Millennials aren’t going to like this hairstyle making a comeback.

Hey, so remember when absolutely everyone with hair on their head had a side fringe? Yes? Oh, come on, Jessica. You had one too. 

The beloved millennial side fringe usually fell into one of two categories: a trendy side fringe à la every Disney star, ever — or — grungy emo bangs.

Because it was the year 2000-and-whenever and all the celebs had them. Mary-Kate and Ashley Olsen, Nicole Richie (literally always had, like, her whole face covered), Lindsay Lohan — s**t, even Beyoncé rocked a mean side fringe.

In fact, didn't Zac Efron have one too? We think... yes.

Either way, all of us wanted one. And goodness, we got them and loved them! 

Swept them either side of our face. Threw it all over to one side. Pinned it back in those trendy little poufs at the front of our heads.

What a time. What a ~flexible~ style. The most defining look of the decade.

Watch: 6 facts about body hair that'll surprise you. Post continues below.

But then something... happened. And the millennials all travelled the world, got big girl jobs, and grew our hair out. 

Nothing gold can stay, you guys.

We'd all look back at our MySpace and Facebook posts from the early 2000s and cringe in horror, and ask ourselves what we were thinking, while trying to smooth down our middle parts and resist flipping everything to the side in case Gen Z would yell at us.

Then suddenly, in 2024, the nostalgia for everything 2000s threw crazy blush, frosty everything and glossy lips back into our lives/faces. 

And now, the glorious side-swept bang has officially made a comeback — and no, you guys. This is not a drill.

Recently spotted on Kim Kardashian at the 10th Annual Breakthrough Prize Ceremony at Academy Museum of Motion Pictures, the relic has also been seen on Selena Gomez, Kylie Jenner, Bella Hadid, Dua Lipa and Bebe Rexha — just precisely all of the people, really.

And honestly, it looks better than ever.

Image credit: Getty; Instagram/@dualipa; @jesushair; @nicolapeltzbeckham

"I've definitely seen a request to go back to side parts and side fringes," confirmed Sydney-based hairstylist Alexander Fuchs, of Fuchs Hair, who assured us that the revival is really nothing to be scared of. Really.

In fact, apparently it's actually very good news for those of us who can't pull off the popular Gen Z middle part.

Here's everything you need to know about the return of the side fringe.

What is the millennial fringe?

For the uninitiated, "the millennial fringe is basically side bangs," explained Fuchs. "So, we are moving away from the middle part and we embracing the side part again, which I'm really, really happy about."

In case you haven't heard (where have you been, friend), Gen Z cancelled side parts (along with skinny jeans, eyeshadow and ankle socks) and everyone got very nervous because WHAT IF WE DON'T SUIT THEM.

"The Gen Z trend about the middle part has ruffled some feathers in the salon, because clients who always had side parts suddenly felt like it's making them look old, and they had to go to a middle part."

"Now, middle parts are fantastic and suit lots and lots of people but some people just don't suit a middle part. Whether it's face shape wise, the way their hairline grows, cows licks, all of these things."

"So the fact that we have now a trend, which goes back into a side part or side banks really excites me to give options to different clients."

Why are side fringes making a comeback?  

"Look, side bangs were definitely a big trend in the early 2000s, we also saw them in the '90s. That whole Y2k area is definitely making a comeback in general. For the first time in my life, really seeing things I used to wear coming back into trend or in back into fashion (which makes me sound old)," said Fuchs.

And honestly, same.

"I think that whole movement of '90s and early 2000s fashion being back on trend automatically then leads to those hair trends coming back into fashion again."

"Also, what I see in hair trends a lot is if one thing is trending, usually the opposite will be on trend next. For example, middle parts and curtain bangs have been such a big fashion statement for a while now, that naturally the next trend will be something in a different direction — a middle part is obviously a side part."

And it's not just side fringes Fuchs has noticed trending in the salon. "Side parts are back in fashion, which is super exciting," he said.

"I've noticed that people are embracing the side parts more and more in the salon. I like the idea of always having a solid part anyway, but especially a side part fringe or a millennial fringe because it gives you a bit of bit of versatility."

"Usually when it's cut to the side, it also then allows you to tuck it or sweep it out of your face. So you can commit to a fringe but don't have to fully commit to a fringe."

What advice would you give to someone who wants to jump on the trend?

According to Fuchs, there's one hard rule when it comes to fringes: don't cut them yourself. Please.

"Let a hairdresser cut your fringe," he said. "There's so many things that can go wrong. So, put that fringe into the hand of a professional, because what's really important is you have to take into consideration the way your hair grows, how dense your hairline is, if there're cows licks or anything like that."

"The hairdresser will then adjust that fringe length, the way it's cut, the texture and the way it's layered, based on your face shape and also your hair type."

"Because obviously, again, with the millennial fringe (side bangs) you can have them in many different ways — they can be shorter, they can be longer, they can be more sweepy, they can be more blended into like a curtain bang or they can be quite short and angular."

If you're already making yourself an appointment, Fuchs reminds us to not only talk to the expert but also do a bit of research on how to maintain it. 

"Because a lot of clients or a lot of people who are cutting a fringe, don't realise that the fringe has to be styled. Depending on your hair type, you might have to then blow dry with a round brush or straighten it or wave it. Think about the maintenance."

Fuchs hot tip? If you've never had a full fringe, side bangs or a millennial fringe — start off longer and work your way towards something shorter, if you like it.

"Don't go in with the full shortness you've seen on a celebrity," he said. "Start a bit longer, see how it sits, see how it feels like to maintain and then maybe the second time around you can be a bit more brave and go that a little bit shorter."

If you're looking for easy ways to maintain the volume of your fringe without having to wash it every single day (anyone with a fringe knows the pain), Fuchs said the easiest way is to reach for a dry shampoo — like OG brand Batiste — to add extra volume and grip to the fringe and avoid the fringe getting flat and straggly if you haven’t washed your hair freshly.

"I'm all up for the side bang to make a comeback. It's super versatile, and it suits most people (depending on how the hairdresser cuts it). Just be aware of how to style it and to always listen to the expert."

Would you jump back on board the millennial side fringe trend? Share your thoughts with us in the comment section below.

Feature: Getty.

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