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20 Side-Part Hairstyles That Prove Millennials Were Right All Along

 

Much to the dismay of Gen Z'ers everywhere, the side-part renaissance is here. When celebrities like Taylor Swift, Jennifer Lopez, and Hailey Bieber all co-sign the comeback, it becomes quite difficult to argue against its revival. Before the ~youth~ decided it was "uncool," the style was lauded for being versatile, sleek, and appropriate for basically all hair types. And guess what? That still rings true.

The truth is, a multitude of generations are finally coming around to what Millennials have always known: side parts are just plain cute.

“Many of my younger clients, including Gen Z-ers, are embracing the side-part trend,” celebrity hairstylist Dimitris Giannetos told InStyle. “Whether the side-part backlash was exaggerated or not, it's undeniable that it's making a comeback.”

As the name implies, the side-part involves a deep, stylish part on one side, bringing balance to the face and allowing the hair to fall gracefully. Moreover, the side-part is extremely versatile, working on all hair textures and face shapes.

Meet the expert

• Jenna Spino is a hairstylist at Maxine Salon in Chicago.
• Raven Hurtado is a hairstylist at Maxine Salon in Chicago.

Whether your strands are long or short, straight or curly, a side-part offers a chic and polished look. Below, we tapped two pro hairstylists to highlight 26 side-part styles that might inspire your next trip to the hair salon.

Hollywood Wave

Jessica Chastain's fiery red locks infuse warmth and vibrancy into her chic Hollywood waves. To recreate this style, hairstylist Jenna Spino suggests using a 1.25" curling iron to curl your hair horizontally. "Afterwards, gently brush out the curls for a softer finish, and lightly spritz with hairspray to hold the style," says Spino.

Coily Bob

"This curly bob exudes sophistication with well-hydrated coils," says hairstylist Raven Hurtado. "To achieve this look, apply a leave-in conditioner to damp hair from roots to ends. Use a pick to lift the roots for added volume. You can either air dry or use a diffuser for a flawless finish." 

Sleek Pixie

If you’re looking for a low-maintenance side-part look that’s easy to style, opt for something like Michelle Williams’s side-part pixie. “The best way to style this look is to flat wrap it using a Denman [brush], a blow dryer, and a heat protectant,” says Spino.

Hollywood Curls

This style is giving us Old Hollywood vibes. "To achieve this look, start by applying Oribe's Imperial Blowout Styling Cream to damp hair, then blow-dry for added volume," says Hurtado. "Using a 1-inch curling iron, curl the hair in one direction. As you reach the front section, curl and roll it up, securing it with pins to cool. Once cooled, brush out the curls until you achieve the desired look, then release the pinned curl and comb through. For added lift at the roots, use RPZL Volumizing Powder or velcro rollers. Finish with your favorite hairspray."

Sixties Flick

Skai Jackson’s side-part bang and flicked-out ends are giving us a retro ’60s vibe. To achieve this smooth, sleek look, blow out your hair till it’s bone straight, then go over it with a flat iron, says Spino. “I like to use the Trademark Beauty The Sunny Styler in an outward motion to flip the ends of the hair out. Make sure you use a heat protectant and a little hairspray at the end to hold the look.”

Low Ponytail

To achieve a super-polished look effortlessly, gather your hair into a low ponytail using a densely bristled brush to ensure a smooth finish. “To tame any flyaways, apply a small amount of wax stick or pomade for a sleek and refined appearance,” says Hurtado.

Sleek Bun

For a chic twist on tossing your hair up, take a cue from Karlie Kloss and opt for a side-part bun. Begin by parting your hair on the side, then gather it into a sleek ponytail. Wrap the ponytail around its base and secure it with bobby pins to ensure a neat finish.

Flawless Waves

For flawless wave definition like Lindsay Lohan's, Spino suggests using a 1.25" or 1.5" curling iron. “Ensure that all sections of hair are curled in the same direction before gently brushing them out. Finally, set the style with a spritz of hairspray," advises the stylist.

Cascading Curls

La La Anthony’s ultra-glam cascading curls can be achieved with a bit of curling iron action. “Use a 1.5-inch curling iron, curl away from your face,” says Spino.  “Then, apply a holding product to set and hold the curls, especially if your hair is long."

Flicked Lob

Embrace a playful and fun vibe with this hairstyle. Begin by smoothing your hair with a flatiron for a sleek look. Then, add a whimsical touch by flipping up the ends of the hair. Keep the style in place with a light spritz of hairspray, and tuck both sides behind your ears for a chic finish.

Tousled Waves

Naomi Campbell flaunts a subtly curved side-part paired with effortlessly tousled waves. According to Spino, achieving these loose curls is a breeze with a round brush or a large curling iron. For those looking to add extra length, consider using clip-in extensions, says the stylist.

