Plus, celebrity style inspiration.
“It’s no secret that bangs have made a comeback and they’re definitely here to stay,” says celebrity hairstylist Lucy Gedjeyan.
“There are so many different variations and lengths of how to achieve perfect bangs that anyone is bound to find something that looks best for them.”
The reason pros are always, well, pro bangs?
“The perfect type of style of bangs can really accentuate your best features, which is why it’s so important to do a little research and consult a pro hairstylist to achieve an optimal overall look,” she says.
Here, how to make a truly pro-approved pick on which type of bang is best for your face shape plus how to style them so they always look fresh and on point.
Find Examples With Your Face Shape
First, determine what your face shape is. You can do that by measuring your face—find our guide here. Then, you can look to your favorite celebs who have a similar face shape to you for inspiration.
Next, with a few examples and inspiration photos in tow, Gedjeyan recommends sharing all with your hairstylist, as no one knows you (and your face and hair) better than them. “It’s also great to keep in mind that some bang styles may be more maintenance than you’re willing to deal with, so it’s important to gather that insight from a stylist ahead of making any new bang decisions,” she explains. “After an in-depth consultation with the pro, you’ll definitely feel more at ease and excited about your chic new look.”
Choosing the Right Bangs for Your Face Shape
Round Face Shape
“Side swept bangs work well for those who have a round face shape because it can create an angle that the face doesn’t necessarily have already and can also help elongate the face,” explains hairstylis Laura Polko. Face framing bangs also work well, as they narrow the face and create a more angular look, Polko explains.Hairstylist Jacelyn Bautista also recommends a side-sweeping style to soften round faces. Gedjeyan suggests opting for curtain bangs. “Curtain bangs or side swept bangs are usually the perfect complement to a round face because they add some extra dimension and work to elongate the face,” she says.
Styling and Maintenance Tips
Luckily, side swept bangs tend toward low maintenance, Polko says. She recommends blow drying them to the side and using hairspray to keep them in place. They also work with a range of hair textures, particularly straight or wavy hair types. Bautista recommends reaching for a fine tooth comb to blow dry the roots of the fringe in both directions of side swept bangs. “It ensures that the roots are not flat to the head,” she explains, adding that you should dry them 50 percent and then go in with a small round brush to blow dry with volumizing spray (she likes Shu Uemura Tsuki Shape Blow Dry Spray). “If you have curly hair with more density, you want to go straight in with the round brush with lots of tension to ensure smoothness and avoid frizz,” she says.
Square Face Shape
“I love a fringe or bottleneck bang for anyone with a square face shape,” shares Gedjeyan. “Since this look is slightly shorter in the center and has more length on the sides, they can soften the appearance by framing the eyes and face.” Polko suggests long and layered bangs, which can help soften the angles of a square face. “Also, the classic Birkin bang is great for square shaped faces because they have a soft, feathery effortless look.” Bautista prefers a straight across wispy fringe. “These bangs accentuate the sharpness of the face shape while keeping a softer look,” she shares. “These bangs are edgy but also have a sophisticated look—you can wear your hair down with beach waves or put your hair up in a messy up do.”
Styling and Maintenance Tips
Polko explains that the Birkin bangs are ideal for someone who wants minimum styling and upkeep. “They are low maintenance compared to other styles of bangs, meaning you have to trim them less and can allow them to grow out,” she says. These bangs also work on a range of hair textures. Bautista loves to style the straight across wispy fringe either by adding body or keeping them sleek and smooth. “When adding body, you want to add Milbon Thickening Mist first, then blow dry the roots in the opposite direction then forward with a small round brush,” she explains. “If you have a strong cowlick on your hairline, you can blow dry the roots when completely wet with a fine tooth comb in all directions— side to side and forward—to control it.”
Heart Face Shape
“Blunt bangs are a great style for a heart face shape because it can help balance out the wider forehead area of the heart shape,” explains Polko. According to Bautista, it’s all about the Bardot bang. “They are cut slightly shorter in the center where most people may have a widow's peak and are longer towards the edges,” she explains. “And they tend to split naturally where the part is but you want to allow the fringe to do its thing.” Gedjeyan says that heart shaped faces look best with wispy or feathery bangs. “This style of bangs really helps to soften this face that is typically more on the angular shaped side.”
Styling and Maintenance Tips
Polko recommends following up any heat styling with a texture spray. “It’s best to style Bardot bangs freehanded with your hands, shaping and blow drying them naturally,” Bautista says. “You can also use a butterfly clip to hold the part in place which gives a softer and natural outcome to the style; or add a texture spray to add grit and texture to your fringe.” Gedjeyan recommends reaching for a paddle brush when styling a wispy fringe.
Oval Face Shape
Gedjeyan recommends blunt bangs for oval face shapes. Polko says “the oval face shape is one of the more universal face shapes, therefore many different styles of bangs can work well with it,” she says. “Personally, I prefer curtain bangs because they can further amplify the symmetry of the oval face shape.” She also says they are a great option for someone who likes to change up the finished look. “Curtain bangs have the versatility to be short and rest right above the eyebrows but also be longer and wispy for more of a side swept look,” she explains. Bautista recommends opting for soft layered bangs, which she says can help accentuate the layers and texture in the rest of your hair.
Styling and Maintenance Tips
Bautista recommends prepping the hair with a texture spray or paste, following up with a round brush, and then adding finishing touches with your hands. (She likes Kevin Murphy Powder Puff Volumising Powder and Davines This Is A Medium Hold Pliable Paste.) Polko’s pro styling tip is to “part hair down the middle and then brush each side away from the face,” she says. “Curtain bangs can work with any hairstyle, especially longer curtain bangs,” she adds. Gedjeyan notes that blunt-cut bangs are definitely a statement and require much more maintenance than other bangs.
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Article written by Nicole Catanese for Instyle
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