The ‘Soft Side-Part’ Is The Hairstyle Switch-Up You’re Craving

What haircut is good for a side part?

There’s so many ways to wear a side-part. “Side partings work beautifully with almost any hairstyle – a curly, textured, blown out look, a voluminous bob, a sleek bob, a low ponytail or long layered hair,” says Carl. “They’re incredibly versatile and flattering,” he adds.

They can add extra shape to a midi cut, they can give height and movement to blunt cuts, they can help to showcase pretty layers and they also look phenomenal with shorter chops (keep scrolling).

Depending on how you style it, it can project a different aura. Olivia’s side-part is “soft and gorgeous,” Carl says. Dua Lipa’s side-part feels cool and confident. And Beyoncé’s Super Bowl side-part felt is an example of how it can feel “powerful, polished and iconic,” Carl adds.

Why choose a side-parting?

Not only can a side-parting change your whole look (just as a fringe or a chop can), but it’s also perhaps the most non-committal styling hack in our arsenal. It can take seconds to flip out our parting, but the effect makes a noticeable difference. And, you can flip it straight back again for your next hair look. The most you’ll ever have to do is wash and reset, making it the sort of low-maintenance trend we can all access with ease.

Is a side part more flattering than a middle part?

A side-part is not necessarily more or less flattering than a middle parting, it just gives us range and more options in our arsenal. “It’s such an easy way to change up a look without changing the haircut. Even if you’re wearing the same sleek style or the same bouncy blow dry, simply switching the parting can completely transform the overall feel of the hair,” says Carl.

The look is heavy on retro references from the ‘60s and ’70s and has an old-Hollywood quality when worn glam. But it can also feel very easygoing and romantic when gently flipped and worn with natural texture. “A side-part instantly adds movement and shape while creating a prettier, more feminine finish to the hair,” says Carl. “It softens the overall look and works beautifully with the natural fall of the hair, making styles feel more effortless and romantic. A lot of my own clients love to experiment with side-partings too. I’ve styled side-parts on Kelly Rowland, Ariana Grande, Nicole Scherzinger, Ariana Madix and Maura Higgins, they all love trying a side part now and again,” he adds.

How to wear side-part hair

There’s so many ways to personalise the style and make it work for you. Carl has shared his tips for keeping it feeling fresh.

“My favourite way to style a side parting is with a soft blow dry and gentle movement through the lengths nothing too stiff or overly set,” Carl says. “I love creating a loose bend with a round brush or a large barrel tong and then brushing it out for a lived in, finish. A light texturising spray like Color Wow Style on Steroids to give it that moveable bounce and natural finish is perfect,” he adds.

You can skip a rigid line and keep your parting flexible. “The side parting doesn’t always have to go straight from the front to the back. Try a diagonal side part instead starting from the middle of the eyebrow on one side and working diagonally back towards the crown. It creates a more natural, flattering shape and adds volume and lift without looking too forced or obvious,” says Carl. Or loosely flip and see where your parting falls for an effortless feel.