Krysta Anderson, Flair Writer

After seeing all the glitz and glamour at this year's staging of Academy Awards, the side sweep reigned supreme for the star studded must-attend events.

According to Kerry Spencer, stylist and owner of Salon Innovation, this trend has recently increased in popularity. "The style comes around and goes around," she notes. According to André Campbell of Andre's Hair Studio, the side sweep bang is a timeless style that has never left. "It is actually more popular than the bang because it's a go-to hairstyle. Once a girl thinks of putting in a straight weave, it is usually automatic that they want a side part with a bang." Stylist Kimone Richards, agrees with Campbell, affirming, "It is a style that is all season round."

She explains, "The side sweep does not cover the eye and is commonly referred to as the side part. It all depends on the hair, it is popularly worn long in length." While the side sweep is currently very popular abroad, the side bang reigns supreme in Jamaica. So why not incorporate both? Here's how.

Face shape

According to Spencer the side sweep or side bang fits oval and straight shaped faces. "It can work with a round face but it goes nicer with an oval or straight face." Campbell pointed out that this style fits almost every facial structure and it is almost universal, "One may have to be careful with a regular bang, but the side sweep fits just about everyone, and it is also the quickest way to achieve the girl-next-door look." While Richards believes that the style fits oblong shaped and roundface, "It does not fit a slender face."

Accentuating styles

To give the side-sweep bang some pizzazz, all agreed that women may choose from a variety of hairstyles designed to enhance their unique side-sweep bang. Kerry asserts: "The side sweep can go with so many different styles - it can be worn with a short haircut, bun, a bob or with a layered cut." According to Campbell, the "ponytail, French braids and up dos would look wonderful with the side-sweep bang." Kimone went into greater detail, "Wavy hair or straight hair can be worn behind the sweep, but you have to be careful with the shape of the face. If the face is round, straight or wavy hair would be appropriate to rock with the sweep, rather than a tight curly look. Ponytails also look nice with a side sweep."

Upkeep and styling

All recommend wrapping the hair at night, which keeps the style with the bang in shape. This can be enhanced by flat-ironing it, instead of curling. Spencer pointed out for maintenance, "A roller blow dry can be used to form a curl or a roller brush; with a blow dryer, give the side sweep bang a nice full look." Campbell recommends, "The sweep can have a slant flip or feathered to the side."