If you want to master peyot care and styling, this guide covers everything you need to know.
I was twelve years old when I first noticed that my peyot (sidelocks) did not look like anyone else’s. In my Flatbush neighborhood, there were boys with short peyot tucked neatly behind their ears, boys with long, tightly wound Chassidic curls, and boys with everything in between. My own peyot were somewhere in the middle: too long to ignore, too short to curl properly, and perpetually frizzy from the Brooklyn humidity. Nobody taught me how to care for them. My father tucked his behind his ears and that was the end of the conversation. This guide is the one I wish I had growing up, covering every style of peyot across the spectrum of Jewish communities.
The Mitzvah of Peyot: Why We Wear Them : Peyot Care And Styling
The Torah states in Vayikra (Leviticus) 19:27: “You shall not round the corners of your head.” The poskim (halachic decisors) understand this as a prohibition against completely removing the hair in the sidelock area, which is generally defined as the hair growing in the region between the top of the ear and the temple, extending downward along the front of the ear.
The minimum halachic requirement for peyot is modest: enough hair to be grasped between the fingertips. This is why many Jewish men who appear clean-shaven actually have peyot but keep them very short, blending into the hair above and behind the ear. The longer, more visible styles of peyot worn in various communities go well beyond the minimum requirement and carry additional cultural and spiritual significance.
The Halachic Boundaries
The exact boundaries of the peyot area are discussed extensively by the poskim. The general consensus identifies the area as beginning at the hairline in front of the ear (roughly at the temple) and extending downward to the bottom of the ear. The specific boundaries can vary by posek, which is why some men keep peyot that extend below the ear while others maintain them only to the earlobe. Consult your rav for the boundaries your community follows.
Peyot Styles by Community
Modern Orthodox: Short and Tucked
In the Modern Orthodox world, peyot are typically kept at the minimum halachic length or slightly longer. They are usually cut to blend with the haircut and tucked behind the ear, making them nearly invisible to casual observers. The hair in the sidelock area is treated essentially like the rest of the hair.
Typical length: 1-3 inches, blending with the surrounding haircut.
Care needs: Minimal specialized care. The peyot are washed and maintained as part of regular hair care. The primary concern is keeping them neat and untangled.
Products: A lightweight styling paste or pomade (American Crew Forming Cream, $10) keeps short peyot in place behind the ear. Apply a small amount to the fingertips and smooth the peyot back during your morning routine. Avoid heavy gels, which can make the hair stiff and obvious.
Barber communication: When getting a haircut, tell your barber: “Leave the sideburns natural, do not fade or trim the area in front of the ear.” Most barbers understand immediately. If you have a regular barber who knows your practice, this becomes automatic.
Yeshivish/Litvish: Medium Length, Neatly Maintained
In the Yeshivish world, peyot length varies but tends to be moderate: long enough to be clearly visible but not long enough to hang past the jawline. They are often tucked behind the ear for professional settings and allowed to hang naturally in more casual or religious settings.
Typical length: 3-6 inches, often curling naturally at the ends. Mastering peyot care and styling takes practice but delivers great results.
Care needs: Regular washing and light conditioning to prevent tangling. The curl pattern at this length can cause the peyot to become knotted if neglected.
Products:
- Lightweight oil: A few drops of argan oil or jojoba oil ($10) worked into the peyot after showering keeps them soft and manageable. This prevents the brittleness that comes from daily tucking behind the ear.
- Leave-in conditioner: SheaMoisture Coconut and Hibiscus Curl Enhancing Smoothie ($12) applied to damp peyot reduces frizz and maintains a natural curl. A little goes a long way.
- Avoid heavy products: Anything that adds visible weight or shine looks unnatural on medium-length peyot. The goal is clean and neat, not styled.
Chassidic: Long Curls (Peyes)
In many Chassidic communities, peyot (often called peyes in Yiddish) are worn long, sometimes reaching the shoulders or below. The specific style varies by Chassidic group:
- Tightly wound ringlets: Common in Satmar, Munkacz, and related communities. The peyot are wound around a finger or pencil while wet to create defined spiral curls that hang in front of or behind the ears.
- Loose, natural curls: Common in Chabad and some other groups. The peyot are allowed to curl naturally without deliberate winding.
- Tucked behind the ear: Some Chassidic men keep long peyot but tuck them behind or over the ear, visible but not hanging freely.
