Side Part curly hairstyles for black Girls

A perfectly laid side part curl can turn an average day into a full main character moment. There’s something magnetic about the way a deep side part sends curls cascading over one shoulder, framing the face and adding instant glam without much effort. It works for brunch, for date night, for literally any excuse to feel put together and camera ready.

Side part curly hairstyles have become the go to look for black girls who want volume, movement, and a face frame that actually flatters every angle, no matter your hair length. The deep side part does the heavy lifting here, creating that swoop that makes curls look fuller without extra product. It’s low maintenance styling with maximum payoff, which is exactly why it keeps trending everywhere from TikTok to the salon chair.

I pulled together eighteen gorgeous side part looks so you can see just how many ways this style can go, from sleek waves to tight curls to full on ringlets. Each one has its own personality, and I promise you’ll find at least three you want to screenshot immediately. Let’s get into it

1. Chocolate Balayage Waves Done Right

Warm chocolate balayage reads expensive without a full color treatment, especially when it starts just below the crown. Deep side parts add extra dimension by casting shadow right at the root.

Ask your colorist for balayage starting mid shaft to avoid a harsh line as your hair grows out.
Curl the front pieces away from your face to keep the swoop looking intentional.
Set your part with a rat tail comb first so it stays crisp all day.

2. Jet Black Waves, Deep Part

Jet black hair holds a deep side part better than any other shade because there’s zero contrast to expose slip ups in the parting line. Body wave curls like these give major volume without weighing the hair down.

Part your hair while it’s slightly damp for a cleaner, straighter line that holds longer.
Wrap sections around a 1.5 inch barrel for that classic bouncy curl pattern.
Brush curls out gently once cool to blend them into one seamless wave.

3. Subtle Highlights Meet Soft Waves

A few face framing highlights change everything about a deep side part, adding dimension exactly where the eye lands first. Soft waves keep the whole look romantic instead of overly done.

Ask for highlights only on the curtain pieces so the rest of your color stays rich.
Use a smaller barrel on the front pieces for tighter curls that frame the face.
Finish with a shine serum, not oil, to avoid weighing curls down.

4. Pink Backdrop, Bold Bounce

Big bouncy curls with a deep side part photograph incredibly well against soft, colorful backgrounds. The bounce comes from curling each section in the same direction and letting it cool fully.

Curl every section the same direction for a uniform, salon quality bounce.
Let curls cool completely before brushing so they don’t fall flat immediately.
Pin curls at the root while cooling to lock in extra volume up top.

5. Curls That Mean Business

Deep curly textures with a crisp side part work just as well for the office as they do for a night out. IMO this is the most versatile curl pattern out there because it holds shape for days.

Sleep with a silk bonnet to preserve the curl pattern overnight.
Refresh with a spray bottle and light gel instead of restyling from scratch.
Keep the part clean with a small toothbrush and gel for sharp definition.

6. Smoky Eyes And Sleek Curls

Bold makeup deserves a hairstyle that doesn’t compete for attention, and a sleek side part with soft curls does exactly that. Clipping the crown while curling keeps the volume controlled and intentional.

Clip the top section up while curling underneath for a smoother, sleeker crown.
Use a fine tail comb to slice a razor sharp part before styling.
Set the part with a light hold gel so it stays put all night.

7. Jersey Fit, Curly Statement

Curly hair pairs perfectly with a casual jersey and jeans moment, proving these styles aren’t just for special occasions. Bigger curls hold up better through a full day of movement than tighter ones.

Go up a barrel size for all day wear so curls loosen naturally instead of frizzing.
Apply a lightweight mousse before curling to add hold without stiffness.
Touch up only the front pieces if the back holds shape fine on its own.

8. Mauve Tones, Effortless Waves

Soft, effortless waves with a deep part work with basically any outfit color, which is exactly why this style stays in rotation. The key is keeping the curl loose instead of tight and structured.

Use a 1.5 to 2 inch barrel for waves instead of curls.
Skip the clip and let curls drop naturally as they cool for a softer finish.
Add a texturizing spray at the ends for that lived in, effortless look.

9. Minimalist Backdrop, Maximum Curl

A plain backdrop puts all the attention on the curl pattern itself, and this one holds serious volume from root to tip. Curly textures like this need extra moisture to stay defined instead of frizzy.

Detangle only with a wide tooth comb on soaking wet hair to protect the curl pattern.
Apply leave in conditioner before any styling product to lock in moisture.
Diffuse on low heat if you’re air drying to keep curls springy.

10. Edgy Curls With Gold Accents

Jewelry and tattoos read even bolder against a soft curly side part, since the hair frames the face without hiding any of the details. This curl pattern sits somewhere between a wave and a full curl.

