Trend-Filled Thursdays: The Side Part

Forget parting your hair down the middle. At Fall 2008 Fashion Week, the side part was all the rage. Seen everywhere from Akris to Donna Karan, models strutted down the runway with their tresses pulled to one side. It's even trickled down to celebrities, with gals like Emmy Rossum, Rachel Bilson and getting in on the act. And whether you're going for a sleek updo or wavy, flowy locks, this style can work for you! Center parts tend to make the face look a bit wider, while the side part can elongate your puss and sleeken your entire do. Read on to see tons of pictures that will inspire you ... and for tips on how to create the looks yourself!

GRACEFUL UPDOS

Rachel Bilson rocking a semi-undone look

Emma Watson going the super-pretty route at Cartier International Polo Day

on the runway at Aquascutum

on the runway at Akris

These looks may seem tough to pull off, but never fear! They are a lot simpler than they appear. Whether you want to look super-polished or a little more rough and tumble, a French twist or a bun will reign the look in just so. Here's how to create it from start to finish.

1) Using a wide-toothed comb, pull a wide chunk -- at least two inches -- over to the side. Either side works, just decide which one looks better for your face!
2) Pull the remaining tresses into a low bun or French twist and secure with bobby pins.
3) Spritz a shine spray like Frederic Fekkai Glossing Sheer Shine Mist ($22.50 at bathandbodyworks.com) over your entire head, concentrating especially on the front part that you've left out of the updo.
4) Pull just a bit at the updo to make it a bit more textured and give it a tousled, slightly messy look.
5) Voila! An easy-to-create, side-parted updo!

DOWN BUT NOT OUT

on the runway at Alberta Ferretti

Amy Adams showing some side-parted curls at a Louis Vuitton event

on the runway at Antonio Berardi

on the runway at Badgley Mischka

on the runway at Daryl K and Kerrigan

Whether you're going for straight and sleek or a bit more tousled and undone, this look is so super-sexy. And just like the looks above, they are fairly simple to accomplish. Here's how you can get the look.

1) A good blowout is key here! And you can accomplish that at home. Using a blowdryer like the T3 Bespoke Labs Featherweight Dryer ($200 at sephora.com), your locks will fall effortlessly into this style. If you're looking to make your tresses pin-straight, use a round brush to pull each strand out to its fullest. For a more undone look, you'll want to curl your round brush around each strand as you blow them out to create a bit of a wave.
2) Use a wide-toothed comb to part your hair down the side. As in the above looks, pick the side that looks better for your face!
3) For the straight look, finish with a shine serum like Jonathan Product Silky Dirt Shine & Define Creme ($28 at sephora.com), which will infuse your locks with a ton of shine.
4) The more undone look needs a bit of tousle! Phyto Curl Defining Spray ($26 at sephora.com), a styling mist with moisturizing passion flower extract, will do just that.