A Complete Guide to the Best Bangs for Every Hair Type and Face Shape
Talk about fringe benefits!
If you’re anything like us, you’ve probably entertained the idea of getting bangs at one point or another in your never-ending quest for the perfect hairdo. Understandably, deciding on a fringe is a difficult decision to make sometimes, and you might not even consider getting one until you’re actually sitting in the salon chair waiting for your haircut.
But if you are currently finding yourself in deep consideration about whether or not bangs are a good idea, we’re here to tell you that the answer is yes, yes, and yes! Seen all over our social media feeds, award shows and on our favorite influencers and celebrities, it’s clear that bangs are one hairstyle trend that isn’t going anywhere — and they’re more versatile than ever before.
However, when deciding on the right style, you’ll want to make sure to get bangs that will suit you best. That means choosing the style of your fringe based on your hair type, hair length and face shape. Because of social media you might be aware that there are so many different types of bangs to choose from, such as micro bangs, fringe bangs, curtain bangs — the list goes on and on.
So how do you find the right fringe for you? With a little research (and a little help from us), you can find the perfect set to frame your face. Keep reading to learn everything you need to know about bangs — from which type will look most flattering on you to how to style them.
The Best Bangs For Every Hair Type
Bangs aren’t one size fits all. In fact, there are quite a few different types to choose from when you’re at the salon. One way to make your decision is based on your hair type. Here’s a guide to some of the best bang options to pick based on hair type.
The Best Bangs For Straight Hair
If you have straight hair, blunt bangs are the look for you! Reminiscent of just about every ‘90s girl’s childhood — and now popping up seemingly everywhere — these bold, classic bangs work well for just about any face shape. While any hair type can technically rock blunt bangs, keep in mind that a lot of upkeep comes when styling them, which is why they’re ideal for straight hair peeps.
The Best Bangs For Wavy Hair
If your hair already has a bit of natural texture, shaggy bangs are the perfect fit for you. The ultimate cool-girl fringe, shaggy bangs have been seen on "It" girls for decades — and you can get away with the look whether they’re at the top of the current trends list or not.
Unlike blunt bangs, this choppy hairstyle is very low-maintenance. The secret to maintaining it day in and day out is with a texturizing product such as the L’Oréal Paris Studio Line Overworked Hair Putty.
The Best Bangs For Curly Hair
Once upon a time, you’d never see bangs on people with curly hair. Oh, but how things have changed for the better. Curly bangs are nothing short of fierce — and they’ve become extremely popular these days. Just take a look at recent red carpet events or on your social feeds — just about every and any curly-haired beauty is giving the once-risky look a go. We dig it and we’re pretty sure you will too. Try curly curtain bangs for a fringe that frame the face and blends seamlessly into the rest of your strands when you want a simple Gen Z-inspired middle part look.
The Best Bangs For Thick Hair
Blunt bangs are also the way to go for those with thicker hair textures. For this style, you really need a full fringe, meaning thick hair is actually a must. If you have wavier hair, your blunt bangs will require more upkeep to maintain the style. But, hey — if you’re okay with the daily maintenance, we say go for it.
The Best Bangs For Thin Hair
Skip heavy bangs if you have thin hair. A light, wispy fringe will be perfect for your tresses. If you’re looking to get in on a major trend, you can also rock micro-bangs, which are exactly what they sound like: Super-short bangs that barely reach an inch or two down your forehead. They may not be for everyone, but they undeniably create a head-turning look.
The Best Bangs For Your Face Shape
When it comes to rocking bangs, let your face shape be your guide in addition to your hair type. Keep the following breakdown of the best bangs for every face shape in mind when you’re asking your hairstylist for a new fringe.
The Best Bangs For A Square Face
Long, eye-grazing bangs that are heavier on the sides than in the middle will suit a square face shape. When you add a gentle curve to your bangs, this can soften an angular face shape.
To get the cut you’re looking for, ask your stylist for heavy bangs snipped just below your brows. Make sure to ask that your bangs be thinned out a bit in the middle to give an overall feathery appearance with just a peek of forehead showing through.
Another option to try is curtain bangs — the on-trend, popular ’70s hairstyle where the fringe is styled with a part down the middle, framing your face on each side. Bonus: Not only will it look great on a square face shape, curtain bangs will also look extremely good on just about any other face shape and with any hair length and hair texture too.
