20-05-2025
Hairdresser reveals the best parting to suit your face shape - and the styles to avoid
After being dismissed as a tragic millennial obsession by Gen Z, 2025 is the year side partings have finally made it back onto the trend radar, thanks to their prevalence on the catwalk and on celebrities (from Meghann Fahy to the Princess of Wales, everyone who's anyone is sporting one).
According to hair stylist and hair care expert Chlöe Swift, despite being branded 'uncool' for nearly a decade by the younger generation, the side parting never really went anywhere. 'Luckily, they are still here and always will be,' she says, adding that side partings are 'great for achieving more volume'.
It's particularly good news if you have a heart, diamond or long, oval shaped face, as they tend to suit side partings best, says Swift. 'Side partings are great for opening up the face, and add some more balance to these face shapes,' she explains.
However, others will look better with a parting straight down the middle. 'Centre partings are great if you are looking to elongate the face as the hair sits long and even on both sides, falling onto the face,' says Swift. 'Those with round faces or strong jawlines may prefer a centre part to soften their face, although centre parts for small faces and smaller foreheads can make the hair look overwhelming for the face.'
As for your hair type, that can impact how deep your side parting should be - from just off-centre to deep on one side of the head.
'All hair types can opt for a side part if it's more volume you're after,' says Swift. 'Thick, curly or coily hair types could choose a super-deep side part, as the hair will stay there – I would just recommend taking a tail comb and sectioning diagonally backwards, instead of just a straight horizontal part which would leave not much hair on the other side. The diagonal parting will leave your crown and hair feeling balanced around the back and sides.' Parting the hair too heavily to one side is one of the biggest mistakes people make, says Swift, as it leaves one side looking thin and sparse.
Got fine hair? In that case 'I'd recommend not taking the parting as deep, as the hair can fall flat and onto the face,' says Swift. 'But try off centre or a subtle side part with a volumizing dry shampoo or powder for some lift.'
As for what to avoid, Swift says to steer away from 'flat partings where hair appears heavy with product and 'stuck' to the head' – the key is achieving some volume, which is where a side parting can be your best friend.
