Men's Hair Parting Guide: Side Part, Center Part, and No Part

The part is a small decision with a significant effect on how a haircut looks. It changes the visual proportions of the face and the overall silhouette of the style. Here is how each option works and which face shapes each suits.

The Side Part

The side part divides the hair with a line running from a point on the scalp above the outer corner of one eye, back through the crown. The hair on the smaller side is combed to one side; the hair on the larger side is combed to the opposite side. The asymmetry created by the side part produces visual width on one side and visual length on the other. The traditional hard side part (created with a comb and held with pomade or a light product) reads as classic and formal. The natural side part (following a cowlick-determined natural part without a defined line) reads as less structured. The side part suits most face shapes because the asymmetry breaks up the uniformity of round or square faces and adds dimension to flat or broad facial profiles.

The Center Part

The center part divides the hair equally down the midline of the scalp, with hair falling symmetrically to both sides. It creates bilateral symmetry, which emphasizes the width of the face equally on both sides. The center part suits faces that are naturally longer or more narrow (oblong, oval) because the symmetrical fall of the hair frames the face evenly without adding extra visual width to one side. On round or wide faces, the center part can emphasize the width; for these face shapes, a side part typically produces better proportions. The center part has a strong stylistic identity (associated with curtains, longer flow styles, and some surfer-influenced aesthetics) that makes it a more deliberate style choice than the neutral side part.

No Part (Pushed Back or Textured Forward)

No-part styles push the hair back from the forehead, to the side as a mass rather than a line, or forward with texture. They work for men who prefer a less structured, more movement-heavy aesthetic or whose hair does not naturally hold a part. No-part styles show more forehead than parted styles, which elongates the visual profile. They are versatile across face shapes and generally require less daily styling precision than maintaining a defined part line. Textured crops, pushed-back styles, and most short contemporary cuts often fall into the no-part category.

How to Hold a Part in Place

Create the part on damp hair with a fine-tooth comb. Apply a light pomade, cream, or water-based product to the front sections and comb the part while the hair is still slightly damp. Allow to air dry in place; the product and the drying process together set the direction. For a harder part line, use the pointed end of a comb to draw a precise line before styling. Blow drying the parted sections downward in their parted direction while damp reinforces the direction and helps the hair learn the part over time.

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I know which side to part my hair on?

Most men have a natural part on one side, determined by the direction their hair grows from the crown. Following the natural part requires less daily effort because the hair already grows in that direction. To find your natural part: wet your hair, push it forward onto your forehead, then push it back. It will naturally fall to one side. That is your natural part. If your hair is equally uncooperative on both sides, either side is workable. Stylistically, some barbers suggest that the part on the side of the dominant hand reads as more natural and balanced.

Does the part direction affect how the face looks?

Yes, mildly. The side with more hair over it gains a small amount of visual coverage and framing. For a face that is slightly asymmetrical (all human faces are), parting toward the side with more asymmetry to correct (usually the side where the face appears slightly narrower) can create a more balanced visual impression. This is a subtle effect, not a dramatic one. Most people would not notice the difference in a photograph, but the person wearing the part can feel the effect in the mirror.

Does hair texture affect which part works best?

Texture influences the cleanness and hold of the part rather than which direction to use it. Fine, straight hair holds a part cleanly and precisely; a defined side part on fine straight hair looks sharp. Coarse, thick hair holds a part less precisely and may require more product to maintain the line. Curly and wavy hair can be parted but the parted sections produce a more voluminous, natural result than the flat, precise part you see on straight hair. Tightly coiled hair can hold a center part or side part but the part line may not be as visible due to the volume and texture of the curl pattern.