What is a 70/30 haircut?
A 70/30 cut is a medium-short hairstyle with a side part. A 70/30 haircut is essentially a simple side part. It’s called “70/30” because that’s about the ratio of the part: 70% of the hair parts one way, the other 30% parts the other way. It’s a classic, timeless, and super-suave style that isn’t exactly new, but has become super popular recently since it’s simple and easy to achieve. Side parts like this are an easy way to achieve volume and texture without much fuss. Side parts like this are also popular because they work with basically any hair texture and face shape. Meet the wikiHow Experts Tiffany Carnevale-Russo is a Licensed Cosmetologist and Salon Manager with over 19 years of beauty industry experience. She specializes in haircuts and hairstyling for men. Kelsey Morey is a Professional Hair and Makeup Artist, Model, and the Owner and Founder of Haus of Pretty based in Westport, Connecticut. Frankie Sanderson is a Makeup Artist and Stylist and the Founder of TheStudeo, a styling business based in Washington DC that specializes in hairstyling, makeup, and personal image consulting services.
Getting the 70/30 Look
Cut your hair to medium-short length. A 70/30 part is super versatile and works with many different cuts, but it works best if your hair is medium-short, or about 4–5 in (10–13 cm). Also, many people with a 70/30 part have an undercut, where the hair is shorter on the sides. This exaggerates and showcases the hair on top, where the part is, and adds a lot of texture. Pro hair stylist Tiffany Carnevale-Russo says to show your barber a photo of the look you want, and to “let them know that you're looking for a part in the haircut.”
Dampen your hair so that it’s easy to work with. Professional hair and makeup stylist Kelsey Morey tells us to start with a wash. Hop in the shower and get your hair wet. Then, she says to use a blow-dryer to knock out most of the moisture. You want your hair to be just wet enough that it’s moldable and mostly holds its shape when you run your fingers through it. Or, instead of a hair dryer, dry your hair with a microfiber towel, which wicks away the moisture while leaving in the hydration.
Use your hands to form a side part above your eyebrow. Now, Morey tells us to direct the hair into a side part. Master hair stylist Frankie Sanderson says, “The best place to park your hair is over the arch of your eyebrow.” In the mirror, decide on which side of your head you want your part to be. Then, use your fingers to comb 70% of your hair to one side, and 30% to the other to make the part. Aim to make this part just above the middle of your eyebrow, which is about where the 70/30 ratio is. Make the part go from your forehead to the back and top of your scalp, but don’t let it continue down the back of your head. Which side the part is on is up to you! Try parting your hair on both sides to see which you prefer. The part will frame and showcase the side of your face that it’s on, so if you think you have a “good side,” make the part on that side of your face. EXPERT TIP Frankie Sanderson Frankie Sanderson Makeup Artist & Stylist Franklin (Frankie) Sanderson is a Makeup Artist and Stylist and the Founder of TheStudeo, a styling business based in Washington DC that specializes in hairstyling, makeup, and personal image consulting services. He specializes in hair extensions, chemical services such as highlighting, Balayage, Japanese straightening, keratin treatments, and designer cuts. He has a BFA in Fashion Design from Virginia Commonwealth University and has trained at the L'Oreal Soho Academy, TIGI, Vidal Sassoon, Redken, and Wella. His clients include Nicole Kidman, Lindsay Lohan, Rachel McAdams, Tina Fey, Jane Lynch, and Alicia Keys. Frankie Sanderson Frankie Sanderson Makeup Artist & Stylist Parting above the eyebrow adds definition to the displacement of the part. It usually looks the best and helps create an oval-shaped face, which is typically the standard for beauty for men and women.
Work a quarter-sized blob of styling product into your hair. Once you have the overall shape, Morey says it’s time to lock it in with some product, especially if you have thick, curly, or wavy hair. Use a quarter-sized amount of medium-hold cream or mousse and rub it between your palms, then work it into the roots of your hair with your fingers so that your hair stays in place and has some nice texture and volume. As you work, run your hands through your hair in the direction that you want the part. One side will sweep back and across the top of your head, and the other will go down the other side of your head. The goal is to look more messy and textured than finely parted and combed. It’s alright if it doesn’t look super together or neat—that’s part of the look!
Where did the 70/30 look come from?
The 70/30 part is a classic style made popular again by K-pop groups. A 70/30 part isn’t exactly new. Side parts like this have been around for decades, if not longer, as a sensible, masculine look that’s both formal and casual. But the 70/30 look, in particular, has recently become popular on places like TikTok, where users often call it a “Korean haircut.” This is because many male Korean pop group members rock the cut, which has helped it become more mainstream.
Similar Hair Styles
Wolf Cut A wolf cut is a messy, long style that’s parted down the middle and a little shorter in the front, forming something like a mullet. It features loads of texture and interesting layering, and is easy to style and maintain. It’s been popular since the ‘70s, but recently came back into style with the help of K-pop groups. Wolf cuts are sleek, edgy, and offer a lot of flow and motion to your hair. They work for virtually any hair type and face shape.
Warrior Cut A warrior cut is a short, messy cut that features a fade on the sides and slightly longer hair on top. The hair on top is styled to stand up a little, offering lots of shaggy, edgy texture without being too high-maintenance. Think of it like a messier, slightly shorter broccoli cut. Like other styles mentioned in this article, warrior cuts are suited to any face shape and hair texture.
Mullet A mullet is a classic hairstyle that’s short in the front and long in the back. It’s an older style that was big in the ‘70s and ‘80s, but which goes all the way back to the ‘60s or even earlier. There are lots of different mullets (like the wolf cut), but they’re a striking, flashy, edgy style that’s become popular among young people today. Mullets can work with any face shape or texture, but longer mullets may be better suited to thicker or curlier hair that depends less on hair products to hold its shape.
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