Parting our hair is something that most of us do as an afterthought. Many of us think that our part is something that is dictated by powers that our greater than us…Stubborn cowlicks, karma, or the hair gods.
Most of us have a part that works easily and falls naturally without a fight. This is a good thing, because fighting with our hair can be futile and frustrating. However, It doesn’t mean we can’t explore other options.
Playing with your part is a fun way to change up your hair to compliment your whole look. Over the decades, people have used their part to make subtle statements about who they are. There is a well documented theory on parts and what they say about us as people. Here is a great article.
Today, I am going to share with you Playing the part: 6 ways to change your look by changing your part. 6 parts, why they are awesome, and how to do ’em.
The center part
Awesome if you have medium to long hair. Great for all textures. Perfect if you like boho style. Best for oval and heart shaped faces. Wear it with your favorite pair of big ’70s shades . Wear it to the beach, and for casual day time chillin.
The California Fling
A casual toss of the hair to one side. This look is a rough side part, and then the hair is pushed back from the face and over to the side in a big ’90s wave. It is reminiscent of Kelly from Saved by the Bell, as well as many other 1990’s teen television stars. Works on all lengths of hair, best on hair with natural wave in it. Looks great on all face shapes. Good for those who like volume on the top and around the face, and are comfortable with asymmetry. It’s a loose, pretty, natural look.
Side part
A classic look for all face shapes. Good for straight to wavy hair, fine or thick. Play up your vintage waves, polish a short flirty look, put a pin in it to accessorize. Use a side part for up-do’s. It just works.
Part it on the left to assert your inner strength and savvy, on the right to show your softer, feminine side.
The Zig Zag part
Love this part. If you have noticeable roots and can’t make it to the salon or too your bathroom to touch em up, diffuse the line with a zig zag part. It can be done in the middle or on the side, or diagonally. Use a deep zig zag for curls. Great for any face shape, and for hair with natural texture to it. It can create a little of its own volume. Good part for low up-dos. Kind of a flirty look, right?
The Scene-ster Swoop
Do you have heavily layered hair? Is your hair very fine or thin? Do you have a round face? Do you like to listen to Arcade Fire when you ride your fixed gear bike? Do you LOVE to take pictures of yourself looking angry and tough? Then the Scenester Swoop is for you. This is an anti-part, to go with an anti-mainstream attitude. It is a movement of the hair as one mass from the crown forward, then across the face and over one eye. Try it!
The Big Bang
This is when the hair radiates from one point on top of the head. It works best with heavy bangs. It is a dramatic ’60s inspired look that works on all face shapes. It can be used on up dos or with the hair down. Hair must be straight or semi-wavy. This look is awesome on hair that is fine or thin, because the heavy bangs gives the illusion of thickness in general. Think Rashida Jones. It draws major attention to the eyes.
Here is a video I put together to show you how to achieve these different looks. Please excuse my sleepyness in the video. I have 2 young kids, and they don’t let me forget it;)
XOXO, HTHG
