The start of a new year, like 2025, often inspires a desire for change, and a new hairstyle is a fantastic way to refresh your look. Bangs are a simple yet effective way to switch up your appearance, and with a variety of styles available, there's a perfect bang style for every face shape and hair type.
Emma Stone debuted a striking pixie cut with short baby bangs at the 2025 Golden Globes, a look reminiscent of "Rosemary's Baby." Quinta Brunson and Janelle James also sported similar short styles that night, suggesting a growing trend for the year.
Baby bangs are a popular variation on the wispy fringe, but significantly shorter. Nicola Peltz Beckham has embraced the look, wearing her mini bangs so short that her eyebrows are visible. Cut with an irregular touch, her bangs felt soft and flattering, rather than harsh.
Meyer explains: “These bangs are particularly suitable for people with smaller faces, who might get lost behind heavy, full bangs. Baby bangs are very easy to style: all you need is a product that gives your hair a rough texture, like a wax or styling powder that you can work in with your fingers to accentuate the strands, and let the forehead peek out here and there.”
These side-swept bangs are a pumped-up hair look reminiscent of Y2K and '90s Cindy Crawford. Favored by Heidi Klum, Lily Collins, and Kiki Palmer, this fringe looks windswept and works well as bangs grow out. Secure with hairspray to prevent them from falling into your eyes.
Read also: Bangs and a Pixie Bob: A Perfect Match
Rihanna sported a unique style where bangs don't have to be the same length. This experimental style is fun and makes its own beauty rules.
Curtain bangs are a great option because they are relatively long and flatter every face shape. Different parts of the face can be accentuated depending on where the ends fall. When the ends extend to the corners of your mouth, as seen on Priyanka Chopra, focus is drawn to the lips. Cheekbones are emphasized when the bangs reach the tip of the nose, as seen on Emily Ratajkowski.
“Curtain bangs act as a frame for the face,” explains hairstylist Maximilian Meyer. According to Meyer, curtain bangs work best in normal to full hair that has a slight wave. If it’s too straight or fine, he says, it may not have the necessary bounce to pull the look off. His top styling tip is to use a round brush when blow drying.
Curtain bangs are the call for trendy clients and the calling card of trendy stylists. They’re super versatile for styling and they flatter most face shapes. Along with this, thick or thin hair can rock this look equally well. If the client’s desired aesthetic leans more toward the ’70s, feathered feel, though, then straight and wavy hair patterns should be present. If the client has more playful or modern ambitions for their aesthetic, then curly hair will create the look they’re going for!
These face framers are shaped in a bottleneck curve that's cut shorter at the top and cascades to longer pieces that skim around the eye and cheek line. They're like the new curtain bangs: universally flattering across face shapes. "A middle part works best for this look," says Montoya. "Dry strands away from the face at a 90º angle using a round brush, until dry and smooth." To set the shape, use cool air with the cool shot on your dryer.
Read also: Guide to Short Haircuts, Side Bangs
Made famous by Bridget Bardot in the '70s, curtain bangs are a feathered cut that creates a mussed-up, cool-girl look. "Recently, every single one of my clients has wanted some sort of face frame, and I always recommend [these]," says celebrity hairstylist Mary Kendall. "They are low maintenance, work with all hairlines and are fairly user-friendly to style." She blows the curtain bangs out, curling under toward the face, and then once parted, taking each side and blowing out and away.
Wispy bangs, popular in the early 2000s, are making a comeback with stars like Nina Dobrev and Suki Waterhouse. These bangs fall loosely over the face, allowing the forehead to peek through. Like curtain bangs, they are easy to grow out.
Be aware, however, that ultra-fine bangs can quickly become greasy. To prevent this from happening, spray some dry shampoo onto your hair immediately after washing. The familiar phrase that “an ounce of prevention is better than a pound of cure” is true in this case. Wispy bangs help to soften faces that are particularly angular and striking. “This look is suitable for almost any texture of hair,” says Meyer.
Wispy bangs of any sort will add an air of ease to your client’s cut and aesthetic. They’ll also add an air of ease to the styling process for certain straight and wavy hair types, who will be able to rough-dry and run out the door!
These bangs are light and fine. Wispy bangs typically have a lot of feathering on the ends, adding to their barely there, soft look. "These are a great option for someone with minimal density who appreciates low maintenance," says Montoya. "This bang is soft and stops at the brows."Use a detangling comb and dry bangs flat using low heat and airflow. "I like to finish the style with Ouidad Clean Sweep Dry Shampoo to keep bangs from sticking to the skin as the body heat rises," he adds.
