20 Glamorous Side-Swept Hair Looks - Byrdie

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Search Search Close search 40 Glamorous Side-Swept Hair Looks for Any Occasion

Short, long, braided, and everything in-between.

By Ashley Rubell Ashley Rubell Ashley Rubell is an editorial hair stylist and writer covering hair for Byrdie. She's been doing hair professionally since 2008.  Byrdie's Editorial Guidelines Updated on April 01, 2025 12:13PM Reviewed by Sky Kim Reviewed by Sky Kim Sky Kim is a hairstylist with over a decade of experience. She currently works at Serge Normant at John Frieda in New York City. About Byrdie's Beauty & Wellness Board Hairstylist Fact checked by Anna Harris Fact checked by Anna Harris Anna Harris is an experienced fact-checker and researcher and a beauty writer and editor.  LEARN ABOUT BYRDIE'S EDITORIAL GUIDELINES Close

Side-swept hairstyles have long been a favorite both on and off the red carpet and for good reason. Simply sweeping your hair to the side is an easy way to level up your look without much heavy lifting. Plus, it works for all hair textures and lengths. During the style's long reign of popularity, we’ve seen the side-sweep executed in almost every way imaginable. From side-swept bangs to classic Hollywood waves, natural curls, and undone blowouts—and even ponytails, buns, and braids—styling your hair to one side quickly elevates your hairstyle for any occasion.

Ready give the side-swept look a try? Discover 40 stunning ways to wear side-swept hairstyles, below.

Meet the Experts

• Leo Izquierdo is a former salon owner, hair care entrepreneur, and co-founder of IGK Haircare.
• Adam Federico is the vice president of technical education at R+Co.

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'90s Supermodel Blowout

Voluminous, fluffy, and pushed to one side, this hairstyle recreates the classic '90s supermodel blowout through a modern lens.

After parting the hair slightly to the side and blowing it out, use the right products to finish the look off. "Once the hair dries, finger-comb [a smoothing serum] through mid-lengths to ends and around the hairline," says Leo Izquierdo, co-founder of IGK Haircare.

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Pulled-Back Bob

A side-swept look doesn't always require waves. As Monica Bellucci demonstrates, even a chic and simple bob will work. For this look, use a hair dryer and a round brush to curve the ends of the hair inward toward the face.

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Classic Waves

This is about as bombshell as it gets. Sweep your hair completely off one side of the face, keeping it tucked behind the ear to show off accessories.

Byrdie Tip

For this look, Adam Federico, vice president of technical education at R+Co, advises using a texture or wave spray. "This adds volume, texture, and a touch of hydration."

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All on One Side

If there's anything we gathered from the above looks is that to achieve the side-swept look with ease, all you need to do is pull your hair to one side. Penélope Cruz does this hack on the red carpet and it looks oh-so stunning.

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Textured Lob

This one-sided lob benefits from plenty of texture. For this look, you'll want to use a multitasking hair prep spray, which will help prime the hair, gently detangle, and nourish your hair without adding heaviness.

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Natural Texture With Volume

Amp up the volume and the curls by trying the side-swept look on natural hair. Keep hair well-moisturized with mousse or curl cream to enhance and define your coils.

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Slick-Parted Updo

Lori Harvey's updo marries the classic finger wave style with a side-swept look. Here, hair is kept in a side part and placed in an updo before being gelled to perfection.

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Senegalese Twists

Those with Senegalese twists or braids can also get in on the side-swept look. Use a comb to create your side part, and smooth the hair by using leave-in conditioner.

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Short Waves

People often associate side-swept styles with long, cascading waves. But medium and short-length hair looks just as glamorous pulled over one shoulder. Here, Constance Wu shows us how it's done; just add low-maintenance waves and a deep side part.

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Classic Side-Swept

The classic side-swept look that can be seen on pretty much any red carpet is a great option for formal events. To channel this look, wrap your strands around a 1" barrel towards the face to give it that forward-framing bend at the eye line.

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Over-Directed Parting

One super quick way to add a little extra glam to your hairstyle is to over-direct your side part, pulling a few strands past your comfort zone. It's a minor adjustment that gives a major change to your style.

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Tighter Curls

Here, Yara Shahidi maintains the classic deep part that's associated with side-swept styles, but she's pinned her curls into a faux bob. This is a low-maintenance way to wear side-swept hair, as well as a solution for those who don't want to heat style their natural curls.

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Soft "S" Waves

If your hair holds a curl well and you're in a time crunch to get out the door looking "event ready," here's what you do:

Grab a large 2" barrel and some hairspray. Lightly spray your strands all over. Then grab 2" sections of hair, wrap them around your iron, and brush it all over to the side. Using a larger barrel means larger sections and larger sections mean less time spent styling. You'll end up with soft "S" waves like Leslie Mann's, so it's truly a win-win.

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One Side Back

If you decide to tighten the side that you're pulling over, use matte bobby pins to get a nice and secure grip. They blend into your hair color without a shiny, slippery surface, and they won't show up in photos, so you'll be photo-ready and fuss-free.

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Braid It Back

If your hair is heavy and you're having difficulty pinning your locks to the side, try braiding it back and securing it with a clear elastic (or x-crossed pins) at the opposite side of your neck. The braid can be a simple three-strand, or you can spice things up and go for a fishtail or inverted French braid. Go for whatever style allows you to maintain good tension on the hair for that side-swept effect!

