Soft loose waves with a side part is one of those hairstyles that just works. Always. On every face shape. With every outfit. For every occasion.
It’s not too done up. Not too messy. Just pretty, effortless, and genuinely flattering. The kind of hair that makes people ask “did you just get it done?” when you actually just woke up and used a curling wand for fifteen minutes.
Whether your hair is long, medium, short, thick, or fine there’s a version of this hairstyle for you. Here are 30 ways to wear it.
1. Classic Hollywood Side Part Waves
This is the one old movies made famous. A deep side part like really deep, almost at the temple with big soft waves that fall to one side. The hair sweeps dramatically over one eye. It looks glamorous without feeling costumey. Use a large barrel curling iron and let the waves cool completely before touching them. Finish with a shine spray. This is timeless and works for everything from a wedding to a dinner date.
2. Beachy Side Part Waves for Everyday
Not every soft wave look needs to be polished. This version is more relaxed a loose side part (not super deep, just slightly off center) with waves that look like you spent the day at the beach. Salt spray is your best friend here. Scrunch it in while your hair is slightly damp. Let it air dry or diffuse. The result is effortless and beautiful. This is genuinely one of the most wearable everyday hairstyles you can have.
3. Half Up Half Down With Side Part Waves
Take the top section of your waved hair the part that falls on the fuller side of your side part and pin it back loosely. Let the rest hang down in soft waves. The half up section keeps hair out of your face. The waves underneath still look pretty and feminine. Add a small clip or a simple hair tie with a ribbon. This is one of those hairstyles that works for school, brunch, or a casual day out. For more school-ready styles that are easy to do check out first day school hairstyles that look fresh.
4. Side Part Waves With a Braid Detail
Wave your hair first. Then take a small section from the front on the heavier side of the part and braid it back just a simple three-strand braid and pin it behind your ear. The rest of your hair falls in soft waves. This tiny braid detail makes the whole hairstyle look more intentional and special. It takes about two extra minutes but looks like you spent much longer on it.
5. Low Side Part Waves Tucked Behind One Ear
A soft side part with loose waves and one side tucked behind the ear. The tucked side shows your ear, your earring, and your face more clearly. The other side falls forward in a soft wave. This asymmetry is really pretty. It’s simple but it photographs beautifully and it works for both casual days and dressed up evenings.
6. Voluminous Side Part Waves for Thick Hair
If you have thick hair this one is for you. After waving your hair flip your head upside down and gently shake. Then flip back up and let everything fall naturally around your side part. The result is big, full, voluminous soft waves with serious presence. Don’t brush them out just use your fingers to separate. The volume is the point. It’s bold and beautiful.
7. Delicate Waves for Fine Hair
Fine hair can absolutely do soft waves you just need to work with it differently. Use a smaller barrel (about an inch) and curl smaller sections. Don’t let the curls drop too fast hold them in your hand to cool. Use a light volumizing spray before curling. The waves will be smaller and more delicate than thick hair waves but they look incredibly soft and feminine. A side part makes fine hair look fuller on the heavier side.
8. Side Part Waves With Face-Framing Pieces
Wave your whole head of hair. Then go back and pull out two small sections at the front one on each side of your face and wrap them loosely around your finger or a small barrel. Let these pieces curl slightly softer than the rest. These face framing waves draw attention to your features and make the whole hairstyle look more intentional. This is a really easy way to make any soft wave look feel more finished and pretty.
9. Retro 70s Side Part Waves
The 70s wave is different from the Hollywood wave. It’s centre is parted but slightly off, with waves that are looser and more natural looking. Think Farrah Fawcett but softer. Use a large barrel and wrap hair away from the face. When done right this style has a warm, sun-kissed, retro quality to it. A little teasing at the crown adds that 70s volume. Great for anyone who loves a vintage feel. You can find amazing visual references for retro wave hairstyles on StylePetal’s Pinterest.
10. Soft Waves With a Side Part and Headband
Add a thin headband satin, velvet, or even a simple elastic one over your side parted waved hair. Push it back slightly so it sits about an inch from your hairline. The waves fall forward and around the headband naturally. This is one of those finishing touches that makes a simple wave look really polished and cute. Works especially well for school or a casual day. For easy school hairstyles that always look good check out amazing school hairstyles ideas.
