The Best Hard Part Styles for Every Hair Type & Face Shape

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Plus, learn how to style and maintain your hard part at home
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The hard part is a classic yet modern haircut that’s super versatile, so if you’ve been wanting to switch up your style, look no further! In this article, we’ll explain everything you need to know about the hard part haircut, plus provide a variety of hard part styles to suit your face shape and hair type. We’ll also explain whether the hard part is still a popular choice and how long it takes to grow out.

Top Hard Part Haircut Styles

Request a hard part with a low fade if you want a hairstyle that works for both casual and business settings. For a bold and dramatic look, opt for a hard part with a high fade, a hard part with a buzz cut, or a hard part with a quiff. For a subtle look, go for a hard part with a mid or taper fade.

Section 1 of 5:

What is a hard part?

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  1. Also known as the razor part, the hard part is a clean shaved line on the side of your head that separates the hair on one side from the other. It’s usually cut with a razor or trimmer and can be paired with fades, spikes, undercuts, and other hairstyles to add definition. [1]
    • What's the difference between a hard part and a soft part? A hard part is a line shaved into your head with a razor or trimmer, while a soft part is when the hair is brushed or combed into 2 distinct sections. [2]
    • Where do I put my hard part? Comb your hair forward to see where your hair naturally parts and separates into 2 sections. This is the best place to shave your hard part, but you can always talk to your barber to see if you can train your hair to part to the other side.
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Section 2 of 5:

How to Ask for a Hard Part

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  1. Request a hard part, specifying the placement and style you want. Ask your barber for a hard part haircut, and get specific about the overall vibe you’re looking for. If you want a natural look, for example, request a subtle, thin hard part. For a more aggressive and edgy look, ask for a wider hard part. Tell your barber to keep the top long or short, depending on your preferences, and blend it into a low, mid, or high fade. You can also ask them to pair the hard part with an undercut, quiff, pompadour, or any haircut you like. [3]
    • There are so many different hard part haircuts (which we’ll cover later on), but be sure to show your barber reference photos of hard parts that have the length, part, graduation, and styling you like. The key to a flattering haircut is to be clear about what you want!
Section 3 of 5:

Styling & Maintaining a Hard Part

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  1. Since the shaved line grows out quickly, it can start to blend with the rest of your hair and lose its definition. You’ll need to touch up the part every 1-2 weeks to keep it looking sharp. If you prefer a more casual style you can get it trimmed every 2-3 weeks, depending on how fast your hair grows. [4]
    • You can always use a trimmer to maintain the part at home between appointments.
  2. Apply gel , cream , or pomade to keep your hair in place. Warm up a dime-sized amount of your desired styling product into your palms, then run it evenly through your hair. Use a comb to style the parted sections into place, brushing the longer section over while keeping the hard part visible. For extra hold, finish with a light mist of hairspray . [5]
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Section 4 of 5:

25 Best Hard Part Haircuts

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  1. This is the most subtle of all the hard part variations, with a low taper fade or low skin fade starting about an inch above your ears. It’s clean, crisp, and doesn’t require any styling, perfect for business or social settings. [6]
  2. Timeless and traditional, this variation of the hard part is extremely versatile and easy to style. If you want a messy look, work a dime-sized amount of matte clay into the ends of your hair. For a slick look, try gel or pomade instead. [7]
  3. Whether you’re working with straight, textured, curly, short, or long hair, this hard part is ultra suave and stylish. Ask your barber to give you a high fade to concentrate the length at your crown, then use a matte clay to enhance the texture and keep everything in place. [8]
  4. If you want something clean and simple, this variation of the hard part is just for you! The hair on top is slightly longer compared to the sides and back, ensuring that everything grows out evenly. Have your barber make the fade closer to your part for a rounded-off look that’s still edgy and balanced. [9]
  5. A quiff adds extra volume and texture to your hard part, making it look even more modern and trendy. Just ask your barber for a tapered cut with lots of length on top, then tell them to fade the sides and add texture through the top. You can always style your quiff to the side to accentuate your part further. [10]
  6. This classic style is basically a regular side-parted haircut with the hard part line shaved in. The hair above your part is combed to the side, while the hair below your part is combed down or back. Just use a wide tooth comb to part your hair, apply a dime-sized amount of pomade to slick your hair back, and tame any flyaways with a light mist of hairspray. [11]
  7. A crew cut is a military-inspired hairstyle that’s short, stylish, and easy to maintain. Shaving a distinct line elevates this classic cut, especially if you ask your barber to add an angle to your hard part. [12]
  8. The pompadour is a classic style that involves combing your hair upward and back, creating a high “pomp” on top. The brush back gives dense volume in the bang area, with the hair on the back and sides significantly shorter than the front. Since it’s a bold style, it helps minimize the drama of the hard part, especially if you want to test the waters first. [13]
  9. The buzz cut is a masculine and low maintenance look, making it the perfect option if you don’t want to spend a lot of time on styling. Request this style by name, or get specific with the guard number. Traditionally, barbers follow the 3-2-1 rule of using a #3 guard on top, a #2 guard on the sides, and a #1 guard to clean up the edges. [14]
  10. The undercut already features a sharp contrast between the long top and short sides, but adding a hard part can further highlight this difference. If your hair is super long on top, it can also give you more direction on how to style it to one side. [15]
  11. This combo is perfect for different beard lengths, whether you’re working with stubble or a full, shaped beard. For a clean look, you can ask your barber to fade the sides into your beard naturally. For a bolder look, ask them to disconnect the sides from your beard. [16]
  12. If you’re looking for a short and simple ‘do, the short hard part is for you! It’s almost short enough to be classified as a buzz cut, but still long enough to maintain a polished, professional vibe. Just ask your barber to keep your hair about 0.25 inch to 0.5 inch (0.64 cm to 1.3 cm) in length.
  13. Strike the perfect balance between laid-back and formal with this longer hard part. It has more length and movement than the classic style, so you can style it many different ways—from a sleek, pushed-back style to a voluminous, quiffed ‘do.
  14. If your hair is on the longer side, you can shape it into a mohawk to add extra drama to your hard part. Just use hair gel to push the sides and back toward the center of your head, then spray everything with a strong-hold hairspray. [17]
  15. For the ultimate sleek and sharp hairstyle, ask your barber to shave an additional line along your hairline. This can either look like 2 shaved lines beside each other, further apart, or on opposite sides of your head. [18]
  16. To elevate the classic man bun, ask your barber to shave a sharp line between your man bun and your fade, separating the area into 2 distinct sections. Keep your flyaways in place with a small bit of hair clay , wax , or pomade. [19]
  17. The disconnected undercut features longer length on top, with shaved sides and back. Adding a hard part amplifies the boldness and contrast of this style. [20]
  18. This is a casual take on the hard part haircut. Keep the sides slightly shorter than the top, but ask your barber to leave enough length so you can add volume and play around with the texture. To style your hair, apply a sea salt spray or pomade to enhance your waves.
  19. Texturizing your hair adds life and character to the classic hard part. Just ask your barber to cut your hair about twice the length of the sides on top and chop into it to create more texture. Use a texturizing paste or sea salt spray to add more definition. [21]
  20. Adding a hard part to your curly hair allows you to part your hair easily, plus adds extra shape and definition. Just apply a curl cream while your hair is still damp to minimize frizz and add a healthy shine. [22]
  21. This cropped and edgy style sits at the very top of your head, with a sharp skin fade on the back and sides. The hard part enhances the contrast of the cut, making it a great option if you want something trendy and modern. [23]
  22. If you have a long face shape, the forward swept hard part is a flattering choice. It’s surprisingly easy to style and maintain, so you won’t have to spend a lot of time fixing your hair. All you need to do is sweep the front hair forward with some styling cream or mousse , then add hairspray to seal everything in place. [24]
  23. A military buzz cut is eye-catching on its own, but adding a hard part adds even more drama to your look. Just be sure to take care of your scalp by using a scalp treatment since all of your skin flaws will be noticeable. [25]
  24. Shaving a hard part into your afro is a great way to add definition and edginess. Consult with your barber for the best afro shape and style for your hair texture, and use a hair pick or hair sponge to style your hair into your preferred shape. To seal in moisture, apply a few pumps of light hair oil or scrunch in some softening cream . [26]
  25. Classic and modern, the wet hair hard part is sleek, suave, and super stylish. All you need to do is apply gel to your wet hair and use a comb to distribute the product evenly. Then, let your hair dry naturally or use a hairdryer to set the part in place. [27]
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Section 5 of 5:

Frequently Asked Questions

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  1. 1
    Is a hard part still in style? Yes, the hard part is still one of the most popular cuts you can ask for. Since it’s extremely versatile, many people pair it with different haircuts that suit their hair length and texture. It’s perfect for guys who want a clean, sharp, and stylish look, including young professionals, military and law enforcement personnel, and barbershop regulars. [28]
  2. 2
    How do you get rid of a hard part? You have to let your hair grow out naturally to get rid of a hard part. The shaved line will gradually disappear as new hair grows in, which normally takes several weeks, depending on your hair growth rate. If you want to hide the part while it’s growing out, comb your hair over the part, then use some gel or pomade to hold it in place. [29]
  3. 3
    What celebrities have a hard part? Celebs like David Beckham, Justin Timberlake, Donald Glover (Childish Gambino), Jamie Foxx, Ryan Reynolds, Nick Jonas, Maluma, Cristiano Ronaldo, and Odell Beckham Jr. have rocked the hard part.
  4. 4
    What face shapes look best with a hard part? The hard part suits a variety of face shapes, but it’s especially flattering for those with oval and round faces. This is because the crisp line of the hard part adds definition to faces with softer features. With that being said, you can always pair the hard part with a fade or undercut, or leave your hair longer or shorter to adapt the cut to your face shape. [30]
    • After you determine your face shape , talk to your barber to see what style suits you. They can offer advice on what works well with your hair texture and length.
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      References

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