“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.” A middle part, Curtis says, can also help conceal certain hair concerns such as thinning and hair loss.
“A side part overall complements strong cheekbones and good bone structure," he says. "Middle parts are ideal for an oblong shaped face and I believe add an illusion of roundness." "The middle part is definitely our favorite,” says celebrity hair stylist and salon owner Adel Chabbi.
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.
We'll be seeing a resurgence of side parts in 2023, and we've already seen this for more glam looks. We're not leaving the middle part behind completely, we're just simply saying that you don't need to commit to either this year. You can use them both, and feel free to switch between the two styles.
In general, a center part will highlight the angularity of your face. Side-parts, on the other hand, will work to soften your features by adding a bit of asymmetry. This doesn't mean you should just stick to one part, you're going to accentuate other features of your face by switching it up.
If you have an oval, round, diamond, or heart-shaped face, a middle part will help compliment your facial features. “It creates the illusion of length and gives the look of perfect symmetry for the face,” Spellman says.
Side parts are officially no longer “cheugy”. After years of having middle parts dominate the hair scene, the tide has officially turned and side parts are suddenly everywhere again—and they're looking chicer than ever.
Timeless styling
Even though there was a moment in time in which side parts reigned supreme, the middle part has always been a classic. Because it is so versatile, it will never go out of style. Many classic hairstyles and haircuts feature middle parts, such as lobs, bobs, and slightly messy shags.
A butterfly haircut combines short layers with long layers to give your hair dimension, movement and body. The short, wispy layers hit around the chin to frame your face, highlight your features and even contour a round face shape.
"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.
If you have a rounder face and want to create the illusion of slimmer, longer features, try a middle part. A middle part will equally cover the sides of your round face, making your face look thinner. Just changing your part to the middle can create a whole new look and face shape–why not give it a try?
How do I find my natural part? To find your natural part, start with towel-dried hair. Working in sections, comb your hair back toward your crown, then pull your head forward and let your hair naturally fall. Notice where it splits—this will be your hair part.
"Middle parts are great for more casual or bohemian looks," she says. If you're looking to switch depending on your face shape, she recommends sticking with the middle to elongate a rounder, longer, or more oval face shape. "It gives the face symmetry, so it's good for that," she says.
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. As a second option for times when you want to mix things up, a deep side part can have a lengthening effect, too!
Is a middle part attractive? A middle part hair male style is universally flattering. It looks good on any face shape, making your features more chiseled and attractive.
The Gen Z argument is essentially that side parts are less flattering and make a person look older, so they're urging all millennials rocking side parts to do themselves a solid and reclaim their youth by achieving that elite scalp symmetry.
But why is Gen Z so obsessed with the middle part? A theory posed by The Cut is that the younger generation is more open to accepting flaws and they therefore feel less need to hide part of their face behind their hair.
Deep, Deliberate Side Parts
Great news for millennials and everyone else who's partial to a side part: They're back and deeper than ever in 2023. "We're seeing more deliberate, deep part sides for slick and blown-out styles," Sims says.
A: The textured bob, the shaved side, the bold pixie cut, the braided updo, and the sleek center part are some of the most popular hairstyles among Gen Z.
Changing your part actually makes your hair healthier. Fact is, the longer you wear the same part, the more your hair gets weighed down on one side, causing the roots to get weaker in that area, leading to breakage. Flipping your hair to part on the reverse allows your roots to stand upright and breathe.
From the Rachel 2.0 to butterfly layers, contour cutting and Hailey Bieber-inspired bobs—there are a few themes among 2023's trends: Layers, fringe and framing. The radar is still showing the influence of the '60s, '70s, plus a major influx in '90s cuts with extreme layering at every length.
It can. Apparently parting your hair in the same place over and over can either cause minor or major damage to your hair. At a minimum, it can cause breakage. On the major side, it can put you at risk of hair loss.