Alternate barrel directions for a more natural, less uniform curl pattern.
Layer a gold necklace or two to play off warm hair tones.
Keep edges laid with a light brush, not heavy gel, for a softer finish.

11. Cozy Vibes, Camera Ready Curls

A relaxed gray tee and soft curls prove you don’t need a full glam look to have great hair. Loose curls with a deep part photograph well in any lighting.

Curl hair the night before so it settles into a more natural shape by morning.
Use dry shampoo at the root to keep second day curls looking fresh.
Fluff with your fingers, not a brush, to avoid breaking up the curl pattern.

12. All Black Everything Curls

An all black outfit lets a deep side part and voluminous curls do all the talking. This style works because the curls get bigger and looser toward the ends instead of staying tight throughout.

Curl the roots tighter and the ends looser for that graduated, voluminous shape.
Backcomb gently at the crown for extra lift before curling.
Set with a light hairspray, not a heavy one, to keep movement in the curls.

13. Moody Backdrop, Bouncy Curls

A textured gray backdrop makes tight, bouncy curls pop even more, especially with a deep side part cutting right through the middle. This pattern needs consistent barrel size for a uniform ringlet look.

Use the same barrel size throughout for consistent, uniform curls.
Curl away from the face on both sides for a symmetrical finish.
Seal ends with a small amount of oil to prevent them from frizzing out.

14. Ringlet Ends Steal The Show

Sleek roots that transition into tight ringlet ends give the illusion of two textures in one style. This combo works best when the top half is flat ironed first and only the ends get curled.

Flat iron the roots smooth first before curling only the bottom half.
Wrap ends around a small barrel for those tighter, defined ringlets.
Avoid brushing the ringlet section so the curl definition stays intact.

15. Vanity Mirror Ready Curls

Getting ready in front of a well lit mirror makes it so much easier to check your part is even on both sides. Full, springy curls like these need patience more than any special technique.

Check your part in natural light before committing to the final style.
Curl in small sections for fuller, more defined curls overall.
Let hair cool in the curl shape before separating with your fingers.

16. Warm Highlights On Curly Ends

Warm highlights concentrated at the ends make natural curl patterns look sun kissed without lightening the whole head. This coloring technique works especially well on tighter, springier curl types.

Request highlights placed from mid length down to protect your natural root color.
Use a color safe leave in conditioner to keep warm tones from fading fast.
Deep condition weekly since colored curls need extra moisture to stay healthy.

17. Neon Glow, Curly Volume

Colorful lighting brings out every bit of shine in a well moisturized curl pattern, and this look has plenty of it. Big, voluminous curls like these usually come from setting hair on larger rollers or barrels.

Set curls on larger rollers overnight for volume without heat damage.
Apply a curl defining cream on wet hair before any drying method.
Avoid touching curls too much once dry to prevent frizz from forming.

18. Black Jacket, Bold Side Sweep

A structured black jacket pairs surprisingly well with soft, undone waves and a deep side sweep. This proves curly and wavy textures work just as well for polished outfits as anything sleek and straight.

Sweep the side part slightly deeper than usual for more coverage and drama.
Use a boar bristle brush to smooth flyaways without disrupting the curl.
Finish with a light hold spray for movement that still holds all day.

How to Get This Look at Home

You don’t need a professional to recreate any of these looks, just the right tools and a little patience. Ever wonder why salon curls last longer than DIY ones? It usually comes down to sectioning and heat control, not fancier tools.

Start with clean, fully dry hair since curling irons grip better without any product residue in the way. Section hair into four to six parts depending on thickness, and always curl away from your face for the most natural fall.

Use a 1 to 1.5 inch barrel for the bouncy waves shown throughout this post.
Hold each curl for 8 to 10 seconds before releasing for lasting hold.
Let every curl cool in your hand before brushing it out.
Finish with a light hairspray from a distance to avoid stiff, crunchy curls.

Products That Keep Curls Looking Fresh

The right products make the difference between curls that last three days and curls that fall out by lunch. FYI, less is more here since curly styles get weighed down fast by heavy products.

A lightweight leave in conditioner should always go on damp hair first, followed by a heat protectant if you’re using any hot tools. From there it’s really about locking in the shape without adding extra weight.

Leave in conditioner keeps curls soft and manageable before any heat touches your hair.
Heat protectant spray is non negotiable if you’re curling with a hot iron or wand.
Lightweight curl cream defines curls without the crunchy, stiff finish some gels leave behind.
Silk pillowcase or bonnet prevents frizz and preserves your curl pattern overnight.

Side part curly hairstyles never really go out of style, and now you’ve got eighteen ways to make the look your own. The best version of this style is simply the one that makes you feel confident.

Grab your curling iron, pick your favorite look from above, and give it a try this weekend. You’ve got this