side section while easing the comb backward out of the hair.
    STEP 6 OF 6

    Support the hair and slide the comb out

    • When taking it down, support the swept section with one hand. With the other, hold the comb’s solid edge and slide it backward along its entry path.
    • If a strand catches, stop and ease it off the tooth with your fingers. Keep the comb still while freeing it; do not tug through the snag.
    • Once every tooth is clear, lift the comb away and let the hair fall. Remove shed hairs from the teeth and put it away.

About 1–3 minutes of handling for one familiar side sweep, including the check and later removal. Detangling, drying and wear time are separate.

Editorial estimate, not measured. Learning the turn, refitting or doing both sides can take longer.

You’re done when…

With your hands lowered, the section stays back and you can turn your head comfortably. The comb follows your head without pressing into skin. Support the section before sliding it out.