Wet Look

For a sleek and edgy style inspired by Zendaya, consider rocking a side-part wet-look bun with styled edges. “Begin by parting your hair on the side and slicking it back with a strong-hold gel or mousse,” says Hurtado. Gather your hair into a high bun, ensuring the sides are smooth and sleek. Style the edges using a fine-tooth comb or a small brush to create defined lines. Finish with a glossy serum or edge control to enhance the wet-look effect and keep flyaways at bay.

Slicked-Back Pixie

Sharina Gutierrez’s slick-back style complements the precision of the side-part, while the pearl embellishment in the part adds a touch of luxury and femininity. Spino recommends achieving this polished look by using gel to sculpt the hair into place and blow-drying it in the desired direction. Finish off with an extra layer of gel or hairspray for added hold and shine.

Side-Swept Coils

"For those with coily or curly hair, I recommend using a curl cream such as Oribe's Curl Control Silkening Cream to define and refine your curls," advises Spino. "As you apply the cream, twirl individual sections of hair with your fingers to enhance definition. Repeat this process throughout your entire head for consistent results."

Pinned Bob

To achieve Zendaya's chic faux bob, start by parting your hair down the middle and creating loose waves using a curling iron. Next, gather the bottom section of your hair and secure it into a low ponytail at the nape of your neck. Then, tuck and pin the length of the ponytail under itself to create the illusion of a shorter length. Use bobby pins to secure the tucked hair in place and ensure a natural-looking bob shape. Finish with a light mist of hairspray to hold the style in place and add shine.

Boho Braid

Taylor Swift's side-part look with loose waves and boho braid embodies effortless elegance. The side-part adds dimension, while the loose waves create a romantic feel. The small, messy braid adds a touch of bohemian charm, making this look perfect for both casual and formal occasions.

Flipped Bob

“To recreate America Ferrera's stylish flipped-out bob, begin by creating a deep side-part,” says Hurtado. Next, blow-dry your hair straight using a round brush to add volume. “Use a flat iron to straighten your hair further, focusing on the ends,” says the stylist. Once your hair is smooth and straight, take small sections and curl them outwards using a flat iron or curling wand. This technique will create the signature flipped-out ends. Finish off with a hairspray so the style stays in place, and tuck one side behind the ear.

Full Bang

To achieve Jameela Jamil's effortlessly tousled hair with a side-part and bangs, start by applying a volumizing mousse to damp hair and blow-drying it with a round brush to add volume. Then, create a deep side-part. Use a curling wand to curl random sections of hair away from the face. "After curling, tousle the curls with your fingers or a comb to create a relaxed, lived-in look," says Hurtado. Finally, use a lightweight hairspray to set the style and keep the tousled texture in place. Flat-wrap the bangs using a paddle brush till the bangs are tame and smooth. Use a round brush to achieve bounce, then gently brush out the hair using your fingers as a comb.

Bouncy Bob

To give a side-part bob an extra bounce like Naomi Watts’s, start by blow-drying your hair with a round brush, focusing on lifting the roots. Once dry, use a curling iron to add a subtle bend to the ends. Finish with a spritz of volumizing hairspray to keep the bounce in place all day long.

Glamour Curls

"To recreate Chloe Bailey's stunning soft wave look, begin by applying a heat protectant spray and prep the hair with a texture spray for grit," says Hurtado. Use a 1.25" curling iron to curl the hair from mid-length down to the ends. Let the curls cool down completely, and then separate the curls with your fingers." Part your hair to the side and smooth down the edges using a styling gel or edge control for a sleek finish. Finally, lock it in with a light-hold hairspray.

Pin Straight

To give your pin-straight hair a little edge, try a side part à la Sandra Bullock. You may or may not need a hair straightener to achieve this look; either way, you probably want a little dose of leave-in conditioner to help preserve your strands.

Brushed Out Curls

Brushed out curls are a look all their own, but adding a side-part can make this look all the more voluminous. Once parted, smooth down the part with a good curl cream.

Faux Comb Over

One way to really commit to a side-part? Pull almost all of your hair over to one side, then slick back what's left and tuck it behind your ear like Charlize Theron. The resulting look is essentially the best of both worlds.

Blonde Bombshell

So sorry to inform you, but Bella Hadid made her triumphant blonde debut alongside a deep side part. Do with that information what you will.

Ultra Shiny

Kourtney Kardashian takes dressing the part as a rock star wife very seriously. For a recent night out, she wore a sleek side-parted bob with a high-shine finish and face-framing strands that added just the right amount of drama.

Copper Tones

Hollywood's coolest It-girl, aka Ayo Edebiri, always has a finger on the pulse of what's trending. Her recent red carpet appearance? Yup, it included a side part alongside her dreamy blow-out.