Every morning brings a curious surprise for me: I wake up to find my hair has mysteriously transformed overnight. Formerly styled in a trendy pixie cut with a middle part, it now sports a side fringe, as if my hair decided it had a mind of its own while I slept. At first, this unexpected change prompted a frantic attempt to tame it back to its original style, but lately, I’ve learned to embrace this whimsical hairstyle. It’s almost as if my hair is sending me a message, a playful reminder that it knows I belong to the era of the late ’90s, despite my birth year landing squarely in the ’90s.
For a while, the side part was criticized and dismissed by the Gen Z crowd, who seemed to view it as a relic of millennial fashion—dismissing millennials as a cringe-worthy generation. However, as the tides of fashion shift, side fringes are re-emerging. With iconic figures like Zendaya and Iris Law rocking their own versions of this style, I felt a sense of camaraderie as Charli XCX made waves at Paris Fashion Week, flaunting her own impressive side fringe reminiscent of the early 2010s. There’s something refreshing about seeing this hairstyle make a comeback, and it has me thinking, why not just go with how my hair wants to fall?
Transitioning to a side fringe seems daunting for some, especially those accustomed to curtain bangs or a middle part. Yet, style expert Dale Herne from Hershesons suggests that opting for a side fringe doesn’t mean you have to forfeit your curtain bangs. In fact, he believes that styling these bangs to one side can create an appealing volume that feels modern and lively, countering the flatness that often accompanies a strictly styled fringe. There’s a certain beauty in allowing hairstyles to evolve and adapt, reflecting the uniqueness of individual expression.
Creating a contemporary side fringe isn’t just about the cut; it’s also all about the styling. According to Herne, the secret to achieving a lively and vibrant look lies in how you dry your hair. By blow-drying your bangs from different angles rather than sticking to a side part, you foster a dynamic movement that breathes life into your hair. After blow-drying, running your fingers through it and tousling the strands allows for a more casual and effortless appearance. The finishing touches involve using hold sprays like Hershesons Air Dry Spray and a moisturizing cream to tame frizz, allowing your personality to shine through your hairstyle.
Ultimately, I’ve come to appreciate the quirky randomness of my hair and the styles it’s drawn into. While I might not commit to a side part as my permanent look, I’ve realized there’s charm and personality in what others might see as a messy morning ‘do. The playful transition reminds me that embracing change—be it in life or hairstyles—can lead to unexpected joy and an expression of self.
So, moving forward, I will revel in those mornings when I wake up and find my hair resembling a nostalgic layer of fashion history. I’ll celebrate the malleable nature of style, taking each day as an opportunity to express myself through hair, fashion, and whatever else strikes my fancy. By allowing my hair’s spontaneous whims to guide my choices, I find freedom, authenticity, and a sense of connecting with fashion’s ever-shifting landscape. As trends ebb and flow, sometimes the best strategy is simply to go with the flow—much like my hair does.