As an actress and model herself, Jane has embodied diverse roles and styles while fearlessly experimenting with an array of haircuts and colors. Her journey from being in front of the lens to behind the scenes as a makeup artist and hairstylist has enriched her understanding of style and beauty. Armed with this experience and coupled with a journalism degree, Jane now thrives as a writer at the Right Hairstyles. Outside her editorial pursuits, Jane revels in expressing her creativity through writing, makeup artistry, fashion styling, and immersing herself in the worlds of cinema and literature.
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The middle part vs side part has gone into overdrive on social platforms, effectively dividing Millennials and Gen Z down the middle on this arguably crucial style decision. Beyond the trends, choosing between a side part and a middle part can dramatically affect your overall look: amplify facial symmetry, create balanced vibes, and style.
So, let’s break down which part flatters each face shape best and see how AI technology can help you take a step back and find the most flattering look. With our AI hairstyle tool, you can try both a side part and a middle part on yourself, making it easier to decide how you should style your hair!
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Ready to try a new look? Use our Hairstyle Try On tool to see how both the middle and side parts would look on you.
Most experts agree that the face shape holds the key to determining whether you should part your hair on the side or down the middle. Here is how to figure out where to part your hair based on your features, with expert-backed tips to help you choose the most flattering look.
“A side part is typically more flattering for round faces because it creates the illusion of length, balancing the roundness and adding angles,” Sue Tyrrell, a hair specialist and stylist explains. A middle part, by contrast, can draw attention to the width of a round face and may therefore not be suitable for those looking to elongate their face, the stylist adds.
Ayhan Onluel, hair expert and owner of Hush Academy, is another opponent of choosing a middle part if you have a round face shape. The stylist warns that this will make a face look rounder and can even create the illusion of a larger head structure.
A side part can be also tricky though, as it can make you want to tuck one side behind your ear. This is something you should never do, as this will widen the look of the face.
Square faces love asymmetry, which tends to balance out and soften sharp angles and a strong jawline. Expert hairstylist Tom Smith explains that “it works really well to soften a square face shape by creating curves and angles.” Sue Tyrrell is on board with this, noting that “for square faces, a deep side part works especially well, adding softness to the angular features.”
For those who prefer a middle part, Tom Smith suggests using face-framing layers and keeping the hair length below the jaw.
An oval face is can usually pull off both middle and side parts. According to Sue, “A middle part tends to highlight the symmetry of an oval face.” It may also widen your face, giving it a rounder look, Ayhan Onluel warns. Still, if you’re after added fullness and volume, a side part is a great choice!
With a broader forehead and narrower chin, a heart-shaped face suits the side part best. As per Sue Tyrrell’s advice, it can create a softer overall look and minimize focus on the forehead. Besides, it “adds volume around the chin area, providing harmony to the facial structure,” the stylist notes. An off-center or a middle part can be a flattering option too, Ayhan Onluen believes, as it helps cover the jowls.
Some hairstylists believe that deciding on a hair part has little to do with your face shape though. A Boston haircut specialist, Sam Kane, points out that while face shape matters, it’s vital not to buy into the ‘right face shape’ thinking, as hair growth patterns matter here the most. “Sometimes, the hair tells us what it wants,” she says, emphasizing that the right part should work with your natural hair texture and flow.
Still not convinced that your part matters? Take a cue from celebrities who’ve rocked both styles to see just how a side part or a middle part highlights features, enhances face shapes, and creates a whole new aesthetic.
Selena switches parts quite often! A side part usually goes well with loose waves or natural texture, adds a lot of visual volume, and gives a more elongated look to her face shape.
The center part, in its turn, gives a symmetrical, polished effect, it does accentuate a round face shape, more so with an ear tuck.
Zendaya, of course, is one of those who prove that playing with hair parting can absolutely work in tune with the mood she would want to put across, as she looks good with both ideas. An Old Hollywood-inspired swoopy bob with a deep side part looked absolutely stunning on her.
Meanwhile, her extra-long curly hair parted right in the middle is here to win hearts with carefree and natural vibe.
Reese Witherspoon has a heart-shaped face, and side-part or bangs hairstyles work very well to balance her wide forehead.
Curtain bangs or layers styled with a perfect middle part look very flattering on a wide forehead too. However, they emphasize another prominent feature of the triangle face shape – a pointed chin. So, while Reese is absolutely congenial with any hairstyle, we vote for a side part for her.
Want to experiment with these styles? Create your own middle part vs side part inspiration board based on your selfie and enjoy some red-carper worthy looks on yourself!
Our Virtual Styler is a great, user-friendly online tool you can use to get an overview of how different partings look on you. Here is a quick guide on how to use it:
Who is the winner in the debate of side part versus middle part? Both parts bring something different to the table, making each well-desired in 2024, so catering to your unique features and preferences is the best move. Use our Virtual Styler to give both looks a trial run and find the one that makes you feel most confident.
Consider your face shape, hair texture, and natural growth patterns. It is also easy to see how each option would look on you by using Virtual Styler to ultimately make an informed choice.
There is no general rule on how to part your hair depending on your hair length, as the choice depends on your facial proportions and cowlicks more. Still, pixie-short hair is seldom parted down the middle: it’s either a no-part style or swept to one side.
Sure! Curtain bangs are created to go with a middle part and side-swept bangs work well with a side part. With other bangs styles, the parting will not substantially affect your overall image.
Pricing is flexible, based on the number of hairstyles you’d like to try on. There’s also a free trial available to explore the options. In both cases, no subscription or account setup is required.
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