- Wrapped around the ear: In some communities, the peyot are wound around the ear itself.
Typical length: 6 inches to shoulder-length or beyond.
Care needs: Significant. Long peyot require regular washing, conditioning, detangling, and setting. Without care, they become matted, tangled, and brittle.
Products:
- Beard and hair oil: Honest Amish Classic Beard Oil ($13) or pure jojoba oil ($10) applied daily to the full length of the peyot. Work the oil from root to tip with your fingers.
- Conditioner: A rich conditioner (Shea Moisture Raw Shea Butter Restorative Conditioner, $11) used in the shower 2-3 times per week prevents dryness and tangling. Leave on for 2-3 minutes before rinsing.
- Setting product for ringlets: For communities that wear defined ringlets, a light gel or curl cream applied to wet peyot before winding helps the curl hold its shape. Eco Styler Olive Oil Gel ($5 for a large jar) provides hold without crunchiness. Apply a small amount before winding around a finger or pencil.
- Detangling spray: For very long peyot that tangle easily, a light detangling spray (Johnson’s Kids No More Tangles, $4) used before combing prevents painful knots.
Yemenite (Teimanim): Distinctive Ringlets
Yemenite Jewish men traditionally maintain simanim (the Yemenite term for sidelocks) in a distinctive style: carefully formed ringlets that hang in front of the ear. The Yemenite style is recognizable for its precise, defined spirals, often thinner and more tightly wound than Chassidic peyot.
Typical length: 4-10 inches, wound into tight spirals.
Care needs: The tight ringlet formation requires specific technique and regular maintenance to maintain the spiral shape.
Products:
- Lightweight oil: Argan oil ($10) keeps the hair smooth without adding weight that would disrupt the tight spiral.
- Setting method: Traditional Yemenite technique involves winding wet peyot around a thin rod or the finger, applying a very light setting product, and allowing to dry in the wound position. The natural curl is trained over time to hold the spiral shape.
- Avoid heavy products: Heavy gels and waxes weigh down the thin Yemenite-style spirals and distort their shape. Lighter is always better for this style.
Sephardi (General): Varied Traditions
Sephardi communities beyond the Yemenite tradition have diverse peyot practices. Moroccan, Iraqi, Syrian, and Persian Jewish men each have their own customs regarding sidelock length and style. Many Sephardi men keep peyot at a moderate length, similar to the Yeshivish style, while others maintain longer or more defined styles based on family and community tradition.
The care principles are universal: wash regularly, condition to prevent dryness, use oil for moisture, and avoid heavy products that weigh down the hair.
Daily Peyot Care Routine
Regardless of your style, here is a daily routine that works for all peyot lengths: Understanding peyot care and styling is key to a great grooming routine.
Morning (2-3 Minutes)
- Detangle gently: Use your fingers or a fine-tooth comb to gently work through any tangles from sleeping. Start from the ends and work upward. Never yank through a knot.
- Apply oil: 1-2 drops of lightweight oil (argan or jojoba) rubbed between fingertips and worked through the peyot from root to tip. This adds moisture and reduces frizz throughout the day.
- Set or position: If you wind your peyot, do so after applying oil on damp hair (from a quick splash of water or leave-in conditioner). If you tuck them, smooth behind the ear.
Evening (1-2 Minutes)
- Release: If your peyot have been tucked or wound tightly all day, release them to let the hair relax.
- Finger-comb: Gently separate any hairs that have become stuck together during the day.
- Optional oil: If your peyot feel dry, another drop of oil before bed keeps them soft overnight.
Shower Days (2-3 Times Per Week)
- Wet the peyot in the shower.
- Apply a small amount of conditioner (not shampoo, which strips too much oil). Work through with fingers.
- Leave the conditioner on for 1-2 minutes while you wash the rest of your body.
- Rinse thoroughly.
- Pat dry with a towel (do not rub, which causes frizz).
- Apply oil and set/position as desired.
Common Peyot Problems and Solutions
Tangling and Matting
Cause: Sleeping on peyot without releasing them, insufficient moisture, friction from clothing.
Solution: Nightly release from any tucked/wound position. Daily oil application. For severe tangles, saturate the tangled section with conditioner, let sit for 5 minutes, then slowly work through with a fine-tooth comb starting from the ends.
