Few styling debates have sparked as much conversation in recent years as the Deep Side Part vs. Middle Part showdown. What began as a viral TikTok argument between millennials and Gen Z has evolved into a genuine style philosophy. Your part line doesn’t just frame your face — it shapes your entire hair identity.
Whether you’re aiming for effortless symmetry or full-bodied drama, your parting choice can completely change how your hair moves, falls, and, most importantly, how much volume you get.
In this guide, we’ll break down how each parting style affects your overall look, texture, and fullness — plus practical styling tips to help you achieve maximum hair volume no matter where your line lies.
Hair Parting Trends: Why They Matter
Hair parting trends tend to follow broader fashion and beauty cycles. The middle part reigned supreme during the ‘70s boho era, made a strong comeback in the 2010s thanks to minimalism and sleek aesthetics, and then became the defining marker of “Gen Z cool.”
The deep side part, on the other hand, has always been associated with glamour — think Old Hollywood waves, early 2000s supermodels, and red-carpet confidence.
But beyond trends, your hair part affects the way light hits your face, the balance of your facial features, and how your roots lift or fall — all of which influence your hair’s natural volume.
Deep Side Part: Drama, Dimension, and Instant Lift
What It Is:
A deep side part typically starts well beyond the arch of your eyebrow, sweeping a larger portion of hair to one side. It can be soft and romantic or sharp and sculpted, depending on how it’s styled.
Why Stylists Love It:
The deep side part instantly creates the illusion of fuller hair — especially around the crown and one side of the face. By redistributing more hair to one side, it amplifies volume at the roots without needing heavy teasing or product.
Best For:
- Fine to medium hair types seeking more height
- Heart-shaped or round faces (it adds elongation and asymmetry)
- Layered cuts, bobs, or glam curls
How It Boosts Volume:
Because the hair is lifted and repositioned from its natural growth direction, the roots resist lying flat. That slight tension creates natural elevation, giving you built-in root lift.
When combined with blow-drying or a curling wand, the deep side part gives hair a “red carpet” fullness — think volume with movement, not stiffness.
Styling Tips for a Voluminous Deep Side Part:
- Blow-Dry Opposite Your Part:
Flip your hair to the opposite side while drying to build root lift. When you flip it back to your chosen side, the volume will double. - Use a Round Brush or Volumizing Mousse:
Focus on lifting hair at the crown and temple. Products with lightweight polymers or rice protein help maintain height without crunch. - Add Texture:
Spritz dry shampoo or texture spray along the part line to prevent oil buildup and maintain volume throughout the day. - Tuck or Pin Strategically:
Tucking one side behind the ear enhances asymmetry and elongates the jawline.
Celebrity Inspiration:
- Blake Lively’s soft-glam side part
- Zendaya’s structured side-swept curls
- Margot Robbie’s effortless Hollywood waves
Middle Part: Balance, Symmetry, and Modern Minimalism
What It Is:
A middle part divides the hair evenly down the center, creating a perfectly symmetrical frame for the face. It’s sleek, modern, and incredibly versatile — from casual, undone waves to polished, glass hair.
Why It’s a Trend Leader:
The middle part has become synonymous with confidence and clean styling. It emphasizes facial balance and works beautifully with sleek blowouts, low buns, and soft waves.
Best For:
- Straight or slightly wavy hair textures
- Oval, long, or symmetrical face shapes
- Modern minimalist or “model-off-duty” looks
How It Impacts Volume:
While the middle part tends to create a flatter crown, it gives the illusion of overall density by evenly distributing hair on both sides. For thicker or naturally voluminous hair, it helps maintain control and structure.
However, for fine hair, the middle part can sometimes accentuate flatness at the roots — which is why the right styling techniques are key.
Styling Tips for a Voluminous Middle Part:
- Create a Subtle Zigzag Part:
Instead of a perfect straight line, add a micro zigzag to disguise scalp visibility and create root lift. - Lift Roots with Heat:
Blow-dry using a volumizing brush or root-lifting spray, focusing heat upward at the roots. - Add Soft Texture or Loose Waves:
Use a large-barrel curling iron to add body from the mid-lengths down. Looser texture gives a fuller silhouette without breaking symmetry. - Dry Shampoo for Day 2 Volume:
Spray at the crown and massage gently to reactivate lift and texture.
Celebrity Inspiration:
- Kim Kardashian’s sleek middle part
- Hailey Bieber’s low bun and minimalist center line
- Gigi Hadid’s soft, face-framing waves
The Science of Hair Volume and Parting
Volume is all about root direction, density, and airflow.
When you part your hair differently than it naturally falls, you’re altering its growth pattern temporarily — a trick stylists use to fake fullness.
- Deep Side Part: Disrupts your natural flat fall pattern, creating lift on one side and a cascading effect on the other.
- Middle Part: Balances distribution evenly but may require heat styling or product support for maximum volume.
Tip: Rotate your part every few days. This keeps roots from becoming “trained” to lie flat in one direction, maintaining more consistent height over time.
Face Shape & Hair Type: Which Part Works Best for You
[7.short-hair-parting-bob-pixie-styles]| Face Shape | Best Part for Volume | Styling Focus |
| Round | Deep Side Part | Add asymmetry and height at the crown |
| Heart-Shaped | Deep Side Part | Soften the forehead, elongate chin area |
| Oval | Either (Balanced Shape) | Emphasize cheekbones with waves |
| Square | Middle Part | Centered symmetry complements angular lines |
| Long | Middle Part | Balance length with volume at sides |
Hair Texture Considerations:
- Fine Hair: Deep side parts build lift instantly — use texturizing spray for hold.
- Thick Hair: Middle parts help balance bulk and showcase natural density.
- Curly Hair: Try a soft side part for enhanced bounce and shape control.
- Straight Hair: A middle part creates sleek sophistication; side parts can add body.
Trend Forecast: 2025 Hair Parting Outlook
[8.2025-hair-parting-trend-hybrid]Hair parting trends are evolving beyond the binary of “side vs. middle.”
Expect hybrid partings, curved parts, and sculptural styling to rise in 2025 — a move toward more personalized parting geometry.
Stylists are now using part lines to sculpt face shapes, not just follow symmetry. Deep diagonal parts and offset middles are becoming red-carpet staples, proving that volume isn’t tied to a single technique — it’s about intentional direction and balance.
Final Take: Which Part Wins for Max Volume?
There’s no one-size-fits-all winner in the deep side vs. middle part debate — it all depends on your hair type, texture, and personal aesthetic.
- For instant lift and drama, the deep side part wins.
- For balanced structure and clean symmetry, the middle part reigns.
If you crave flexibility, alternate between the two — a deep part for big-event volume and a middle part for sleek, everyday confidence.
With the right styling tips and products tailored to your texture, you can have both — volume and versatility.
