How to Find Your 'Good Side'

By Shannon Farrell

With the holidays around the corner, we’re reminded that posing for photos with a group can become a lengthy process—not least of all when attempting to find the perfect angle for a selfie. With each participant claiming to have a “good side,” finding the ideal lineup typically becomes a project. While it may seem silly or arbitrary, it turns out that the first thing hairstylists do when meeting a new model is find their good side. And only then can they part the hair perfectly. But the attribute isn’t just limited to models—we all have our good sides, and here’s how to find yours:

“One of the really great things you can do when you’re trying to find the open side of your face is to see which side is more alive,” says Jo Blackwell-Preston, the owner of New York-based Dop Dop Salon. "What you’re gonna do is take a white hand towel and put it right down the center of your face, covering up one half of your face. Then you’ll notice the structure of your face on the side that’s exposed.”

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Check the eyebrow to see if it opens up or down. Then see whether the nose slopes in or out. What about the smile line? Does it go up or does it have a frown line going down? “The sides of the face are completely separate and distinct. If we were completely symmetrical we’d look weird,” Blackwell-Preston says. Then cover the other side of the face and check each feature again. “Once you do this a few times, you can see which side of your face is your stronger side.” In fact, you’ll be surprised at how obvious it is.

Once you find your good side, place your index finger at the center of the brow and move it back to the hairline and separate the hair straight back to create a side part. “When going for job interviews, you want to put your best foot forward. We like to say, put the best side of your face forward. It’s going to have people perceive you differently. You’re going to hold your power more. You’re going to look more inviting, available and more alive.”

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photo: WWD