Frizz
Cause: Humidity (Brooklyn, I am looking at you), dry hair, rubbing with towels, over-washing.
Solution: Anti-frizz leave-in conditioner after washing. Pat dry instead of rubbing. Apply oil to damp (not dry) hair. In humid weather, a very small amount of light gel provides frizz control without stiffness.
Breakage
Cause: Aggressive combing, winding too tightly, pulling when tucking behind the ear, dry and brittle hair.
Solution: Always comb gently from ends to roots. Wind peyot loosely enough that you do not feel pulling at the roots. Regular conditioning keeps the hair flexible and resistant to breakage. If you notice significant breakage, increase oil application and reduce heat exposure (avoid blow-drying the peyot area).
Curls Losing Their Shape
Cause: Sleeping on them, weather changes, insufficient hold product, the hair getting too long for the curl to support itself.
Solution: Re-wind curls in the morning after dampening with water. Apply a small amount of lightweight gel before winding. For very long peyot that lose their curl under their own weight, consider a slightly stronger hold product (mousse rather than oil alone).
Skin Irritation Behind the Ear
Cause: Moisture trapped between tucked peyot and skin, especially in hot weather. Friction from constant tucking and untucking.
Solution: Make sure peyot are fully dry before tucking behind the ear. In summer, allow them to air-dry before positioning. If irritation persists, a small amount of zinc oxide cream ($5, available at any pharmacy) on the skin behind the ear creates a protective barrier.
What NOT to Use on Peyot
Some products that work fine on head hair are problematic for peyot:
- Heavy wax or pomade: These weigh down peyot and create a greasy, clumped appearance. They are also difficult to wash out, leading to product buildup.
- Strong-hold hairspray: Creates a stiff, unnatural look. If you need hold, use a light gel instead.
- Regular shampoo (on every wash): Too drying for the fine hair in the sidelock area. Use conditioner on most washes and shampoo only once a week or less.
- Heat tools: Curling irons or straighteners damage the fine hair of peyot quickly. Achieve curls through winding wet hair, not heat.
- Petroleum-based products: They coat the hair and prevent moisture absorption, leading to dryness beneath the product layer. They are also a potential chatzitzah (barrier) concern for mikveh (ritual bath) immersion.
Peyot Care for Children
A brief note for fathers, because this is where most peyot care education happens (or fails to happen, as in my case). Many boys receive their first peyot at the upsherin (first haircut ceremony at age 3). At that point, the hair is fine, thin, and needs gentle handling.
For young children: When it comes to peyot care and styling, technique matters most.
- Use a detangling spray (Johnson’s No More Tangles, $4) before combing. Children’s peyot tangle easily and tugging hurts.
- Wash with baby shampoo or a very gentle children’s shampoo.
- Skip the oil for young children (they will rub it on everything). A light leave-in conditioner spray works better.
- Teach winding technique gradually. Start by having the child wind their own peyot around their finger so they learn the motion.
For teenagers:
- This is when peyot care education matters most. Teach oil application, proper washing technique, and gentle combing.
- Teenagers are self-conscious about appearance. Help them find a peyot style that they feel confident about within your community’s norms.
- Make products available. A boy who has beard oil on his bathroom counter is more likely to use it than one who has to ask his parents for it.
Peyot and the Professional Workplace
For men who maintain visible peyot in professional settings, grooming matters. Well-maintained peyot communicate the same thing a well-maintained beard does: intentional care.
Short/tucked peyot: In most professional settings, short peyot tucked behind the ear are essentially invisible and require no adjustment for work.
Medium peyot: If your peyot are visible when tucked, ensure they are clean, oiled, and neatly positioned. Stray hairs or frizzy peyot attract more attention than neat ones.
Long peyot: Long peyot are a visible religious marker. In my experience, the professional world is more accepting of visible religious practice than many people expect. The key is overall grooming: if your peyot are clean and your clothing is sharp, you project professionalism regardless of sidelock length.
