Amanda Holden has just reminded us that sometimes, all a haircut needs is a change of direction – no dramatic chop, £150 salon appointment or existential hair crisis required. The Britain's Got Talent judge has swapped her usual sleek middle parting for a sweeping, up-and-over side parting, instantly giving her mid-length hair a little more bounce, body and overall volume. Fine strand girlies, listen up.
The look made its debut in an Instagram video promoting Amanda's ITC genealogy show DNA Journey, alongside her close friend and comedian Alan Carr. And while the pair were, naturally, the main event, it was Amanda's hair that caught our attention. Soz, Al.
For context, here's a look at Amanda's signature style:
And here is the clever side-parting trick:
Rather than sitting flat and symmetrical on either side of her face, Amanda's face-framing strands have been brushed to one side, creating a soft, sweeping fringe shape. The result is subtle, but for anyone with fine hair, it's a clever little optical illusion.
Lifting the roots on one side makes the hair appear fuller overall and, best of all, doesn't require a whole new cut.
Everyone's clicking on...
To recreate the look, start by creating a deep-ish side parting (go too far, and you risk entering Tumblr's emo scene era circa 2001) while your hair is damp, then blow-dry the roots in the opposite direction to where you want them to sit. Once dry, sweep the fringe back across and over, using a round brush to encourage a little lift and curve.
Finish with a touch of hairspray to set everything in place, and you're good to go. The easiest volume hack in the book! Thank you, Amanda, we all say in unison.
Follow Lia on Instagram.Lia Mappoura (she/her) is the Beauty Writer at Cosmopolitan UK, with over four years of experience reporting across the brand's print, social, video and digital platforms. Lia covers everything from emerging trend analysis to viral celebrity hair and makeup moments, making her an expert at spotting the season’s next big beauty look (before it takes over social media feeds).
In 2025, she was named The Rising Media Star at the Love Perfume Awards with The Perfume Shop, recognised for her outstanding digital fragrance content and for building genuine authority within the space. She is passionate about challenging outdated beauty stereotypes, championing inclusive representation in beauty, and educating readers on the trends, products and conversations shaping the industry today. Follow her on Instagram or find her on LinkedIn.
