If this year's hair trends are anything to go by, it's clear to see that the fringe is back with a bang (no pun intended). A fringe is a great way to switch up your hairstyle without doing anything drastic with the length of your hair, and it suits every hair length from long hair to those with bob haircuts and short hairstyles.
Unlike a blunt fringe or side-swept fringes, eyebrow-framing fringes are cut to softly graze or outline the brows, adding dimension to the face and bringing attention to your eyes. They are often referred to as curtain fringes, bottleneck bangs or Bardot or Birkin bangs. This style suits a variety of face shapes and hair types, making it a serious chic and timeless hairstyle. "For me it’s when the fringe has a break in it and isn’t heavy, more like a 70s fringe and slightly wingy," says Hershesons hairstylist, Jordan Garrett.
The great thing about eyebrow-framing fringes is that they can be styled as a messy fringe that skims the eyes, or styled neat and smooth as a curtain fringe to add shape to your face. It's a fringe that suits every face shape and has the vibe of a cool-girl, French-girl fringe.
So, what should you consider before getting this type of fringe? The first thing is speaking to your hairstylist to "Make sure the texture blends with rest of your hair," says Garrett. "If your hair is soft and shaggy, for example, have soft shaggy fringe. If your hair heavier on the ends, you go a slightly heavier fringe," he says. According to Garrett, this is a fringe that can suit everyone. "I feel there is something for everyone or a version of it," he says.
You're probably wondering how to style your fringe, and it can take some getting used to-especially if this is your first time getting a fringe. "It all depends what look you are going for," says Garrett. "If you going for a undone look, I would only rough dry the fringe, stretching your fringe left to right, and right to left. Or, if you going for a more polished look, you can use a round brush to get a nice high shine and shape," he says.
Read also: Explore Fringe Haircuts
If eyebrow-framing fringes aren't for you, here are some other fringe styles to consider:
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. These are true curtain bangs that will ask for plenty of hair to be removed from your crown. But considering the effect, especially when combined with a balayage, we don’t think you will be sorry. Textured curtain fringe is versatile and resourceful. Your hairdresser can adapt it to all hair lengths. From a voluminous side curved fringe such as this mesmerising blond blow-dry to cutting it in the middle to emphasise lovely eyes and a perky nose, you can't go wrong with curtain bangs. Short curtain bangs have another advantage: they don't lose shape quickly as they grow up so you won't stress out about needing to schedule biweekly trims to the minute.
As its name suggests, 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.
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. If you are already cutting bangs, why not do it properly? The blunt way is the conventional way and an all-time classic that still works for those that like a simple change. Chic, strong, and ultra-polished, a blunt fringe is cut straight across for maximum impact.
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. Curly girls can absolutely rock a fringe - it’s just a question of getting the right cut. A curly fringe embraces natural texture, creating softness and framing your face beautifully.
Read also: Ultimate Fringe Guide
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. If you want to elongate a round face which usually has soft lines, go for side bangs. Side bangs are a winner. They suit almost everyone. The side-swept fringe can be modified by length and thickness with gradual thinning. It doesn’t require as much upkeep as bolder fringe haircuts do. The contrast between the sharp angle of the bangs and the wider cheeks will change your face proportions. Angled bangs can be worn when grown out, but not too much. On the maintenance difficulty scale, they are somewhere in between bluntly cut fringe and long, thinned, loose hair bangs.
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. Layered fringes are a low-maintenance choice that works wonders on square faces. If you have long thick hair and don’t want to go for a full blunt fringe, then layered bangs are an excellent choice. The good thing about bangs is that they gradually feather around your face. Long layered bangs are the second option for oblong and square faces. Layered bangs also have the A-shape but also a 70s, boho feel. They can be straight or slightly curly, covering a part of the eyes and the brows.
Choppy bangs have a little bit more texture than blunt bangs, and they're typically cut at varying lengths to give bangs more definition. The edgy cut is typically styled straight to emphasize the layered length. Just pair a heat protectant with a hair straightener. Choppy bangs are a subtype of textured bangs. The only difference is that they have more texture and uneven layers with different lengths that are more noticeable.
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. Most braided bangs are not "real" bangs. At least, not as real as those types of fringes that require a haircut. You can pull off a braided fringe even if you don't have a shorter section in the front.
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. Soft, feather-light, and oh-so-flattering, a wispy fringe is perfect for adding a touch of romance while diffusing strong jawlines. You can find wispy bangs under a variety of other names, including textured bangs, choppy bangs, or curtain bangs. But despite the similarities in these types of fringe, they all have specifics. Therefore, when you discuss the change with your hairdresser, make sure you are a bit more detailed in your description.
Read also: Explore Braided Hairstyles with Bangs
Depending on the size of your curls, these types of fringes can vary in length, texture, and thickness. All wavy types of fringe have one thing in common - a carefree, badass attitude that reminds us of 80s dance music and loose tops over the shoulder.
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. Not for the faint-hearted, the micro fringe sits high above the brows and packs a strong editorial punch.
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.
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.
Not quite ready to commit to a full chop? Try short hair extensions to test out the look before you take the plunge. It's a great way to find which bangs work best with your face shape before you make the final cut!
When you choose what hair bangs you want to see on your face, it’s important to leave room for all of them. A good hairstylist will be able to play with bold, long-and layered, and side-swept fringe. They can be easily adjusted to your face shape. Don’t limit yourself by thinking that only one style can work for you. Bangs for an oval face with closely set eyes will differ from those for an oval face with big eyes or prominent eyebrows, for example. But if you want to bring attention to what you think are your best features, consider shaping your bangs to focus on a specific part of your face.
If cutting bangs makes a notable difference for long hair, then short-hair bangs can truly transform how you present yourself. Short hair with bangs gives the impression that you are over mainstream haircuts. You have gone beyond blindly following trends. And now you want something that's totally you - fuss-free and playful. Is cutting bangs on shorter hair an act of rebellion? It can be, just enough to mimic the careless attitude of a style rebel.
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