Recommended Products by Peyot Style
Short/Tucked (Under $20)
- American Crew Forming Cream ($10) for hold behind the ear
- Jojoba oil ($10) for daily moisture
Medium Length ($25-$35)
- Jojoba or argan oil ($10) for daily moisture
- SheaMoisture Curl Enhancing Smoothie ($12) for frizz control
- Fine-tooth comb ($5)
Long Chassidic Curls ($30-$40)
- Honest Amish Classic Beard Oil ($13) for daily moisture
- Shea Moisture Restorative Conditioner ($11) for shower days
- Eco Styler Olive Oil Gel ($5) for ringlet setting
- Detangling spray ($4) for knot prevention
- Fine-tooth comb ($5)
Yemenite Ringlets ($25-$30)
- Argan oil ($10) for lightweight moisture
- Light leave-in conditioner ($8) for frizz and setting
- Fine-tooth comb or thin rod for winding ($5)
Frequently Asked Questions
How long do peyot need to be to fulfill the mitzvah?
The minimum halachic length is hair long enough to be grasped between the fingertips and bent over. Practically, this means even very short sideburns can satisfy the requirement if the hair has not been completely removed from the defined area. The longer styles worn in various communities go beyond the minimum for reasons of minhag (custom), hiddur mitzvah (beautifying the commandment), or Kabbalistic significance.
Can I trim my peyot?
Trimming peyot with scissors is generally permitted as long as you maintain at least the minimum halachic length. The method of trimming is subject to the same halachic analysis as beard trimming: scissors are clearly permitted; electric trimmers require halachic evaluation. Some communities (particularly Chassidic) do not trim peyot at all. Follow your community’s practice and consult your rav. For the halachic trimming principles, see our halachic shaving guide.
My peyot are curly but I want them straight. Is straightening them permitted?
There is no halachic prohibition against straightening peyot. However, from a grooming perspective, I would advise against chemical straighteners or heat tools, which damage the fine sidelock hair. If you want a straighter appearance, applying oil to wet peyot and combing them flat against the side of your head while they dry achieves a smoother look without chemical or heat damage.
Do I need to do anything different with peyot during Sefirat HaOmer?
During Sefirat HaOmer (the counting period), haircut restrictions apply to peyot just as they do to other hair. Continue washing, oiling, and grooming as normal, but do not trim. If your peyot grow past your usual length during Sefirah, simply tuck or wind the extra length until the restriction period ends. For full Sefirah grooming guidance, see our Sefirat HaOmer beard care guide.
My son is approaching his upsherin. How should I prepare his peyot?
At the upsherin (first haircut at age 3), the barber will leave the peyot area uncut. The initial peyot will be short and fine. Start with a gentle detangling spray and your fingers for combing. As the hair grows, introduce a fine-tooth comb and eventually a light oil. Do not use styling products on very young children’s hair. Teach the care routine gradually, making it part of the morning and evening rituals.
The Bottom Line
Peyot are one of the most visually distinctive elements of observant Jewish life, and they deserve the same care and attention as any other aspect of grooming. Whether you keep short, tucked Modern Orthodox peyot, long Chassidic ringlets, or Yemenite-style spirals, the principles are the same: keep them clean, keep them moisturized with lightweight oil, detangle gently, and avoid heavy products that weigh them down or create buildup. A few minutes of daily care transforms peyot from something you tolerate into something you are genuinely proud of. My twelve-year-old self would have appreciated knowing that.
Last updated: February 2026 | Avi Feldman
Further reading: For research-backed grooming advice, see Healthline Men’s Health.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the difference between peyot styles in Modern Orthodox versus Chassidic communities?
Modern Orthodox communities typically wear short peyot tucked neatly behind the ears, while Chassidic communities maintain long peyot styled into tight curls. The length and styling reflect each community’s interpretation of Jewish law and cultural traditions, with variations also appearing in Yeshivish, Yemenite, and Sephardi communities.
What should I include in my daily peyot care and styling routine?
Your morning routine should take 2-3 minutes and focus on detangling and positioning your peyot according to your preferred style. Your evening routine needs 1-2 minutes to gently comb through and prepare them for sleep, with more thorough care on shower days to cleanse and condition them properly.
How can I prevent frizz and tangling in my peyot?
Use a wide-tooth comb or detangling brush on damp hair rather than dry hair to minimize breakage and frizz. Applying a light leave-in conditioner or anti-frizz serum designed for textured hair, combined with tucking your peyot behind your ears at night, can significantly reduce these common issues.
Is it appropriate to wear peyot in a professional workplace setting?
Yes, many professionals successfully wear peyot in corporate and workplace environments by styling them neatly and tucking them behind the ears. The key is maintaining a polished, professional appearance while respecting your religious observance, though you may want to consider your specific workplace culture.