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Celeb Looks: The Summer Side-Sweep

When it comes to summer hairstyles, we understand that less is more. But 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. Check out our gallery of stars who've mastered the easy elegance of the side sweep.

By Deena Campbell · Updated October 27, 2020

Pretty Pompadour

Katerina Graham looks fashion-forward in a side-swept style with height at the hairline.

Chestnuts Roasting

LaLa swept her cascading chestnut waves to her left side.

Sultry Songbird

Melanie Fiona goes for a simple chic look by pinning back one side of her mile-long, thick black tresses.

A Blonde Moment

Toni Braxton channeled Brigitte Bardot with this tousled, sun-kissed ’do, falling over one shoulder.

Wild Streaks

Vanessa Simmons jazzes up her heavy, side-sweeping bangs with some random golden streaks.

Braided Beauty

Selita Ebanks created a loose cornrow on either side of her head and connecting them into one braided pony, tssed over her shoulder.

Yellow Fever

Keri Hilson’s buttery yellow asymmetric bob has spawned zillions of imitators!

Natural Woman

Singer-songwriter India Arie sweeps her braids into an elegant side ponytail.

Bang Bang

Shuanie O’Neal was the epitome of chic in this amber-streaked, asymmetric style.

So Romantic

Anika Noni Rose pinned a flower to her side-swept curls for a breezy, romantic look.

D. Groovy

D. Woods has got the Side Sweep down, pinning her rumpled ringlets behind one ear.

The Best Part

Gabrielle Union created a deep side part, and then swept her long, cascading waves over her right shoulder.

Lush Locks

Mariah Carey looks every inch the Old Hollywood superstar with lush curls draped over her left shoulder. And how glamorous are her lightly feathered bangs?

Getty Images

Sherri Baby

Sherri Shepherd channeled a 1940’s siren with her loosely waved, side-swept hairstyle and fire engine red lips.

Pinup Girl

Zoe Saldana paired her side-sweep with out-to-there faux lashes and feline liquid liner for a pinup girl look.

Honey Honey

Leona Lewis parted her honey-streaked hair down the middle and tossed her hair to the right side.

Good Side

Between her plum-stained lips and glossy, side-swept blowout, we think Thandie Newton is red carpet perfection.

Pretty Pony

Lala teased her crown for volume and then pulled her bodacious, cinnamon-hued hair into a side pony.

Va-Va-Volume

Nia Long went for an artfully tousled moment here by gathering her high-volume waves over her shoulder.