11. Wet-Look Side Part Waves
Apply a strong gel or mousse to damp hair. Comb it into a deep side part and scrunch the ends into loose wave shapes. Let it air dry or diffuse. The result is a glossy wet-look wave that looks very editorial and intentional. This works best for medium to longer hair. It’s a bolder look but when done right it looks very fashion-forward and cool.
12. Side Part Waves With a Low Ponytail
Wave your hair fully. Then gather it into a low ponytail not centered, slightly to one side to match your part. Wrap a small piece of hair around the hair tie to hide it. Let a few face-framing pieces fall out at the front. The waves are visible in the ponytail and in the loose pieces around your face. It’s polished enough for work and relaxed enough for the weekend.
13. Messy Side Part Waves
The opposite of perfect. After waving your hair shake it out completely. Run your fingers through to break up any neat sections. Tug gently at a few places to loosen things up. The goal is waves that look like they happened naturally like you slept on them and they turned out good. A little texturizing spray helps. This messy version of soft waves is incredibly wearable for everyday and never looks like you tried too hard.
14. Side Part Waves With Crown Volume
Backcomb the crown section of your hair slightly before waving. Just a little not big hair, just enough lift so the root area doesn’t go flat. Then wave the rest normally. The extra crown volume makes your head shape look really pretty and the side part sits more dramatically. This trick works especially well if your hair tends to fall flat at the roots by midday.
15. Soft Waves With a Side Part and Pearl Pins
Wave your hair softly. Then scatter two or three small pearl pins randomly through the waves not in a pattern, just placed naturally wherever they look good. It’s a tiny detail but it makes the whole hairstyle feel special and occasion worthy. Great for a graduation, a dinner, or any day you want your hair to feel a little more dressed up without actually changing the style.
16. Side Part Waves Tied With a Silk Scarf
After waving pull your hair into a low side ponytail or low bun. Tie a silk scarf around the base instead of a hair tie leave the ends trailing loosely. Or tie the scarf around your head like a headband over the waves. Either way the scarf adds colour, pattern, and personality to a classic soft wave look. It’s incredibly easy and looks really put together.
17. Braided Crown With Side Part Waves Underneath
Take a small section from the top of your head and braid it across like a crown braid very loose and relaxed. Pin it in place. Let the rest of your hair fall in soft waves below with the side part visible at the front. The braid crown and the loose waves underneath is a combination that looks genuinely beautiful for special occasions. For more braid and wave combinations check out crown twist hairstyles for ideas.
18. S-Wave Side Part Style
This is more defined than a regular soft wave. Using a flat iron not a curling iron create actual S-shaped waves by moving the iron in an S motion as you go down each section. The result is a very distinct, almost vintage wave pattern. A deep side part makes this look incredibly sophisticated. It takes practice but once you have it this style looks seriously impressive.
19. Side Part Waves for Short Hair
Short hair can absolutely do soft waves with a side part. Use a small to medium barrel iron. The waves on short hair will be tighter and more defined but they still look soft and feminine. A side part on short waved hair frames the face beautifully and adds a classic, elegant feel. Finish with a light hold spray so the waves stay without looking stiff.
20. Side Part Waves With a Messy Side Braid
Wave your hair first. Then take a section from the front heavy side of your part and loosely braid it back a messy relaxed braid, not a tight one. Let it go back toward your ear and pin it. The braid mixes with the waves in a really pretty way. This is casual enough for school but pretty enough for a party. If you love mixing braids and waves the messy side braid hairstyles guide has so many beautiful versions of this.
21. Old Money Side Part Waves
Think quiet luxury. Clean, soft, perfectly placed waves with a deep side part. No flyways. No messiness. Just smooth, glossy, controlled waves that look expensive. A good shine serum applied before curling makes a big difference for this look. Keep jewelry simple pearl studs or a thin gold chain. This hairstyle paired with a clean classic outfit is the definition of effortless elegance.
