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Different types of bangs can instantly transform your face and hairstyle, but chopping off that much length in one snip can be scary. If you're seriously contemplating the cut, don't worry: according to Harry Josh, a hairstylist and the creator of Harry Josh Pro Tools, "there's some form of face-framing bang that will work on almost everyone." Not to mention, inspiration for hairstyles with bangs has never been more plentiful.
In recent months, celebrities like Sydney Sweeney, Zoë Kravitz, and Billie Eilish have been serving all kinds of covetable fringe looks, and with nostalgic beauty trends like Y2K and '70s hairstyles seeing a renaissance, it’s not surprising you have bangs on the brain. Blunt and fringe bangs, thick and thin bangs, long and short hair with bangs — there are countless cuts and lengths to choose from. The first step is to find your ideal fringe. The next is to commit.
However, if the hesitation over whether or not you should get bangs stems from how much time styling bangs will add to your already established hair care routine, it's not as much of an undertaking as you might think. "Bangs shouldn't take too much time to style. Two to three minutes, tops," says Los Angeles-based hairstylist Clariss Rubenstein.
To eliminate some of your intimidation, Rubenstein recommends asking your stylist to give you a lesson on how to style them as they go through the steps themselves. It might take some trial and error, but after about a week of practice, you'll be a pro.
If you've read this far and are still on the fence, you’re in luck. Below, top hairstylists break down everything you need to know about finding your best match, as well as how to fix bangs at home in a way that looks professionally styled. And if you have bangs and you're tired of them, we've also got advice on how to grow them out.
- Harry Josh, hairstylist and creator of Harry Josh Pro Tools.
- Clariss Rubenstein, hairstylist who's worked with Sofia Vergara and Kat Dennings.
- Jennie Roberts, textured hairstylist and educator based in the U.K.
- Monaé Everett, hair colorist and stylist, founder of the Texture Style Awards.
- Jonathan Colombini, a hairstylist who's worked with Demi Moore and Kendall Jenner.
- Chris McMillan, Los Angeles-based hairstylist, creator of "The Rachel" cut.
- Paul Hanlon, hairstylist for Kate Moss and Kiera Knightly.
- Garren, a hairstylist and the cofounder of R + Co.
- Serge Normant, a hairstylist who's worked with Julia Roberts and Reese Witherspoon.
Things to consider before getting bangs:
Bangs shouldn't tack on an extra 20 minutes to your styling routine, but gone are the days where you roll out of bed, run a brush through your hair, and go. "The fringe is the first thing you see," says Jennie Roberts, a U.K.-based textured hairstylist and educator for Curlsmith. "It's got to look well."
Schedule a professional bang trim every six weeks, Josh advises. Many salons offer it as a complimentary service between regular appointments. If you're going to take matters into your own hands (which we really don't recommend, but understand is sometimes necessary), don't do anything drastic, and be sure to use salon scissors on dry hair.
"Take off millimeters at a time. You can always cut more," urges Josh. Avoid snipping one straight, solid line. Instead, Josh advises you twist your bangs and point the scissors up so you chip into the ends, leaving an imprecise line.
If you have a hairline that doesn't sit flat at the front (i.e. it flicks up into waves), Roberts warns "a fringe is going to be a battle with nature every morning." If you don't have the time, energy, or desire to fight it, then you may want to reconsider.
The 21 Different Types of Bangs:
Arched bangs, as seen on Dakota Johnson, are a type of bluntly cut fringe that mimics an archway structure. "The shortest point in the center gently arches to meet the sides," explains Roberts. This look is especially flattering for square-shaped faces as they soften and round your look.
Symmetrical comes from the word "symmetry," which means a balance of parts. Symmetrical bangs would be cut evenly across the forehead so that both sides of the bang are identical. Asymmetrical bangs are the opposite. They lack symmetry; rather than being cut evenly across the forehead, asymmetrical bangs are cut at a sharp diagonal so that one side is much shorter than the other.
"Side-swept bangs are a great way to draw attention to the cheekbones and add an angular look to the face," says hair colorist and stylist, Monaé Everett. You can see that exemplified on Halle Berry.
Punk beauty is having a moment (just in time for Avril Lavigne's seventh album). If you're looking to hone in on the rocker-chic aesthetic a là Zoe Kravitz, Everett recommends pairing baby bangs with a razored pixie or well-styled mullet.
