Wavy Professional Side Part with Soft Scissor-Tapered Sides

About This Style

Key Features

• Natural, soft-sculpted side part that organically separates the hair, avoiding the harshness and high maintenance of a shaved hard line.
• Sweeping frontal volume that proudly showcases natural Type 2 waves, providing height and dimension without appearing unnecessarily messy or unkempt.
• Masterfully scissor-tapered sides, maintained between 6 and 20 millimeters, that lay flat, frame the face elegantly, and provide a conservative silhouette.
• Seamlessly blended crown and back sections that maintain structural flow, sweeping backward to prevent cowlick separation and maintain a cohesive shape.
• Strategic internal layering and bulk removal on the 5 to 10 centimeter top, which is crucial for preventing thick, dense hair from mushrooming out at the parietal ridge.
• Clean, softly tapered natural neckline that grows out gracefully over a three to four week period, extending the lifespan of your haircut.

Getting the Cut

1. Ask for a classic executive side part, but clearly specify that you want to keep the part entirely natural, avoiding any clippers or trimmers carving a hard line into your scalp.
2. Request a traditional scissor-over-comb taper on the sides and back, leaving approximately 6 to 20 millimeters of length so the hair can still be brushed back and tucked neatly around the ears.
3. Instruct the barber to keep the top at a versatile medium length, roughly 5 to 10 centimeters, ensuring they leave the fringe slightly longer to achieve that signature sweeping wave in the front.
4. Ask your barber to utilize point cutting or specialized texturizing shears heavily on the top section to meticulously remove bulk from your dense hair, allowing the natural waves to form without puffing out horizontally.
5. Request a softly tapered, natural finish at the nape of the neck rather than a harshly blocked or squared-off neckline, which will ensure a much more natural and forgiving grow-out phase.
6. Emphasize the need for a seamless, continuous blend between the shorter sides and the longer top at the parietal ridge, strictly avoiding any harsh disconnection or modern undercut styling.

Daily Routine

1. Begin your routine by stepping out of the shower and gently patting your hair with a towel. Leave it slightly damp, which is the optimal state for manipulating your natural Type 2 waves without causing frizz.
2. Apply a dime-sized amount of lightweight styling cream or a few spritzes of sea salt spray as a pre-styler. Work it thoroughly from the roots to the tips to encourage the wave pattern and provide essential heat protection.
3. Utilize a blow dryer set to medium heat and low airflow. Direct the air backward over your head while using your fingers to lift the roots at the very front, creating that foundational sweeping volume.
4. Once the hair reaches about 80 percent dry, locate your natural parting line using a wide-tooth comb. Separate the hair cleanly, pushing the bulk of the top over to your preferred side.
5. Switch to a vented styling brush to smooth the sides back flat against your head, then gently guide the longer top hair into its final, sweeping backward position until completely dry.
6. Scoop out a moderate amount of medium-hold, low-shine styling paste or pliable clay. Emulsify it completely by rubbing your palms together vigorously until the product is warm and transparent.
7. Lightly rake your product-coated hands through the top section to define the waves, then gently pat down the sides and back to secure flyaways, ensuring a natural, flexible hold that lasts all day in the office.

Products & Tools

• Medium-hold, natural-finish styling paste or pliable clay to provide all-day control for thick hair without leaving it stiff, crunchy, or artificially shiny.
• High-quality sea salt spray or a lightweight, hydrating styling cream to be used as a pre-styler for wave enhancement and vital heat protection.
• Premium wide-tooth comb to establish a clean, precise, but entirely natural-looking side part without snagging or pulling dense hair strands.
• Vented ceramic styling brush to allow maximum airflow from the dryer, helping to smooth the cuticle and create sweeping, effortless volume.
• Professional-grade blow dryer equipped with a concentrator nozzle attachment to ensure precise directional drying and lock the waves exactly where you want them.

Maintenance

• Schedule standing barber visits every three to four weeks to maintain the sharply tailored edges around the ears and keep the thick sides from looking unruly or overgrown.
• Wash your hair two to three times a week with a deeply hydrating shampoo and a rich conditioner to keep your natural wavy texture soft, hydrated, and easily manageable.
• Strictly avoid using heavy, high-shine gels, traditional oil-based pomades, or cheap waxes that will weigh down your natural waves and make the hair look unprofessionally greasy.
• On non-wash days, simply rinse your hair thoroughly with warm water in the shower and apply a tiny, pea-sized amount of leave-in conditioner to refresh the style and tame morning bedhead.
• Sleep on a high-quality silk or satin pillowcase to significantly reduce overnight friction, which helps prevent your thick, wavy hair from developing unmanageable frizz by morning.

Best For