Should I Get Bangs? Things To Consider And Styling Tips

At some point in your life you will ponder, “Should I get bangs?” Well, it is always a risk and the answer to this question is complicated.

Going in for the gusto and getting bangs is a big decision. Bangs can change how you look completely and give you a great transformation. For example, just google Zooey Deschanel and Jada Pinkett Smith with and without bangs to see what we are talking about. They can frame and add definition to your face. However, it’s not as simple as it looks. Bangs are like that gorgeous girl you like, but she’s high maintenance…a.k.a. a lot of work. So, to keep her happy, you have to treat her like a queen.

“Bangs have a mind of their own sometimes,” says Meredith Boyd, Licensed Cosmetologist. “The key is to not over style them so that you can anchor them down ever so carefully and have that effortless look all day. A secret when you’re blow drying is to brush them from side to side, with the direction of the heat going down to seal the hair shaft. That will create shine and soft movability in your style.”

Read on to know what it takes to have bangs and figure out if you want to take on the challenge before you regret it.

Before You Get Started

       Round: Side-swept or curtain bangs for an elongating and framed effect.
       Square: Light, side-swept fringes to round out the sharp edges of the face.
       Heart: Side-swept or curtain bangs with longish sides to cover the wide cheekbones.
       Oval: Except for curtain bangs with center-part, all bangs will suit this face.
       Oblong: Heavy blunt bangs that just touch the eyebrow.

• There are bangs out there that will fit you just right. Consider your face shape when choosing a bangs haircut for yourself:
• Baby bangs only suit small-sized oval faces.
• Bangs need to be washed daily as it gets greasy from the scalp as well as face oils. It also needs a trim every 2-3 weeks for maintenance.
• You cannot leave the house without styling your bangs. Those with fine hair can use a texturizing product to keep the bangs bouncy. Thick hair needs a holding product that keeps the hair together. For dry and curly hair types, anti-frizz products are a must.

What To Consider When Getting Bangs

● Face Shape And Types Of Bangs

There’s a reason this is listed first. I cannot stress enough how important your face shape is when it comes to bangs. Check out this article to figure out which type of bangs will suit your face.

● Maintenance

Your bangs get oily quickly. Therefore, you need to wash them more often than the rest of your hair. You’ll also need to trim your bangs to ensure your hairdo is on point. When you apply skin care products to your face, make sure they don’t come in contact with your bangs. These products have chemicals that are not suitable for your hair.

Quick Tip

As bangs lie on the forehead, the oil from the hair may transfer to the skin and increase the chance of getting acne. It is, therefore, important to thoroughly cleanse the face and the bangs regularly to minimize excess oiliness.

● Styling

Not all bangs suit everyone. So, before you get to the salon understand your hair type and your face shape. You may speak to the stylist and understand how to style bangs according to your hair texture to get the best look. The type of bangs can make or break a look. Another thing to remember is that your bangs are shorter than the rest of your hair. So, be careful when using heat styling tools on them. When straightening or curling your hair, keep your bangs in the heating tool for a shorter period. Use a blow dryer on a low setting when drying them.

You will also need to set your bangs every day and fiddle with them a few times during the day. Yes, it’s work, but it totally pays off!

● Be Gentle

When combing your bangs, be gentle. Don’t brush them too hard. Brushing your bangs roughly can lead to hair loss and damage. Always be gentle when combing or brushing your locks.

● Natural Parting

Your natural parting is key to giving you a perfect fringe and a voluminous look. When you wake up, how is your hair naturally parted? Mine is always in the middle, which makes my hair look flat. So, I opt for a side-swept fringe as it adds volume and flatters my overall look best.

● Weather Change

Yes, a change in the weather can affect your bangs. Humidity can make your bangs go frizzy. You need to be prepared for this. I have thin hair, so my locks are always greasy after it rains. I dab a little bit of sanitizer with a tissue on my fringe to keep it in place. It really helps.

Factors like your face shape, hair type, and maintenance will determine whether you should get bangs or not. Apart from these factors, it is important to understand how long do bangs take you to grow out before finalizing your decision. Find out more below.

How Long Do Bangs Take To Grow Out?

The amount of time it takes for bangs to grow out depends on the individual’s hair growth rate and the thickness and length of the bangs. It typically takes 3 to 6 months for them to grow. But if you want to accelerate the process, maintaining a healthy hair care routine will do the trick. You can experiment with side-swept bangs or use accessories to create different looks as you wait out the awkward growing phase.

Now that you know you want bangs, let’s play a game of With or Without: Bangs Edition!

