How to Pull Off Bangs with Any Face Shape
Elie Saab RTW Fall 2012 | Photo: Elle.com
The beginning of a new school year is the perfect time to shake up your current beauty routine and start the semester off with a fresh, updated look.
For some, a swipe of deep plum lipstick or a manicure in the perfect shade of navy is enough to feel ready for the upcoming season change, but if you’re craving a more dramatic and even permanent change, look no further than the bang. Bangs are the go-to cut for those wanting to add some drama to their look without sacrificing overall length.
Whether you’re inspired by a full, thick fringe like Zooey Deschanel’s, bold and blunt bangs like Rooney Mara’s, or a feminine and flirty look like Tayor Swift’s, read on to find the perfect bangs style for your face shape, essential styling advice, and important things to consider before you decide to make the cut.
The Best Fringe Style for Your Face Shape:
Photo: shutterstock.com
Oval Face
Rose Byrne | Photo: Elle.com
If you have an oval shaped face, consider yourself very lucky! Oval faces can handle most bang styles with ease, and can use bangs as a way to minimize face length or balance out a larger forehead. Although you’ll look good with virtually any type of bang, the most flattering fringe look for you is long, thick, and eye-grazing bangs.
Square Face
Florence Welch | Photo: Elle.com
For those with a square shaped face, you’ll want to stay away from blunt and un-tezturized bang shapes in order to avoid looking boxy. Instead, try a layered, sideswept fringe that softens your strong jawline and focuses attention on your eyes.
Heart-Shaped Face
Reese Witherspoon | Photo: Elle.com
Heart-shaped face gals can also pull off a variety of bang styles, but also have to be wary of drawing extra attention to a more prominent chin. The perfect bangs for you are tapered and wispy bangs that fall at or slightly below your eyebrows. This bang style will accentuate your gorgeous cheekbones.
Round Face
Emma Stone | Photo: Elle.com
The most important thing for anyone with a round face is to create angles that balance out the roundness. Longer bangs that are shaped around the perimeter of your face, creating an arch, will not only elongate your face, but also draw attention away from the sides of your face.
5 Steps to Styling Your Bangs
- Start the styling process immediately after you get out of the shower! Don’t give your bangs a chance to start air-drying or they’ll develop a mind of their own and it’ll be almost impossible to get them to coorperate.
- For straight-across bangs: Blow-dry your bangs straight down using a paddle brush to pull bangs to one side for a few seconds, then to the other. Repeat going back and forth until bangs are completely dry.
- For side-swept bangs: Wrap bangs around a small (between 1-2.5 inches) round barreled brush and pull them towards the side you want them to lay. Aim your dryer over the brush and move from side to side as you brush through and smooth your bangs.
- For wispy, piecey bangs: Point your blow dryer straight down and move it side to side while you finger-comb your bangs. Once dry, run a tiny amount of pomade to the ends of your bangs.
Final Advice
- Make sure you really want fringe before you head to the stylist! Bangs take a long time to grow out, so you have to know you want them and understand that you’ll be living with them for a while.
- Only get your bangs cut by a hairstylist you know and trust. Go to a hairstylist who you have established a relatiionship with – they will understand your hair, its texture, and your style.
- Bring a picture for inspiration and make sure to discuss exactly what you want with your hairstylist. He or she will be able to advise you on whether that style is even possible with your hair type and face shape and can guide you in picking a great bang style.
- Understand that bangs are high-maintenance! Don’t get bangs unless you’re ready and willing to take the time to style your bangs each morning. It can be annoying, but they will be out control unless you stlye them.
- Dry shampoo will be your lifesaver! Since bangs sit right over your forehead, which unfortunately produces oil, you’ll want to keep a can of dry shampoo in your bag for touch-ups throughout the day.
What do you think?
Will you be getting bangs this season? Do you already have them? Have any tips for styling or product recommendations? Let us know by leaving a comment below!
P.S. I just got bangs last week, so if you have any specific questions, ask away!
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Posted on on September 4, 2012 / Filed Under: Beauty & Hair / Tags: Bangs, Beauty, Fall 2012, Hair, Trends
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brett
ok! i got bangs almost 2 years ago … I wanted them so badly but was afraid because I have a cowlick at the top of my hairline. But I was assured by my hair dresser that it could be controlled. It did take some time, persistance, and dedication to spending time on them every day, but now my hair has been trained and I spend less time and effort styling every day.
