Birkin Bangs Are Back! This Face-Flattering, Wispy Fringe Is the ‘It’ Hair Trend Worth Trying Now

You’ve heard of the infamous multi-thousand-dollar Birkin Bag, but what about Birkin bangs? While there’s no shortage of bang styles to choose from today—from curtain bangs to side-swept and full fringe, the Birkin variety has our attention. As you’ll see below, the flattering, wispy look has taken over red carpets and local salons alike. Here, we tapped celebrity hairstylists on why you should try the trend, the face shapes they flatter most and what to ask for at the salon to get the look.

What are Birkin bangs?

“Birkin bangs are a soft and wispy fringe named after the iconic French model Jane Birkin—yes, the same model who had a purse named after her—that delicately frame the eyes and face,” says Michelle Cleveland, celebrity hairstylist, extension artist and educator and owner of HairAddict Salon & Extension Bar. Jane Birkin was the “it” girl and model of the ‘60s and ‘70s, a style icon in both fashion and, of course, her hair.

When did Birkin Bangs become popular again?

While this bang style was first popularized in the ‘60s and ‘70s, like the famous saying goes, everything old is new again, so Birkin bangs are seeing a resurgence decades later. “Birkin bangs started becoming trendy around the early 1970s, when Jane Birkin’s style was trending. They grew again in popularity during the 2010s and then in early 2020 due to the popularity of vintage, and French-inspired beauty trends,” explains Jennifer Korab, celebrity hairstylist and colorist, educator and founder of Renaissance Salon and Spa.

Beauty

French Bob Haircut: How It Flatters Women Over 40

Plus, easy styling tricks that make hair look even thicker

Pop culture and media have also helped influence the comeback of Birkin bangs. One of the most popular TV shows of the last few years has been Netflix’s Emily in Paris, starring Lily Collins as the protagonist. Trendsetter Collins can be seen rocking Birkin bangs throughout the show, and she even styles them in different ways. “When our favorite Emily in Paris came out, the request for this type of style became [even] more popular,” affirms Cleveland.

Which face shapes look best with Birkin bangs?

The bang style is soft and feminine, and flatters a wide variety of face shapes. Overall, the soft wispiness of Birkin bangs makes them great for those with sharper features. “Birkin bangs flatter oval, heart and long face shapes best as their soft, eye-grazing style balances and softens features,” affirms Korab.

If you have a round or square face, Korab says Birkin bangs can work for you as well—she says to just make sure they’re cut “longer and more piecey.” This will help elongate a round face and make a square face look less boxy.

How Birkin bangs compare to other fringe styles

If you’re looking to get bangs or change up your current bang style, there are a lot of styles to choose from. Blunt bangs, curtain bangs, baby bangs, bottleneck bangs—the possibilities seem endless. With Birkin bangs back in the lineup, how do they differ from these other popular types of bangs?

Birkin bangs lean more on the softer, wispy end and they can also look full. Think of them as the perfect in-between of wispy bangs and full bangs—not too full but also not too piecey.

Beauty

13 Best Haircuts for Thin Hair That Make Hair Look Fuller From Every Angle

Plus, styling tricks from celebrity hairstylists that amp up the volume even more

What to ask your stylist to get Birkin bangs

Deal of the Day

Save 52% and Get Clearer Skin With Medicube Zero Pore Pads 2.0 View Deal

For starters, it’s always best to consult with your hairstylist before switching up your ‘do. “Firstly, ask your stylist if this style will accentuate your face shape as they are typically cut slightly above or at the eyebrow level, with thinner ends for a wispy, textured look,” says Cleveland.

When you’re all ready to make the snip, “Ask your stylist for soft, wispy bangs that reach your lashes or just below your brows, with a feathered or slightly parted center,” suggests Korab. “I would say to request a light, piecey fringe for a more natural, effortless look, instead of the blunter style. Showing a picture of Jane Birkin can also be helpful.”

To see our favorite examples of celebrities wearing Birkin bangs today, keep scrolling—and feel free to take these photos as inspiration when you’re next in the salon chair!