16 Hairstyles For Wide Faces Using Vertical Volume And Side Parts

Finding the right look for a wide face shape can feel like a challenge. The goal is often to elongate the silhouette while creating flattering angles.

Vertical volume and side parts are the ultimate power duo for this purpose. They draw the eye upward and break up horizontal width instantly.

These techniques provide a modern, balanced appearance. Let’s explore sixteen dynamic styles that master these principles perfectly.

1. Voluminous Side-Swept Pixie

This style utilizes a deep side part to create an immediate focal point. By sweeping the majority of the hair to one side, it narrows the appearance of the forehead.

Adding height at the crown is essential for this look. The vertical volume stretches the facial profile, making it appear leaner and more balanced.

It is a versatile choice for anyone seeking a low-maintenance yet high-impact aesthetic. Use a light pomade to maintain the lift throughout the day.

2. Deep Side Part Long Bob

The long bob, or “lob,” provides a sleek frame that hangs just below the jawline. This length is ideal for drawing the gaze downward rather than outward.

A deep side part creates an asymmetrical line across the face. This break in symmetry is highly effective at camouflaging width and creating a slimmer profile.

To maximize the effect, lift the roots using a round brush during blow-drying. This ensures the hair doesn’t lie flat against the scalp, which can emphasize width.

3. Textured Pompadour

The pompadour is a masterclass in vertical volume. By directing the hair upward and back, it adds several inches to the top of the head.

While traditionally sleek, a textured version adds a contemporary edge. The ruffled finish provides a soft frame that prevents the face from looking too boxy.

This style works best when the sides are kept relatively tight. This contrast between the flat sides and the high top creates a sharp, elongated silhouette.

4. Asymmetrical Shag with Root Lift

A shag haircut uses various layers to create movement and interest. When paired with a side part, it breaks up the horizontal line of the cheekbones.

The key to this look is ensuring the layers at the top are short enough to provide natural lift. This verticality is crucial for balancing a wider jawline.

Texturizing sprays are your best friend with this style. They help define the layers while maintaining the essential height needed at the crown.

5. Hollywood Waves with a Side Sweep

This classic look relies on a dramatic side part to create a glamorous, asymmetrical curtain. It directs attention diagonally across the face.

The waves should start slightly above the eye level to create volume where it matters most. This lift prevents the hair from clinging to the sides of the face.

By pinning one side behind the ear, you expose the neckline. This further elongates the overall appearance and provides a sophisticated finish.

6. Layered Bob with Teased Crown

A layered bob offers a structured yet flexible frame for wider facial features. The layers prevent the hair from becoming bottom-heavy.

Lightly teasing the hair at the crown adds the necessary vertical volume. This small adjustment makes a significant difference in how the face shape is perceived.

The side part helps to soften the forehead and redirect the eye. It is a timeless approach that works for almost any hair texture or density.

7. Sleek Side Part with High Ponytail

Combining a sharp side part with a high ponytail offers a very clean and modern silhouette. The part adds interest, while the ponytail adds height.

The placement of the ponytail is vital; it should sit high on the head to be visible from the front. This creates a clear vertical line.

Smoothing the sides helps to minimize the appearance of width. This style is excellent for highlighting the eyes while providing a lifting effect.

8. Curly Side-Swept Mohawkish Style

For those with natural curls, a “faux-hawk” style or a side-swept crop is incredibly flattering. The curls provide natural height and volume.

By focusing the bulk of the curls along the center and sweeping them to one side, the face appears narrower. It uses the hair’s natural bounce to create verticality.

Keep the sides shorter or slicked back to emphasize the top. This creates a vertical focal point that distracts from the width of the cheeks.

9. Long Layers with a Diagonal Part

Long hair can sometimes weigh down a look, but layers change the game. They add lightness and the potential for significant volume at the roots.

A diagonal part starts at the front and moves toward the crown. This technique is specifically designed to add height and disrupt a wide face shape.

Blow-dry the hair away from the face to create an open, airy feel. This prevents the hair from “boxing in” the face and instead draws the eye upward.

10. High Top Knot with Side Fringe

The top knot is the ultimate solution for vertical volume. It literally adds inches to the top of the silhouette, creating an elongated effect.