I also have thin hair, so I used a texturizer to give my bangs body and to get them to do what I want. I’d recommend Short Sexy Hair — Slept In. I’ve experimented with different brands and this has the best hold and isn’t oily at all.
I love my bangs and i’d encourage anyone thinking about it to go for it!
Bri
I’ve always wanted bangs but I’m scared to get them because my hair is VERY VERY curly and I’m afraid it’ll look weird :(
Liz
Ahh bangs… I first cut my bangs in 8th grade one night I was bored, i have a very wide forehead so i figure maybe this will make my face shape less awkward. The next day at school I was horrified of what I did, they were uneven, too short and just plain wrong in so many ways my friends reaction: “did you loose a bet?” so I spent 8th grade with my bangs swept back with a bobby pin. v-v In 9th grade I decided to try again this time being so much older and wiser and watching a YouTube video beforehand xD and it ended up really nice, I’ve been cutting my bangs since then for 5yrs already, sometimes I grow tired of them but every winter I find myself cutting them again. Hope y’all have fun trying out new looks!!
Chloe
I have a pixie cut and love bangs like Michelle Williams.
But I went to the hairstylist and there was a different girl who cut my hair and I asked for them short and she went SHORT. So I have baby bangs :)
I’m growing them out to sideswept looking bangs – but I’m lovin’ the journey :P
bobcut-cateye
only tip i have is NEVER blow dry your bangs upwards. if you use serum on your hair or any other products dont put too much on your bangs, especially if you have a full thick fringe like mine, your forehead wont be too happy! also, have fun with it OWN IT! i have chipmunk cheeks and i thought i could only have sideswept bangs but i got a full thick fringe and i am owning it and i love how it looks! confidence! …and patienceto style it in the morning.
also if you just dont have the time to style your bangs or if it looks weird one day just french brain them that day.
Erin
I got bangs about two weeks ago and I love them! The most useful thing I learned is when washing your hair don’t use conditioner on your bangs, it’ll prevent them from becoming greasy longer. And if you have full bangs like me, blow dry them downward toward your nose to keep them sleek and straight.
Dani
I personally think girls with square faces can rock blunt bangs too! I have a ridiculously square jaw, and I cut really full, blunt bangs about a month ago — and I love them! The contrast it creates is amazing!
Shelby
I had bangs from childhood up until I was about 13 and hated them…it looked awful (which is funny that you suggest the blunt and long bangs for an oval face, which is what I had). I now have side bangs from cutting layers into my bob which looks great but it does make dance class a bother, to have that hair that just won’t stay out of my way!
Brooke
@Chloe “baby bangs” is one of my fav phrases for some reason :] WERQ!
Does anyone with curly hair have bang adventures to share? I always feel left out of hair posts, since they’re generally straight-hair-centric.
Jazmin
Can you do a post on what short haircuts look good on different face shapes? Pixie cuts, bobs, etc.
Claire
I got bangs two months ago in a Korean Salon. If you are an Asian like me, believe me, it will be better to go to Asian Salon to cut your bangs, like Japanese or Korean cause the stylists their know how to deal with Asian hair and face shapes. One of my friends went to a local Aussie Salon which she hasn’t gone before, and her bangs was soooooooooo funny and didn’t fit her face shape at all !
Dani
I just got bangs last week for the first time in my life and I LOVE them!!! I think they give me an edgy vibe now. I went for the Reese Witherspoon look and I am obsessed with them. I needed a change and it was either chop off all my hair (its almost to my elbows), dye it red, or get bangs. I think getting bangs was the safest bet. The girl who cut my bangs was nice but she was going to leave the shortest pieces almost to my mouth and I was like “no, I don’t think you understand what I want.” I didn’t go to my usual girl because I didn’t want to wait until I could go and see her. It was either go then or dye it.
Overall I’m really happy with the results and excited with my little transformation. :)
Suzie
This was a really great article, but I would love to see one on how to grow your bangs out! I’ve had mine for about two years now and, what with my hair being so curly, I’ve grown tired of styling them every morning before school. I’d love to see some different ways to style my bangs as they’re growing.
Brianne
I have had bangs before but i find that they split apart during the day and become funny looking. Dry shampoo makes my hair look gross, i use trésamé dry shampoo. Are there any brands youd recommend and any suggestions to avoid that mid day part?
jajajajaj
I got bangs and at first loved them. But they’re just annoying!!!! I’m trying to grow them out now. They do split apart in the day and theyyyyyre annoying……
Davida greffin
Hay.well i have side bangs over my eye brows and i want to grow them out strate…what do u do?help me!!!!