• Celebrity
    • Daniel Kaluuya Digital Cover
    • Digital Cover Method Man
    • Digital Cover Zazie
    • Celebrity News
    • ‘Yes, Girl!’ Podcast
    • Entertainment
    • Black Celeb Couples
    • Celebrity Moms
    • Red Carpet
    • If Not For My Girls
  • Fashion
    • ESSENCE Fashion House 2022
    • Fashion News
    • Street Style
    • Accessories
    • Fashion Week
  • Beauty
    • Black Beauty Awards 2022
    • ESSENCE Hair Awards 2022
    • AVEENO Skin Health Startup Accelerator
    • Beauty News
    • Skin
    • Makeup
    • Nails
    • Girls United: Beautiful Possibilities
  • Hair
    • Hair News
    • Natural
    • Relaxed
    • Transitioning
    • Weave
    • 4C
  • Love
    • Love & Sex News
    • The Solve Podcast
    • Weddings
    • Parenting
    • Relationships
  • Lifestyle
    • Black History Month
    • ESSENCE Gift Guide 2022
    • ESSENCE + smartwater Live Well Challenge
    • Build Your Legacy 2022
    • Dream & Plan with Confidence Prudential
    • AMEX Platinum Travel
    • Homecoming Season 2022
    • Lifestyle News
    • Health & Wellness
    • ESSENCE Eats
    • Money & Career
    • Entrepreneurship
    • Travel
    • Food & Drink
    • Black Travel Guide
  • News
    • Paint The Polls Black
    • Sponsors Recognition Page 2022
    • Latest News
    • Raise Your Voice
    • Culture
    • Politics
  • Video
  • Festival
    • 2023 ESSENCE Festival Of Culture
    • 2023 ESSENCE Film Festival
    • 2022 Fest Videos
  • Events
    • 2023 ESSENCE Film Festival
    • 2022 Girls United Summit
    • 2022 ESSENCE Fashion House
    • 2022 Black Women In Hollywood
    • 2022 HOLLYWOOD HOUSE
    • 2022 Homecoming Season
    • Wellness House
    • She Got Now
    • Dear Black Men
    • I Am Speaking
    • Power Tools
  • Studios
  • Girls United

WHERE BLACK WOMEN COME FIRST

Every day we're serving Black women deeply. Come get a plate of goodness! Sign up for daily content and exclusive offers you'll love!

Your email is required.
Your email is in invalid format.
Confirm email is required.
Email did not match.
By clicking Sign Up, you agree to our Terms of Use and that you have read our Privacy Policy
Skip to content
SUBSCRIBE
  • MAGAZINE
  • NEWSLETTER
  • Celebrity
    • Daniel Kaluuya Digital Cover
    • Digital Cover Method Man
    • Digital Cover Zazie
    • Celebrity News
    • ‘Yes, Girl!’ Podcast
    • Entertainment
      • Paint The Polls Black
    • Black Celeb Couples
    • Celebrity Moms
    • Red Carpet
    • If Not For My Girls
  • Fashion
    • ESSENCE Fashion House 2022
    • Fashion News
    • Street Style
    • Accessories
    • Fashion Week
  • Beauty
    • Black Beauty Awards 2022
    • ESSENCE Hair Awards 2022
    • AVEENO Skin Health Startup Accelerator
    • Beauty News
    • Skin
    • Makeup
    • Nails
    • Girls United: Beautiful Possibilities
  • Hair
    • Hair News
    • Natural
    • Relaxed
    • Transitioning
    • Weave
    • 4C
  • Love
    • Love & Sex News
    • The Solve Podcast
    • Weddings
    • Parenting
    • Relationships
  • Lifestyle
    • Black History Month
    • ESSENCE Gift Guide 2022
    • ESSENCE + smartwater Live Well Challenge
    • Build Your Legacy 2022
    • Dream & Plan with Confidence Prudential
    • AMEX Platinum Travel
    • Homecoming Season 2022
    • Lifestyle News
    • Health & Wellness
    • ESSENCE Eats
    • Money & Career
    • Entrepreneurship
    • Travel
    • Food & Drink
    • Black Travel Guide
  • News
    • Paint The Polls Black
    • Sponsors Recognition Page 2022
    • Latest News
    • Raise Your Voice
    • Culture
    • Politics
  • Video
  • Festival
    • 2023 ESSENCE Festival Of Culture
    • 2023 ESSENCE Film Festival
    • 2022 Fest Videos
  • Events
    • 2023 ESSENCE Film Festival
    • 2022 Girls United Summit
    • 2022 ESSENCE Fashion House
    • 2022 Black Women In Hollywood
    • 2022 HOLLYWOOD HOUSE
    • 2022 Homecoming Season
    • Wellness House
    • She Got Now
    • Dear Black Men
    • I Am Speaking
    • Power Tools
  • Studios
  • Girls United
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
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
COMPANY INFORMATION
  • Our Company
  • Customer Service
  • Essence Ventures
  • Change Your Address
  • Contact Us
  • Job Opportunities
  • Internships
  • Media Kit
  • tag
SUBSCRIBE
  • Newsletters
  • Give a Gift of ESSENCE
  • Magazine Tablet Edition
FOLLOW US
MORE ON ESSENCE
  • Home
  • Love
  • Celebrity
  • Beauty
  • Hair
  • Fashion
  • ESSENCE festival

ESSENCE.com is part of ESSENCE Communications, Inc.

Essence may receive compensation for some links to products and services on this website. Offers may be subject to change without notice.

©2023 ESSENCE Communications Inc. All Rights Reserved. | Privacy Policy | Terms of Use | Essence.com Advertising Terms

Get The ESSENCE Newsletter and
Special Offers delivered to your inbox

By clicking Sign Up, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy.

Get The ESSENCE Magazine
by subscribing below
subscribe now