Adding a side-swept fringe helps to break up the forehead. This prevents the style from looking too severe and adds a layer of facial contouring.

Ensure the bun is secure and placed right at the crown. This positioning is the most effective for balancing out wider cheekbones and jawlines.

11. Voluminous Quiff

A quiff is similar to a pompadour but often has a more relaxed, forward-leaning volume. It focuses all the energy on the top of the head.

Using a side part with a quiff allows for a more dramatic sweep. This creates a diagonal line that is visually slimming for wider face shapes.

Strong-hold hairspray is usually necessary to keep the quiff from falling. Maintaining that vertical height is the primary goal for this specific look.

12. Wispy Side-Parted Mullet

The modern mullet is all about texture and height at the top. It avoids the flat, dated looks of the past by focusing on verticality.

A wispy side part softens the transition between the top and the sides. This prevents any harsh horizontal lines from forming across the middle of the face.

The length at the back also helps to elongate the neck. Together with the volume on top, it creates a very balanced and stretched profile.

13. Side-Parted Afro Puff

An afro puff placed high on the head is a fantastic way to utilize natural volume. It creates a bold, vertical statement that is very flattering.

Incorporating a side part or a “side swoop” at the hairline adds an asymmetrical element. This helps to narrow the forehead area significantly.

This style celebrates natural texture while using it to shape the face. It is a powerful look that prioritizes height and clean lines.

14. Polished Beehive with Side Sweep

Taking inspiration from retro styles, a modern beehive focuses on crown volume. This extreme height is very effective at balancing out width.

A soft, side-swept bang or section at the front prevents the look from being too stiff. It adds a contemporary touch to a classic volume-heavy style.

This is a great option for formal events where a dramatic silhouette is desired. The verticality created is unmatched by most other styles.

15. Braided Crown with Side Part Volume

Braids can be used to build structural height on top of the head. By placing a thick braid near the crown, you create permanent vertical volume.

Starting the braid from a side part adds that necessary asymmetrical break. It prevents the braid from looking like a flat halo, which can widen the face.

Leave a few wispy strands out around the face to soften the edges. This combination of structure and softness is perfect for wide facial features.

16. Tapered Sides with Spiky Top

Tapering the sides of the hair reduces bulk where the face is widest. This immediately makes the head shape appear more oval than round or square.

Spiking the hair on top adds sharp vertical lines. These lines draw the eye upward and create a sense of length that balances the facial width.

A subtle side part can be carved into the hair to define the transition. This adds a level of polish to an otherwise edgy and energetic hairstyle.

Why do side parts help wide faces?

Side parts are effective because they break up the symmetry of the face. A center part often highlights the widest points of the cheeks and jaw, whereas a side part creates a diagonal line. This diagonal line tricks the eye, making the face appear narrower and more elongated than it actually is.

How much vertical volume is necessary?

The amount of volume needed depends on the specific proportions of the face, but generally, two to three inches of lift is ideal. This provides enough height to noticeably change the silhouette without looking unnatural. The goal is to create a vertical focal point that balances the horizontal width.

Can these styles work with thin hair?

Yes, these styles are actually very beneficial for thin hair. Using a side part and creating vertical volume can make thin hair appear much fuller. Products like volumizing mousses and root-lifting sprays are essential tools to help fine hair maintain the height required for these looks.

What are the best products for vertical volume?

To achieve lasting height, you should look for root-lifting sprays, volumizing mousses, and dry shampoos. For textured styles, a sea salt spray or a matte pomade can provide grip. Finally, a high-quality hairspray is necessary to lock the vertical volume in place throughout the day.

Do these styles require high maintenance?

Maintenance levels vary by style, but many are quite manageable. Short styles like pixies or quiffs may require more frequent trims to keep the sides tight. Longer styles with layers or lobs are generally lower maintenance, requiring only regular washing and basic heat styling to maintain the lift at the roots.

Does hair color affect the look of volume?

Hair color can definitely play a role in the perception of volume and depth. Highlights or balayage can add dimension to the hair, making the vertical volume look more prominent. Darker roots with lighter ends can also create an illusion of “lift,” which further assists in elongating the facial appearance.

16 Hairstyles for Wide Faces Using Vertical Volume and Side Parts