Hi, I’m Lena — a professional hairstylist with over a decade of salon experience. In my chair I’ve seen how a simple side part can transform a look, add instant volume, flatter face shapes, and refresh grown-out color. This gallery of 24 side part hairstyles for women highlights styles for short, medium, and long lengths and every texture from poker-straight to tight curls. Whether you want a polished blowout, undone beach waves, a sleek side-swept bob, or a romantic half-up style, I’ll help you choose the right side part technique to balance your features. Pro tips I use in the salon: start with a damp, product-balanced foundation (volumizer or smoothing cream as needed), blow-dry with a round brush for lift at the root, and finish with a light-hold spray or texture mist. These images will give you inspiration and practical guidance to recreate looks at home or discuss precisely what you want with your stylist.
Sculpted Vintage Bob with Deep Side Part and Glossy Inward Waves
This polished, chin‑length sculpted bob suits straight to slightly wavy hair and adapts well for fine, medium or thick textures with minor adjustments. Start on towel‑dried hair: apply a volumizing mousse at the roots and a heat protectant through the lengths. Blow‑dry with a large round brush to create lift at the root and a smooth curved finish at the ends. Form the inward waves using large hot rollers or a 1.25–2 in curling iron, wrapping sections away from the face and pinning each curl to cool for best set. Once cool, gently brush through with a boar‑bristle brush or wide paddle to blend into a soft sculpted wave and define the deep side part with a tail comb. Tools needed: blow dryer, large round brush, large‑barrel curling iron or hot rollers, sectioning clips, tail comb. Products: heat protectant, root‑volumizing mousse, smoothing serum, medium‑hold hairspray and a lightweight shine spray or pomade for ends. Difficulty: moderate — requires practiced timing and sectioning. Maintenance: trim every 6–8 weeks, refresh waves on day two with a quick reheat, use dry shampoo at the roots, and sleep on a silk pillowcase to preserve shape and shine.
Vintage Hollywood Waves — Side-Parted Glossy S‑Waves
This polished side-parted S-wave is a classic Hollywood look that works best on straight to slightly wavy hair in medium to thick densities. Fine hair can achieve the shape with smaller barrels and a root-lift mousse; coarse hair benefits from smoothing serum and slightly higher heat. Technique: create a deep side part, work in setting lotion or mousse, then wrap uniform sections around a large-barrel curling iron (1¼–1½ inch) or use hot rollers. Clip each curl in place and allow to fully cool to set the S-shaped ridge, then gently brush through with a boar-bristle or soft paddle brush to blend into continuous waves. Tools needed: curling iron or hot rollers, tail comb, sectioning clips, boar-bristle brush, and a handheld dryer or cool-shot. Products required: heat protectant, setting lotion or volumizing mousse, lightweight oil or shine serum, medium-hold hairspray, and optional pomade for sleek edges. Difficulty: intermediate — precision parting and controlled brushing take practice. Maintenance tips: sleep on silk, refresh with a light mist and finger-shape, touch up individual waves with a curling iron, and trim ends regularly to keep the sheen and shape.
Side-Swept Long Layers with Undercut and Subtle Balayage
This look pairs a deep side part and long, face‑framing layers with a one‑side undercut and soft balayage—ideal for straight to wavy, medium to thick hair. The cut relies on long internal layers to create weightless movement while the undercut keeps one side sleek and modern. Technique: the stylist will clipper the undercut to client’s preferred length, then sculpt long layers and angled face pieces with shears; color is applied as hand‑painted balayage for natural dimension. Tools needed: clippers, salon shears and thinning scissors, round brush, blow dryer with concentrator, sectioning clips, flat iron or large barrel curling iron. Products required: heat protectant, volumizing mousse or root lift, smoothing serum or light oil, texturizing spray or dry shampoo, and a flexible‑hold hairspray. Difficulty level: medium — requires a professional to execute the undercut and blended layers; daily styling is straightforward. Maintenance tips: trim layers and tidy the undercut every 6–8 weeks, refresh balayage every 3–4 months, use a weekly deep conditioner, sleep on a silk pillowcase, and revive shape with dry shampoo and light texturizer between washes.
