Millennial Mom Convinced to Get Gen Z Hairstyle, Result Is 'Mixed Reviews'

If you're someone who always sticks to the same haircut, it can be incredibly difficult to decide on a new style that you're going to like. But rather than simply taking her hairdresser's advice, this Millennial mom did something incredibly brave—she asked social media for help instead.

For around a decade, Marisha Gordon, 39, has kept her long brown hair in the same low-maintenance style, consisting of a side parting and no bangs. It's always worked for her, but during a recent trip to the hair salon she decided to try something new (cue the gasps and looks of terror).

Gordon, from Orlando, Florida, told Newsweek that she's "always open to change" if the new style is going to look better, so when her hairdresser suggested a more Gen Z middle part, she didn't think twice.

"I've always had a side part, and I've never tried it in the middle as I just didn't think it would look good. But when she told me how side parts are kind of dated and that many people look better with a middle part, I said go ahead and let's try it," Gordon said.

But upon leaving the salon, we've all felt the dread that we've made a terrible decision, and Gordon already started to miss her "Millennial side part" that had served her so well. While many of us will ask our loved ones and friends what they think of the new haircut, Gordon instead turned to TikTok as she posted a video about her dilemma (@travelsbymarisha).

In the clip, she showed her new middle part, as well as how the side part used to look, and asked social media users which was best. Alongside the clip, she wrote: "I don't think you can convince me the middle is better." Needless to say, she received countless opinions, and the video has gained more than 8.8 million views and over 177,100 likes on TikTok already.

"When I posted the video asking if the middle or side part was better, most people told me my face was too long for a middle part. Just 10 minutes after posting it, I had around 20 comments all saying the side looked better. That was the overwhelming response.

"I felt good about the confirmation as I always knew the side looked better. Personally, I think fresh eyes on something can help you see which way something looks better. Then a lot of people told me I should wear my hair however I want to, which I've always believed. Others started telling me I needed to get bangs, and that really took off."

After receiving numerous comments from people suggesting bangs, Gordon found herself back in the salon just 10 days later asking for another style. She was apprehensive about getting bangs, as anyone who has had them knows how high maintenance they can be, but that's what TikTok said would work best so she wanted to try it.

Social media users couldn't wait for the update, and Gordon didn't disappoint when she showed off her new haircut once again. With so many TikTok users following along her journey, the video of the moment she revealed the bangs has been viewed more than 2.8 million times.

The bangs have been a huge hit on TikTok, but Gordon is still "getting used to them." She likes them for now, but she isn't so sure if they'll become her staple look, because despite what Gen Z might say, she's "side part for life."

"I'm glad I listened to what was being said and figured out a fun new style (for now). My husband has been telling me to get bangs for years, so he's thrilled I finally did it. My kids had mixed reviews, but they love them now too," Gordon continued.

"It's been a fun ride and I've really enjoyed the feedback on my videos. The response has been intense, but I've loved seeing what the TikTok community can do when someone asks for sincere help about how to improve something."

The initial post of the "middle part versus Millennial side part" has generated more than 38,700 comments on TikTok already, as one person wrote: "Side part, the hairdresser is full of lies."

Another person responded: "I think side part is better, but wispy bangs will look the best!"

While another comment reads: "Side part. I'm over pleasing these youngsters."

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