They're an especially great look for round- and heart-shaped faces, styled flat to the head via flat brush and blow-dryer or flatiron, Everett explains. However, because your hair is going to be pressed against your forehead, it's especially important to keep your hair clean to avoid breakouts.
In case you were wondering, yes, the Birkin bang was inspired by the same woman who inspired the Birkin bag, an English-born Parisienne model, Jane Birkin. Also referred to as the lash-grazing bang, Birkins are long and look a little outgrown. "[They] gently dancing on your eyelashes or longer, with an effortless, slightly day two texture," explains Roberts.
To style, Roberts recommends applying the Curlsmith Weightless Air Dry Cream to achieve the undone texture that these bangs require. And if you really want to take this type of bang to the next level, Roberts says a natural sun-kissed highlight "works wonders" to make this fringe look effortless and cool.
Hairstylist and colorist Jonathan Colombini defines blunt bangs, as seen on Sarah Hyland, as a "straight across, heavier looking bang." They're cut sharply across the forehead and as easy as they are to create, they're just as easy to style: power-dried without any tools, just your hand. "Once completely dry for some added drama, flatiron the ends," says Colombini.
A modern take on the popular curtain bang, the bottleneck bang (coined by London-based hairstylist Tom Smith) was first created by Margot Robbie's hairstylist Bryce Scarlet for the actress's look on the cover of Vogue back in August of 2021.
In a video posted to his Instagram, Smith describes the bang as "narrower at the top then gets wider, like the shoulders of a bottle, then curves around and gives you that detail under the cheekbone. It's really flattering. It's very '70s, but it's also very now." You can see for yourself on Elizabeth Olsen.
Braided bangs and dreadlock bangs can be created in one of two ways: by cutting your braids or dreadlocks shorter for a braid look or pinning the braids/dreadlocks to appear shorter. "Locs and braids can be considered a hair texture," explains Everett, adding that baby, face-framing, asymmetrical, side-swept, and choppy bangs can all be transformed into braided or dreadlock bangs. Thuso Mbedu nailed the style at the Critics Choice Awards.
Brushed-over bangs are a look anyone can wear and are incredibly easy to maintain. They're essentially a comb-over: Simply part your hair to the side and brush it over. The benefits to these bangs are less of a style commitment than others on this list, and according to Roberts, can easily be incorporated into a layered style. Check out how Zendaya styled them.
Choppy bangs like these on Selena Gomez make a bold statement, but don't require a ton of maintenance (Everett says they can go six to eight weeks between trims). The hairs are cut to different lengths across the forehead, resulting in a textured fringe. "I like them for straight and very curly hair," Everett says.
Classic, traditional, whatever you want to call them, this is the type of bang that probably comes to mind when you think of fringe. The trick to the blunt, geometric bangs is to make sure they're never ruler-straight or too thick in the middle, says hairstylist Chris McMillan.
Instead, they should fall about a half-inch longer at the temples than in the middle for a slight, inverted U-shape. As for the most flattering length, McMillan advises anything landing between the tops of the brows down to the tips of the lashes. Venus Williams recently sported them on the red carpet.
If you love the look of bangs but aren't ready to cut your hair, clip-in bangs might be the best option for you. Megan Fox even brought them to the Met Gala. Clip-ins are a kind of hair extension and are typically made of real human hair. They come in a range of cuts, like long and layered or short and blunt, and you can even purchase them in a bunch of different colors.
That's the fun with clip-in bangs," Roberts says. "They're fantastic for a temporary look and you can switch them up easily."
Along with the shag haircut, curtain bangs were a popular style in the 1970s. This type of bang is parted down the middle and can be cut in any length, though they'll always be shorter towards the inside and longer toward the outside. It works for most face shapes, although oval face shapes can present a challenge, notes Colombini.
"Keeping them on the longer side will be successful," he adds. Sydney Sweeney is a fan of the look.
Curly bangs were born in the '80s. Think Jennifer Beals in Flashdance, says Josh. Or Natasha Lyonne. "The key is to cut them dry, in their natural state," says hairstylist Paul Hanlon, but make sure you overcompensate for length to prevent too much bounce back, adds Colombini.
