Which Bangs For Which Face: Advice From The Experts

2023 Author: Lynn Laird | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-05-21 21:10

Bangs have the ability to instantly change your look, especially when you consider the best style for your body type and hair type. Hairstyle with bangs can dramatically improve your features (hide some and highlight others), while providing symmetry and balance. A fine, delicate strand, for example, helps contrast the more pronounced jawline, while a dramatic side strand can visually add more dimension to the rounder head. If you're not sure whether this cut is a good idea for you, the experts share some basic rules for knowing which bangs for which face to wear.

Which bangs for which face and hair type to make the most of your natural beauty?

Cutting bangs is a serious enough change to settle for something less than perfect. From no longer being able to quickly pull your locks into a bun, to having to put together a new hair care routine, you certainly don't want to jump into the deep. The truth is, certain styles of bangs look great on some faces but absolutely should be banned on others - that's where this guide comes in handy. Before you visit the salon with an inspirational photo you found on Pinterest or in a magazine, be sure to check out the text below.

First of all, how do you determine the shape of your face?

If you are not sure exactly what face shape you have, don't worry. It is very easy to determine. Look at yourself in the mirror and pay close attention to three key areas of your facade: hairline, jawline, and facial length. Does your hairline start more than four fingers from your eyebrows? This means that you will have more options regarding how you style your bangs. Is your jaw oval in shape? Mini bangs are a trend that will compliment what nature has given you particularly well. Do you have a very long face? Go for long, layered bangs to complement your appearance.

Does your hair type tolerate bangs?

The way your hair sits, behaves and grows will have an impact on your bangs, so it is essential to think about what can be achieved with the particulars you have.

You might think that fine hairs will never be able to form bangs because they will just stay flat on your forehead, but they don't. If you have a mane that is not very voluminous, bangs can make it look thicker, simply because the shorter sections look fuller. However, be careful not to opt for a very long length as this may create the opposite effect. Flirtatious side-swept bangs are recommended to be preferred, styled with a volume spray to add pizzazz and movement.

Bangs are indeed a scary prospect for many people with curly hair but with a little styling you can achieve a great look. Don't be tempted to straighten your front strand. Simply smooth with a round brush and styling product to loosen the curl without completely shaking it.

If you have thick hair, play on your highlights and go for dense choppy bangs and embrace the retro vibe. Side locks can look a bit too oversized if your hair is particularly full, and short cuts are risky as they can cause the hairs to protrude from the head. So, for sure play with straight bangs to make the most of your natural volume.

Regardless of your hair type, bangs usually require a fair amount of blow-drying, which can damage the chelvide. So make sure to maintain its shine with the help of a nourishing oil and heat protection spray (applied to the brush rather than directly to the hair).

What bangs for the face in the shape of a heart?

Style 1. Thin bangs

Reese Witherspoon looks really amazing with razor cut bangs! It's no coincidence that her face is often used as the quintessential example of a heart face shape. This type of cut is indeed versatile as the front strands can be parted in the middle or pushed to one side. To style them, use a styling product to encourage your natural texture while giving you a flexible hold (and frizz protection).

Style 2. Curtain

Women with heart-shaped faces look best with thin, layered bangs. No wonder, then, that Cheryl Cole's curtain locks are so gorgeous! Dropped frontal, they certainly help to minimize the wider forehead that often accompanies this morphology. Make sure to keep some texturizing spray handy, however, to give your hairstyle the perfect amount of movement.

Style 3. Gradient bangs

Selena Gomez's bangs made us dream. It's arguably flattering but especially on heart-shaped faces which are wide at the top and are distinguished by a pointy chin. Hairdressers recommend a crescent-shaped front section of hair (aka longer at the outer edges and slightly shorter in the middle). By the way, it was a popular trend during the 70's which is again relevant to this day.

Style 4. Tapered bangs

If you don't really care about balancing your face shape, go for the tapered bangs that hit the midline of your forehead and are lighter than the blunt micro bangs.

What bangs for the face in the shape of a square?

Style 1. Side swept rounded bangs

If you have a square face, stay away from the straight cut as it will sublimate this effect and make you look like a robot. Olivia Wilde's solution is more than flirty with that wick on the side, right? To style your bangs, you will need a large rounded brush. This is essential for that smooth, curvy texture.

Style 2. Textured bangs

Blunt, straight bangs are a bad option for ladies who have square faces. Still, if you're not a gripper for the side strand, go for a fragmented textured variant. It won't accentuate your angular features. To embrace the texture, style with a matte finish hair product that will ensure that your bangs won't be greasy, even if you accidentally go a little too far with the styling.

Style 3. A-shaped bangs

Fringes are a matter of illusion. This is essential for square or oblong faces which tend to be wider at the cheeks and more angular, especially around the jawline. A soft A-shape works best, say stylists. The tapered ends create angles that help soften the jawline and draw attention to the eyes.

Style 4. Long layered bangs

If you have a square jawline, long, layered tapered bangs can soften and balance your features. In fact, all the strong features can be toned down with this cut.

What bangs for the round face?

Style 1. Blunt bangs

Following the same logic as for a square face, avoid rounded bangs and go for a blunt straight cut to sculpt the features. Keep your locks stylish with a shiny spray that won't weigh them down.

Style 2. Long side bangs

If you're not sure you're ready to commit to straight bangs, know that a long side-swept strand also flatters round faces that are soft at the edges and often wider in the cheeks. This style helps create the illusion of elongated features. For styling, make sure that your hair has volume and elevation to prevent it from hanging down on your face.

Style 3. Mini blunt bangs

Typically, blunt bangs (or those cut straight) get a bad rap if your face is round as they can optically close it and make it look squashed. However, if you like this look, you can always do it with mini bangs leaving enough space up to your brows. This visually lengthens the features more than the classic blunt bangs.

What type of bangs for oval face with large forehead?

Style 1. Parted bangs

Girls with oval faces are lucky because just about any type of bangs works with their proportions. However, there is one distinction that could mean the difference between a good and a bad cut - the length of the forehead. Parting the bangs exposes it to a point lower than your hairline, which optically shortens the area.

Style 2. Long thin bangs

Another option to camouflage your large forehead is long, fine textured bangs. The sparse wicks always make it possible not to expose your entire facade. To style, use a thermal hairbrush.

Style 3. Medium bangs

Since the oval face shape accepts more bang styles than other body types, you might take advantage of it. If you want a bolder cut, go for the medium length - longer than the mini bangs but that doesn't touch your brows. By the way, it's a nod to retro and works particularly well for curly hair too.

Style 4. Diagonal bangs

With a long face and a forehead that's taller than it is, you actually have a lot of areas to work on. So act strategically on the parts of your facade that you want to highlight. Think of it as a framing. Creating a diagonal angle on your face will help keep people focused on your central features, like your eyes and lips, rather than your forehead or lower parts. What makes this cut different from the regular side bangs? The latter begins at the inner edge of the eye, while the latter begins at the outer edge.

Style 5. Long thick bangs

If you have a long face, short bangs are probably not your best bet as they will only elongate your forehead even more (and of course, increase the length of your face in general). So, it's best to keep the bangline low just around your eyebrows.

Which bangs to choose for an oval face with a small forehead?

Style 1. Short bangs

Hairdressers usually suggest that clients with small foreheads forgo bangs because they emphasize the space between the eyebrows and the hairline. However, you can try an extremely chic very short strand. When it comes to styling, make sure you keep a strong hold hairspray in your arsenal.

Style 2. Casual bangs

Are you afraid of the cut too short? Relaxed bangs will have the same effect thanks to their varying lengths, without commitment for a high maintenance look.