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Home • Hair

Top 10: Side-Swept Strands

Lately, the chicest celebs have proven that sometimes the easiest, most low-key looks are the hottest. Exhibit A: The Side Sweep, or strands swept to one side, cascading over your shoulder. Nothing could be easier -- or sexier.
By Nicole Marie Melton · Updated October 28, 2020
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01
Taraji P. Henson

Where: Chaka Khan’s Birthday Party in New York City.

Why: Henson wore her side-sweep for a fun night out in the Big Apple, proving it makes for an easy day-to-night look.

Top 10: Side-Swept Strands
Mike Coppola/Getty Images
02
Thandie Newton

Where: The Rogue Los Angeles premiere at ArcLight Hollywood in Hollywood, California.

Why: A sleek and chic side-sweep was the style of choice when Newton made her red carpet appearance.

Top 10: Side-Swept Strands
Jonathan Leibson/WireImage
03
Leona Lewis

Where: A personal appearance in her role as ambassador for The Body Shop at The Body Shop, Westfield London.

Why: Lewis has always worn her hair long and wavy, so this side-sweep is a nice alternative for her signature style.

Top 10: Side-Swept Strands
Mike Marsland/WireImage
04
Shanola Hampton

Where: The 21st Annual  ‘A Night At Sardi’s’ Gala at The Beverly Hilton Hotel in Beverly Hills, California.

Why: The over-the-shoulder hair is not just limited to straight hair, but as Hampton shows, it also lends itself to luscious, lovely locs.

Top 10: Side-Swept Strands
Alberto E. Rodriguez/Getty Images
05
Jurnee Smollett-Bell

Where: The screening of her upcoming film Temptation: Confessions Of A Marriage Counselor.

Why: Smollett-Bell paired her elegant and sleek hairstyle with a chic side part for an extra pop of pizzazz.

Top 10: Side-Swept Strands
Chris McKay/WireImage
06
Nichole Galicia

Where: The Weinstein Company screening of Django Unchained at the Ziegfeld Theatre in New York City

Why: Galicia hits the red carpet like a pro in side-swept spiral curls and a shiny, bouncy bang.

Top 10: Side-Swept Strands
Jim Spellman/Wireimage
07
Beyonce

Where: The Pepsi Super Bowl XLVII Halftime Show Press Conference at the Ernest N. Morial Convention Center in New Orleans.

Why: The halftime superstar was all smiles in chunky cascading curls swept over one shoulder. 

Top 10: Side-Swept Strands
Jeff Kravitz/FilmMagic
08
Garcelle Beauvais

Where: The 44th NAACP Image Awards at The Shrine Auditorium in Los Angeles, California.

Why: A strapless dress is always a good match for soft curls swept to one side.

Top 10: Side-Swept Strands
Frederick M. Brown/Getty Images
09
Christina Milian

Where: The ‘Skirts Only’ Fashion Show at 404 NYC in New York City.

Why: Milian flaunted long shiny strands with a voluminous side-swept bang.

Top 10: Side-Swept Strands
Rob Kim/FilmMagic
10
Selita Ebanks

Where: The 2012 UNICEF Snowflake Ball at Cipriani 42nd Street in New York City.

Why: Ebanks swept her wavy, wondrous tresses over one shoulder to show off her riveting red dress. So chic!

Top 10: Side-Swept Strands
Rob Kim/FilmMagic