Bangin’
8 years ago by
I’ve had bangs for the better part of my life.
I briefly tried the no-bangs look but with my thin, volume-less hair, I looked like a sad Victorian lady with a severe middle part. So I promptly went back to bangs-land and haven’t left since.
However, bangs are a hassle. From them sticking to your forehead when it’s too hot, to curling in disgraceful ways when there is just a hint of humidity in the air (read: all the time on the East Coast), bangs can be a nightmare and make you look disheveled in a heartbeat. Going out to dance is always a gamble for me: will my bangs make me look like I’ve just stepped in from a hurricane-worthy downpour or will I get way with dabbing at my forehead with paper towels between two body shakes to Rihanna?
The worst, though, is how fast they grow and how often you need a trim to avoid looking like Bo Obama: you know, that charming-not-so-charming squinty eyed look because hair in the way? The First Dog of the USA can get away with it. I apparently cannot.
I’m a lazy person when it comes to trimming my bangs, first because I’m absolutely terrible at it, second because I can’t seem to find a hairdresser that will to it for a reasonable price if I just walk in to a salon. Let’s face it, no one wants to make an appointment to get their bangs trimmed… Much too formal for 10 minutes spent in the chair.
But there are also advantages to bangs: they make about 99% of women look younger (a statistic I just made up) and they make even the most basic ponytail look that much fancier. And I just can’t imagine not having them anymore. Anna Wintour has rocked hers for what, 50 years? I don’t know if I’ll keep mine for that long, but I know that for now, they suit me just fine, hassle or no hassle.
What about you? Ever rocked bangs? Any magic tricks I should know about to keep them looking fresh?
By Anne-Sophie, intern at the Studio
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Bangs depend on the face. I always thought I had a round face and needed my hair off it. But then I realized I had a big forehead and it looked better covered with hair. Add to that the beginnings of wrinkles, and I am too happy to have bangs. There’s a darling stylist who grew out her hair and she also has a large forehead that you notice now that she has no bangs.
For those on the fence: it’s worth a try. After all, it’s only hair and will grow back.
My hairdresser will trim bangs for free, but I still feel guilty about popping in for that. I try to DIY.
Worst about bangs to me: when it’s windy and they blow straight up.
I’ve had bangs for a year now and love them. I live in North Carolina where the summers are crazy humid. A mini flat iron is a girl’s best friend for keeping bangs from curling in hot, humid weather. I visit my hair stylist once in between cuts for a free bang trim. Even though it’s only a ten minute service, it’s worth it.
BOBBY PINS AND DRY SHAMPOO! Without either of these I would severely suffer! Finding a stylist you trust to do a good job with bangs is huge–I NEVER see anyone other than my lovely Anita because I made that mistake once and it took me nearly two months to correct the bad cut by another stylist. I do call ahead, but luckily with Anita, she knows it’ll be quite and sometimes will even take me in when she’s coloring another clients hair (aka when they are sitting with the color, she’ll jump and cut my bangs). I also love to dance and find bobby pins to be the best option. If I do end up sweaty, it is a breeze to just pull up the bangs and rock the forehead (don’t even need a mirror to do it). Dry shampoo of course to help combat sweaty bangs!
I swore them off for years. Then one day I opened a magazine and this model had the coolest hairstyle with bangs. I took a picture sent it to my mom and my BFF hairdresser and they both replied YES! So I did it and feel like a new person. It’s amazing. Love them. I still have styling issues especially when it’s 105 out but it’s getting better. I do make trim appointments every three weeks.
I can recommend using a little dry shampoo in your bangs (fringe in the UK where I’m from) even just after washing to keep them looking fresh. And also buy some proper hairdressing scissors and it’s easy to trim them yourself, just be slow and careful and cut less than you think
I’ve had bangs since I was a little kid & I love them. It’s my signature & it brings out my hazel eyes. I have them cut every 3-4 weeks & change it up every now & then. I.e. straight across or chipped into diagonally or whatever I want. I leave them be even when it’s humid. I live in Oceanside, CA. I ‘ve tried w/o & didn’t like it @ all. I have an oval face.
J’adorerais pouvoir avoir une frange… Sauf que j’ai 3 épis sur le front, donc pas possible d’avoir une frange bien droite. En plus, mes cheveux sont implantés pour pousser vers l’arrière de la tête. Alors, peut-être dans une autre vie.
Belle soirée
I love having bangs (or as we call it a fringe) but I also live in a country that has really humid weather in summer, so I alternate styles – winter bangs, summer side sweep. My hair grows pretty quickly but I don’t mind it getting in my eyes, I like peeking out from under it but I’ve also got an amazing hairdresser who likes experimenting on my hair and she doesn’t charge a thing if I need a trim. I like the idea of changing your style to suit the environment and bangs look great in winter.
