The Middle Part Is Having Its Moment, Again, Somehow

We (I)’ve been talking about the band Haim’s perfect middle parts for a while now, in part because they are very talented and in part because what adult woman can pull off a middle part in 2013, actually? How does the universe even allow it? My middle part reverts me to age 13, all awkward limbs and braces and white eyeliner. Rachel Syme has scooped us on the more tactical how (no extensions!) in the New York Times today:

…[Stylist Candice] Birns said that a good deal of work is required to achieve this casual look, which Este said was partly inspired by Jane Birkin and Chrissie Hynde. “It takes me hours to do the Haim hair,” she said. “They all have a very specific layering system that works on their own heads. Alana has thick, beaded strands. Este has an omber look, which tends to thin you out, so we have to bulk up her layers. And Danielle gets a cut called transient length, which is more of a shag so that the hair will move when she does. Because that girl loves to bang her head.”

Another key to the look, Ms. Birns said, is an arsenal of products. She has the Haim girls on a strict regimen: Davines shampoos and conditioners, an Oribe dry texturizing spray to add grit and volume, and Rene Furterer Naturia Dry Shampoo for the days between shows.

The Haim middle part has also inspired Vulture’s collection of the greatest middle parts in music, which thankfully omits your middle school band photo next to the xylophone. [NYT, Vulture]