Ask Belle: Style Hair with a Bang
Nov 19, 2015
Hi Belle!
I rely on your beauty and hair advice and was hoping you’d have some tips/tricks for me. I recently, impulsively, got bangs (for the first time since I was 7). I think I’m in over my head. Any suggestions on what to do, what products I need, how to deal with wind!, or overall tips/tricks?Thank you so much! Bangs Newbie
P.S. This is a pretty good example of my hair.
I’ve had bangs every day of my life, so you’ve come to the right place for advice.
Bangs take a bit more work, but they are worth it. Bangs cover fine lines in your forehead (cheaper than Botox), and they frame the face. I’ve grown by bangs longer since my younger years, but I will never be parted from them.
First. To prep your hair, I like a thickening mousse. Living Proof makes the best one. Need a drugstore brand? L’Oreal Paris makes a decent dupe.
Second. You need a round brush. The bigger the brush the looser the curl. I like this Spornette ceramic brush in the 3″ size. To do the job properly, you’ll need a concentrator nozzle for your hair dryer.
Third. I also use a curling iron to curl my bangs. Mostly because my hair doesn’t hold a curl very well. This 1.75″ Conair iron does a good job.
Four. To preserve the bend, you will need a bit of hairspray. The Big Sexy hairspray has the best hold, even in humidity. For a bit more hold, a shaping paste can smooth and control unruly hair.
Five. The wind is the constant enemy of those with bangs. To combat the breeze, I carry a travel size hairbrush, and my secret weapon, a velcro roller. The roll provides a bit of bend and lift to refresh your bangs in a pinch. If you want to get serious about it, a travel sized curling iron can be kept in your desk at work.
I’m delighted to hear that you endorse bangs. I had them for a while, grew them out for my wedding, and think I want them cut back in both for general face-framing and for, like you said, hiding those fine lines (and, for me, hormonal blemishes). What do you have your stylist do to cut yours (they clearly aren’t blunt, but I’m hair-impaired)?
I cut them at an angle so they can be swept to the side. I also like them longer on the sides and shorter in the middle. Kind of like this. https://f.tqn.com/y/beauty/1/S/i/Y/1/reese-witherspoon-bangs.jpg
Also, if you don’t cut them straight across, you don’t have to have them trimmed as frequently.
Chances are you will need your bangs trimmed more frequently than you get your hair cut since they (annoyingly) grow out over your eyes. Unless you can stop by your hairstylist frequently, you may want to learn to cut them yourself. Kate Bryan of The Small Things Blog is a hairdresser and has video tutorials on this (and many other hairstyles). Of course, if you are nervous about wielding the scissors on yourself, go see your professional!
My hairstylist, and I think many, will trim my bangs for free in between appointments. I just stop by because it takes all of 2 minutes in the chair, and I always leave a small tip.
I tried to make bangs work for about four years, and finally just gave up. Plus I’ve realized that for my round baby face, longer (past-chin) pieces framing my face are way more flattering.
I have them too. I have a scar under one eyebrow, and a scar over the other eyebrow. Mine are camouflage for permanently uneven brows! Mine are feathered and hit just at the base of my brows in a straight line. If they get annoying, I just use a razor to trim them. I take small twists, pull taught, and shave at them with the razor about eyelash level. When I release, they hit right back where they’re supposed to.
THANK YOU SO MUCH!!!