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Side-Swept Jumbo Braids

Here, Pattern Beauty founder Tracee Ellis Ross wears her hair in long, side-swept jumbo braids, a style that's equally protective as it is stunning.

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Disco Fever

Every era has its own unique take on the side-swept look. Here, Blake Lively brought back the disco vibes with these 3/4" wrapped curls. This style definitely leans on the longer side, but short and medium styles can pull this look off, too.

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Long and Loose

For a look like Selena Gomez's, wrap your hair around a 1 1/4" curling iron all over and in the same direction, leaving the ends out. Finish it off by brushing through the hair with a mixed bristle brush and pulling all of the hair to one side.

Byrdie Tip

For longer lasting hold, spray your brush with hairspray before combing through.

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Side-Swept Locs

Protective hairstyles are very versatile—and yes, they can take on the side-swept look, too. Here, Chloe Bailey wears her locs with a deep side part.

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Touch of Romance

Teyonah Parris wears the ultimate side sweep with this statement over-directed braid. For added elegance, she's sprinkled a touch of baby's breath into the mix, which gives this look an ethereal vibe.

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Money Piece Side Part

We love this side-swept look for its va va volume—but the fiery red money piece at the front gives it a unique and edgy twist.

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The Ear Tuck

Consider keeping strands sleek at the root and starting your waves at the tuck of the ear. Spray the top of the hair with hairspray to keep flyaways at bay, which will translate into a smooth and simple side-swept style that's great for anything from a day at the office to a black tie event.

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Bejeweled Side Part

Cara Delevigne sports her 1" barrel curls to one side with the help of a blinged out accessory. Depending on the accessory you choose, it can dictate how casual or formal your look feels.

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No Pins Needed

Here, Laverne Cox wears a more relaxed side-swept style. Her hair likely isn't pinned in the back, but rather she's pulled it all to one side and allowed pieces to fall out of place naturally.

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Full-On Middle Part

You don't need a deep side part to wear a side-swept style. Take your tousled waves from beachy and casual to side-swept and sophisticated, as Brittany Snow has done here.

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Side-Swept Braid

Eva Longoria's long, three-strand braid is both side-swept and wind-swept. To keep bits like this textured and intact, use a touchable medium-hold hairspray. Spray along the lengths and gently pull the three strands of the braid apart, massaging the product in with your fingers.

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Twist Back Braid

Beginning with a simple twist and ending in a ponytail, this side-swept look makes its way from one side to the other by way of a braid. The end result is a side-swept braid hybrid for a unique take on the classic style.

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Sleek Side Part

Next time you get a blow-out, let your parting do all the work. Coco Jones wore her hair with a deep side part and a subtle C-curl at the front.

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Second Day Sweep

Starting with the classic 1" side-swept waves is an ideal foundation for those occasions that call for multiple days of festivities. Add some texturizing dry shampoo and a headband, throw it up into a loose side bun using hair pins to secure it in place, and you've got the perfect second-day, side-swept style.

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Slick-Back Pixie

The wet look works super well on short hair, and that paired with a side part looks even more "swept." All you need is gel and a wide-tooth comb to achieve this look at home.

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Classic Glam

If you're unsure which iron size to use, opt for a 1" barrel or wand. Take a wide-tooth comb or hair brush through your waves and you'll have a classic, side-swept glam look like Katherine Langford's in no time.

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High Braided Ponytail

Scratch everything you know about the typical messy, undone nature of a side braid and take a look at this Rapunzel-esque 'do. Justine Skye's ponytail braid is positioned higher and groomed to be sleeker than the traditional side braid. So chic.

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Futuristic Waves

To achieve Florence Pugh's sculptural, avant-garde waves, tie your hair back into a slicked-back high ponytail. Then, split the pony into two, creating a top and bottom section. Mold the top section into your desired wave shape to create the appearance of side-swept bangs. Secure with pins at the bends and finish with plenty of strong-hold hairspray.

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Sleek and Straight

Demi Moore's signature long, straight black strands (typically seen tossed to the side, as pictured) are almost as iconic as her acting roles. To get a vibrant, flyaway-free look, work a hair oil through the hair and finish with a shine spray.

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Side Bun

Unmatched in elegance, a side bun is a put-together look that only takes a few minutes to create. Simply twist a low side ponytail into a ballerina bun, securing it with pins.

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Side Pin-Up Bob

Selena Gomez puts a side-swept spin on the retro pin-up bob, as evidenced by her deep side part and sleek, tucked under curls.

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Low Ponytail

Take your low ponytail from the gym to going out by slicking it down and shifting it to one side.

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Wet Look

The ever-so-edgy wet look gets a romantic makeover when done in a tousled texture and dramatically pushed up and over.

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Side Swoop

Short hair can also embody the effortless side-swept look. Here, Da'Vine Joy Randolph gave her pixie cut a deep part and C-curled her bangs for a literal swoop effect. It looked incredibly chic at the 2025 Oscars.

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Retro Sweep

Wide-barrel curls loosely pinned into an updo will help you get the side-swept look. Add volume at the top with a blow dryer and wear your hair parted to the side á la Sabrina Carpenter.

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