22. Soft Waves With a Side Part for School
First day of school energy right here. Loose soft waves with a slightly off centre part, a small clip on one side to keep hair out of your face, and the rest falling naturally. It looks pretty in photos, stays decent through the day, and takes about ten minutes to do in the morning. If you want your school hairstyle to look perfect in photos check out first day of school hairstyles look perfect photos for more ideas exactly like this.
23. Waves That Stay All Day
The secret to soft waves that actually last is preparation. Apply a heat protectant. Curl in the direction away from your face. Let each curl cool in your hand before releasing. Don’t touch them while they cool. After they’re all done hit everything with a light flexible hold hairspray. These steps make the difference between waves that last two hours and waves that last all day. For hairstyles that stay perfect no matter what the first day school hairstyles stay perfect guide has really practical tips.
24. Romantic Side Part Waves for a Date
Soft waves worn fully down. Deep side part. A few pieces pulled slightly forward to frame the face. A little extra shine spray. Small delicate earrings. This is genuinely one of the most romantic and feminine hairstyles you can wear. It doesn’t need anything else. No accessories, no clips, no braids. Just beautiful soft waves falling around your face.
25. Side Part Waves With Curtain Bang Styling
If you have curtain bangs your side part already creates a natural split. Wave the bangs softly along with the rest of your hair so they blend into the overall look. The curtain bangs framing your face with soft waves around them looks incredibly pretty that very specific “effortless but beautiful” combination that curtain bangs are famous for.
26. Soft Girl Waves With Side Part
The soft girl aesthetic is all about looking gentle, feminine, and sweet. Soft waves with a side part fit perfectly into this vibe. Add a tiny butterfly clip or two near the part. Maybe a thin ribbon or a small bow. Keep everything soft and light. This look is especially popular right now and it suits younger girls and anyone who loves a feminine, gentle aesthetic. For soft girl school hair specifically the first day school soft girl hairstyles page has lovely ideas.
27. Side Part Waves Pinned Back on One Side
Wave your hair fully. On the lighter side of your part take all the hair and pin it back behind your ear using two or three bobby pins. The heavier, fuller side falls forward in gorgeous soft waves. This asymmetric style is really striking and it stays out of your way on one side which is practical for work or school. It looks fancy but takes about one minute to do after your waves are already set.
28. Textured Lived-In Side Part Waves
This is the “I haven’t washed my hair in two days and it looks incredible” hair. Second or third day hair actually holds waves better than freshly washed hair. Apply a texturizing spray. Refresh the waves with a curling iron on any sections that need it. Add a side part. The result is this beautiful textured lived in wave that looks full of personality and movement. Some hairstyles look better the less effort you put in and this is one of them.
29. Side Part Waves With a Low Side Bun
Wave your hair. Then gather everything to one side the lighter side of your part and twist it loosely into a low bun. Let the front waves stay loose and frame your face. The bun is messy and casual not neat and tight. A few pieces fall out naturally around the bun. This is a good half effort hairstyle for days when you want your hair off your neck but still want it to look nice.
30. Your Version — The Soft Wave That Feels Like You
Here is the thing about soft loose waves with a side part. There is no one right way to do it.
Your waves might be bigger or smaller. Your part might be deeper or more subtle. You might add a braid or a clip or a scarf or nothing at all. Your hair might be short or long, thick or fine, straight that you curl or naturally wavy that you just enhance.
All of those versions are correct. All of them are beautiful.
The only version that matters is the one that makes you feel good when you look in the mirror. Find that version. Practice it a few times. And then wear it everywhere because soft loose waves with a side part is one of those hairstyles that genuinely suits every face, every occasion, and every version of you.
Quick Tips Before You Start
Always use heat protectant. Every single time. No exceptions.
Curl away from your face on both sides for the most flattering soft wave.
Let curls cool before you touch them. This is the step most people skip and it’s the most important one.
Finish with light hairspray not strong hold, just a flexible hold mist to keep things in place without making your hair feel crunchy.
Practice makes the part look natural. A side part on straight hair sometimes needs a few days of training to stay where you put it. Use a comb and a little water to train it and it’ll start sitting naturally on its own.