Long Layered Side-Swept Waves for Natural Volume and Movement
This long, layered side-swept wave is best suited to medium-to-thick straight or naturally wavy hair; fine hair can achieve the look with added face-framing layers and volumizing products. Start on towel-dried hair: apply a lightweight root-lift mousse and a heat-protectant spray, then rough-dry or blow-dry with a round brush to build root lift and smooth the lengths. Create loose S-shaped waves using a 1–1.25 curling wand or large-barrel iron, wrapping mid-lengths and leaving ends out for a relaxed, modern finish. Alternate curl direction for natural movement and cool completely before gently breaking up the curls with fingers or a wide-tooth comb. Tools: blow dryer with nozzle, medium round brush, curling wand/iron (1–1.25), sectioning clips, wide-tooth comb. Products: heat protectant, lightweight mousse/root-lift, texturizing spray, flexible-hold hairspray, lightweight shine serum for ends. Difficulty: easy–medium — requires basic blow-drying and curling skills; allow 20–30 minutes. Maintenance: trim every 8–12 weeks, refresh with dry shampoo between washes, use a weekly deep conditioner, sleep on a silk pillowcase, and avoid heavy products at the roots to keep volume.
Deep Side Part Sculpted Waves with Glossy Finish
Perfect for medium to thick hair and straight-to-slightly wavy textures, this deep side part with sculpted, glossy waves gives dramatic volume on one side and a sleek, tucked finish on the other. Start on towel-dried hair: apply a lightweight heat protectant and a small amount of root-lift mousse if you need extra body. Blow-dry with a round brush, over-directing at the roots on the full side for lift, and smooth the tucked side with a flat brush. Create large barrel curls with a 1.25–1.5 curling iron, curling away from the face in 1–2 sections; pin each curl to cool to lock shape. Unpin and gently brush through with a boar-bristle or paddle brush to form soft S-waves, then tuck the narrow side behind the ear and set with medium-hold hairspray. Add a light shine spray or serum for mirror-like gloss. Tools: sectioning clips, round brush, blow dryer with nozzle, curling iron, flat iron (optional), boar-bristle/paddle brush. Difficulty: intermediate. Maintenance: refresh with dry shampoo, touch up curls as needed, sleep on silk, avoid heavy oils, and trim every 8–12 weeks to retain shape and shine.
Hollywood Side-Swept Vintage Waves — Voluminous Style for Medium-Long Hair
A classic, side-swept Hollywood wave that reads polished and modern. Best suited to medium-to-long lengths and medium to thick hair density; fine hair can achieve the same volume with root-lifting products, Velcro rollers or strategic clip-in pieces. Start on towel-dried hair: apply a lightweight volumizing mousse at the roots and a heat protectant through the mid-lengths and ends. Blow-dry with a large (2–2.5 in) round brush to build root lift and a smooth bend. Create a deep side part, then set large sections in hot rollers or use a 1.5–2 in barrel curling iron, curling away from the face. Allow curls to cool fully before removing to lock the shape. Smooth through with a boar-bristle brush or wide-tooth comb to form continuous waves, secure one side behind the ear if desired, and finish with a shine serum and medium-hold hairspray for movement. Tools: blow dryer with nozzle, large round brush, hot rollers or large-barrel iron, clips, boar-bristle brush. Products: root mousse, heat protectant, light smoothing serum, flexible-hold spray. Difficulty: moderate — requires sectioning and timing. Maintenance: sleep on a silk pillowcase or use a loose hair net, refresh with light mist or quick reheating of flattened sections, use dry shampoo on day two and trim every 8–12 weeks to keep ends healthy.
Long Layered Waves with Deep Side Part and Side‑Swept Fringe
This salon-friendly long layered wave with a deep side part and side‑swept fringe suits medium to thick hair and works well on natural waves, loose curls or straight hair that wants added movement. The cut uses long, graduated layers and soft face‑framing pieces to create weightless volume and texture while keeping length. To style, blow-dry with a round brush or diffuser, then create loose waves with a 1–1.25 inch curling wand, alternating curl direction and leaving ends slightly undone. Tools: blow dryer, medium round brush, 1–1.25 curling wand, clips, wide-tooth comb and a flat iron for smoothing the fringe if needed. Products: lightweight heat protectant, volumizing mousse or root lift on damp hair, sea-salt or texturizing spray for separation, a small amount of smoothing serum on ends and flexible hold hairspray. Difficulty: easy–medium — achievable at home with basic hot tools and a little practice. Maintenance: trim every 8–12 weeks to keep layers fresh, use a weekly deep conditioner to prevent split ends, refresh second-day texture with dry shampoo or mist of salt spray, and sleep on a silk pillowcase or in a loose braid to preserve waves.
