kiss-curl

A woman adjusts a kiss-curl on her forehead in the mirror.

Definition

Noun: - A small, often spiral-shaped curl of hair that is deliberately styled to lie flat on the forehead or temple, typically as a fashion statement. This hairstyle is often associated with specific historical periods or subcultures.

Usage Examples

• (A small, styled curl placed on the forehead.)
• (A decorative curl used to enhance a vintage appearance.)

Advanced Usage

• "to have a kiss-curl": to sport this specific hairstyle feature.
  • He had a perfect kiss-curl that stayed in place all day. (He wore a small curl on his forehead as part of his style.)
• "a kiss-curl of hair": a descriptive phrase emphasizing the curl’s shape.
  • A single kiss-curl of hair fell across her brow. (A neatly arranged curl rested on her forehead.)

Variants and Related Words

• Kiss-curl (noun): the exact term; no direct variants, but related to "curl" (n) — a lock of hair that forms a spiral.
  • Her natural curls were beautiful, but the kiss-curl was carefully arranged. (The styled curl contrasted with her natural hair texture.)
• Curl (n): a lock of hair that is curved or spiraled.
  • He had a single curl that bounced as he walked. (A curved strand of hair.)

Synonyms

• Forehead curl: a curl placed specifically on the forehead.
• Spiral curl: a curl with a tight, circular shape.
• Ringlet: a small, hanging curl of hair (though ringlets are usually longer and looser).

Related Idioms

• A kiss-curl of fate: a poetic expression meaning a small, unpredictable twist of destiny (rare, metaphorical use).
  • That chance meeting was a kiss-curl of fate. (An unexpected, small event that changed things.)
• To wear a kiss-curl: to adopt a specific hairstyle as a personal trademark.
  • She always wore a kiss-curl to stand out in a crowd. (She used the curl as a distinctive feature.)

Phrasal Verbs

• Curl up: to form into a spiral shape (not directly synonymous with "kiss-curl" but related to the action).
  • She curled up a strand of hair to make a kiss-curl. (She twisted hair into a small spiral.)
• Pin down: to secure a curl in place.
  • She pinned down the kiss-curl with a bobby pin. (She used a pin to keep the curl flat.)

Additional Notes

• The term "kiss-curl" is historically associated with the 1920s flapper style, where women often wore a single, glossy curl on the forehead to emphasize a youthful, rebellious look. It is less common in modern hairstyling but appears in period dramas or retro fashion contexts.