If you’ve scrolled through social media recently (and let’s be real, who hasn’t?) you may have noticed a familiar 00’s hairstyle making a resurgence: the side fringe.

Every millennial school photo and 2000s icon featured this staple look with the side parting and swept, sometimes long fringe. Think of the Olsen twins, Hillary Duff and Rihanna during that time and basically everyone in High School Musical. 

In recent years, this hairstyle has been firmly vetoed by Gen-Z in favour of a symmetrical middle parting, especially on TikTok. But as low rise jeans and slogan baby tees came back in fashion, millennials knew they’d come around, confident that the side parting’s time would come.

Sian Wood, Hair Stylist at Taylor Taylor London’s Commercial Street Salon says: “A side fringe, also known as side-swept bangs, was a popular hairstyle in the early 2000s. 

“This style involves bangs that are longer than a traditional full fringe and typically start from a side part. They cover only half of the forehead and are often angled diagonally across the forehead, following the natural curve of the hairline.”

Curtain bangs have been popular for the past few years, offering layers and face framing, which is exactly what the side fringe offers, so it’s not a surprise it’s made a comeback. 

Sealing the approval of this hairstyle are celebrities such as Dua Lipa and Bella Hadid, while artists such as Beyonce and Rihanna have also sported their side fringe of yesteryear again.

Will this hair trend last? Or will Gen-Z declare the side fringe dead again? Only time will tell, but until then, we’re very happy to see this old favourite come back in style. 

Fans of this nostalgic trend will also be pleased to hear that this style is very versatile, but it might not be for everyone… depending on how your forehead. 

Celebrity stylist, James Lear says: “The size of your forehead might come into play,” Lear says, “If you have a really small forehead a deep parted side fridge will fall in your eyes often and might not be too practical!” 

When it comes to styling this look, there is an art to getting a good side sweeping fringe. 

“My top tip for this styling is that you need to blow dry the fringe down onto the face in the opposite direction to the side you are going to sweep it too,” Lear adds. “Use a paddle brush to blow dry the root down to the opposite side then a round brush to shape it.” 

There’s also different variations of the side fringe such as the supermodel 90s blow-out as seen on Kim Kardashian. Wood says: “To achieve this more glamorous style use an extra-large round brush on the fringe to give them some height, starting at the roots. Use a Dry Texturizer spray on the roots for added hold and volume.

Another option would also be to create a “temporary fringe”, Wood adds by “side-parting your hair and curling it away from your face. Adding movement without cutting in an actual fringe can keep things feeling light.”

If this is a style you want, our experts recommends asking your stylist for a deep side parted 2000s fringe or curtain fringe on both sides of your parting and taking plenty of inspiration pictures to show them. We’ve rounded up some of our favourite side fringes from socials for you…