I’m a hairdresser – where to wear your parting depending on your face shape and the mistakes that make you look older
CELEB hairdresser Andrew Barton gives no-nonsense advice on getting the best parting for any face shape.
He reveals the common mistakes that leave you looking older.
MAYA JAMA – ALMOND
OFF CENTRE: An almond face shape, which is similar to oval but with a narrower jawline, is pretty versatile but gentle partings which are slightly offset and diagonal – adding height towards the back of the parting towards the crown – work well.
As you can see with presenter Maya, 28, this subtly styled look brings the face front and centre and accentuates the shape.
JODIE TURNER-SMITH – ROUND
NO PARTING: Round faces benefit from styles adding fullness on top to suggest height – a subtle parting slightly lifted, hair tied back or backcombed, or no parting at all like actress Jodie, 35.
Avoid flatter styles with dramatic partings as they emphasise the roundness, rather than create the illusion of a more balanced oval.
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HOLLY WILLOUGHBY – DIAMOND
SIDE SWEEP: Diamond face shapes like TV’s Holly, 41, have a narrow forehead and chin or jawline.
A side-swept parting works – as does a slight side-swept fringe, with a bit of a lift at the parting.
This gives the illusion of a wider brow and forehead.
Avoid fullness around the cheeks and keep texture and movement.
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ANITA RANI – OBLONG
DEEP SIDE: Oblong or rectangular faces suit bangs swept at each side of an off-centre parting.
It’s about balancing the length of the face, to complement it rather than elongate.
Radio and TV presenter Anita, 44, knows her angles perfectly and this deep side-parting with fuller waves is perfect for her.
DUCHESS OF CAMBRIDGE – OVAL
MIDDLE PART: An oval face’s symmetry means any hairstyle will work.
It’s the shape stylists try to emulate in designing cuts.
However the Duchess, 40, has her hair, she looks perfect.
This year she has started parting it in the centre more often but her everyday style is fuller and looser which suits her frame.
EMMA WILLIS – HEART
MESSY SIDE: Fuller at the forehead, narrower at the chin, a heart face shape suits partings that keep hair close to the face, rather than pulling it back to reveal more forehead.
Presenter Emma, 46, often opts for a side parting with hair worn around the face at one side and lifted off at the other.
It accentuates her features.
ANDIE MACDOWELL – SQUARE
SOFT SIDE: For square faces, soften angles.
Layered cuts that start from a gentle side parting work, especially when styled with movement.
Actress Andie, 64, with her natural grey, curly locks, is an example.
Waved hair, swept over from a side parting, lends softness and symmetry and shows off her cheekbones.
DRAMATIC PARTINGS CAN AGE YOU
ANDREW says: “Whether it’s in the centre or to the side, a dramatic parting can age you – unless you can afford to have your roots touched up every few weeks.
“While it’s a classic look, it can also drag the face downwards which is ageing.
“Styling is also important – hair worn loose with soft movement rather than poker-straight is more youthful, generally.”
SHOW OFF YOUR BEST SIDE
MANY of us have asymmetrical faces and as we mature, our eyes may not stay symmetrical – so whichever side you’re wider eye is on, part your hair on the opposite.
Andrew says: “Having your hair sweep this way will emphasise the wider eye, and wider eyes give the face the appearance of youth.”
NARROW FACES SUIT SIDE PARTINGS
NOT sure what your face shape is? There are other ways you can guarantee a strong parting.
Andrew says: “There are generally two rules of thumb. If the face shape is narrow, it suits partings from the side with fullness in the style to balance the angles.
“If a face is fuller, it suits styles with more lift and an off centre parting.”
ZIG-ZAG PARTINGS TAKE YEARS OFF
WE’RE not talking Nineties vibes, but a messy, subtle zig-zag parting can work wonders.
You start with a centre parting and then flick a section of hair from the left over to the right using the tail of the comb, and vice versa.
Andrew says: “The slightly messy, jagged look will soften your features, making you look younger. It also makes the hair look thicker, adding volume.”
CONSIDER YOUR BODY AND PROFILE
IT’S not just your face shape you should think about when choosing a parting.
Andrew says: “A hair stylist should consider face shape but also body shape, profile and head shape when designing a style and these things should be considered for a parting.”
LIPSTICK TRICK TO FIND FACE SHAPE
IT’S sometimes hard to see your true face shape when your hair is styled.
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Andrew suggests pulling it back off your face.
He says: “Look in a mirror with your hair pulled back from your face, then with lipstick draw the reflection around your face on to the mirror.”