16 Side Part Hairstyles for Long Hair

Long side parted hairstyles are, hands down, one of the most effortless hairdos that make it look like you’ve spent an hour styling your locks but actually only took 10 minutes. Having tried numerous parting tricks and styling products throughout the years, I’m absolutely sure about which side part hairstyles for long hair will last you the entire day, from a working day to a wedding or a leisurely brunch.

And now, what are the best side part hairstyles for long hair? Deep side part with wavy or straight locks creates an asymmetry that suits all face shapes; on the one hand, such a line will make round faces thinner, and on the other hand, will add volume to fine, straight hair.

Just stick around, as I will show you 16 side part hairstyles, along with all hair and face type requirements.

Why Side Parts Work So Well With Long Hair

The problem with long hair is that it has volume, which can make you look flat unless you’re careful. A side part breaks up that volume. It brings attention to your cheekbones, broadens out your face, and adds some much-needed interest to your hair, even when it’s all one length. No matter what type of hair you have, curly or straight, thin or thick, anything other than a straight-down-the-middle part looks more put-together. Here are 16 different ways to style your hair with a side part.

1. Deep Side Part with Loose Beach Waves

A deep side part instantly reshapes your face, and pairing it with loose waves gives off that effortless, just-got-back-from-vacation vibe. Part your hair at least two inches off-center, then use a curling wand to create loose S-shaped waves starting below the ear. This works wonders on oval, square, and heart-shaped faces since the deep part softens strong jawlines. Fine to medium hair holds waves best, though thick hair can handle bigger sections for looser curls.

Spritz on a texturizing sea salt spray before curling, then finish with a light-hold hairspray so the waves move naturally. Great for weekends, date nights, or casual office days. Want something sleeker instead? Here’s the straight-hair version.

2. Sleek Side-Parted Straight Style

If you’ve got naturally straight or straightened hair, a sleek side part reads polished without trying too hard. Flat iron your hair section by section, keep the part deep, and smooth flyaways with a boar-bristle brush. This style flatters round and square faces since the sharp line elongates the face. Thick, straight hair holds this look best, but fine hair can fake volume with a root-lifting mousse before drying.

A shine serum on the ends keeps things glossy instead of flat. Perfect for job interviews, formal dinners, or anytime you want that “put together” energy. If plain sleek feels too simple, layering in some movement is your next move.

3. Side Part Half-Up Half-Down

This one’s a personal favorite because it solves the “hair in my face” problem without committing to a full updo. Take the top section of hair, part it deeply to one side, and pin it back or secure with a small clip. Let the rest fall naturally, whether that’s straight, wavy, or curly. Heart and diamond face shapes look especially balanced with this style since it frames the cheekbones. Curly-haired friends, use a diffuser first so the top section doesn’t frizz when pinned.

This works for casual days, brunch, or even semi-formal events with the right accessory. Next, let’s dress it up a notch with braiding.

4. Side-Swept Braided Crown

A braided crown with a deep side part gives you that romantic, boho feel without hours of effort. Start your part low, then dutch braid a section from the front hairline back toward the crown, pinning it flat. This works beautifully on medium to thick hair with some texture already built in — second-day hair actually braids easier than freshly washed strands. Oval and long face shapes benefit most since the horizontal braid line balances vertical length.

A texturizing spray helps grip during braiding. This is a go-to for outdoor weddings, festivals, or summer parties. If braiding feels intimidating, a simple blowout might be more your speed.

5. Side Part Voluminous Blowout

Big, bouncy volume paired with a deep side part is a classic for a reason, it works on almost every face shape. Blow-dry your roots in the opposite direction of your part using a round brush, then flip the direction back once dry. This adds instant lift, which is a lifesaver for fine or thin hair that tends to fall flat. Round and square faces get extra definition from the height at the crown.

Use a volumizing mousse on damp hair before drying, and finish with a light hairspray to hold the lift. Great for job interviews, first dates, or any day you need a confidence boost. Now let’s talk ponytails.

6. Deep Side Part High Ponytail

A high pony with a deep side part looks sleek and a little edgy at the same time. Smooth your hair back with gel or a smoothing cream, keep the part sharp, and secure the pony high on the crown with a thin elastic. Wrap a small section around the base to hide the elastic for a cleaner finish. This works especially well on straight or blown-out hair, and it flatters oval and heart-shaped faces by drawing attention upward.