Celebrities With And Without Bangs

1. Jenna Ortega

Who isn’t obsessed with Jenna Ortega’s Wednesday Addams dance routine as well as hair from the Netflix series Wednesday? She is surely a talented actress, but it is her sharp appearance that has made a lasting impression worldwide, and the bangs are a part of it. Did you find a single TikTok creator that did not copy her bangs while they sported her costume? Yeah, thought so! If you have a proportionate oval face like her, any style will look great on you.

2. Zendaya

The most recent Golden Ratio Of Beauty Phi analysis lists Zendaya as the second most beautiful face in the world. It’s no surprise that both styles look great on her despite her square-ish face. But, there is a stark contrast in the vibes. While she looks sharp and formidable without the bangs, her long fringe gives her a soft and dreamy look. If you have an oval face with sharp facial features, you can make a choice based on the vibe you are going for.

3. Taylor Swift

Taylor Swift looks stunning both with and without bangs. She looks younger with bangs, and more mature without bangs. The bangs draw attention to her perfect jawline. Layers and bangs work really well together irrespective of the length of your hair. If you have a round face, bangs and layers will add some nice definition to your facial structure.

4. Selena Gomez

Selena Gomez is a stunner in any hairstyle she tries. But, for me, the bangs are a total win. Deep side-swept bangs are a great way to cover up a large forehead. If you have an inverted triangle or heart face shape (where your forehead is wider than your cheeks and jawline), hairstyles with side-swept bangs are the way to go.

5. Demi Lovato

Okay, not to digress from the topic, but Demi Lovato looks stunning with blonde hair. Again, I side with bangs. When you have a wide forehead, slicked back hairdo might over-pronounce and make it look bigger. Adding bangs can slim down your face and give it a fuller look.

6. Jada Pinkett Smith

Mrs. Fresh Prince sure knows how to sizzle. Her soft bangs add flavor and a feminine touch to her edgy bob. If you see a picture of Jada with long hair alongside a pic with short hair, you’ll see how different she looks in both. It’s almost like two different people. It’s the same with her and bangs.

7. Kerry Washington

Crisis manager Olivia Pope dresses for the job, and it’s no wonder they got Kerry Washington to play her. Kerry Washington has a long forehead that she covers with bangs. The wavy texture makes her hair look more voluminous.

8. Emma Stone

I think Emma Stone has sported bangs in all her movies, and she looks stunning with them. Whether it’s front and center bangs, side bangs, or side-swept bangs – Emma knows that bangs only enhance her look. Work it, Emma!

Fun Fact

When Emma Stone is not wearing bangs, she has her hair styled in loose curls or simple updos.

9. Jennifer Lawrence

Long side bangs can add a romanticized feel to any updo. They give you that elegant, feminine touch. Notice how the curled bangs accentuate Jennifer Lawrence’s facial features. It’s a clear example of how bangs are a godsend.

10. Jennifer Garner

Long hair with bangs look absolute gorgeous and now you know why! Even a simple U-cut can become so much more with bangs. Again, it’s a win for bangs with Jennifer Garner. I love the blonde highlights that accentuate her hair volume and natural hair color. The thin front bangs accentuate her facial features. They also make her look much younger.

11. Blake Lively

Braids look way better with bangs when you’re going for the messy, loose braid look. Blake Lively proves my point here. Try side bangs with braids as they slim down your face and draw attention to your braid.

12. Zooey Deschanel

Ever the poster child for bangs, Zooey Deschanel really knows how to work them. She looks completely different without her signature bangs and dark locks. It’s a win for bangs again. If you have an oval-shaped face, any type of bangs will look great on you. So, go experiment with your hair!

13. Kristen Wiig

Actress and comedian Kristen Wiig has played the role of a geeky, awkward lady a few times, but she clearly has style. When she cut her locks, it transformed the way she looks, and I support it! Her deep side-swept bangs really work with her pixie cut.

14. Scarlett Johansson

ScarJo looks great all the time. But, her bangs really enhance her pixie cut. They add volume to her hair. Keeping the roots dark is a great way to add texture and dimension to your locks. I like how her bangs are a stark contrast to her roots.

15. Reese Witherspoon

From Sweet Home Alabama and Legally Blonde to Big Little Lies, this southern belle has won everyone’s hearts with her blonde hair and accent. It’s clear that her bangs give a youthful touch to her look. They draw focus to her impeccable jawline. The subtle layers at the end make her hair look thicker.

16. Charlize Theron

Deep side-swept bangs always look incredible on low updos. Just look at Charlize Theron! You can see how her bangs accentuate her flawless cheekbones. She also shows us that bangs can be a great accessory with some light makeup, instead of going overboard with jewelry. This look is perfect for any formal event that requires dressing up.

