How To Get Perfect Bangs
As well as flattering your face shape with the right cut and making your hair look fuller and thicker, fringes also allow you to switch up your style effortlessly. Fringe benefits aside, it can be quite a commitment once you’ve taken the plunge, so here’s a few styling tips to help you get it right, whatever shape or size your bangs may be.
Fringe care basics
No matter what kind of a fringe you have, there are a few basics to follow. Firstly, styling your fringe is easier and more effective when it’s wet. So, even if you don’t need to wash the rest of your hair, you can freshen up your fringe with an interim wash and blow, if you’ve completed a full hair wash, then blow dry your fringe first as it’s trickier to style when dry. If your hair is a little dry or frizzy and you’re used to using a serum to tame it, then go easy on the fringe area, try putting it mainly on the rest of your hair, saving the small remainder for your fringe, this should help to keep your fringe from becoming greasy. Putting heat directly onto your hair for styling means you’ll need a quality heat protector too.
The straight fringe
To get those bangs looking sleek and straight, start the process with freshly washed or wet hair, then use a paddle brush to smooth down your fringe, at the same time applying heat from your hairdryer. Wait until your fringe is almost dry, then take a round brush underneath to blow dry it, but make sure you don’t lift up the brush too much and create a very rounded curl. Finish off by blowing your hair on a cool setting to lock your style into place.
The side swipe fringe
A side sweeping fringe suits pretty much any face shape, and so much the better if you get it right with the styling. After washing, choose which side you want your fringe on, then pull it over to the other side and blow dry. Be careful not to use an upward motion when drying as this can create an arc effect rather than a downward sweep across your forehead. When almost dry, transfer the fringe on to the side you want and complete drying. You can then use small straightening irons to smooth it out. For thicker bangs, you will need to separate one portion of hair at a time. Finally, hold in position with a light hairspray.
Curly bangs
Curly bangs can look awesome, but they can be a little more challenging to tame. Make sure you use the right hydrating products as natural curls are often dry, curl definers work well for this. Moving from left to right across your wet fringe, twist the product around your hair and use your fingers to follow the natural shape of the curl. Complete the process by drying your hair with a hairdryer and diffuser.
If you want to make your curly fringe straight, use a round brush to wrap your wet or damp hair around. Pull to create tension and use a precision nozzle on your hairdryer as you move downwards to the ends of your hair. To finish, use your straighteners to smooth and accentuate as necessary, making sure you have applied ample heat protection during the process.
The shortest of fringes
If you’ve got short and edgy bangs, you’ll probably want them to lie as flat as possible. To style your baby bangs, again work with them while wet, then apply your products. Use a flat brush to work through your fringe, firstly slanting your brush and hairdryer towards the left, then the right, to help form symmetry and balance. Use a pair of straightening irons (mini-irons work well on micro fringes) to bring into line any stray hairs.
Fringe styling takeaways
The key tips to remember when styling any fringe is to work with if after you’ve had a shower or washed it, ensure you use a heat protector throughout and especially for curly hair that’s prone to dryness, incorporate the right nourishing and moisturising treatments.
