The 10 Secrets to a Perfect Sidepart Haircut

For roughly a century now, the classic sidepart hairstyle has been the go-to coiffure for Hollywood’s leading men. For expert advice on how we mere mortals might channel the timeless tonsorial glory of the gods of the silver screen, we sought the advice of one of Australia’s leading hair stylists and make-up artists, Kimberley Forbes.

In addition to grooming top Aussie actors such as Chris Hemsworth, Sam Worthington, Richard Roxburgh, Ben Mendelsohn and David Wenham, over the course of her two-decade career, Kim has worked on shoots for commercial clients including Louis Vuitton and Adidas, and editorials for Vogue, GQ, Harper’s Bazaar, Dazed & Confused and Men’s Health, among numerous others. Here, she offers the benefit of her vast experience to help you resemble a matinee idol.

Sidepart master Errol Flynn, the swashbuckling Tasmanian actor. Don’t hesitate to give your hairstylist clear visual cues by Googling ‘Golden Age’ Hollywood heroes like Errol here or Cary Grant (main pic), says Kimberley Forbes.

10. “Ask your stylist for the ‘classic’ short back and sides, longer on top. Or if you want to get more technical, request a men’s square graduation.”

9. “Don’t be afraid to show a couple of photos on your phone as an example of exactly what you’re after. Google image search ‘Old Hollywood actors’ or modern-day stars like Leonardo Di Caprio and Ryan Gosling on Oscars night.”

8. “Hair with a medium to thick density works really well in a sidepart. Straight and curly hair sits well in this style of cut, too.”

Smooth side-swept styling by Kimberley Forbes for the Qantas Magazine.

7. “Guys with square or oval shaped faces suit this haircut and style a lot. Men with round shaped faces can pull off a very short version of the sidepart.”

6. “It’s always good to check with your stylist how your hair grows on the crown area, as this can determine the length you have on the top of the haircut.”

5. “A slick, shiny sidepart finish can be achieved with gel applied to wet hair and combed into place.”

Kimberley Forbes demonstrates the slickest of sideparts on this model in a shoot for AFR Magazine.

4. “For a less structured, more informal finish, matte pomade can be applied to damp hair and combed through and left to dry.”

3. “If you are into blowdrying your hair, use a nozzle and a vent or Denman brush on straighter hair, and a round brush on curlier hair to stretch out the curl. Try and blowdry with the dryer pointing down the hair shaft and use a cool setting to set the hair and minimise frizz.”

2. “If you’re worried your hair is too big and puffy, you can always use a straightener to reduce volume.”

1. “Avoid an extreme ‘skin fade’, where back and sides drastically graduate into bare skin (harsh — and rather passé). And if your barber asks whether you’d like a ‘hard part’ razored in, a polite ‘No, thank you’ should be your reply.” 

Check out Kimberley Forbes’ Instagram — @kimba_hairandmakeup — for examples of her work and style inspirations.