I had bangs years ago and swore I would never have them again due to ‘cow licks’ and humidity – but then my stylist offered to just keratin my bangs and cut them and voila I’m happy and apparently look 10 years younger (according to friends and family).
I do cut them myself at times – and still envy my friends who look lovely without them – but for now – they are mine and I like that I don’t look like everyone else!
Bangs create so many emotions!
Paula- http://www.livingpaula.com
I’m currently struggling about this. To bang or not to bang? I have wavier hair now then when I was a kid and I rocked some seriously bang, plus my nose “has grown up”. I’m in the same situation, what to do?
xo
http://www.cherry-mag.com
Great article!
J’ai une frange depuis des lustres parce qu’à chaque période de repousse j’en ai marre d’avoir les cheveux dans les yeux sans pour voir les coincés derrière mon oreille, et je coupe tout…
Je suis coincée dans un cercles vicieux de franges éternelles :-D
xxx
Irène
http://www.cookinginjune.com/
CUT LESS THAN YOU THINK! But do I ever listen to my own advice…?
Result: refusing to look in the mirror for at least two weeks.
J’ai une frange depuis que je suis enfant (et j’ai 26ans maintenant..) et je ne me vois pas vivre sans ! Limites les gens de me reconnaissent pas si je l’enleve !
Une frange faut bien l’entretenir ! Coup de ciseaux toutes les 3semaines et lavage + brush tous les matins !!
=D
I can’t have bangs. Seriously. My forehead is so greasy that the bangs also look greasy in half a day. I haven’t found a solution. Plus I would hate the bangs in summer under a hat.
https://sofaundermapletree.wordpress.com
J’adore, j’aurais pu écrire ça, la frange et moi c’est une histoire d’amour. J’ai la mienne depuis petite, un peu rebelle au collège je l’avais abandonné. J’y suis revenue avec une moitié de frange, tu sais le truc qui prenait la moitié du visage. Pas vraiment terrible. Et puis finalement en 2004 j’ai retrouvé ma vraie frange, celle qui fait complètement partie de moi aujourd’hui. Jusqu’au nom de mon blog lancé il y a 2 ans. C’est dire :)
J’ai beaucoup aimé cet article.
Astrid.
Ah je me reconnais bien là! Je ne peux pas me passer de ma frange!! Comme j’aime la porter en dessous des sourcils, j’avoue faire des petites retouches moi même de temps en temps, quelques légers coups de ciseaux et c’est joué ???? !
J’aime beaucoup tes articles et comme je débute un blog si tu veux y jeter un coup d’œil et me donner ton avis ça serait top ???? https://blondebazar.wordpress.com
I had mine for 10 years. I had a very good routine. As I’m lucky to have to wash my hair only once a week, I was doing some mini washes of the bang only, and then brushing it with a round hot air brush, it was always perfect. I had to give it up when I moved to Dubai and the heat was so strong that I had to wash it every day and in the end it was looking very bad at the end of the day. But I must admit that it was also at a time where I was starting to question myself if I still wanted to wear it, starting to move to the next step of my life. The heat was an a semi-excuse in the end.
Every time I go for a style that does not have bangs, I’m disappointed, so for most of my adult life (I’m 40), I’ve had bangs. They become kind of my thing – people think I don’t look like myself when I don’t have them.
I trim my own, using small Kai scissors. A funny story though: A year or two ago, I thought I was slowly losing my eyebrows and it was making me so sad. One day when I went to trim my bangs, it dawned on me that I’d accidentally also trimmed my eyebrows. Ever since then, I either take extra care or, when I’m feeling very conservative, put bandaids over my brows while I trim. :)
I’m glad I stumbled upon this post! I have to say, I love how bangs look – I feel that it just gives that chic, Parisienne air, sort of careless but yet classy. In my experience, bangs are just a bit too high maintenance for me: trimming, styling, making sure the hair doesn’t look greasy (if it’s windy, forget it!). I love love love the look but I just realized that my life is a bit easier if I keep my hair one length.
Lena
http://zoyaandme.com/
I do not have a shape of head suitable for a fringe — but I like it on certain types of faces. It can definitely add on character, charm. And here I also love Caroline de Maigret! Although I think she looks gorgoeus without bangs as well, maybe I like her even more without it. By the way, it would be great to have more posts featuring Caroline! :)
I tried them a long time ago. They were a disaster. I have thick, wavy hair and bangs do not work with it at all. Of course, I had to figure that out that hard way and walk around looking awful until they grew out. But it was a good lesson in learning to make the best of what I’ve got, not trying to recreate somebody else’s look on me.