14 Different Types of Bangs for Every Type of Hair
Whether you want wispy, parted or curtain bangs, there's a style that's perfect for you.
Depending on who you ask, bangs are either an amazing idea or a terrible idea. The problem is, when you say "bangs," a lot of people's minds go right to thick, cut-straight-across fringe with no definition or shape. In reality, there are so many different haircuts with bangs out there to flatter every type of hair length and texture. "Bangs can be a chic and stylish way to compliment your face shape and have a similar effect to contour in makeup when it comes to hair styling," according to Los Angeles-based hairstylist Anthony Montoya. "They are generally worn at four different points on the face: above the brows, at eye level, at cheekbone level and at the jawline."
We're here to tell you that, in fact, bangs can look good on everyone, but if you want to make sure your fringe doesn't turn out to be a disaster, you want to keep your face shape in mind:
- Square or heart-shaped faces look best with wispier, feathered fringe to add softness.
- Oblong face shapes are a perfect match for blunt-cut bangs.
- Round faces can get added dimension from side-swept or curtain bangs.
- Oval-shaped faces can pull off just about any type of bang.
Here are some of the best types of bangs to show your hairstylist as inspiration this year:
Jacqueline (she/her) covers all things e-commerce in beauty, lifestyle and beyond for the Good Housekeeping Institute. Before joining GH in 2021, she was a style and beauty reviews fellow at Insider, testing viral trends, reviewing sustainable brands and more. She's a graduate of the University of Florida's School of Journalism, with a specialty in magazines and mass communication.
Katie Berohn is the Beauty Assistant at Good Housekeeping, Woman's Day and Prevention magazines, all part of the Hearst Lifestyle Group. She graduated from the University of Colorado, Boulder, with a major in journalism and minor in technology, arts, and media, and earned her Master’s Degree at NYU’s Graduate Program of Magazine Journalism. In addition, Katie has held editorial internships at Denver Life Magazine, Yoga Journal, and Cosmopolitan, a digital editorial internship at New York Magazine’s The Cut, a social good fellowship at Mashable, and has freelanced for HelloGiggles. When she’s not obsessing over the latest skincare launch or continuing her endless search for the perfect shade of red nail polish, Katie can be found in a hot yoga class, trying everything on the menu at New York’s newest restaurant, or hanging out at a trendy wine bar with her friends.
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