Before you go pick up that straightener or curling iron, there’s an even easier way to switch up your hair look. Instead of changing the texture, simply change your hair part. Switching up your part can make an old haircut feel like a new one and, in most cases, it takes seconds to do. Best of all, you don’t even need to worry about your part being perfectly straight.
If you normally wear your hair parted in one particular way or you just let your mane do its own thing, it’s easy to forget about what a difference parting your locks in a different place can do for your hair and your entire face. It really is one of the cheapest and simplest makeovers around. If you’ve ever looked at a celeb photo and thought they looked different, but you couldn’t figure out what the deal was, it was probably that they switched up their part.
If you think that hair parts start and end with center and side parts, it’s time to expand your mind. There are multiple variations you can create with just a comb and maybe a bit of hair gel. And if you want to make your new part really stand out, you can even add some glitter to it.
Keep reading for some hair parting ideas you’ll want to try stat.
18 Easy Ways to Switch up Your Part
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On the Side
Parts aren't just for the top of your head. Bring yours down to the side so everyone can see it. Use hair gel all over your head for a sleek, wet-look finish.
Image: Imaxtree
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Swept Up
A part doesn't necessarily have to have a crisp line. Experiment with parting your hair just off center. Slick one side down with gel and allow the other to fall down the side of your head.
Image: Imaxtree
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Way Over
Experiment with your part in half updos, too. Try a very deep side part in the front layers of your hair. Then scoop the remaining sections into a half updo. It'll put all of the focus on your unique part and gorgeous face.
Image: Imaxtree
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Double Up
One part is fun, but two is twice as good. Jennifer Aniston nails a multi-part look by dividing her locks with two staggered sections.
Image: Getty
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Zigzag 2.0
Remember how obsessed we were with dramatic zigzag parts in the 2000s? This is the modern, cool-girl version of that look. Instead of spending 15 minutes in the mirror trying to get a distinct zigzag wave, run a comb through your tresses in a wavy motion and let your locks fall where they please.
Image: Imaxtree
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Bangs Are Versatile
Girls with bangs have just as many part options as those without. Make your fringe feel fresh by parting the front diagonally across your head. Let the back layers fall wherever they want for an effortless look.
Image: Imaxtree
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Braid Days
Do you normally braid the layers around your hairline? Take things in the opposite direction by braiding a small section of your hair where you would usually have a center part. It adds some cool texture to your hair and you don't even need to worry about styling the rest of your head.
Image: Imaxtree
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Into the Deep
There are side parts, then there are really deep side parts. This one definitely falls into the latter category. Start your part so it aligns with the arch in your eyebrow and sweep the top layers of your hair over your face. Don't worry if a few sections fall over your eyes — it gives you that mysteriously sexy vibe. Just make sure that you can still see.
Image: Imaxtree
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Up and Away
Supermodel Ashley Graham takes beachy waves to the next level with a small diagonal part on the side of her head and voluminous layers swept off her face. It makes her gorgeous features and fierce eye makeup the focus.
Image: Getty
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Bit of a Boost
There's no need to spend time teasing your hair to fake thicker locks. To boost the appearance of volume on top of your head, try this messy part with different sections of hair going in opposite directions.
Image: Imaxtree
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Follow the Curve
A curved part isn't necessarily a hair mistake. It can actually be an intentional and beautiful look. Show off a graceful curving part on the side of your head by straightening your locks and adding a bit of gel around your part line.
Image: Imaxtree
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Best of Both
You don't have to choose between a side and center part. Have your part start in the center at your hairline, then sweep your comb to the side as you move toward the back of your head. It's fine if it is a bit bumpy.
Image: Imaxtree
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Zig A Zig Ah
If you're feeling nostalgic for a zigzag part, take it into modern times by parting your locks so the sections overlap to create the zigzag effect. Julianne Hough shows us how it's done.
Image: Getty
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Accessorize
Give your barrettes a fresh spin by pairing them with a side part and sculpted waves. Keep the ends undone for an effortlessly glam look.
Image: Imaxtree
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Plaited Part
There are countless different braid ideas, but this is one of the most original. Take a section of hair at the back of your head and braid it where your center part would be. When you get to your forehead, tuck the loose ends behind your ears. To make things easier, get a friend to help you with the look.
Image: Imaxtree
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Remember Updos
Sweeping all of your hair back into a sleek updo is a default hairstyle for many of us. You can give your tried-and-true updo a fresh upgrade, however, just by leaving your front layers loose and parting them down the center a la Kerry Washington.
Image: Getty
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Going Off
Sometimes it's OK for your beauty look to be a bit off. A perfectly straight part can be a tad severe, so soften it up with a curving part that's ever so slightly to the side.
Image: Imaxtree
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Throwback Tresses
If you're going to attempt a retro look, the key is not going wild with the teasing. Part the front layers of your hair down the center, then brush everything else to the back. Use a teasing comb to gently add some volume. Finish with a soft-hold hairspray to avoid the vintage helmet head look.
Image: Imaxtree
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Different Directions
Getting a straight line from the back of your head to the tips of your bangs can be tricky, especially since it's not like you can use a ruler. Try parting your fringe on a diagonal for an easy contrasting style.
Image: Imaxtree
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Go Short
Any short-haired girl will tell you that a part is the best thing for creating multiple looks out of one cut. For an edgy style, take your part way over to the side of your head and let the ends of your mane do their own thing. Bleaching your tresses is optional, but it does add something more to the look.
Image: Imaxtree
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On One Side
Do you wish that you had bangs, but don't want to commit to cutting your hair? You can fake the look with a clever part. Comb your hair into a deep side part and sweep the front sections over your head. Note that if you have some shorter layers in the front, the look will still work.
Image: Imaxtree
