Moving a part two centimetres changes a face more than most people expect. A side part lifts the roots on one side, puts an angle across the forehead and gives even a simple bun some shape at the front, which is why I suggest it so often for bridesmaids. It works sleek or soft, pinned or loose, at a garden ceremony or a black tie dinner. What decides whether it looks right is where the part sits and whether the hair actually wants to lie that way. These side part bridesmaid hairstyles are good to bring to a trial, and I’ve noted what each one needs to hold.
How Deep to Take the Part
Before I pick up a comb, I decide how far from the centre the part should sit. There are roughly three depths, and each changes the look.
- Above the arch of the eyebrow. The most natural side part, and the one most hair already falls into. It suits nearly everyone and works with buns, ponytails and loose styles.
- Above the outer corner of the eye. A deep part with more drama and more volume on the heavy side. It’s the classic base for Hollywood waves and side swept curls.
- In line with the centre of the eye. A soft, slightly off-centre part that looks relaxed. Good for a bridesmaid who usually wears a centre part and doesn’t want a big change.
A deep part puts a lot of hair on one side, so that side needs more pins and sometimes a tuck behind the ear. On fine hair, a very deep part can expose the scalp at the root, so I keep it moderate and add root lift.
1. Side Part Low Chignon For Bridesmaids
The side part low chignon is the most dependable style on this list. The part frames the front, and the bun at the nape stays secure through the ceremony, the photos and the dancing. I smooth the roots, add a little lift at the crown, and pin the bun close to the nape with U-pins so it doesn’t drop. Satin and off-the-shoulder dresses suit it. Pull out two soft pieces at the front if it feels too formal. In warm weather it keeps hair off the neck.
2. Side Part Hollywood Waves For Bridesmaids
Deep part, waves turning one way: that’s the whole formula for Hollywood waves. I curl every section in the same direction, pin the curls to set, brush them into one ribbon and hold the dips with clips for a few minutes. Medium and long hair both carry it. It belongs with fitted gowns and evening weddings. For a bridesmaid, I keep it softer than a red carpet version, with shine spray and a flexible hold instead of a hard set.
3. Side Part Half Up Half Down Bridesmaid Hair
Half up with a side part gives a bridesmaid loose hair plus some security at the front. The part shapes the face; the lifted crown keeps it from going flat in photos. I take the top section slightly wider on the heavy side of the part, so both sides look even once pinned. Waves or curls through the ends add fullness. It suits long, medium and layered hair, and a small pearl pin or clip finishes it. Keep the top smooth but not tight.
4. Side Part Low Ponytail For Bridesmaids
A side part takes the hardness out of a low ponytail. The part sweeps across the front while the ponytail keeps the length controlled. Sleek suits a formal wedding; waves suit a softer one. I wrap a strand around the elastic, and I set the ponytail low at the nape, because a side part with a high tail can look lopsided from the front. One-shoulder dresses and high necklines pair well. Volume at the crown keeps it from looking flat.
5. Side Part Sleek Bun For Bridesmaids
A sleek bun with no part can look severe; the side part is what softens it. Every strand is controlled, which makes it good for formal weddings, humid days and dresses with clean lines. I place the bun low or at mid height depending on the neckline. Smooth edges, glossy hair and minimal accessories are the look. The part line itself must be crisp, because in a sleek style it’s the only line on the head.
6. Side Part Loose Curls For Bridesmaids
Loose curls drop if they’re not prepared. I put mousse through damp hair before blow drying, curl each section and let it cool pinned, then brush out once everything is cold. The side part lifts the front and the curls give volume through the length. Outdoor weddings and flowing fabric suit it. A tucked side, a small clip or face-framing pieces personalise it. Done right, it stays full and touchable for hours.
7. Side Part Braided Low Bun For Bridesmaids
Here the part leads into a soft braid or twist along one side, which then joins a low bun at the back. That gives texture without making the style busy. Garden and rustic weddings suit it. The braid can be loose and airy or smooth, depending on the dress. Its practical value is that the braid catches short front layers, so I recommend it to bridesmaids whose layers usually fall out of an updo.
8. Side Part Side Swept Curls For Bridesmaids
Curls swept over one shoulder with a side part make a dramatic shape that still reads soft. I part, curl and sweep the hair, then pin a hidden row behind the ear on the light side. It shows off strapless, sweetheart, or one-shoulder dresses because the neckline stays visible. Earrings and makeup show up in photos too. Pin the swept side securely, but keep the curls themselves loose. A decorative clip can go over the pins if you want a detail.
9. Side Part Twisted Updo For Bridesmaids
Twists give texture without heavy curls. The side part softens the front, and twisted sections wrap back into a low updo. Highlighted hair looks especially good, since each twist shows the colour variation. I add gentle volume at the crown and leave soft pieces around the face. It suits ballrooms and outdoor ceremonies equally. I pin each twist where it meets the next, which keeps the whole updo secure but light enough to last a long celebration.
10. Side Part Short Bob Bridesmaid Hair
A side part short bob can look as finished as long hair. The part shapes the bob, and soft waves or a smooth bend add polish. I tuck one side behind the ear with a small pin to make it look dressed. Chin and jaw length cuts both suit it. It’s light and comfortable all day. A shine spray and a clean part line are most of the work.
