HAIR TRENDS

Side-partings were everywhere at the BAFTAs, proving they're well and truly back

Middle-parting, who?

19 February 2024

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The side-parting has had a rough time of it. First, they were forgotten when we left them all behind in the noughties. Then, they were ridiculed when the next-gen dubbed them “cheugy” and old-fashioned. But, if the celebs or TikTok are anything to go by, we're firmly back on the side-parting train, because it turns out they can look majorly phwoarrr.

Obviously, this won't be news to those who devotedly remained loyal to flipped partings during those wilderness years, but expect extra company – because we keep seeing the style everywhere.

Case in point: the 2024 BAFTAs, where the likes of Sabrina Elba, Florence Pugh, Dua Lipa and Carey Mulligan were just a few of the A-listers to sport strong side-partings.

“The side part is definitely making a comeback,” confirms Louis Byrne, L’Oréal Professionnel Paris editorial artist. “It works well on both short and long hair and can be styled for any occasion.” The biggest benefit, perhaps, is that flexing your parting back on itself can provide some seriously impressive volume, especially if you're flipping your hair against its natural direction of growth.

Plus, the style offers up so much versatility within one simple switch-up, depending on how you style it. For example, deep side-partings (as seen on Florence Pugh) can look heavy and edgy, leaning into the grunge aesthetic. “I see a deep side part as power hair,” says Syd Hayes, BaByliss ambassador and session stylist.

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Side-partings are also a staple partner to the glamorous Hollywood waves we often see on the red carpet, as Dua Lipa proved with her cascading bouncy curls at the BAFTAs. They also pair perfectly with the '90s supermodel blow dry, to give bombshell voluminous hair.

Top tip? “A great way to train hair into a side part is to position the part when the hair is wet or damp,” suggests Byrne. Then apply a hair oil for shine and a layer of hairspray for hold. “You can also use long flat clips to hold the hair into place,” adds Byrne: “when the hair is positioned and clipped, blow dry or air-dry hair before removing the clips.”

Ultimately, a side part can look cool and sophisticated. It can also make the most of natural texture by working with your strands to create pretty volume and movement.

Scroll down to see the stars that embraced the flip at the 2024 BAFTAs, before getting inspired by the best ways to style a side-parting…