Men's part haircut: side part or middle part?
There are so many men's hairstyles to choose from nowadays. In this blog post I will talk specifically about part haircuts for men. A part for men has gained a lot of popularity over the years, but it is also a very classical haircut and hairstyle.
You can vary a lot when it comes to parting your hair and that is why I will talk about the several types of parting haircuts for men in this blog post.
What does parting your hair actually mean?
I will just start at the beginning. What does a haircut with a part actually mean? When you part your hair, it means it will go two separate ways. There is a clear line that parts the hair that goes one way and the hair that goes the other way.
One of the most famous examples of a men's part haircut is a side part. A side part is situated on the side of your head. In many cases the actual part is on the line where the hair on the side of your head flows over in the hair on top of your head.
A part hairstyle for men was extremely popular in the 1920s to 1970s. After that the parting hairstyles became less popular, and they were primarily associated with nerds and geeks. In recent years, the men's part haircut made a comeback again. Sometimes with slight changes to make it more modern.
What kind of parting hairstyles are there?
I already mentioned the side part really quick. That is the most popular form, but you can wear it in many different ways. Another part haircut is the middle part.
Side part
When men choose for a side part it means that all the hair on the top goes in the same direction. This can be to the left or right. It often helps to follow the grow direction of your hair and create your side part in the same direction. You comb your hair with the direction of growth.
Originally speaking the side part is a very classic haircut. In the 1920s to 1960s almost every man was wearing some kind of side part. Take a look at pictures of your grandpa in his younger years. Large chance he also had a side part or a version of it.
Back in the day men wore suits and hats more often than we do now. A groomed and classic side part hairstyle goes well with that. You can easily put your hat on top of it without messing up your hair when you take it off again.
Pomades for side parts
A side part is a great hairstyle for men when you have a red-carpet event or something else that is very formal, like a black-tie wedding. A good example of a classic side part of men is the Don Draper look in Mad Men. Back in the day men primarily used brylcream to style their side part and keep it in place, but nowadays it is usually a pomade with some shine that is begin used to slick your hair to the side.
A pomade is an excellent product to use for multiple reasons to style your beloved side part. First of all, these products are a bit sticky, like a hair gel, especially in the case of water-based pomades. That helps to comb all the hair to one side and keep your hair in place whole day long. Water based pomades dry in your hair, so your side part will not move or lose its shape.
Oil based pomades are also something to consider for your side part. They keep your hair more flexible and do not dry in your hair. It helps to be able to restyle your classic side part. They are usually a bit greasier as well and that is not a bad to recreate that 1920s to 1960s brylcream inspired side part.
Variations for the classic side part
A modern trend when it comes to side part hairstyles for young men and boys is a hard part. A hard part means that the line where the hair is parted, is a shaved line. A hard part is a very modern side part and bring this classic haircut to the 21st century.
You have probably seen these hard part hairstyles with Footballers, other athletes, rappers, and other famous men. It looks very though, and you will stand out from the crowed, but it is not always good for your hair. It will make your side part more modern, but you are also messing with your hairline when you go for a hard part. That can cause problems later on. I personally do not recommend cutting or shaving into your natural hairline.
When you are thinking of getting a side part with a hard part, it is best to go to a professional barber. They can judge of a hard part fits your hair type, hairline, and face shape. It really depends on if it is something for you.
Middle part
A middle part is maybe not the most popular haircut for men and that is partly to blame on many prejudices about this hairstyle. A middle part can be a bit preppy, make you think of Prince Charming or even about Brendan Fraser in his younger years (The Mummy). Lately you also see many K-pop stars and famous Korean actors rocking a middle part. Perhaps you noticed that as well.
When you really want to rock a good middle part haircut as a man you will need medium to long hair. The hair needs to be long enough to do an actual parting of the hair to the sides when you create a part in the middle. This men's hairstyle does not work well for men that are dealing with a widow's peak.
If you leave your hair in the front a bit longer, then a middle part will fall partly in front of your face. This fringe hairstyle is sometimes called a curtain haircut or curtain bangs. There are many ways to wear a middle part, especially when it comes to the length of it.
Another aspect to take into consideration when thinking of parting your hair in the middle is how messy or tight you want to wear it. When you got for a very tight middle part, then it is best to prevent your hair from falling in your face. That is the most classic version of a middle part, and it requires your hair to stay put behind your ears.
For men with wavy or lightly curly hair a middle part could be an interesting haircut. The wave or curl in your hair helps to make it look very natural for your hair to flow to the sides. Think of Prince Charming in the movie Shrek.
Product for a middle part
It would be nice to keep a middle part a bit looser and messier, especially compared to most side parts, unless you are going for a very classic middle part. A light to medium hold product with a medium to matte finish is recommended to create a stylish middle part. When you look at the Korean middle parts you see that they are usually a bit more messy and not too shiny. A good example of a Korean celebrity parting his hair in the middle is actor Gong Yoo. You might know him from Midnight Train to Busan or Squid Game.
When it comes to styling a middle part, it is best to have a look at light waxes, pastes and creams. You can also blow-dry your hair with a pre-styling spray to create maximum volume and texture. It will greatly benefit your hairstyle when you are planning on parting your hair in the middle. It is always fun to experiment and see how it turns out.
Conclusion
A parting haircut is completely back and here to stay for a while. Primarily the side part and middle part you can see often. When it comes to both parts there are many versions and twists. Think of length, shine, texture, and tightness. You can choose a very classic part and comb it into a groomed look, or you pick a messy parting hairstyle with more texture and movement. Your styling product has a large influence over how your parting haircut will look.
In Asia and primarily Korea and Japan the middle part has become extremely popular. The side part is a bit more all-round, and you see that hairstyle more often Nowadays men and boys go for a hard part to stand out from the crowd to make their side part more modern and badass. So, in a nutshell, there is so many choices when it comes to choosing a parting hairstyle for men, so do not be scared to experiment!
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