It might be time to bid farewell to your forehead—the humble bang has never been more popular. Stats from Google suggest that we’re not just scouting out new bob hairstyles to try, but different kinds of bangs, too–some of our most searched favorites include Birkin bangs (inspired by the late Jane Birkin), and those belonging to a certain Sabrina Carpenter.
But do you dare? Getting new bangs may be appealing in theory, but in practice it can be another story. Will it look good? Will I be able to style it myself at home? Will bangs suit my face? Since they take a while to grow out, it’s a good idea to heed our two hair experts’ advice and do your research before taking the plunge. The truth is that there is a set of bangs to suit everyone – all you need is some inspo, and the help of a good stylist.
What to consider before getting bangs
The first thing you should consider is what style of bangs you like–seek out images on Pinterest, in magazines, or on social media. “Then, it’s all about finding a hairstylist and talking to them about getting a fringe,” suggests hairstylist Larry King. “It’s really all about having your fringe personalized to your face shape–the majority of bangs can work on everyone, as long as the hairdresser tailors them to your features.”
Paul Percival, founder of Percy Reed, adds that it’s key to consider how your hair texture and hairline will work with bangs, as well as how much time and effort you’re willing to put into styling one. “There are so many people who love the idea of a blunt-cut fringe but have, as an example, wavy hair,” he says. “This is fine if you’re happy to spend five minutes blowing your fringe out when needed, but if you’re a wash-and-go kind of girl, it might drive you crazy. Basically, if you’re happy to maintain a fringe, then pretty much anyone can make it work.”
How to identify your face shape
One of the easiest ways to find out the shape of your face is to use an online calculator. Omni Calculator is a free tool that asks for your forehead and cheek width, along with your jawline and face length. It asks if your features are sharp, somewhat sharp, or round, and then, using these answers, tells you the shape of your face.
“Fringes can suit almost everyone as they’re completely bespoke to you – and that’s the best thing about them,” explains Issey Cook, a senior stylist at Larry King South Kensington. “It’s your face shape and features that will determine the length, width, and thickness of your fringe.”
How to find the perfect bangs for your face shape
As a general–and very basic–rule of thumb, Percival advises choosing a style that gives your face a more oval look. Make sure you have a consultation with your hairstylist and be clear about what you do and, perhaps more importantly, don’t want. To make the process fun (and a lot easier), King now offers a Fringe Bar in his London salons, with eight different looks to choose from, all of which can be adapted to your specifications. Alternatively, try a clip-in fringe, to experiment with the style before committing fully.
Meanwhile, if you’re looking for inspo relevant to your specific face shape, then look no further:
“For heart-shaped faces, I suggest asking for a fringe that is more of a half-moon shape,” says Percival. “By this, I mean you want the fringe to be shorter in the middle and longer towards the sides.”
Rounder faces require some length to help balance and elongate the face. “You might want to try a grown-out bang, something that’s a bit more flexible that you can lift up and switch from side to side, or maybe go for a sweeping fringe,” King says.
“It’s all about long, grown-out-looking fringes,” says Percival. “That can be a curtain fringe, or bangs styled to the side, but essentially it’s all about keeping the length that little bit longer.”
Square-shaped faces should try curtain bangs or more choppy, ’70s-style fringes: “Both work really well for this face shape–anything that blends into soft layers around the face will work well,” says Percival.
The world of fringes is your oyster! Whether micro, blunt, or grown-out fringe, those with oval face shapes can afford to be super experimental with their cut.
A universally flattering bang
A style that is flattering on most people, regardless of face shape or hair texture? “A slightly grown-out curtain bang,” confirms Percival. “They tend to be low-maintenance and easy to adapt to each individual when being cut in.”
What to know about maintaining bangs
Bangs are incredible for the way they can reinvigorate a haircut and bring a youthful sense of difference to your usual style. However, they do also require a little upkeep. Cook says to keep in mind that a fringe will take a little longer to style in the mornings and, therefore, isn’t something to cut on a whim.
“Make sure to ask your stylist to show you how to style it,” she advises. “There’s nothing worse than coming home and having no clue what to do with your fringe.”
Her best piece of advice is not to panic if you wake up and your fringe looks flat or greasy. “A quick fix is to section off your fringe and wet down or re-wash just that area. This means you don’t need to wash your whole head but can still have a fresh fringe in the morning.”
How often to trim your bangs
Between haircuts, you’ll likely need to pop in for a quick fringe trim. How frequently you do this will be down to personal preference, as well as which type of fringe you have. “Longer, grown-out bangs are more forgiving,” describes Cook, “and can be left to grow as long as you like, or can stand.” For blunt, full fringes, Cook says a trim every “three to four weeks” is a reasonable expectation.
When to not get bangs
While fringes can be adapted to all hair types, textures, and lengths, there are a couple of considerations before cutting one. “Someone with a very strong natural hairline, such as a pronounced cowlick, may find that a fringe naturally separates, making it difficult to achieve a solid, straight fringe,” Cook cautions. “Similarly, people with very fine hair may find a fringe more challenging to maintain.”
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