Everyone wants the hair. You know the one. It’s that perfectly chaotic, "just rolled out of a French cinema" look that has made Timothée Chalamet the undisputed king of the salon request chair. But if you walk into your barber and just ask for a timothee chalamet middle part, you’re probably going to walk out looking more like a 90s boy band reject than a Hollywood heartthrob.
There’s a nuance to it. Honestly, it’s not even a true middle part most of the time.
The internet is obsessed with his "curtains," but if you look closely at his red carpet appearances for Dune or Wonka, that part is shifting constantly. It’s fluid. It’s messy. And as of 2026, with Chalamet sporting a much shorter look for his role in Dune: Part Three, the "classic" middle part is actually becoming a bit of a vintage grail for guys with wavy hair.
Why the "Middle Part" is actually a lie
Most people think a middle part is a geometric line drawn down the skull. With Timmy, it’s rarely that symmetrical. His longtime groomer, Jamie Taylor, usually works with his natural cowlicks rather than fighting them.
The secret isn’t in the comb; it’s in the layers.
If your hair is all one length, a middle part will just make you look like Lord Farquaad. Chalamet’s cut is traditionally a "square layered" shape. This means the hair is longer on top but has enough internal weight removed so it doesn't get that "mushroom" poof on the sides. It's about movement. When he moves his head, the hair falls back into place because the layers are cut to collapse into each other.
The Face Shape Factor
Barbers like Sergio Slavnov in NYC have noted that every fifth customer asks for this look. But here’s the reality check: it works best on square, triangle, or heart-shaped faces.
If you have a very long, oval face, a sharp middle part can make your head look like a literal egg. Chalamet has a very defined, angular jawline. The softness of the middle-parted waves balances out that sharpness. If you’ve got a softer jaw, you might want to push that part just a half-inch to the left or right. It gives the illusion of more volume on top and breaks up the symmetry that can sometimes highlight a rounder face.
How to actually get the look (The 2026 way)
Since we’re currently seeing Timothée transition through different lengths—thanks to his "stolen" follicles for Dune 3 where he had to go down to a 1mm buzz—the mid-length growth phase is what everyone is copying right now.
- Stop washing your hair. Seriously. Chalamet himself told Vogue that when he wakes up, it’s a "roll of the dice." You need those natural oils. If you strip them away with harsh sulfates, your hair will be too light and flyaway.
- Product is everything. But don't use gel. Never gel. You want a sea salt spray or a grooming spray (like the ones from STMNT or Forte Series).
- The "Scrunch" Method. Apply your product when the hair is damp—not soaking wet. Use an old T-shirt to pat it dry instead of a towel to prevent frizz. Scrunch it up with your hands and then leave it alone.
"It's kind of like our personalities, these follicles that grow out of our heads," Chalamet recently joked on The Graham Norton Show. He’s right. If you over-style it, you lose the personality.
The Maintenance Trap
The biggest misconception is that this is a low-maintenance haircut. It's actually a "high-effort, looks low-effort" situation.
To keep the timothee chalamet middle part looking intentional, you need a trim every 6 to 8 weeks. Not to lose length, but to "dust" the ends and keep the layers from getting too heavy at the bottom. If the weight shifts too far down, the top goes flat, and you lose that signature "flow."
2026 Style Shifts
While the 90s-inspired curtains were the vibe for a while, the 2026 trend is moving toward the "Textured Flow." It’s a bit more rugged. Instead of the hair falling perfectly over the eyes, guys are using a matte clay to push the front sections up and slightly back before letting them fall. It’s less "E-boy" and more "Young Professional."
What to tell your barber
Don't just show a picture of his face. Show a picture of the back of his head.
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- Ask for a mid-length scissor cut. No clippers.
- Request internal layering to remove weight from the sides.
- Specify that you want the length to hit just above the nape of the neck.
- Mention you want to keep enough length in the fringe to reach your nose when pulled straight.
The beauty of the Chalamet style is that it’s adaptable. Whether you're dealing with tight curls or loose waves, the goal is always the same: let the hair do what it wants, just with a little bit of professional guidance.
If you're currently in the "awkward phase" of growing out a buzz cut or a short fade, just remember that even Timmy had to go through it for Dune 3. Use a light leave-in conditioner, keep the sides tucked behind your ears, and wait for the weight to pull those curls down into that iconic center-parted shape.
Next Steps for Your Hair:
Go buy a high-quality sea salt spray and a diffuser attachment for your hair dryer. Most guys skip the diffuser, but it's the only way to get that volume without blowing your hair into a frizzy mess. Start your styling with the "upside-down" blow dry technique—dry the roots while your head is flipped over—then flip back and let the middle part find itself naturally.