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Side Part
Miłosz Mikołajczak2h 6minShort

Side Part

A men's Side Part haircutting course for straight, thick hair. You'll learn to build a versatile shape through graduation that allows styling to the side, back, or as a middle part.

Result and process

  • Side Part - photo 1
  • Side Part - photo 2
  • Side Part - photo 3

About the course

Side Part is a classic men's haircut that takes on modern versatility in Miłosz Mikołajczak's interpretation. The course shows how to build a haircut on straight, thick hair based on precise graduation, giving the client the freedom to style it any way they like - from a classic side comb-over, through a middle part, to a relaxed brushed-back look. This is a lesson in intentionally combining fundamental shapes - the circle and the triangle - into one cohesive, commercial whole.

Miłosz Mikołajczak guides you through the entire process step by step: from consultation and diagnosing issues (such as excess weight at the nape), through intentional panel sectioning of the head, to blending all sections into a cohesive shape with no disconnection. You'll see how kinetics - working with the client's head position - becomes a key tool for building graduation without constantly chasing angles, while wet scissor work prepares the perfect canvas for the final clipper fade.

In this course, you'll see

  • A systematic T-shaped sectioning of the head and how to modify it depending on the client's issues (e.g., receding hairlines).
  • Building graduation at the back of the head using kinetics - how tilting the model's head replaces hunting for angles with your fingers.
  • Creating a circle on top by working toward the axis of symmetry of each partition - a technique that guarantees an even distribution of weight.
  • Two approaches to fading the sides: the overcomb technique (comb over clipper) for speed, and classic guard work in a descending system.
  • Precise detailing of the nape line with unusual hair growth - graduating the center and cutting sharp edges on the sides with a trimmer.
  • The pointing technique on dry hair to soften connections and add lightness to the haircut without losing shape.
  • Step-by-step final styling, including how to find the client's natural parting with the help of their cowlick.

After this course, you'll start building haircut shapes with intention, combining graduation techniques with circle and triangle work. You'll understand how scissor work simplifies and speeds up the later clipper fade, and your clients will get a timeless yet modern cut they can style multiple ways depending on the occasion.

What you will learn

  1. 01How to build precise graduation at the back of the head using kinetics.
  2. 02How to create a round shape on top for versatile styling.
  3. 03How to seamlessly blend the side, back, and top sections without disconnection.
  4. 04How to prep the sides with shears to make the clipper fade easier and faster.
  5. 05How to fade the sides using two methods: the overcomb technique and guards alone.
  6. 06How to modify the T-shaped head sectioning for problematic receding hairlines.

Before you start

This course assumes you already have:

What's inside

Full access with the course
  1. Side Part - Analysis and the plan for the back of the head1:47

    01Analysis and the plan for the back of the head

    We need to work out this whole back section so that we gently lift the hair upward.

  2. Side Part - The key to graduation - body kinetics21:49

    02The key to graduation - body kinetics

    The key to graduation is our kinetics - working with our model's head.

  3. Side Part - Prepping the sides for clipper work41:06

    03Prepping the sides for clipper work

    Using scissor work to make the following clipper work as smooth as possible.

  4. Side Part - Creating the round shape on top53:39

    04Creating the round shape on top

    Let's create this circle so the hair distributes nicely and evenly.

  5. Side Part - The cutting technique along the axis of symmetry59:38

    05The cutting technique along the axis of symmetry

    I try to meet at the axis of symmetry of my parting, right in the center.

  6. Side Part - Comparing techniques: overcomb vs. guards1:12:04

    06Comparing techniques: overcomb vs. guards

    On one side we'll use the overcomb, and on the other we'll work with guards only.

  7. Side Part - Graduating the nape with the overcomb technique1:32:24

    07Graduating the nape with the overcomb technique

    I think we'll graduate this the way I mentioned at the start.

  8. Side Part - Adding lightness with the pointing technique1:41:16

    08Adding lightness with the pointing technique

    We'll use a technique called pointing to soften that sharp line.

FAQ

Will this cutting technique work on every hair type?
The course focuses on working with straight, thick, dense hair. Miłosz Mikołajczak shows how to work with intention when managing a large amount of hair weight and building shape, which is key for this type of hair structure.
What tools are needed for this haircut?
To create this haircut, you'll need shears, a clipper with guards, a trimmer, and a comb. The educator also shows how to use thinning shears to soften lines and texturize using the pointing technique.
Is this course for beginners or advanced hairdressers?
The course is valuable for hairdressers at various levels. Miłosz explains fundamental techniques like graduation and head sectioning in detail, while also introducing advanced concepts like kinetics, allowing you to systematize and deepen your knowledge.
What styling options does this haircut give the client?
Thanks to the round shape on top, the haircut is extremely versatile. The client can style it as a classic Side Part, comb it straight back, or even wear it as a Middle Part, all of which is demonstrated in the course.
Does the course show how to deal with issues like receding hairlines?
Yes, Miłosz explains how to modify the classic T-shaped head sectioning to suit a client with receding hairlines and gain more weight at the front of the haircut. He also covers working with unusual hair growth patterns at the nape.
What is the 'kinetics' mentioned in the course?
Kinetics is a working technique where you use the client's head position to build shape. Instead of hunting for angles with your fingers, you learn how the right tilt of the model's head lets you easily achieve a precise graduation effect.
How long is the course?
The video runs 126 minutes. This gives you time to follow every stage of the haircut in detail, from consultation and head sectioning, through scissor and clipper work, to the final styling.

Details

Duration
2h 6min
Season
Season 2
Hair length
Short

Educator

More courses
Miłosz Mikołajczak

Miłosz Mikołajczak

Educator · 9 courses

Founder of MOVEMENT barbershop & academy and author of the MOVEMENT methodology. European Ambassador for The Corpsman Apotecary, finalist and judge at the Polish Wet Shaving Championships, and the first Pole to be published in the UK's Barber Magazine. In his teaching, he focuses on delivering foundational knowledge in a simple, easy-to-understand way. He emphasizes building form with intention and leaving nothing to chance, teaching practical, behind-the-chair techniques for barbers at every skill level.

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