Styling the hair is usually performed on the Start or Rest Position NURBS curves. The simplest way is to edit the Start Position curves. For example, play the simulation to let the hair fall and when it stabilizes, select Hair > Set Start Position > From Current. For more refined editing of the Start Position, switch the display to the Start Position and use the curve editing tools. See Hair curve editing tools.
You can display both the Paint Effects “hair clumps” at the same time as the Start Position of the NURBS curves (Hair > Display > Current and Start). If you are at or near the start simulation frame, the Paint Effects display will update as you update the Start Position curves.
If the hair is fairly stiff and you want it to assume a non-straight shape (in the absence of external forces like gravity), then you can create and edit Rest Position curves. To create Rest curves, select the desired hairs and select Hair > Set Rest Position > From Current (or From Start). You can then display the Rest Position and edit those curves. You can only see the effects when you play the simulation.
You can lock curve length and reshape the curve(s) by selecting and moving the end CV(s). In addition to locking length, you can reshape curves using other items in the Modify Curves menu, including Straighten, Smooth, Curl, Bend, and Scale Curvature.
These same tools are available for editing NURBS curves. For detailed descriptions, see:
To use Lock Length while editing curves
To straighten, smooth, curl or bend hair curves