Bangs, or fringes as they are called in England some other European countries, describe the face-framing hairs known for their ability to enhance most hair styles. Whatever you call them, these stylish additions can be worn long and swept to the side, cut straight-across and blunt, or anything in between. Oftentimes people take advantage of fringe variations to manipulate less than pleasurable facial or hair related features, including large foreheads, out of control cowlicks, and saggy, wrinkled skin. Bangs can also provide some positive reinforcement for a hair style disaster, such as a trip to the barber awry.



Bangs have maintained popularity spanning several trends, across the seasons, likely due to their illusory nature. For example, if your hair is limp or thinning, adding bangs bolsters texture, giving an opposite illusion from what is true. The textured, side-swept variety is one such texture particularly helpful in a case where thinning hair is an issue for men and women alike.

Before adding bangs, men and women should ask themselves a few questions. Hair attributes and face types should be taken into account when considering a style, such as round-faced persons or those with oily or super curly hair. Sometimes bangs can actually do the opposite of what they are intended to do, for instance, weighing down the hair, or bringing attention to already unfavorable traits. Bangs are not recommended for damaged, over processed hair, or those prone to oiliness or breakage. Given these considerations, it is always best to consult your stylist before choosing a look.

Bangs can either blend in with your current all over hair style, or help blend an over textured cut paining a self-conscious individual. Face shape is always an important pre-style consideration. Round face shapes do best with long, lightly layered bangs that minimize round cheeks, while long face shapes are flattered most efficiently by blunt bangs that hug the brow, giving the impression of a smaller, oval shaped face.

If you have a square, heart or triangular shaped face, adding side swept, feathered or textured bangs offers the illusion of a softer angled visage. Textures also flatter these sharper features. Even if none of these hair style options sounds appealing, there is a seemingly endless array of possibilities to explore.

Blunt bangs worn just below the eyebrow can draw attention away from a wide forehead, while modified bangs can soften the angles of the face. Choppy textures, achieved using specific scissor techniques, can increase depth of facial features, while asymmetrical bangs characterized by one long section alongside shorter hairs provides sharp contrast for those more stylishly daring.