Remember the uproar on social media a few years back, during which Gen Z declared the easiest way to spot a millennial is by whether they part their hair in the center or to the side? Well, that’s not exactly the case anymore. Gen Z celebs like Olivia Rodrigo, Zendaya, Olivia Dean, Jenna Ortega, and Gracie Abrams have all been seen wearing the once-Millennial staple. It’s safe to say: The side part is so back.
As far as hairstyles go, a side part isn’t exactly groundbreaking. But it is a fantastic way to create more volume or quickly change up your look without getting a big haircut. Unless, you know, you want to, and in that case, your stylist will likely ask how you prefer to style your hair, says Eric Marshall, Nashville-based hairstylist and owner of Eric Marshall Salon. “I always ask if they want to flip their part, just because if I know for a fact they're going to flip it, I definitely cut down the middle,” he says.
If you’ve been parting in the middle for a long time but are ready to make the trek back where you belong, let us help you. Below, you’ll find all the details on side parts, including a ton of styling recommendations and ideas.
Why the side part is back
Nostalgia is partly to blame. We all look toward the early aughts for inspiration (think: French tip nails, bixie haircuts, low-rise jeans), so the next natural step was a side part. But style and beauty have also slowly become more individualistic. As a result of AI and algorithm slop, everyone not only wants a way to express themselves, but to feel less like the herd. When the internet (largely Gen Z) was up in arms over the departure of the side part a few years ago, it was only natural that a counterculture would emerge.
But Wright is looking toward Gen Z celebs, like Kaia Gerber. Her character in The Shards (as well as many of her red carpet and press appearances) wears a side part. “She has definitely set the trend for high school and how girls dress,” he says. The look isn’t as deep as what we used to back then, too. Today’s look is slightly off-center rather than all the way to one side, Wright adds.
To be fair, “being a hairstylist for 20 years, a lot of my clients never left the side part,” says Wright. “So I'm glad to actually see the side part back, because getting people with a natural side part going into the middle was not something I could convince my clients into when they were used to having their side part all along.” And he’s grateful it’s back. “The middle is pretty, but it's nice to have a variety of variation going back and forth between a side and a middle part.”
What face shapes look best with a side part?
To be fair, the “rules” around face shapes and haircuts and styles are mostly made up. Do what you want, regardless of your face shape. And honestly, virtually any face shape can pull off a side part. But Wright especially loves it on oval and heart-shaped faces “to offset the asymmetry of the look so it draws the eye up more.”
How to style a side part
1. Vintage Glam
A roller set to create big, bouncy curls looks especially striking when paired with a side part. “I recommend getting a paddle brush and just directionally getting all that root dry in place so it stays toward one side,” says Wright, “then going in with your round brush tools to create curls.”
2. Wet Shine
Wright loves a side part on a bob because it pairs well with all the clean, blunt lines. To play this up even further, try a wet look by slicking your hair down with a gel or mousse.
3. Tousled Waves and Curls
“Curly hair is great with a side part because you can flip all the body to one side and give it more volume,” says Wright. So, enhance your natural texture with a curl cream or mousse, then direct your part slightly off center while you diffuse or air dry.
4. With Side Bangs
“I love the big fringe,” says Wright, “so you can keep that directed forward toward the face to give you the most volume.” If you need help getting your bangs to stay in place, direct them exactly where you want, then pin them with a creaseless hair clip (perhaps while you get dressed or do your makeup) to let it set. Then, you can use hair wax for some extra hold.
5. In an Updo
A side part is fantastic for nighttime and special occasions. “You can twist your hair up in a chignon with a beautiful side part,” suggests Wright, similar to the looks Gracie and Jenna have above. An updo also really lets hair accessories (clips, barrettes, headbands, you name it) shine, which Wright loves for pulling back hair while adding another element to the look.
6. Maximize Volume
Long hair can always be flipped to either side, says Wright, so a side part is fantastic if you want to make your hair appear a little more voluminous. He recommends spritzing on a volumizing spray or mousse before blow-drying for max body.
7. Soft and Smooth
A classic blowout might look even better with a side part. There, I said it. Just make sure you’re using heat protectant before smoothing with a round brush and dryer, says Wright. This ensures your hair looks smooth, silky, and hydrated, not fried (that’s the biggest distinction between a look that feels current versus what we had in middle school).
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Beth Gillette is the beauty editor at Cosmopolitan with eight years of experience researching, writing, and editing hair, makeup, nail, and fragrance stories.
Beth Gillette is the beauty editor at Cosmopolitan, where she covers skincare, makeup, hair, nails, and more across digital and print. She can generally be found in bright eyeshadow furiously typing her latest feature or hemming and hawing about a new product you "have to try." Prior to Cosmopolitan, she wrote and edited beauty content as an Editor at The Everygirl for four years. Follow her on Instagram for makeup selfies and a new hair 'do every few months.
