How to Comb Hair

Man who is combing his hair
Photo: 4 PM Production/Shutterstock
Q: Are men supposed to comb their hair to the left or to the right? I have been told that men should comb their hair over to the right and women to the left. Is this true?
 
A: The idea that men should comb their hair one way and women the other stems from long-standing traditions in fashion and grooming rather than any hard rule. While there is some historical basis for the convention, it is far from a strict requirement today.
 
For a long time, men's and women's clothing was designed as mirror images. Women's blouses, for example, were typically made with the buttons on the left side, while men's shirts were constructed with buttons on the right. Grooming traditions followed suit: it became customary for men to wear a left-side part (directing the bulk of the hair toward the right side of the head), whereas women more commonly wore a right-side part (directing hair toward the left).
 
There is no biological reason to favor one side based on gender alone, but there is a clear physiological reason to favor one side based on your scalp: your natural hair swirl (cowlick) at the crown. If your hair grows in a clockwise direction, a left-side part will generally sit flatter and require less product. If it grows counterclockwise, a right-side part will give you a cleaner, more manageable swoop.
 
Best side of a hair parting for men
 
Modern hairstyles have made the old rules far less relevant. With the rise of unisex fashions, changing trends, and an emphasis on personal style, the strict division between men's and women's hair parting has largely disappeared. Many contemporary men wear right-side parts, center parts, or brush their hair straight back.
 
If you prefer a classic, traditional men's haircut, following the historical convention of parting your hair on the left is entirely appropriate. However, you shouldn't feel confined by it. The best place to part your hair is wherever your natural growth pattern allows it to fall most naturally.
 
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See also:
 
Hairstyles for men
 
Hair part and personality
 
Hair combing and brushing basics