If you’re craving a change, there may be nothing more transformative than adding bangs to your look. From curtain bangs to wispy bangs to soft textured fringe, there are bangs for every face shape, hair type, and lifestyle. Although bangs can be super chic, they do require maintenance and styling to keep them looking their best. Here’s how to style bangs with our best tips and hacks!
6 Popular Types of Bangs
- Blunt Bangs. Blunt bangs are cut straight across the forehead and usually hit at the eyebrows or right below them. They’re sharp and striking, with no feathering, and provide depth to the forehead area, showcasing the remaining features of your face. Blunt bangs are chic and modern and work for all hair types.
- Curtain Bangs. This bang style is like a curtain that frames your face. The fringe is cut shorter on the inside, and gets longer as the bangs get further away from your face. The hair is typically parted down the centre, giving a retro 60s vibe.
- Micro Bangs. Also known as baby bangs, this super short fringe style hits above the brow (about an inch or two down your forehead) and can be cut bluntly or textured. The extremely short bangs make for a bold, unique look. They aren’t for everyone, but do work with numerous hair types and cuts.
- Wispy Bangs. This piece-y, barely-there fringe has a more blended appearance than many other bang styles. Wispy bangs are the softer feathery version of blunt bangs, adding texture and interest to your hair. This style is low maintenance and easier to pull off than bold, straight-across bangs.
- Side Swept Bangs. Side bangs are very early 2000s, a decade that’s making its way back into style. It’s a classic, versatile bang style that can be worn at various lengths, by any hair type or texture. Side bangs feature a side part with a layered bang that cascades down one side of your face.
- Soft Textured Bangs. Soft textured bangs are like a shorter curtain bang that’s closed. It’s typically not parted down the centre, giving you a fuller fringe. The centre usually hits directly on the brow, and the outer corners of the bangs should hit at the eye lashes.
5 Hair Essentials for Gals with Bangs
How to Style Bangs: 8 Tips & Hacks
1. Blow Dry Immediately
To prevent your bangs from becoming too unruly or flat (depending on your hair type), it’s important to blow out your bangs while your hair is still really wet. Your bangs dry faster than the rest of your hair, and as soon as they start to air dry, they’ve already begun to set into their natural shape. The sooner you start styling, the better they’ll look! And don’t forget to apply a heat protectant before you go at them with the hair dryer.
2. Style with a Boar Bristle Brush
Use a small round boar bristle brush to style your bangs, as the tightly packed bristles grab every hair, providing the perfect amount of tension. Hold your hair dryer (with a nozzle) over your head, facing down toward your forehead, and brush your bangs from side to side until dry. This ensures your bangs fall straight and takes care of any cowlicks. Finish by rolling the ends under.
3. Use a Velcro Roller
Velcro rollers work particularly well for curtain or feathered bangs, when you want lots of volume. Heat your bangs with a blow dryer or flat iron (the heat will help the roller do its job), then roll your hair with a velcro roller. Starting at the roots, slide the roller through your bangs, as if you were brushing them from underneath. Stop at the ends and roll the roller towards your face, continuing until you reach the roots. Hold it in place with a clip. Leave the roller in for 30 minutes while you style the rest of your hair, then remove.
4. Less is More
Make sure not to use too much product when it comes to your bangs. Apply whatever product you would normally use to your hair first, then use only what’s left on your hands on your bangs. Using too much product will leave your bangs greasy and weighed down.
5. Quick Refresh
Bangs can get greasy fast. Use a dry shampoo to refresh the base or a texture powder to create some volume in your fringe. All you need is a quick spritz in the morning to prevent midday oiliness and flatness.
6. Be Smart with Hot Tools
A blow dryer is typically the only hot tool you should use on your fringe to style them. Hot tools like a flat iron can make your bangs look flat and dead on your face, which really isn’t flattering. If you feel like you have to use a flat iron to tame frizz, make sure it’s a mini iron that can get all the way up to the root. If you have longer curtain bangs, a thick curling iron can help create a swing to the sides- just make sure you direct the hair toward your face.
7. Frequent Washes
Although you may not shampoo your hair everyday, it’s usually a good idea to wash your bangs more frequently. They get oily more quickly than the rest of your hair, given the direct contact with your forehead. Unwashed bangs and too much product can also cause unwanted breakouts. You don’t need to get your full head wet, just wet and wash your bangs.
8. Maintenance is Key
Bangs seem to grow faster than the rest of your hair, likely because it’s more noticeable when they grow out. Regular bang trims are a must if you want to keep them looking their best. Many salons offer complimentary bang trims in between haircuts, so make sure to inquire at yours. You’ll likely have to get them trimmed every two to three weeks. Your stylist should also cut your bangs dry to ensure you achieve your desired look.
If you’ve recently made the decision to cut your bangs, these time-saving tips and hacks will help you style them!
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