Read also: Versatile Bob Haircuts
Any article about bangs has to include Taylor Swift-the singer has made the style her trademark. She usually wears her fringe wide and straight but also wears her natural curls on occasion. “The look particularly suits angular, striking faces. If you have a high forehead, full bangs can visually shorten the face. People with small faces should also avoid this type of fringe because the face can end up looking compressed,” notes Meyer. He recommends using a paddle brush to blow-dry your bangs downwards to get them flat, then alternating to the right and left, and finally very lightly shaping them over a round brush. “This will create natural volume,” he adds.
Blunt bangs create a clean and solid line that’s perfect for shaping certain face shapes. For longer or more narrow face shapes in particular, a blunt cut straight across bang that sits just below the brows will serve to make the face look fuller, thanks to its perceived thickness from the blunt cut. While any hair will likely look thicker with a blunt cut, actual thick, full hair will serve blunt bangs the best and pin-straight hair will make styling a breeze.
Regardless of your hair texture, you can't go wrong with a classic, straight-across bangs look. I'm really obsessed with Nina Dobrev's ultra-thick bangs above, but I have pulled off a full bang with my fine hair many times, and all it takes is some thickening mousse and a good round brush to help add some volume. If you decide to try full bangs, have your stylist trim your bangs just above your eyebrows and be prepared to go back for a quick trim every few weeks.
When you think of bangs, blunt bangs are probably the kind that immediately pop into your head. They're cut straight across your forehead and don't have any layers.Make sure bangs lay flat and smooth with a top-tested frizz-control product that can keep flyaways at bay while keeping hair looking shiny.
Just like its name implies, this type of bangs is cut in the shape of an arch, with the shortest lengths skimming your eyebrows, and the longest layers curving around the edges of your jaw. The result? A beautifully flattering frame of your face that pairs especially well with a bob haircut too (simply the biggest fall 2024 haircut trend, FYI).
If you've got a shag haircut, you may as well add some shaggy bangs to match, á la Jenna Ortega. Adding lots of layers to both your bangs and the rest of your hair allows you to get in on the choppy trend. Plus, because these bangs are already a little long, they're less committal-feel free to pull 'em back, move 'em to the side, do what ya gotta do.
Shag haircuts are ideal for anyone looking for mussed-up, effortless hair. The bangs are choppy, shaggy and blend perfectly into lots of layers. Due to their carefree nature, you can either opt to let your bangs dry naturally or add a texturizing spray to add a bit of life.
This tiny-bangs type stops an inch short of your eyebrows, giving you a look that's both retro and modern, all at the same time. Make yours look grunge, though, like Jodie Smith's above, with a dollop of hair gel to slick it down and add a wet look.
Micro bangs (or baby bangs) are much closer to the hairline than the brows and leave ample space between them, and they typically follow the hairline from temple to temple to create a dramatic look. Because they’re generally styled and worn flat to the forehead, it’s a good idea to remind clients with oily hair how important it is to keep their hair clean if they want to avoid breakouts underneath. It’s for this reason as well that we suggest this cut to clients with thinner hair.
Like baby bangs, but even smaller. Unlike many bangs, they're cut somewhere in the middle of your forehead. If you're hoping to try something new and unique, these bangs may be perfect for you. They require some maintenance, but the end result can be well worth it.
Wear them straight down or to the side when the occasion suits. Polish off the ends by running a quick flat iron over them, then letting cool to your preferred side.
Side-swept bangs can be a savior for hesitant or low-commitment clients who are looking to contour a round face shape. Side bangs are easy to blend with any layers around the face and easy to style in a million ways, but to ensure your client has an easy time with the style and is able to keep it lively instead of limp, it’s important to send them off with some simple and achievable styling tips.
Side bangs sweep across your forehead in an elegant way "and create angles on round faces," says Montoya. "This bang works at eye level, cheekbone and jawline." Dry bangs from left to right with a blow-dryer, following the shape of the head. Montoya likes to use a Wet Brush Shine Enhancer brush to get a smooth and polished finish. Finish by locking in smoothness and shine with a flexible hold hairspray.
Side-swept bangs are basically gateway bangs. Before going all out with a bold, blunt-cut bang (especially if it's your first time), first test the type with this long, layered version that's super easy to grow out if you hate it.
Layered bangs lend themselves to voluptuous, untamed hairstyles and attitude-filled aesthetics. These bangs will generally work best on thick hair, but with the right hair care products, any hair type can slay this style!
Less committal, layered bangs blend into your hair and have tons of different lengths, which means you can style them however you want - you can part them down the middle, have them lay straight or throw them to the side. They'll fare a bit better if you style them with some sort of hair dryer brush. If on the longer side, "you can go for a bigger size brush and if they are a bit shorter you can go for a smaller size brush," says Kendall.
