hair

WHERE TO PART YOUR HAIR

photos + post by: Kristin Ess 

Even if you have the best hair on the planet, you can get a little bored with your look. If you’re not ready for a drastic color change or a major chop job just yet, maybe you’ll want to try changing up your part first! It’s a great way to create a new look on yourself without making any major commitments. Below we’ve listed and shot 4 of our favorite parts on the gorgeous Meg, who has an oval face shape. If you don’t know your face shape you can find it in the post we did right HERE! Alright, let’s talk about our current favorite ways to part your hair…

A CENTER PART WITH WAVES. Create a center part using a pointed tail comb. Then create some wand or curling iron waves on a 1″, 1 1/4″ or 1 1/2″ barrel irons! A symmetric wave pattern around the face can be great in so many ways depending on where the curves of your waves fall. For example, if you want to draw out your cheekbones making them more prominent, make sure your wave pattern frames your cheekbones. That will create a widening effect. To minimize roundness in the cheeks, use a larger curling iron and make sure the waves curve inward where you’re trying to minimize and then curve back out below your chin. A center part can also minimize the the width of a forehead. Let’s say you have a very wide hairline with deep corners above your temples– a center part will conceal those deep corners. Try this look with both smooth waves and messy beach waves! If you have a very long face, center parting may elongate further so try the side partings below as well to see which one looks best!

SIDE PART WITH SOFT WAVES. We have a tutorial for these kinds of waves right HERE. Use a tail comb and create a deep side part and then start your waves. This look isn’t about tons of volume on top. It’s more about smooth, shiny, pretty hair with one side pinned back or pulled around the shoulder. I love this look on almost any face shape. It just brings out the beauty of your features rather making you focus on the face shape. I think that’s because it literally cuts off one whole side of the face so you don’t see the full face shape anyway. I love this for any party or event and I think this look will be classic forever so get used to it and give it a shot! Smooth down any fly aways with THIS trick!

SLEEK CENTER PART. You really have to love your shape and features to work this look. It highlights everything about your beautiful face! Part your hair straight down the center using a pointed tail comb. Blowdry the hair until it’s flat and smooth up top, then lightly run over it with a flat iron. Tuck the front pieces behind your ears (secure them with bobbypins if neccessary) and push everything back over your shoulders. Apply a light veil of strong holding hairspray and smooth down any fly aways using a fine tooth comb. Pair this parting with a super-sexy dress or a sleek pant suit. Wear this when you want to put focus on the makuep or on that night when you just want to feel like a bad a**!

HAIR FLIP. Saved the best for last! The hair flip is a deep side part with mega volume! You want to prep the hair with a volumizing mousse if you plan on doing this. Blowdry some mousse into the root, then add a burst or two or three of a texture spray. Add some flatiron or wand waves. Flip the hair to the opposite side that you plan on wearing it once it’s blowdried. Let it cool for 10-30 minutes. Then flip it all over to the other side. I like to pull out a piece or two on the less heavy side just to give it a little something for balance. Wear this anywhere! It’s so on point right now and very 90’s feeling. You can truly rock this with almost anything from jeans and t-shirt to an LBD.

We didn’t cover every single part possilbility but worry not, we’ll be back with more! Any specific parting requests? Be sure to write them in the comments below. Also show us your favorite part via instagram! We’re @thebeautydept!