​They can add extra shape to a midi cut, give height and movement to blunt cuts, help to showcase pretty layers and they also look great 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,” he says. Dua Lipa’s side-part feels cool and confident. And Beyoncé 2024 Super Bowl side-part felt “powerful, polished and iconic,” says Carl.. 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 and 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:. Voluminous and natural. “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 will give it that moveable bounce and natural finish,” he adds.. Not strictly straight. 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.