11. Side Part Messy Low Bun For Bridesmaids
Messy low buns still need shaping and secure pins. The side part flatters the front, and the loose bun adds texture and movement. I pin it in sections and balance the face-framing pieces so one side doesn’t look heavier. Chiffon dresses and garden settings suit it. Bridesmaids with layered hair tend to like it, since shorter pieces blend into the style instead of fighting it.
12. Side Part Voluminous Blowout For Bridesmaids
For a bridesmaid who wants her hair down, a side part voluminous blowout is a styled, event-ready option. The part gives the roots lift, and big smooth bends through the ends give movement. It’s less formal than an updo. Medium to long layered hair suits it best. I blow dry with a round brush and set the bends with large velcro rollers while the rest of the party is styled, then finish with a flexible hold spray.
13. Side Part Curly Updo For Bridesmaids
A curly updo should show off the curl pattern, not hide it. The side part creates the front section, and the curls are pinned into a soft updo with volume and definition. I define the curls with moisture first and pin with large open pins so they keep their shape. Medium to long curly hair suits it. Small pins or floral details finish it. It’s formal while still respecting natural texture.
14. Side Part Textured Ponytail For Bridesmaids
A textured ponytail with a side part gets hair off the neck without a bun. The part adds polish at the front, and the ponytail has waves and volume. Layered cuts work well, as the texture hides shorter pieces. Low is softer; slightly higher adds lift. A wrapped base and smooth crown finish it. I texture-spray the lengths before waving so the movement lasts.
15. Side Part French Twist For Bridesmaids
A side part French twist gives a smooth vertical shape at the back, with the part softening the front. It suits formal weddings and classic gowns. I keep the twist secure but not tight, with some volume at the crown, and a few delicate pieces at the face make it younger. Drop earrings and open necklines show it off. It’s a structured choice for bridesmaids who love a polished updo.
16. Side Part Waterfall Braid Bridesmaid Hair
A side part waterfall braid adds detail while the length stays down. The braid starts near the part and runs around the crown, dropping a strand at each step so pieces fall through. I curl the hair first so the falling strands match the rest. Outdoor and spring weddings suit it, and medium to long hair shows it best. I hide a few small pins inside the braid for support, since a waterfall braid has no closed end to hold it.
17. Side Part Wavy Lob For Bridesmaids
A wavy lob with a side part suits bridesmaids with shoulder length hair who don’t want extensions or an updo. The part adds lift, and the waves soften the cut. I keep the ends slightly relaxed rather than tightly curled so the look stays current. One side tucked behind the ear shows off earrings. A light texture spray holds the shape through photos and dancing.
18. Side Part Fishtail Braid For Bridesmaids
Fishtail braids suit romantic or boho weddings. The part starts the shape at the front, and the hair is swept into a loose fishtail over one shoulder or down the back. Long hair shows the most detail. Pulling the braid apart slightly makes it fuller. It’s practical outdoors because the hair stays gathered. A few curls near the face keep it gentle.
19. Side Part Pinned Back Bridesmaid Hair
The minimal option: part to one side, curl or wave the hair, and pin it back on the smaller side. It’s open and elegant without an updo. It works for short, medium and long hair, which makes it handy for mixed-length bridal parties. A pearl pin, crystal clip or sleek barrette makes it more formal. I pin back from the part toward the ear in a straight line, then slide the accessory over the pins.
20. Side Part High Bun For Bridesmaids
A side part with a high bun gives a lifted shape that suits high-neck, halter and detailed dresses. It can be sleek for a modern wedding or textured for a softer one. In warm weather the hair stays off the shoulders. The bun should sit high enough to look deliberate but below the very top of the head, where it starts to look casual. A smooth finish around the part keeps it polished.
Training Hair to Part on Its Wrong Side
Most people have a side their hair prefers, usually because of the direction the crown grows or a cowlick at the hairline. Force a part against it and the roots stand up, or the hair slowly flips back across by the afternoon. It can be done, though.
- Start with damp roots. Dry hair resists, so I wet the front again if it’s already dry.
- Blow dry the roots in the opposite direction first, then flip them over to the new side. That gives them lift and breaks the old pattern.
- Set the front with flat clips while the rest of the hair is styled, and remove them only at the end.
- Test it at the trial. If it still springs back, a soft zigzag part or a slightly shallower part usually fixes it.
Mirrored Parts for a Bridal Lineup
In a group photo, the side the part sits on decides which way the volume faces. Some brides ask for the bridesmaids on her left to part one way and those on her right to part the other, so all the swept hair angles in toward the couple. It’s a small detail, but it only works if hair agrees with the side. Ask where each bridesmaid will stand before the trial, and check that her hair is happy parted that way.
Your Part Is the First Line Anyone Sees
A side part flatters most faces, adds polish, and works with nearly every length and texture. It makes a chignon softer, Hollywood waves more glamorous, and a ponytail more styled. Each bridesmaid can wear it her own way and still match the party. When you decide, think about the neckline, the weather and how long the hair has to last, and test whether your hair is happy on the side you want. With the right prep, a side part holds from the ceremony to the last dance.
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