If getting blunt, straight-across bangs feels a liiiiittle intimidating, opt for something thick and layered like Camila Cabello's. Part your bangs in the middle to channel the singer, or brush 'em to the side-the longer your layers are, the more styling options you'll have.
If you have a client who’s drawn to undone and lived-in hairstyles, then embracing a piecey or choppy version of the bang they want will probably be a winner! Piecey bangs have pronounced separated pieces and feathery, choppy ends. Together, these create a messy, blunt, textured and chic look.
Piecey bangs are well-defined, with separated strands. The feathery, choppy cut gives them a messy (but coifed!) feel. You can achieve them by using a hair product like a pomade or leave-in conditioner to accentuate your fringe. This style is perfect for thick hair.
Curly hair has a lot of shape and volume, and bangs are a great way to play with that and sculpt an ultra-complementary shape!
Don't think textured hair works well with bangs? Think again. Curly bangs are typically cut longer, so that hair won't shrink up your forehead as it curls. Emphasize natural texture using a curl cream. Start with a dime-sized amount for fine, thin hair types and a quarter-sized amount for thicker, coarser hair types. Gently smooth onto hair beginning below the roots so you don’t lose volume.
No matter your curl pattern, even a few shorter curls that hit below your brows can make a noticeable difference in your overall hairstyle. Natasha Lyonne's bangs are a good reference, since they have so much volume and curl definition to seriously frame her face.
This is a fun, different way to wear your braids. Try them short, or tuck long braids into loops to create faux bangs. Elevate the look even more by accessorizing with a stylish headwrap that lets your bangs peek out.
Leave it to Yara Shahidi to make braided bangs look so damn cool. Have your stylist cut a few long, face-framing pieces on either side of your bangs for a little dimension (and a few chunky beads won't hurt, either).
No matter what type of bangs you have, they’ll need a bit of extra attention when styling to ensure they look their best. Since bangs are front and center, you’ll want them to lay just right, which sometimes means working against your hair’s natural growth pattern.
Start with wet hair for the best results. Even if you prefer to let the rest of your hair air dry, taking a minute to blow dry your bangs can make all the difference (and it’s quick, we promise!). Clip the rest of your hair out of the way so you can focus on your bangs. Using a round or paddle brush, blow dry your bangs to the right, then to the left. This technique helps smooth the hair and encourages it to fall evenly. If you have curtain bangs, the key is to blow dry or curl the hair up and away from your face. While your hair is still warm from the dryer or styling tool, arrange your bangs into your desired shape-whether you want them split down the middle or swept to the side.
If your client is hesitant about how much styling and care time their bangs will demand from them, remember to explain that it’s not as much effort as they may think! Gone will be the days of rolling out of bed and running out the door, though, so do eliminate some of the anxiety, intimidation and second-day styling stress by giving your client a crash course on how to style their new bangs as you do it.
✔️ Fluff fringe with a hair dryer: Kendall styles her clients' bangs with the Dyson Airwrap (for a more affordable option, try the Revlon One-Step Hair Dryer).✔️ Keep heat protectant handy: "The only issue with blowout brushes is that they can have very high temperatures, causing breakage," she says. Invest in a heat protectant, a fantastic solution to combat this issue, as well as to seal in moisture, control frizz, fight humidity and help hold the style in place.✔️ Get trims: Bangs tend to grow out pretty fast, so keep your preferred shape and get rid of split ends with regular trims. Montoya suggests trimming every two weeks for bangs above the eyebrow. Trim every three weeks for bangs at eye and cheek level. Bangs at the jawline should get a trim at the four-week mark. If you don't want to visit the salon that often, you can learn to trim your own bangs at home.✔️ Prevent breakage: A leave-in conditioner and hair oil go hand in hand when it comes to keeping those cute face framers healthy and free from breakage, says Kendall. It also extends your style longer, "meaning you don’t have to put heat on them every day to protect your hair," she added.✔️ Revive second-day bangs: A great way to dry style your bangs would be using a texturizing spray "to keep that hold and give them a little grit to stay put," says Kendall.✔️ Beat stiff winds: A dab of finishing cream or a spritz of hairspray is just the trick to keep dry bangs in place. If you’ve let your bangs dry naturally, Kendall says she "usually puts a small amount of SECOND Day Finishing Cream in my hair to give the pieces a little life and keep them positioned as if I styled them."✔️Accessorize: Montoya's pro tip is to have hair accessories readily available for when you don’t have time to style bangs or decide to grow them out.
When it comes to picking or creating the perfect bangs, taking the face shape into consideration is essential. There are three key areas of the face to assess when identifying face shape. They are the hairline, the jawline and the face length.
Bangs are meant to enhance noteworthy natural features, not overwhelm them!
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