As for styling, Everett recommends using African Pride's Moisture Miracle Flaxseed Oil & Shea Butter Curl Defining Gel n' Creme to define and keep curly hair bangs in place. However, if your hair is thicker or if you are creating bangs from a twist out, the brand's Moisture Miracle Shea Butter & Flaxseed Oil Moisturize & Define Curling Cream will work better for your set.
Like any accessory, bangs should enhance your features, not overwhelm them. For long and narrow faces, "blunt fringe that hits below the brows will make your face look fuller," explains hairstylist and co-founder of R+Co, Garren.
If your face is round or square, try bangs just above the brows, he says. When it comes to heart-shaped faces, the decision is yours — short, long, or arched all suit you. Ciara has worn them expertly.
Because volume is such a key part of the feathered bang look, Rubenstein says styling with a volumizer spray, like the Monat Studio One Volume & Lift Spray on damp hair can enhance the look. "Use a large round brush and blow-dry while lifting the hair, promptly spray with hairspray to hold the look," she explains.
What's more, feathered bangs — as seen on Hillary Duff — also get their texture from the ends, so monthly trims are recommended to keep up the look.
Layered bangs can come in all shapes and looks, so styling depends on the length of the bangs and your face shape. But be warned, layered bangs work best on thick hair, so if you're working with a thinner texture, or don't have a ton of hair around your face, Rubenstein says this type of bang isn't for you.
Everyone's favorite human, Dolly Parton, accessorized hers with a butterfly clip.
There are a few ways to go about long bangs, which Billie Eilish is a fan of. The first is long blunt cut bangs, and Roberts says these look especially great against very long hair for a "disconnected, laid back look."
Blow-dry with a pump or two of the Curlsmith Bouncy Strength Volume Foam to give this look a laid-back, gentle hold. Roberts says that long, layered fringe (like Eilish) is great for hair with a little texture and easy to grow out.
Like the micro mini skirt, micro bangs (also called small or mini) are super short and cut closer to your hairline than your brows. See how Hunter Schaefer has styled them. Colombini says these types of bangs look especially fantastic on heart-shaped faces and straight hair textures, and styling is as simple as using a blow-dryer and comb to tame and direct the hair to lay down.
"Any fringe can be piecey if texturized properly," says Rubenstein, adding that how you style them depends on the length and the exact style you're going for. Regular visits to your stylist to trim and texturize is key to maintaining the look, as is using a dry texturizing spray to ensure the piece-y look keeps up throughout the day. Soo Joo Park recently wore them to the Chanel show.
This is the style for people who want to ease into bangs, says McMillan. Easy to blend with the layers around your face, these low-maintenance bangs work on any hair length and grow out fairly fast. They’re also rather simple to style: If your hair is straight, spritz your bangs with water and blow-dry them as you pull down the hair with your fingers, suggests McMillan.
If it's wavy, use a small round-barrel brush, drying them in the opposite direction from the way they fall, he says. As your hair cools, smooth them to the correct side to keep them from falling flat. Megan Thee Stallion used hers as part of a retro hairstyle.
While a few pieces around the face can look nice — these ones on Kaia Gerber sure do — you want to make sure that the bangs look intentional, says Rubenstein. In order for them to look like bangs and not broken hair, you first have to make sure you have enough strands to work with. Then, focus on volume by styling with a round brush and texturizing products.
As for upkeep, you can be as whimsical as your haircut. "Trim whenever you feel they're too long," says Rubenstein. "It's totally up to you!"
How to grow out bangs:
When growing out your bangs, there will always be an awkward period that lasts at least four to six weeks, says Josh. The key is to get them to blend into the sides of your hair, which can be accomplished with periodic salon trims.
"You're not cutting the length, just thinning it out so the bangs are not so blocky as they grow out," Josh says. Accessorizing with clips is another option. "Make a deep side part and insert a clip at the hairline, just above one eyebrow," says hairstylist Serge Normant. "It's a surprisingly sexy look." Once the bangs are long enough to pull over your eyes, pull them straight back and anchor them at the crown with the help of a bobby pin.
Read more about hair:
- The Biggest Haircut Trends You'll Be Seeing in 2022
- The ‘90s Bixie Is Back and It’s The Short Hairstyle of 2022
- "Liquid Hair" Is the Super Glossy Trend We Keep Spotting Everywhere
And now, watch how to master the art of the French bob haircut:
