Now, to those who like an off-centre part — because it provides extra root volume and makes them feel “sexier” and “more adult,” or maybe because that’s just the way their hair naturally falls — this declaration is not only unwelcome, it’s personal. Ahead, four impassioned Refinery29 staffers speak on the topic and defend their right to part their hair left of centre.
Molly Longman, Wellness Writer
“I took over creative control of my hair after my mom chopped it to my chin and parted it straight down the middle in 5th grade. This was not a good look for me. The next year, I started growing out my hair and parting on the left side, just like Kaley Cuoco and Hilary Duff, my idols at the time. I’ve been a side-part loyalist ever since. Trends may come and go, but my allegiance to this parting style is forever.”
Brenda Barrientos, Social Content Strategist
“As much as I love Gen Z, I will not tolerate the side-part slander! This is mostly because I will never not look good with a side part. But also, the way my hairline grows in, I can’t manipulate my hair to part in the centre even if I wanted to. I feel my best when my hair is split down the side, and I’m always going to do what makes me feel best.”
Ariana Romero, TV Critic
“I sported a middle part up until my senior year of college — not because I particularly liked it, but because I simply never considered changing it. I bleached my dark brown curls so blonde that they all broke off at 18… but anything other than a middle part? Impossible to comprehend. Still, whenever my hair fell asymmetrically, I loved it; I felt sexier, more adult, and thought the angle framed my face much better. During move-in week of senior year, it dawned on me that I could have that feeling permanently with a side part. So I created one on August 25, 2013 (a Facebook photo deep dive confirms the date). It was amazing, and I felt so silly for not thinking of it earlier. In the eight years since, I’ve never looked back, but I do try to switch my part from right to left every few months to protect my hair from breakage.“
Hannah Rimm, Associate Editor
“As a curly-haired person, I truly cannot imagine having a centre part. When I don’t have bangs, my 2C/3A curls lose their weightless, free-spirited flow when I force my hair away from its classic messy side part. That being said, I recently cut my hair into a shag and I may never go back. Choosing that no-part life in the wake of part discourse is one of the most powerful thing I’ve ever done.”
Like what you see? How about some more R29 goodness, right here?
The 7 Biggest Hair No-Nos You’re Probably Making