When you want the face-defining benefit of bangs without the commitment, side bangs can do you no wrong. This fringe style exempts you from frequent trims and intricate styling, so it's foolproof regardless of your lifestyle and hair skill level. Side bangs are also a great choice for those growing out their hair and don't want to cut too much off.ย It'll elevate all your ponytails, updos, and a loose style, too!
All that said, by far the best thing about this style is that you can wear it different ways. And just like regular full bangs, some options work perfectly for specific face shapes. If you want to learn more, you'll find the best side bangs recommendations fromย Korean hairstylist Cha Hongย below. Stick around longer to learn how to DIY it like a pro!
The Best Side Bangs for Your Face Shape, According to a Korean Hairstylist
1. Oval Face: All Types
The symmetry in oval-shaped faces allow those who have it to experiment with different bangs styles without a hitch. Its only disadvantage, according to Cha Hong, is that the oval faces tend to have less of specific "charm" or edge compared others. "So for an oval-shaped face I would recommend you to try a bit more special or trendy style instead of a simple one," she notes.
Some trendy side bang styles you can try include the hime cut (or the block cut in K-beauty terms) or an eye line fringe that can help frame your temples. Or, you can scroll ahead to see more options!
2. Round Face: Regular Side Bangs
Cha Hong considers side bangs as the perfect bang style for round faces. "If you cover [an] area of your face with a side bang, your face may look relatively longer and slimmer," she explains.
To give you a clearer picture, if your fringe would drape across your cheeks, this will help elongate your mug and focus attention on the center of your face instead of the sides. You can combine side bangs with a full fringe, too, in case you're looking to add more face-framing details to the look.
3. Rectangle Face: Curtain Bangs
Rectangle-shaped faces are quite common in Asian countries, and it's actually the most common face shape among Koreans. Cha Hong says this is why you'll spot many Korean women sporting curtain bangs, which is also her recommended style!
"[Curtain bangs] remain soft like see-through bangs in the front and thickly falls down to the side," the hairstylist describes. She thinks that it's very effective if you want to subtly reduce the appearance of the widest parts of your face while achieving a delicate vibe.
4. Square/Angular Face: Face Line Cut
The defined edges of square and angular face shapes (diamond, heart) calls for a soft fringe like a face line cut that'll provide a smooth contrast. In case you haven't heard of a face line cut before, it's a technique wherein the bangs, sides, and the hairs along the line of the ears are cut into a "connected" fringe.
According to Cha Hong, the benefit of a face line cut is that it covers everything from the cheekbone, chin, and forehead line. This adds face-framing details along those areas that suit an angular mug, but take note: It can work for rectangular faces, too!
5. Long Face: Other Fringe Types
Because side bangs tend to have an elongating effect, Cha Hong recommends those with long faces to opt for other fringe types instead. She recommends micro bangs or full bangs over side bangs, as these will be easier to pull off with your features!
How to Cut Your Own Side Bangs at Home
Out of all the bang styles out there, side bangs are by far the easiest to DIY. While it won't exactly replicate one done by a pro, the margin of error is significantly less compared to doing a brow-length fringe. Here's a three-step tutorial from Cha Hong you can try:
Step 1: Part your hair.
Determining your hair parting is crucial for a flattering cut. Cha Hong advises to use the parting you're most comfortable in, or where your locks have been parted for years. If you're not sure, try combing your hair down to the front of your face, shake the center with your hands, and then part your hair depending on where it separates.
Step 2: Make a triangle.
Once you have your partition, pull a small triangle section from the front part of your hair. The amount of hair you get will determine how thick your side bangs will be, so try to be careful with this. Also, make sure that the highest point of the triangle is on your hair parting itself!
For short or round faces, the triangle should start around the middle of the head. For long faces, the triangle's point should be lower, around one-third of your head.
Step 3: Pull the section and cut around your thumb.
Pull you chosen hair section towards your face and line it up according to where you want to cut it (this can be your chin or your nose). Face straight ahead and avoid pointing your chin downwards to be more accurate with your cut.
Once you're set, position your thumb to the exact area you want to cut, and then use the rounded edge of your thumb as a stencil while doing the trim. Doing a rounded cut like this instead of a cutting straight across will help your side bangs hug your face better!
Here's what your DIY side bangs should look like at the end:
Watch the full DIY side bangs tutorial on Cha Hong's channel here.
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