Asymmetrical Wavy Short Bob with Deep Side Part and Glossy Finish
A polished asymmetrical short bob with sculpted waves and a deep side part — ideal for clients wanting vintage glamour with modern edge. Works best on naturally wavy to straight hair that’s fine to medium in density; thick hair can wear this look too but may need thinning or longer layering to reduce bulk. Start with a clean, towel-dried base: apply a heat protectant and a light volumizing mousse (fine hair) or a smoothing cream (thick hair). Rough-dry with a round brush to set the deep side part, then section and create loose S-waves using a 1
Vintage Side‑Swept Finger Wave Bob with Glossy Finish
Salon-tested retro side-swept finger wave bob that reads elegant and polished. Suitability: works best on short to mid-length straight or slightly wavy hair and on fine to medium densities; very thick hair should be thinned or layered to avoid excessive bulk. Styling technique: create a precise deep side part on damp hair, apply a light setting lotion or mousse, then shape small sections into finger waves using a comb and setting clips or form pin curls and set under a hood dryer. For a contemporary finish, use a 1 curling or Marcel iron to create controlled S-waves and smooth with a boar-bristle brush. Tools needed: rat-tail comb, sectioning and setting clips, 1 curling/Marcel iron, boar-bristle brush, hairdryer or hood dryer. Products required: heat protectant, lightweight setting lotion or mousse, medium-firm gel for hold, shine serum, and a strong-hold hairspray. Difficulty level: moderate — precision and practice needed for symmetry. Maintenance tips: sleep on a silk pillowcase, refresh with a light mist and re-sculpt select waves, avoid daily shampooing, touch up with the iron as needed, and schedule trims every 6–8 weeks with weekly deep-conditioning for gloss.
Asymmetrical Textured Chin-Length Bob with Deep Side Sweep
This chic asymmetrical chin-length bob with a deep side sweep works best on straight to wavy hair and on fine to medium densities — it adds the illusion of fullness and frames the face. For thicker hair, ask your stylist to thin and texturize the interior to reduce bulk. Styling technique: start with a root-lifting spray or mousse on towel-dried hair, blow-dry using a round brush and a concentrator nozzle to sculpt the long fringe and create volume at the crown. Use a 1 curling iron or flat iron to add loose, outward-facing bends through the mid-lengths and ends; finish by breaking up the waves with fingers and a light texturizing spray for separation. Tools needed: hairdryer with concentrator, medium round brush, 1 curling iron or flat iron, sectioning clips, and a vent brush. Products required: heat protectant, volumizing mousse or root lift, texturizing spray or sea-salt spray, smoothing serum for shine, and a light-hold hairspray. Difficulty: moderate — expect a 10–20 minute daily routine. Maintenance: trims every 6–8 weeks to preserve the asymmetry, sulfate-free shampoo, weekly deep condition, and dry shampoo between washes to maintain shape and lift.
Vintage Hollywood Waves for Medium-Length Hair with Side-Swept Bangs
These polished vintage waves suit medium-length hair (chin to shoulder) and work best on straight to softly wavy textures; fine hair benefits from root-lift products, while thick hair holds shape longer but requires smaller sections. Start with towel-dried hair, apply heat protectant and a volumizing mousse at the roots. Blow-dry smooth with a large round brush and set a deep side part. Create uniform S-waves with a 1–1.25 curling iron or Marcel iron, curling all sections the same direction and immediately pinning each curl to cool for 10–15 minutes. Release pins and lightly brush through with a boar-bristle brush to form continuous, glossy waves. Finish with a medium-hold hairspray and a few drops of lightweight serum on the ends for shine. Tools: blow dryer, large round brush, 1–1.25 curling iron or hot rollers, sectioning and duckbill clips, boar-bristle brush. Products: heat protectant, volumizing mousse or root spray, medium-hold hairspray, smoothing serum. Difficulty: moderate — requires timing and patience but achievable at home. Maintenance: sleep on a silk pillowcase, refresh with low-heat touch-ups or hot rollers, use dry shampoo between washes, and deep-condition weekly to preserve shine.
Hollywood Side-Swept Waves for Long, Voluminous Hair
Salon-ready Hollywood side-swept waves designed for medium to thick, long hair and those with natural waves or straight textures seeking body. Start on clean, towel-dried hair: apply heat protectant and a lightweight volumizing mousse at the roots. Blow-dry with a round brush and nozzle to build lift, creating a deep side part. Use a 1¼–1½-inch curling iron or heated rollers to form large, uniform S-shaped curls; curl away from the face on one side and toward it on the other for a sculpted sweep. Clip each curl to cool for a crisp set, then release and brush through with a boar-bristle or paddle brush to soften into waves. Finish with drops of serum on ends for shine and a medium-hold hairspray to lock shape without stiffness. Tools: blow dryer with nozzle, round brush, 1¼–1½-inch curling iron or hot rollers, clips, boar-bristle/paddle brush. Products: heat protectant, volumizing mousse, light serum, medium-hold hairspray, dry shampoo for refresh. Difficulty: intermediate — requires sectioning and setting. Maintenance: sleep on a silk pillowcase or loosely pin waves, refresh with dry shampoo and a quick reheat touch-up, and trim every 8–12 weeks to prevent weight pulling down the wave.
Side‑Swept Sculpted Bob with Vintage Wave
This polished, side‑swept sculpted bob with a single vintage‑style wave suits straight to naturally wavy hair and works well on fine to medium density. Thick hair can wear the look with some thinning or a smaller barrel size to reduce bulk. Technique: start on clean, towel‑dried hair. Apply a heat protectant and a light volumizing mousse at the roots. Blow‑dry with a medium round brush to create lift and a smooth base, establishing a strong deep side part. Use a 1–1.25 curling or Marcel iron to form the large S‑shaped wave on the heavy side, clip each curl to cool so it sets, then gently brush through with a boar‑bristle brush to soften into a single sculpted wave. Tools: hairdryer with concentrator, medium round brush, 1–1.25 curling iron (or Marcel), sectioning clips, tail comb and boar‑bristle brush. Products: heat protectant, volumizing mousse/root lift, flexible‑hold hairspray, lightweight shine serum or pomade, and dry shampoo for next‑day body. Difficulty: moderate — precision and heat‑control skills required; recommended to have a stylist set the first wave. Maintenance: trim every 4–6 weeks to maintain shape, sleep on a silk pillowcase, refresh with low heat or a quick mist of water and reshape with fingers, and use dry shampoo between washes to preserve volume and hold.
Short Finger Waves — Glossy Side-Parted Vintage Bob
Suitable for straight to slightly wavy, medium-density hair and ideal on short, chin- or ear-length bobs. Create a deep side part on damp hair, apply a lightweight setting lotion or strong gel, then sculpt S-shaped finger waves using a fine-tooth comb and your fingers (or a small-barrel/Marcel iron for quicker shaping). Secure each ridge with duckbill or wave clips and use a cool-shot from a blow dryer or air-dry until fully set. Tools needed: rat-tail comb for parting, fine-tooth comb, duckbill/wave clips, small-barrel curling or Marcel iron (optional), and a blow dryer with cool shot. Products required: heat protectant, setting lotion or styling gel, lightweight pomade or shine serum for sleekness, and flexible-hold hairspray. Difficulty: Moderate — precision and timing are key; clients often get best results in-salon for crisp ridges. Maintenance tips: sleep on a silk pillowcase, refresh waves with a light mist of water and gentle finger reshaping or a small amount of pomade, avoid heavy brushing, and book trims every 4–6 weeks to maintain the clean silhouette.
Side-Swept Deep Part with Soft S-Waves (Long Hair)
Suitable for medium to thick straight or naturally wavy hair; finer hair will benefit from root-lift products and texturizing sprays to hold the shape. Start on towel-dried hair: apply a heat protectant and a lightweight volumizing mousse at the roots. Create a deep side part and blow-dry using a round brush and concentrator nozzle, directing hair to the heavy side for natural fall. Use a 1¼–1½ curling iron or large hot rollers to form polished S-waves—curl mid-lengths away from the face and smooth ends inward for a modern finish. Clip each curl to cool, then gently brush through with a paddle or boar-bristle brush to blend into soft waves. Smooth the sweeping fringe with a flat iron if needed. Tools: hairdryer with nozzle, round brush, curling iron or hot rollers, clips, paddle/boar-bristle brush and fine-tooth comb. Products: heat protectant, volumizing mousse or root spray, light smoothing serum, flexible medium-hold hairspray and shine mist. Difficulty: moderate; expect 30–45 minutes. Maintenance: sleep on a silk pillowcase or loosely pin to the side, refresh with dry shampoo, touch up a few curls as needed, trim every 8–12 weeks and use a weekly mask for shine.
Asymmetrical Side-Swept Undercut with Voluminous Waves
This asymmetrical undercut with long side-swept waves suits straight to wavy hair and medium to thick textures—fine hair can work with added volume, while very curly hair should be relaxed or smoothed for the same polished look. Technique: the sides and back are clipped short (clipper #1–#4 depending on desired contrast) while one side is left long and blended with scissors for a soft transition. Blow-dry the long side with a round brush to create root lift and a smooth sweep, then create loose, uniform waves with a 1–1.25 curling iron, alternating curl direction for movement. Tools needed: clippers, scissors, comb, sectioning clips, blow dryer, round brush, curling iron (flat iron optional). Products required: heat protectant, volumizing mousse or root lift, smoothing serum or lightweight oil, texture paste or soft pomade for hold, and flexible hairspray. Difficulty: moderate—ask a stylist for the initial undercut and blending; daily styling takes 10–20 minutes. Maintenance tips: clipper touch-ups every 3–6 weeks, trim long side every 8–12 weeks, monthly deep-conditioning, refresh waves with targeted heat, and use dry shampoo to preserve shape between washes.
Side-Swept Voluminous Waves for Long Hair (Hollywood Soft S-Waves)
From salon practice, this polished side-swept wave suits medium to long lengths and works best on straight to slightly wavy hair. Start on clean, towel-dried hair: apply a heat protectant and a golf-ball sized amount of volumizing mousse from roots to mid-lengths. Blow-dry with a round brush creating a deep side part and lift at the roots. Use a 1¼–1½ inch curling iron (32–38 mm) and wrap sections away from the face, holding each for 6–8 seconds. For a structured, vintage finish, clip each curl against the head and allow to cool fully. Release and gently brush through with a boar-bristle or paddle brush to form soft S-waves, smoothing flyaways with a small amount of serum. Finish with a flexible medium-hold hairspray and an optional texturizing mist at the ends for separation. Tools: blow dryer, round brush, curling iron, duckbill clips, paddle/boar brush, fine-tooth comb. Products: heat protectant, volumizing mousse, smoothing serum, flexible hairspray, dry shampoo. Difficulty: Moderate — requires timing and sectioning. Maintenance: sleep on a silk pillowcase, refresh with dry shampoo and light re-spray, touch up front pieces with a curling iron, trim ends every 8–12 weeks, and deep-condition weekly.
Asymmetrical Side Undercut with Sculpted Side-Swept Waves
This bold asymmetrical undercut with sculpted side-swept waves suits medium to thick hair and works well on naturally straight to wavy textures — fine hair can also wear it with soft layering or temporary extensions. Technique: clipper the undercut side with a defined hard part, leaving the opposite side long in long-layered sections. Create volume at the roots with a round-brush blow-dry, then form S-shaped waves using a 1–1.25 curling iron or flat iron, brushing through for polished, soft movement. Tools needed: clippers (with guards), tail comb for a precise part, sectioning clips, blow dryer with nozzle, round brush, 32mm curling iron or flat iron. Products required: root-lift mousse or spray, heat protectant, lightweight smoothing cream or serum, matte paste or pomade to texturize the shaved side, and a medium-hold hairspray to set the waves. Difficulty level: moderate — the cut and hard part are best done by a stylist; daily styling takes 15–30 minutes. Maintenance tips: refresh the undercut every 2–4 weeks, trim long layers every 6–8 weeks, use dry shampoo to extend style between washes, and sleep on a silk pillowcase to preserve wave shape and reduce frizz.
Sculpted Deep-Side Wave with Glossy Finish — Vintage-Inspired Glam
Designed for medium-to-long hair, this sculpted deep-side wave flatters straight to naturally wavy textures and works best on fine-to-medium density when layered for movement. Begin on clean, towel-dried hair with a root-lifting mousse and a thermal protectant. Create a pronounced deep side part and blow-dry smooth using a round brush or paddle, shaping the front into a swoop. Form loose, uniform S-waves with a large-barrel curling iron (1.25–2) or hot rollers, clip each curl to cool for maximum set, then gently release and brush or finger-shape into a single-sided cascade. Secure the swoop behind the ear with discreet pins and finish with a lightweight shine serum and flexible-hold hairspray to preserve movement without stiffness. Tools: tail comb, round brush, large-barrel iron or hot rollers, clips, bobby pins, paddle brush, blow dryer. Products: heat protectant, root-lift mousse, shine serum, flexible-hold hairspray (and optional light pomade for edges). Difficulty: moderate — requires precise parting and setting. Maintenance: sleep on silk, refresh with a light spritz and scrunch, touch up the front swoop with a flat iron as needed, and book trims and a salon gloss every 6–8 weeks to maintain shape and shine.
Asymmetrical Undercut Bob with Long Side-Swept Fringe
This asymmetrical undercut bob with a long side-swept fringe suits straight to wavy hair and medium-to-thick densities; fine hair can also work with added internal layering and texturizing for body. Salon technique: clipper one side to a short grade, use scissor-over-comb to blend the transition, point-cut the long side for movement and finish with a razor or thinning shears to soften ends. Styling method: towel-dry, apply heat protectant and a light volumizing mousse at the roots, then blow-dry using a medium round brush while sweeping the fringe across the face. Smooth sections with a flat iron for a polished look or create subtle bends with a curling iron for texture. Tools needed: clippers, professional cutting scissors, combs, sectioning clips, hairdryer, round brush, flat iron/curling iron. Products required: heat protectant, volumizing mousse or root lifter, texture spray or matte paste, light hairspray, nourishing oil for ends. Difficulty: intermediate — precision cutting is best done by a stylist; at-home styling is quick. Maintenance: buzz-side touch-ups every 3–5 weeks, shape long side every 8–10 weeks, use sulfate-free shampoo and weekly deep conditioning.
Asymmetrical Deep Side‑Part Lob with Textured Waves
Salon-ready asymmetrical lob that pairs a tapered short side with long, textured waves on the opposite side. Suitable for straight to wavy hair and medium to thick densities; fine hair can wear it with added layering and root-lift, while very curly hair benefits from smoothing before styling. To create the look: establish a deep side part, clip the shorter side back, then blow-dry the long side with a round brush to build root lift while smoothing the ends. Use a 1–1.25 curling wand to form loose, outward-facing waves through the mid-lengths, alternating directions slightly for natural movement. Tools: blow dryer with nozzle, medium round brush, large-barrel curling wand, clips, fine-tooth comb and flat iron for touch-ups. Products: heat protectant, volumizing mousse or root-lift spray, light smoothing serum or cream, sea-salt or texturizing spray for separation, and medium-hold hairspray. Difficulty: moderate — requires basic blowout and curling technique to balance volume across the asymmetric shape. Maintenance: trim the tapered side every 4–6 weeks and the long side every 8–10 weeks, refresh between washes with dry shampoo and texture spray, and sleep on a silk pillowcase or loosely pin waves to preserve shape.