Thick hair holds the pony’s shape better, but a bit of teasing at the crown helps fine hair fake fullness. Ideal for the gym, work, or dressed up with hoop earrings for a night out. If a low pony feels more your style, that’s coming up next.

7. Side-Parted Fishtail Braid

The fishtail braid adds texture and detail that a basic braid just can’t match. Start with a deep side part, gather all your hair to one shoulder, and cross thin sections over each other instead of the usual three-strand method. This braid actually looks better a little messy, so loosen it slightly once you’re done. Wavy and straight hair both take to this style well, and it suits long or oval faces particularly nicely since the braid draws the eye downward and elongates.

A texturizing spray before braiding gives extra grip. This is a solid pick for weddings, proms, or casual weekend outings. Speaking of low-effort elegance, let’s move to buns.

8. Side-Swept Low Bun

A low bun swept to one side with a deep part feels elegant without looking fussy. Gather your hair low at the nape, twist it into a loose knot, and let a few face-framing pieces fall free near your part. This style is a lifesaver for thick or long hair that gets heavy by midday. Round and square faces benefit from the softness around the jaw. Use a bit of pomade to smooth flyaways and bobby pins to anchor the twist.

It’s a favorite for formal events, work meetings, and honestly, bad hair days too, since it hides unwashed roots well. Curtain bangs pair beautifully with this next look.

9. Side Part with Curtain Bangs

Curtain bangs and a deep side part are basically made for each other — the bangs naturally fall into the part, framing your face from both sides. If you already have curtain bangs, just blow-dry them outward using a round brush for that swoopy, face-framing effect. This suits nearly every face shape, but it’s especially flattering for square and long faces since it softens the forehead. Fine hair benefits from a lightweight mousse to avoid weighing the bangs down. A small round brush and a mini flat iron help train stubborn bangs into place. Great for everyday wear, whether you’re heading to work or out for coffee. Next, let’s add some color into the mix.

10. Deep Side Part Balayage Waves

Color placement matters just as much as the part itself here. A deep side part shows off balayage highlights beautifully because the pieces that fall forward catch the light differently than the underlayers. Curl your hair in loose waves after your color appointment to really show off the dimension. This look flatters oval and heart faces, and it works on straight, wavy, or curly textures alike. Use a color-safe shine spray to keep the highlights looking fresh, not brassy.

This is a fantastic option for special events, vacations, or simply when you want your color to do the talking. If you’re curious how balayage compares to other coloring techniques, check the quick breakdown below.

Balayage vs. Ombre: Quick Definitions

Balayage
: A hand-painted highlighting technique that creates soft, natural-looking color gradients with no harsh lines, blending seamlessly with a deep side part.

Ombre
: A gradual, two-toned color transition from dark roots to lighter ends, typically more uniform and less blended than balayage.

11. Side-Parted Space Buns

Space buns aren’t just for festivals anymore with a deep side part, they look surprisingly grown-up. Part your hair deeply, split it into two sections, and twist each into a bun on either side of the crown. Wavy or straight hair both work, though thicker hair holds the buns’ shape longer without pins slipping. Round and oval faces look great with this playful style. A bit of texturizing spray before twisting keeps things from looking too polished.

This is a fun pick for casual outings, festivals, or even a laid-back workday when you want personality without much effort. Long layers create a softer alternative, which we’ll cover next.

12. Side Part with Long Layers

Long layers cut around the face add movement to an otherwise heavy mane, and a deep side part makes those layers pop even more. Ask your stylist for face-framing layers starting at the cheekbone, then part deeply and let the shorter pieces fall naturally near your part. This combo flattens nothing — it actually adds dimension to straight or fine hair that often looks one-dimensional. Square and round faces benefit from the soft angles layers create near the jaw.

A lightweight texturizing cream on dry hair enhances natural movement. Works well for daily wear, whether that’s the office, errands, or coffee dates. For something more formal, a chignon might be exactly what you need next.

13. Side-Swept Chignon

A chignon with a deep side part is elegant enough for black-tie events but simple enough to DIY at home. Gather your hair to one side, twist it into a low knot near your ear, and pin it flat against your head. This works beautifully on medium to long hair, and thick hair holds the twist shape better than fine hair, though a strong-hold gel helps fine strands stay put. Oval and heart-shaped faces look especially refined with this style. Finish with a shine spray for a polished, non-flyaway finish. Perfect for weddings, galas, or any event where you want to look effortlessly put together. Twisting things up differently, let’s look at a half-up twist next.

