Gen Z tried to kill it. They really did. A few years ago, the "middle part only" decree went viral on TikTok, basically telling anyone over the age of 25 that their side-swept fringe was a neon sign for being out of touch. But here’s the thing. Trends are fickle, but geometry is permanent. Hairstyles with side parting are having a massive, quiet resurgence because, frankly, they just look better on most human faces.
It isn't about being "dated." It’s about balance.
If you look at the red carpets lately—think Florence Pugh or Zendaya—the side part isn't just back; it’s being used as a structural tool. A middle part is unforgiving. It demands symmetry. If your nose is slightly crooked or your eyes aren't perfectly level (which, newsflash, is most of us), a center part highlights those "defects." A side part, however, creates an asymmetrical focal point that masks imbalances and adds instant volume to flat hair. It’s basically the "contouring" of hair styling.
The Science of the "Good Side"
We all have one. You’ve probably spent twenty minutes in front of a mirror tilting your head to find it. Science actually backs this up. Most people have a dominant eye and a slightly more "lifted" side of the face. When you opt for hairstyles with side parting, you’re usually aiming to expose that better side while letting the hair drape over the side that might feel a bit more "tired."
Expert stylists like Chris Appleton or Jen Atkin don’t just pick a side at random. They look at the "swirl" or the cowlick at the crown. If you fight your natural growth pattern, your hair will never lay flat. It’ll just poof up in a weird, 1990s-prom-photo way.
Most people mess this up by going too far. You don't want a "comb-over." You want a strategic shift. For a round face, a deep side part creates length. It draws the eye diagonally across the face, which breaks up the circularity. For square faces, a soft, slightly off-center side part softens a heavy jawline.
Short Hair and the Side Part Evolution
Short hair is where this gets interesting. The "Bob" is the most popular haircut in the world right now, but the way you part it changes the entire vibe.
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A sleek, tucked-behind-the-ear side part on a chin-length bob is "Old Hollywood" glamour. It’s structured. It’s "I have my life together" hair. Compare that to a messy, textured side part on a pixie cut. That’s edgy. It’s effortless.
- The Power Bob: Think Greta Gerwig or Cate Blanchett. A sharp side part with a bit of pomade. It says authority.
- The Tucked Pixie: Shaved or short on the sides, with a deep part that lets the top length sweep over the forehead. This is great for hiding a high hairline.
- The Wavy Lob: This is the "Cool Girl" staple. You part it on the side, give it some beachy waves, and suddenly you have height at the root that a middle part could never achieve.
Honestly, if you have fine hair, the middle part is your enemy. It makes hair look limp. It makes it look like it’s clinging to your skull. By flipping the hair to one side, you are literally forcing the roots to stand up against their natural direction. That’s instant volume without any product.
The "Millennial" vs "Gen Z" Parting Debate
Let's address the elephant in the room. The reason people got scared of side parts is because of the "millennial side swoop" from 2008. You know the one. It started at the ear and covered one entire eye. It was emotional. It was a lot.
Modern hairstyles with side parting are different. They are "side-part lite." Instead of starting the part three inches above your ear, the modern way is to start it just an inch off-center. This gives you the benefits of the side part—the volume, the face-framing—without looking like you’re heading to a My Chemical Romance concert in a mall basement.
Style icon Sofia Richie Grainge, often cited as the queen of "Quiet Luxury," frequently swaps between center and side parts. When she wants to look more formal or "done," she goes for a tight, slicked side part. It’s more sophisticated. It feels more intentional than a middle part, which can sometimes look like you just let your hair dry and didn't touch it.
Face Shapes: Who Should Do What?
Heart-Shaped Faces: You guys win. A side part breaks up the width of the forehead, which is usually the widest part of a heart-shaped face. It makes the chin look less "pointy" and balances the overall silhouette.
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Long/Oblong Faces: Be careful. A super deep side part can actually make your face look even longer. You want to stay closer to the center, maybe just a half-inch off. This adds width to the sides of your head, which is what you need.
Oval Faces: You can do whatever you want. Life isn't fair.
How to Get the Perfect Part Every Time
It sounds stupidly simple, but most people use the wrong tools. You need a rat-tail comb. You cannot use your fingers. Your fingers are too wide; they create a jagged, messy line that looks accidental.
- Find your starting point: Use your eyebrow as a guide. A "classic" side part usually aligns with the highest arch of your eyebrow. A "deep" side part aligns with the end of your eyebrow.
- The "Wet" Rule: Always part your hair while it’s soaking wet. Once it starts to dry, the hydrogen bonds in your hair set. If you try to move your part when it’s dry, it’ll just keep flipping back to where it was.
- The Blow-Dry Trick: Use a concentrator nozzle on your hairdryer. Point the air downward over the part. This flattens the "flyaways" that pop up right at the line.
- Finish with a spoolie: Take a clean mascara wand or a toothbrush, spray it with hairspray, and run it along the part. This prevents that "fuzzy" look in photos.
Why Men are Embracing Side Parting Again
It’s not just for the ladies. Men’s grooming has swung back toward the "Executive Contour." Think Don Draper, but with more texture. The "fade" with a hard side part (where the barber actually shaves a line into the scalp) was huge for a while, but it’s becoming a bit too high-maintenance.
The current trend for men is a longer, more natural side part. It’s less "I used a tub of gel" and more "I ran a comb through it with some matte clay." It’s a classic look because it implies professionalism. It’s the haircut of a guy who owns a watch that doesn't track his heart rate.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
Don't ignore your crown. Some people have a double crown or a very strong "swirl" at the back. If you part your hair on the wrong side, you’ll end up with a bald spot appearance at the back because the hair is being forced to lay against the grain. If your hair feels "painful" at the roots when you part it, you're fighting the follicle direction. Stop. Switch sides.
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Another mistake is the "flat" side. When you part your hair on the side, one side has all the volume and the other side is tucked. If you don't tuck that thinner side behind your ear or pin it back, it just hangs there looking sad. Commit to the asymmetry.
The "Flip" Factor
The best part about hairstyles with side parting? The flip.
If you keep your hair in a middle part all day, it gets greasy faster. Why? Because you’re touching it more to keep it out of your face. With a side part, you can "flip" your hair throughout the day. This moves the oils around and actually keeps the hair looking fresher for longer. It’s a built-in volume hack.
Moving Forward With Your Style
Forget the TikTok "rules." Hair is about what makes you feel confident, not what a 19-year-old in a sweatshirt says is "cool." If you've been rocking a middle part and feel like your face looks "tired" or your hair looks "flat," try the side part again.
Start small. Don't go for the deep, dramatic sweep immediately. Just move your part one inch to the left or right. Watch how it changes the way light hits your cheekbones. You might find that the "dated" look is actually the most flattering thing you've ever done for your face.
Next Steps for Your Hair Journey:
- Identify your "good side" by taking a selfie from both angles and comparing which eye looks more open.
- Invest in a metal-tipped rat-tail comb for a clean line; plastic ones often have "burrs" that snag the hair.
- Experiment with a "Z-part" or a "Jagged part" if you want the benefits of a side part without the harsh visible scalp line.
- If you have a cowlick at the front, part your hair through it, not against it, to use the natural lift to your advantage.