Bangs Are Back: How to Find the Perfect Fringe for Your Face Shape
Stats from Google suggest that the humble bang has never been more popular. 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?
Before you make a appointment with your hairstylist, do your research. There is a set of bangs to suit everyone – all you need is some inspo, and the help of a good stylist.
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 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 that 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.”
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.
“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 style that is flattering on most people, regardless of face shape or hair texture? “A slightly grown out curtain fringe ,” confirms Percival. “They tend to be low-maintenance and easy to adapt to each individual when being cut in.”