17. Margot Robbie

This stunning blonde looks brilliant with and without bangs, but I’m siding with the long side bangs here. They add an elegant and youthful look to her ensemble. The bangs draw the focus to her facial features. They accentuate her eyes, cheekbones, nose, and mouth beautifully. They soften her jawline as well.

18. Brie Larson

Captain Marvel to the rescue! Brie Larson looks young with bangs. Without the bangs, you can see her scalp clearly, which can sometimes be a sign of hair thinning. Her face appears harsher without the bangs, and softer with bangs.

19. Aubrey Plaza

Middle parting is always tricky. It can slim down your face or draw attention to all the wrong features. The key is to pair it with bangs. Simple side bangs with layers will make an impact when paired with a middle parting. I love Aubrey Plaza’s bob with bangs. It suits her personality extremely well.

20. Amanda Seyfried

Going by her roles, Amanda Seyfried clearly loves rom-coms! If you haven’t gotten the memo, long bangs are all the rage. If your cheeks or jawline are too wide, consider getting long bangs. They slim down your face. If you have sharp features, go for long bangs as they soften them.

21. Emilia Clarke

Emilia Clarke really brought life to the roles of Sarah Connor and Daenerys Targaryen. And, I have to say, her white blonde look is A-W-E-S-O-M-E! The side-swept bangs soften her face and focus on her eyebrows, eyes, and mouth. The subtle bangs cover her forehead, but not entirely.

22. Jennifer Lopez

With bangs or without bangs, JLo can pull off any hair look. It’s really down to personal preference here. On the one hand, her bangs accentuate her perfect cheekbones, while her flawless jawline is on display without bangs. JLo has thick hair and bangs that showcase her nourished locks. The side bangs cover the length of her forehead without hiding it completely.

Audree, a fashion blogger, shares her experience of getting bangs for the first time in 4 years. She needed a change and decided to go for bangs. Talking about her haircut, she says, “I personally think they were a little too short to manage at first, but now they lay very nicely, have grown out just a little bit and I’m LOVING the middle part bangs (i).”

Infographic: Top 5 Celebrities Who Rock Bangs

Whether it is a dramatic transformation or a subtle change, bangs offer a myriad of possibilities. Hairstyles with bangs add a trendy, youthful, and fresh look to any hair length or texture. They switch up your style, frame your face, and accentuate your best features. If you want to jump on the bangs bandwagon, but are not sure where to start, check out the infographic below that features the top five celebrities who sport bangs like a diva for some inspiration!

Illustration: StyleCraze Design Team

Frequently Asked Questions

Do bangs age your face?

The right kind of bangs can help bring a youthful appearance to the face. However, bangs that are too short may accentuate fine lines on the forehead or around the eyes.

Do bangs make you cuter?

Bangs can change the appearance of the face and play with its strengths to make women look cuter, sharper or more youthful, depending on what they want.

Why should I not cut bangs?

You may want to avoid cutting bangs if you do not have the time to maintain them, as bangs require regular trimming and extra care. In addition, bangs may make the forehead greasier, so you may want to avoid them if you have sensitive or extremely oily skin.

Illustration: Should I Get Bangs? Things To Consider And Styling Tips

Image: Stable Diffusion/StyleCraze Design Team

Wondering whether bangs will look good on you? Contemplate no further! Check out this video for all the details to decide if bangs should be your new best friend!

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Reviewer Author Editor Fact Checker

Meredith BoydLicensed Cosmetologist

   

Meredith Boyd is a licensed cosmetologist and an award-winning celebrity hairstylist and makeup artist with an experience of 23 years. Her clientele includes top brands like ABC, AMC, AT&T, CBS, Coca-Cola, Delta, ESPN, Golf Channel, HBO, Netflix, and Nickelodeon.

Read full bio of Meredith Boyd

Anjali SayeeAssociate Editor

 

Anjali is an associate editor at StyleCraze. She specializes in hairstyles and hair and skin care and has written over 200 articles in these domains. She has 7 years of experience, and her philosophy about hair and skin care is simple: if you love and care for it, it will be healthy.

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Asmita DeAssociate Editor

Asmita De is an associate editor with over three years of experience. She graduated in English Literature from the University of Calcutta. She has collaborated with several digital companies and reputed publishing houses as an editor.

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Bhumika DagaBeauty & Lifestyle Writer

Bhumika is a content writer with 2.5 years of expertise in crafting articles across diverse genres. She graduated from the University of Delhi and completed her post-graduation from Indira Gandhi National Open University, Delhi.

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