Vintage Hollywood S-Waves with Deep Side Part — Glossy Mid-Length Styling
Salon-ready vintage Hollywood S-waves create a polished, high-shine silhouette best suited to medium-to-thick hair and lengths from chin to shoulder-blade. Start on clean, towel-dried hair: apply heat protectant and a lightweight mousse or setting lotion, then blow-dry smooth with a round brush. Create a deep side part and work in 1–1.5 sections, forming defined S-shaped waves with a Marcel iron, large-barrel curling iron, or hot rollers; pin each curl into place and allow to cool fully for maximum memory. Once cooled, release and gently brush through with a boar-bristle or paddle brush to soften into continuous waves, molding with duckbill clips at transition points for crisp S curves. Finish with a medium-hold hairspray and a few drops of shine serum at the ends. Difficulty: moderate — expect 45–60 minutes and a bit of practice to pin consistent wave patterns. Maintenance: sleep on a silk pillowcase or loose satin scarf, refresh waves with steam or a damp hand and re-sculpt with clips, use dry shampoo at the roots between washes, and avoid heavy oils at the scalp to keep volume.
Vintage Side-Swept Finger Waves on a Glossy Chin-Length Bob
Suitable for straight to slightly wavy fine‑to‑medium hair, this glossy vintage-inspired side-swept wave works best on chin-length to long bob cuts; thicker or coarse hair can adapt with stronger smoothing products. Begin on clean, towel-dried hair: apply a lightweight volumizing mousse at the roots and a heat-protectant serum through the lengths. Blow-dry smooth with a round brush and create a deep side part. Using a 3/4 Marcel or curling iron, form S-shaped waves in 1–2-inch sections, clipping each curve into place with duckbill clips to cool. Once cooled, gently smooth through with a boar-bristle brush to blend and soften the ridges, then define the front sweep with a small amount of pomade. Tools: hairdryer, round brush, 3/4 Marcel/curling iron, duckbill clips, tail comb, boar brush. Products: heat protectant, volumizing mousse, light setting lotion or pomade, medium-hold hairspray, shine spray. Difficulty: intermediate — requires practice with heat and clipping technique. Maintenance: sleep on silk, refresh shape with low heat or rewrap, use a tiny oil for ends, avoid daily shampooing and trim every 6–8 weeks.
Long Layered Blonde with Deep Side‑Swept Loose Waves
This polished, long layered style with a deep side part and loose waves suits medium to thick hair and works well on straight-to-wavy textures. The salon cut features face‑framing long layers that add movement and reduce bulk. To style: apply a lightweight volumizing mousse at damp roots, then blow‑dry with a round brush to lift the crown and smooth ends. Create a deep side part, section hair, and use a 1 to 1.25-inch curling wand to wrap mid‑lengths away from the face, alternating directions for a natural finish. Finger‑comb waves and finish with a light texturizing spray and flexible hold hairspray to keep movement without stiffness. Tools needed: blow dryer, round brush, curling wand or iron, sectioning clips, wide‑tooth comb. Products required: heat protectant, volumizing mousse or root lift, smoothing serum or lightweight oil for ends, texturizing spray, flexible hairspray. Difficulty: moderate — basic blow‑dry and curling skills needed; ask your stylist for layered shaping. Maintenance tips: trim every 8–12 weeks, deep‑condition weekly, use sulfate‑free color care (or purple shampoo for brassiness), and refresh second‑day waves with a spray mist and quick touch‑up curls. Sleep on a silk pillowcase to reduce frizz and preserve shape.
A side part is one of the easiest, most versatile adjustments you can make to elevate your hair. From my salon experience, small tweaks — moving your part an inch or creating a deeper side sweep — can soften angles, add volume to fine hair, or showcase layers in thicker hair. My professional advice: always prep with a heat protectant, choose a styling base (light mousse for volume, smoothing serum for shine), and finish with a flexible-hold spray so the movement reads natural. Maintain healthy edges with regular trims every 6–10 weeks, use a weekly deep-conditioning mask for texture and shine, and sleep on a silk pillowcase to reduce friction. Want a long-lasting lift? ask your stylist about strategically placed layers or a root-lift service. If you’re unsure which side suits your face best, try clipping a temporary part and take photos — it’s the fastest way to see the impact. Ready to try a new side part? Bring a few of the 24 images to your appointment and we’ll customize the look for you.