Now that 70s style is making a comeback, that means center parts are a must-have. But as many of us who have grown accustomed to side hair probably know, a mid-length hairstyle can be difficult to pull off. I grew out my hair and had a center part until I was about 15 years old. But once I crossed over, I guess in this case it was just the plain old part , I was hooked. Of course, I've dabbled in centerpieces since then if it works for a costume or if I need to try a certain look for the story, but it's not a style I've always stuck to. Maybe it's because I didn't give myself enough time to adapt. Or maybe it's because I'm not getting the best response from those close enough to me to give their honest opinions. But it could also be because I'm not doing the best center part for my face.
Sounds a little weird, right? The center part is the center part is the center part. But changing it up a bit can actually make it look better. This is because when the hair is perfectly parted in the center of the head, it acts like a line through which you can more easily compare the two sides of a person's face. In other words, it makes it easier for people to tell where the flaws in someone's facial symmetry are.
Of course, none of us have perfectly symmetrical faces, but even the smallest asymmetry can be highlighted when illusory lines are drawn. If you find you want to rock the center piece but are just not happy with how it looks, here's what you can do.
1. Part your hair slightly off center
Your hair probably won't naturally part directly down the middle anyway, so try showing off your natural part first. Still unhappy? Find where your center should be and create your part one centimeter off. A slight shift will still look like a center part, but since it won't separate your face from the middle, it will affect your face more like a side part.
2. Make your sections diagonal
While the part still starts in the center of your face, there is less of a face-dividing effect because your hairline slopes toward the back of your head rather than straight back. From the front, this section looks like a central section, but still has the effect of a side section due to the diagonal lines.
Image: Mickey Hayes
