4 Easy Tricks for Styling Bangs That You Can Do At Home
Snipping in fringe adds youthful flair to any hairdo. But not every style flatters every face shape. Find the right trick for styling bangs that’s works for you!
Balance it with textured ends if you have a heart-shaped face.
Your face is a HEART if: The width of your forehead from temple to temple is longer than the width of your jaw from ear to ear.
Heavy, blunt bangs exacerbate the width of an already wide forehead, causing a small chin to look even smaller in comparison. Instead, infuse fringe with choppy ends like Mary Steenburgen to add soft movement and to “break up” a wider forehead and offset an angular chin.
What to ask for: Full, brow-skimming textured bangs that are point-cut.
Styling tip: Mist a volumizing spray like John Frieda Volume Lift Thickening Spray (Buy on Amazon, $6.99) on the roots of bangs before blow-drying to keep strands from falling flat.
Shorten it with wavy wisps if you have a long face.
Your face is LONG if: The length from your hairline to your chin divided by three is shorter than the length from the tip of your nose to the bottom of your chin.
Long, middle-parted fringe pulls the eye vertically, causing the face to look droopy. Instead, go for wispy bangs that swing diagonally across the brow like Kristen Wiig’s to create optical width that balances the face’s length.
What to ask for: Angled, graduating side bangs.
Styling tip: Work a dab of pomade like Head & Shoulders Shaping Pomade, (Buy at CVS, $10.99) through the ends of dry bangs for a piecey finish.
Soften it with a swirly side sweep if you have a square face.
Your face is SQUARE if: The width of your forehead from temple to temple is equal to the width of your jawline from ear to ear.
The boxy look of straight-across, linear bangs emphasizes the harsh angles of a square jaw. Instead, try the curvier, more rounded appearance of a side-parted, swooped style that counteracts a strong jawline like Angela Bassett.
What to ask for: Sideswept bangs that are long enough to be tucked behind the ear and gradually blend into the rest of hair.
Styling tip: Spritz a volumizer like Paul Mitchell Extra-Body Boost Root Lifter (Buy on Amazon, $7) onto damp bangs and blow dry to one side using a round brush.
Slim it with soft curtain bangs if you have a round face.
Your face is ROUND if: The length from your hairline to your chin divided by 3 is longer than the length from your nose’s tip to the bottom of your chin.
Fluffy fringe that spans the forehead, then hangs down to frame the curves of the cheeks, magnifies the fullness of a round face. A triangular look of a middle-part paired with ends that feather out and away like Goldie Hawn’s will offset a fuller face for a leaner look overall.
What to ask for: Blended cheekbone length bangs with blunt ends that easily part down the middle.
Styling tip: Part damp bangs down the middle, then use a round brush like Conair Quick Blow Dry Pro Porcupine Round Brush (Buy at CVS, $10.99) and blow-dry each side in an up and out motion from roots to ends.
A version of this article originally appeared in our print magazine, First for Women.
