Let’s be real for a second. If you’ve spent any time on the corner of the internet dedicated to early 2010s nostalgia or "facial harmony" TikTok, you’ve seen it. That sharp, almost aggressive angle of a jawline. The way the light hits a very specific, very straight nose. We’re talking about the Ian Somerhalder side profile, a physical trait so iconic it basically became a supporting character on The Vampire Diaries.
It’s weird, right? Most actors are just... people. But Ian’s face—specifically from the side—has this weird, lasting power. It’s not just about being "hot." It’s about the actual geometry of his head. People have spent years dissecting why he looks the way he does, from "mewing" theories to deep dives into his modeling days in the 90s.
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The Anatomy of the Look
So, what is actually happening when Ian Somerhalder turns his head 90 degrees? To understand the Ian Somerhalder side profile, you have to look at the bone structure. It’s not just soft tissue.
First off, there’s the jaw. In the world of "looksmaxxing"—which is a bizarre rabbit hole if you haven't been down it—Ian is basically the gold standard. His mandible (that’s the lower jaw bone) is incredibly well-defined. It’s wide. It’s angular. It creates a clear, sharp line from his ear to his chin that doesn’t just blend into his neck.
Then there’s the nose. It’s a classic straight bridge. No bumps, no major deviations. When you combine that with a prominent brow ridge and deep-set eyes, you get a profile that looks like it was literally carved out of marble.
Interestingly, some fans have pointed out that his face isn't actually "perfect." If you look closely at candid shots or his earlier work in Lost, his face has character. There are tiny asymmetries. He’s got some acne scarring from his younger years, and his teeth aren't that "Hollywood veneer" level of straight—they’re a bit crooked in a way that makes him look human rather than a robot.
Why We Became Obsessed with the Damon Salvatore "Turn"
We can’t talk about his side profile without talking about The Vampire Diaries. The show’s cinematographers knew exactly what they were doing.
Whenever Damon Salvatore had a dramatic realization or needed to look particularly brooding, the camera would linger on his profile. It became a visual shorthand for "troubled but sexy."
- The Smirk: Usually delivered from a 45-degree angle.
- The "Vampire Stare": Deep shadows under the brow.
- The Shadow Work: Lighting that specifically highlighted the jawline.
There’s a reason there are thousands of Pinterest boards and Tumblr blogs dedicated just to "Ian Somerhalder profile shots." It’s a specific aesthetic that defined an entire era of supernatural TV.
The Modeling Days: Before the Fangs
Long before he was a vampire, Ian was a model. We're talking 16-year-old Ian working for Versace and Guess.
In the 90s, the "heroin chic" or "waif" look was big, but Ian had this different, more classic "American heartthrob" structure. If you look at his 1996 photoshoots—especially the ones by Indira Cesarine—the Ian Somerhalder side profile is already there, fully formed.
He was shorter than your average male model (he’s about 5'10"), so he had to rely heavily on his face. He’s admitted in interviews that modeling was a way for him to see the world, but it also taught him how to "find the light." That’s a skill he took into acting. He knows exactly how to tilt his head to catch the shadows.
Genetics vs. "Glow Ups"
A common debate among fans on Reddit is whether Ian had help. You'll see people claiming he got jaw implants or a nose job between Lost and The Vampire Diaries.
Honestly? Most experts and eagle-eyed fans say no.
If you look at his yearbook photos—back when he was just a kid in Louisiana—that jawline was already there. He just "grew into" his face. By the time he hit 30 and started playing Damon, he’d lost that baby fat in his cheeks, which made his bone structure pop even more.
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There’s also the makeup factor. On the set of The Vampire Diaries, Ian was known for wearing a lot of contour and foundation. Fans who met him at conventions often noted that while he was still stunning, the "perfect" chiseled look on screen was partially a result of professional lighting and heavy stage makeup.
The Science of Why We Like It
Why does this specific look rank so high on the "attractiveness" scale? It usually comes down to three things:
- Forward Growth: His mid-face and jaw grow "forward" rather than "downward," which is a trait often associated with health and high testosterone.
- Symmetry (Mostly): While he has small quirks, his overall facial proportions are very close to the "Golden Ratio."
- The Maxilla: He has a high, prominent maxilla (the bone that supports the upper lip and nose), which prevents the "sunken" look as people age.
Basically, his face is a masterclass in human geometry.
Is the Hype Still Real?
Ian has mostly stepped away from acting lately. He’s busy with his bourbon brand (Brother’s Bond, with Paul Wesley) and his environmental activism.
But the Ian Somerhalder side profile still pulls numbers. If you post a "profile comparison" video on TikTok today, it’ll likely go viral. It’s become a blueprint for what a "hero" (or a "villain we love") is supposed to look like.
Even now, in his mid-40s, he’s maintained that structure. He’s leaner, maybe a bit more "outdoorsy" and less "vampire-glam," but the bones are still there.
How to Lean Into Your Own Profile
If you’re reading this because you’re trying to figure out how to get a jawline like that, here’s the reality check: a lot of it is luck. You can’t change your bone structure without surgery.
However, there are a few things you can actually do to improve your own profile:
- Posture Matters: If you have "tech neck" (head leaning forward from looking at your phone), your jawline disappears. Standing tall instantly sharpens your look.
- Body Fat Percentage: Bone structure is often hidden under a layer of fat. Dropping even a little bit of weight can make a hidden jawline suddenly "appear."
- Grooming: For guys, a well-trimmed beard can literally "fake" a stronger jawline if it’s shaped correctly at the neck.
Ian Somerhalder didn't invent the side profile, but he definitely perfected it for the digital age. Whether it’s genetics, modeling experience, or just really good lighting, that specific angle of his face remains one of the most recognizable "looks" in Hollywood history.
To really understand how lighting and angles change a face, try taking a photo of yourself in "Rembrandt lighting"—where the light comes from one side at a 45-degree angle. You’ll see exactly how those shadows highlight the jaw and brow, just like the cinematographers did on The Vampire Diaries.
If you want to see the evolution for yourself, look up his 2014 Azzaro Pour Homme campaign. It’s arguably the peak "profile" era where the photography focuses almost entirely on his bone structure.