Which Side of Your Face Do You Prefer? How to Find Your Best Side

Have you ever looked at a photo and thought, “I like this side of my face better”? Or changed your hair part and noticed that your whole look felt a little different?

Today, I’m sharing an image consulting exercise that helps you find the side of your face you feel most confident showing. In Korean image consulting, this is sometimes called finding your “open face.” In everyday English, you might simply call it finding your best side.

The idea is to notice the differences between the two sides of your face, decide which look you prefer, and use that knowledge when styling your hair or posing for photos.

What Does Finding Your Best Side Mean?

The two sides of our faces aren’t exactly alike. You may notice small differences in your eyes, the curve of your eyebrows, your smile, your cheeks, or your jawline.

Those details can give each side a slightly different character. One side might look softer and rounder, while the other feels more defined or angular.

Finding your best side means asking yourself: Which side do I like better? Which side feels closer to the impression I want to make?

Your preference is personal. You may love a soft, gentle look, or you may prefer a more defined appearance.

Try It With a Mirror and a Sheet of Paper

Stand in front of a mirror and look straight ahead. Move your hair away from your face so you can clearly see your forehead, cheeks, and jawline.

Take a large sheet of paper or a book and use its edge to cover one side of your face. Position the edge along the middle of your face, using the center of your nose and lips as a guide. Then switch sides, keeping your head and expression as steady as possible.

Rather than focusing on just one feature, notice how each half looks as a whole.

• Face shape: Do your cheek and jaw look rounder or more defined?
• Eyes and eyebrows: How do the eye shape and the height or curve of the eyebrow affect your expression?
• Your smile: What do you notice about the corner of your mouth and the shape of your smile?
• The area around your nose: Look at the contours beside your nostril, the smile line, and the space between your nose and the outer edge of your cheek.

After looking at the details, take a small step back and consider the overall impression.

Which side feels more like the version of yourself you want to show?

Why I Prefer My Left Side

When I compare the two sides of my face, my right side looks a little rounder to me. My cheek seems slightly fuller, giving that side a softer, more feminine feel.

My left side looks a little slimmer and more defined. Personally, I prefer that look, so I think of my left side as my best side.

I also tend to like my photos more when I part my hair on the left. That’s simply something I’ve noticed from trying different styles and looking at my own pictures.

Knowing my preference takes some of the guesswork out of being photographed. I have a better sense of how I want to stand and which side I’d like to show a little more.

Start With Your Hair Part

One of the easiest ways to put this into practice is to experiment with your hair part.

Changing your part affects where your hair falls, where you have more volume, and how much of each side of your face is visible. Even without a haircut, these small changes can shift the overall impression.

The side you part on won’t always be the side that looks more exposed. Your fringe, root volume, and the way your hair naturally falls all play a role. Try parting your hair in both directions and see which arrangement brings attention to the side you prefer.

You can also tuck your hair behind one ear on your preferred side and let the other side fall gently around your face. Experiment until you find a style that feels natural and flattering to you.

Use It in Photos—and Before an Important Meeting

When taking a photo, try turning your head or body slightly so your preferred side is a little more visible to the camera. Small adjustments are usually enough. Move gradually and see which angle you like.

You can also keep this in mind when getting ready for an important meeting or presentation. Styling your hair to show the side you feel good about can help you feel more comfortable walking into the room.

Your facial angle won’t determine how a meeting goes, of course. But feeling comfortable with your appearance can make it easier to focus on the conversation and express yourself with confidence.

Finding your best side is a simple way to get to know your face and your own preferences a little better. Take a few minutes with a mirror and see what you notice. You might discover a look you love—with nothing more than a different hair part.