The Best Bangs For A Round Face
Slightly arched bangs look lovely on round face shapes. At the salon, ask for a blunt, curved shape to add dimension to your face. It will look more flattering, we promise.
The Best Bangs For A Heart-Shaped Face
Side-swept bangs have the ability to balance out a heart-shaped face, which tends to be wider at the top and narrow out through the chin. Adding side-swept bangs to your look brings the attention to your eyes instead of your forehead. Just ask your stylist for shorter bangs that hit the arch of your forehead and longer ones at the corners of your eyes.
The Best Bangs For An Oval Face
If you have an oval face, think of yourself as one of the lucky ones. Just about any set of bangs will look fab with your face shape. To accentuate your facial features, ask your stylist for airy, pin-straight bangs that extend just beyond your eyebrows, with a bit more length on the sides. The best part? With this cut, you can wear your bangs across your forehead or sweep them to the side. The choice is yours!
And if you have curly hair, have fun with any style of bangs but remember to ask for a dry cut. If your curls shrink once your hair dries you don’t want to be left with baby bangs when you really chose a fringe that grazes the top (or bottom) of your brows.
The Best Bangs For A Small Forehead
The size of your forehead isn’t exactly a face shape in its own right, but it should still play a part in any bangs-related decisions. If you’re concerned that your forehead looks too small and you’d like to make it look more pronounced, ask your stylist to trim a steep, sloping asymmetrical fringe that lightly grazes your cheekbones. Pair it with a deep side part (sorry, Gen Z, side parts are still cool!) and you’ll have an ultra-flattering hairstyle.
The Best Bangs For A High Forehead
Go for thick, gradually angled bangs that start at the center of your forehead and finish off in a taper around your cheekbones. The thickness will conceal your forehead, while the slight angle will help balance your face and frame your features.
4 Hairstyling Tips For Bangs
Once you’ve found your fringe match, it’s important to know that bangs do require a little bit of extra work to style. No worries, though — it’s not that tough. Commit the following tips to memory and you’ll be golden.
1. Blow Dry Your Bangs ASAP
In general, it’s a good idea to wait until your hair has dried at least halfway before blow drying, but that’s not always the case with bangs. Since bangs are such a small section of hair, they will dry a lot (and we mean a lot) quicker than the rest of your hair.
The trick to avoiding flat bangs is to curl them around a boar bristle brush while drying them. Use a blow-dryer with a nozzle attachment and angle it down, toward your bangs. Using this styling technique can help your bangs flow straight down with the perfect amount of body. Just remember: Spritz on a heat protectant, like the L'Oréal Paris Advanced Hairstyle SLEEK IT Iron Straight Heatspray, before styling.
2. Use A Thin Flat Iron
If straight bangs are what you’re going for, be sure to invest in a super-thin flat iron. A thinner flat iron will be better for getting right up to the root of your fringe so you can achieve the ultra-sleek look you’re after. Don’t forget to use a heat protectant beforehand too — the L'Oréal Paris Elvive Dream Lengths Heat Slayer Pre-Iron Spray Leave-In was made just for this styling technique!
3. Use a Light Hand With Styling Products
We understand — it can be pretty tempting to load up on hair styling products. But when it comes to your bangs, less is more. If you coat your bangs with loads of product, they could end up looking greasy by midday. To avoid this, just pump a little bit of styling product into your palm and work it through your entire head of hair, only using what’s left over on your bangs.
If you’re going for curly bangs, use a bit of the L'Oréal Paris Advanced Hairstyle CURVE IT Elastic Curl Mousse to scrunch them into place. For straight bangs, a bit of light-hold hair gel, such as the L'Oréal Paris Studio Line Clean Gel, is all you need.
4. Be Mindful Of Your Bangs During Your Skin Care Routine
You know how vital it is to use face moisturizer on your complexion twice a day, but what are you supposed to do when you have bangs covering your forehead? The solution is simple. When you start your skin care routine, just make sure that you have your bangs pinned back and don’t let them down until your moisturizer has fully absorbed and you’ve completed your skin care routine.
Next: 5 Things Your Hairstylist Wishes You Would Do Before Your Visit
Edited by Sophie Dweck, Photo Credit: Shalwah Evans
