Not sure whether to go for a middle or side parting? Here's what you need to know about nailing the perfect one for your face shape (2024)

FAQs

Not sure whether to go for a middle or side parting? Here's what you need to know about nailing the perfect one for your face shape? ›

It's often said that people with an oval, round, or oblong face shape should opt for a middle part. If you have a very symmetrical face, the middle part will probably look great on you! Give it a chance and try it out for a few days. Play around with different hairstyles and maybe even cut some layers or get a trim!

In fact, it all comes down to which one flatters your face shape. “Both options will always be in style, and both options are timeless,” Curtis says. “A middle part will complement the symmetry of your face shape as well as elongate the face, and a side part will soften your features.”

Round face shapes generally suit parts which create length rather than accentuating the roundness. So, visually lengthen your face by drawing more attention to the centre with a middle part or try a deep side part. Both styles will give the illusion of length and create symmetry around your face.

"The middle part is one of the most fashionable hair trends," Bergamy tells us. "It gives a more youthful look without looking childish." It tends to work best on faces that are more or less symmetrical, but can also help elongate shorter, wider face shapes. "A middle part gives a slimmer look," Bergamy adds.

A middle parting is usually a no-go for diamond shaped faces because it might make your face look longer than it is, so it's more ideal if you can part your hair slightly off-center. Pulled back: When your hair is pulled back, you can enhance your cheekbones and really make your face take center stage.

A middle part is great for framing the faced is most flattering on oval face shapes. This parting style can give a youthful appearance to your look because it conceals the hairline more.

Side-partings are considered more flattering to asymmetrical faces and centre-partings tend to highlight lack of symmetry. It is rare for a person's face to have perfect mirror symmetry and for the most part we don't notice this too much.

"While I do feel that middle parts can work well on all face shapes, I do find that they accentuate round, oblong, and oval face shapes the best," says Miko Branch, hairstylist and co-founder of Miss Jessie's.

THE BEST PART FOR ROUND FACE SHAPES

A middle part is the most flattering for those with round faces, as it will complement the symmetry of your face shape while also creating a bit of visual length.

Diamond-Shaped Face: Side Part

“A side part really complements your strong cheekbones and bone structure,” Fowler remarks. She adds that shorter hairstyles work best for this look since diamond-shaped folks have smaller foreheads. Anything too long and dramatic will overshadow your face.

Is Side part out of style in 2024? ›

After years of the side part being dubbed "uncool," the look is having another moment in the spotlight in 2024 with stars like Taylor Swift, Dua Lipa and Eva Longoria sporting the style at recent events — and the switch-up is good news for your hair.

It seems counterintuitive but sometimes bringing all your hair up can, in fact, make your face appear slimmer, and the addition of face-framing pieces creates a shadow that can make your cheeks look super sculpted.

The general consensus seems to be that parting on one's left makes a person look competent and masculine, whereas parting on the right makes a person look warm and feminine.

With a heart shape face, side parts work to soften the cheekbones and the chin. With a heart-shaped face, the chin and cheekbones can be more pronounced. A harsh middle part may pronounce a pointed chin and bring attention to the center of the face.

“If you want a more angular shape to your face, then a center part is great,” she told me, while those with diamond, heart-shape or square face shapes might consider a side part to show off their bone structure.

Hairstyles for Diamond Face Shapes

You want the top to be a bit longer than the sides, but don't make this contrast too drastic. For instance, avoid close fades on the sides. Having a bit more length on the sides will broaden the otherwise narrow forehead.

Emtage says that a center part works well on a diamond-shaped face shape. "By parting the hair in the center and allowing it to fall on both sides of the face, a center part can visually broaden the appearance of the forehead, making it seem wider and frame the face."

But for most people, you can usually start styling into a middle part when the front of your hair reaches the tip of your nose when gently pulled down. It is a deceptive style, because it may not seem like your hair needs to be long to pull it off, but unfortunately, it does.

If you have a round face and want to know how to part your hair without going down the middle, opt for a deep side part. A deep side part creates the same illusion as a middle part. The side part is a go-to look for actress Emma Stone.