14. Side Part Twisted Half-Up

This one’s quick, cute, and works on almost any texture. Part deeply, take two small sections from either side of your part, twist them back, and pin them together at the back of your head. The rest of your hair falls loose, whether straight, wavy, or curly. Diamond and heart faces benefit from the way this pulls hair back from the temples. A dab of texturizing paste on the twisted sections keeps them from unraveling. This is an easy go-to for school, work, or casual weekend plans since it takes under five minutes. Now, let’s finish strong with a couple of styles for hair that’s a little unruly.

15. Side-Parted Sleek Wrap Ponytail

This ponytail feels a little more special because of the wrapped section hiding the elastic completely. Smooth your hair back from a deep side part, secure a low or mid-height pony, then wrap a thin strand around the base and pin it underneath. Straight and smooth hair works best here, though a flat iron can tame waves beforehand. Long and oval faces suit this elongated, streamlined look particularly well. A smoothing serum keeps everything sleek without looking greasy. This is a favorite for formal dinners, presentations, or any time you want a “no-fuss but fancy” finish. Last but not least, let’s talk about the ultimate lazy-day solution.

16. Side Part Messy Bun

Sometimes you just need something fast, and the messy bun with a deep side part delivers exactly that. Gather your hair loosely at the crown or nape, twist it into a bun, and pull a few pieces loose around your part for that undone texture. This works on almost any hair type, though textured or wavy hair fakes “messy” more convincingly than pin-straight strands. Round and square faces soften nicely with the loose pieces framing the face. A texturizing spray before bunning helps hair grip and stay in place all day. Ideal for running errands, working from home, or gym days when you still want to look decent.

Side Part Hairstyle Comparison Chart

Hairstyle	Best Face Shape	Hair Type	Styling Time	Maintenance Level
Loose Beach Waves	Oval, Square, Heart	Fine to Medium	20 min	Medium
Sleek Straight Style	Round, Square	Thick, Straight	15 min	Medium
Half-Up Half-Down	Heart, Diamond	Any	5 min	Low
Braided Crown	Oval, Long	Medium to Thick	25 min	Medium-High
Voluminous Blowout	Round, Square	Fine, Thin	20 min	Medium
High Ponytail	Oval, Heart	Straight, Thick	10 min	Low
Fishtail Braid	Long, Oval	Wavy, Straight	15 min	Medium
Low Bun	Round, Square	Thick, Long	10 min	Low
Curtain Bangs Style	Square, Long	Fine, Any Texture	10 min	Medium
Balayage Waves	Oval, Heart	Any	25 min	Medium
Space Buns	Round, Oval	Wavy, Straight	10 min	Low
Long Layers	Square, Round	Straight, Fine	15 min	Low
Chignon	Oval, Heart	Medium to Long	20 min	Medium
Twisted Half-Up	Diamond, Heart	Any	5 min	Low
Sleek Wrap Ponytail	Long, Oval	Straight, Smooth	15 min	Medium
Messy Bun	Round, Square	Wavy, Textured	5 min	Low

Tips for Success

• Always wet your part line slightly before setting it — dry hair fights back and won’t hold the direction.
• Use lightweight products on fine hair and richer creams or pomades on thick, coarse strands.
• Know your hair’s porosity — low porosity hair needs lighter products applied to damp hair, while high porosity hair soaks up heavier creams well.
• Deep side parts hold longer with a bit of dry shampoo at the root before styling.
• Always let heat-styled hair cool completely before touching it — this locks the shape in place.

Common Mistakes and How to Avoid Them

• Parting hair the same way every day — this trains your roots to grow in one direction only, making it harder to switch styles later. Alternate your part every few days.
• Skipping heat protectant — this is the fastest way to fry long hair, especially with waves or straightening. Always spray it on before any hot tool touches your hair.
• Using too much product on fine hair — this weighs hair down and kills volume. Stick to lightweight mousses or sprays instead of heavy creams.
• Ignoring face shape entirely — not every side part style suits every face. Round faces usually want height and asymmetry, while long faces benefit from horizontal texture like braids or buns.
• Overloading braids and buns with too tight a pull — this causes breakage and headaches. Keep tension gentle, especially near the hairline.

Side part hairstyles for long hair genuinely give you more bang for your styling buck than almost any other technique out there. Whether you’re chasing sleek and polished or loose and romantic, shifting that part just an inch or two off-center changes everything about how your face reads. Pick one from this list, grab the right products for your texture, and give it a try — your long hair (and your mirror selfies) will thank you.