How to Curl Your Payos

What Are Payos?

Payos (also spelled peyos, peyot, payot) are the sidelocks of hair worn by many Orthodox Jewish men and boys, based on the biblical commandment not to shave the “corners” of the head between the temples and the ears.

Different communities keep payos in different styles: some wear long, visible curls in front of the ears, while others keep shorter strands tucked behind the ear.

Before You Begin

What You Need

• Clean, slightly damp hair (freshly washed or lightly moistened).
• A small amount of setting product such as hair gel, sugar water, or another light holding aid, if your community permits it.
• A fine-tooth comb.
• (Optional) A pencil or thin rod and a bobby pin for a tighter, more defined curl.

General Notes

• Be gentle to avoid pulling or damaging the hair.
• Do not use heated curlers or straighteners unless you have explicit guidance that this is acceptable in your community.
• If in doubt about any styling method, ask a competent rabbinic authority.

Method 1: Finger Curling

This method follows common rabbinic advice to curl payos with the fingers rather than using curlers.

1. Moisten the payos. Lightly wet each paya with water. You can add a tiny amount of gel or sugar water if you need more hold.
2. Comb the hair. Use the fine-tooth comb to gently remove tangles and smooth the hair in the direction you want the curl to fall.
3. Choose your direction. Many people curl the payos toward the face rather than away from it. Follow your family or community custom.
4. Twist with your fingers. Take the section of hair that forms the paya between your thumb and index finger and twist it in one consistent direction (for example, toward your face). Keep twisting from the roots down to the ends until the whole strand forms a spiral.
5. Set the curl. Hold the twisted paya in place for several seconds so it “memorizes” the spiral shape. If necessary, you can gently coil the curl against the side of your face or cheek and hold it for a moment.
6. Repeat on the other side. Curl the second paya in the same direction and with similar tension so both sides look even.
7. Let it dry. Allow the curls to air-dry without brushing them out. Once dry, avoid playing with them too much so they keep their shape.

Method 2: Pencil or Rod Curling

This method uses a pencil or thin rod to create a more uniform spiral, similar to how some traditional families style children’s payos.

1. Wet and comb. As above, slightly dampen the payos and comb out any tangles so the hair lies smooth.
2. Position the pencil. Place a pencil or thin rod underneath the paya close to the scalp, near where the hair begins above the ear.
3. Wrap the hair. Starting near the roots, carefully wrap the paya around the pencil in one direction (often toward the face). Continue wrapping until the entire length of the paya is coiled around the pencil.
4. Hold to set. Hold the pencil in place for a minute or two while the hair begins to set. For children, you can let them gently hold the pencil themselves while you work on the other side.
5. Optional pin. For extra hold on special occasions, you can place a small bobby pin at the top of the curl to keep it close to the head, if this is acceptable in your community.
6. Remove the pencil. Slide the pencil out carefully, leaving the spiral intact. Do not pull downward on the curl.
7. Allow to dry. Let the curls air-dry fully. Avoid combing through them afterward; only gently reshape with your fingers if needed.

Daily Care Tips

• Refresh the curls each morning by lightly dampening and retwisting them rather than fully soaking the hair.
• Avoid overusing strong products so the hair does not become stiff, sticky, or difficult to wash.
• Trim only according to halachic guidelines and the practice of your community, usually avoiding cutting the hair too short at the “corners” of the head.
• If your payos lose their curl during the day, you can quickly re-twist them with your fingers using the same method as above.