The Ultimate Guide to the Trendiest Bang Styles (And Their Upkeep!)

Let’s face it: Many of us have had—or at the very least, considered—bangs at one point. Whether that’s a crooked fringe forever burned onto the pages of your elementary school yearbook or a blunt, post-breakup chop, bangs are often a hotly-contested topic in the hair world. 

We’re here to ensure you never have a bad bang day again because we’re breaking down the most flattering, sought-after bang styles to ask for right now. That’s right—fringe is officially all grown up, and there are endless ways to make the look your own. Keep scrolling to discover the difference between the most-wanted bang designs and the expert-backed advice to maintain and style them in-between appointments.

The OG of bangs, blunt bangs, cover your entire forehead with a thick blanket of hair. They are cut in a straight line without any layers, so they don’t have much movement, but they’re perfect if you want to add a bold edge to your look. It’s worth noting that you’ll have to touch them up every four weeks to maintain their length and sharp edges.

Our Best Volumizing Mousses for Blunt Bang Body:

Curtain bangs consist of long bangs parted down the middle and swept to either side of your face, framing your features like a curtain frames a window. These are one of the lowest-maintenance styles, allowing you to go six to eight weeks between trims.

Our Best Heat Protectants for a Bouncy Curtain Bang Blow-Out:

There’s no debating between a middle vs. side part here—side-swept bangs take the guesswork out for you. When parted and cut on your desired side, they’re made to swoop over to the opposite side of your face. They’re often soft, and textured and a great option for balancing wider foreheads and heart-shaped faces.

Our Best Texturizing Sprays for Windswept Side Bangs:

Think of wispy bangs as a trial run before committing to full-on fringe. Small tufts of wispy hair help add definition and softness around the face, acting like a “veil” of hair instead of a full-on curtain. Due to their minimal visual impact, wispy bangs are an excellent choice for those who aren’t sure whether they should wear fringe. 

Our Best Pastes and Clays for Piecey Wisps:

Inspired by your favorite soda pop, bottleneck bangs start slim and short in the middle (like a bottle's neck), then gradually widen around the cheek and temples until they blend in with your hair at the sides (like a bottle's body). Your stylist can strategically cut them in a way to widen your cheekbones, draw attention to your eyes, or even slim your face and jawline.

Our Best Split End Treatments for Long Bottleneck Fringe:

If you’ve never met a daring hair trend you didn’t like, microbangs (also known as baby bangs) may be for you. These super-short bangs land about an inch or two below the hairline and give off a high-fashion look that takes a lot of confidence to rock (yet we have no doubt you can pull them off).

Our Best Dry Shampoos for Eliminating Microbang Grease:

The '80s are back and better than ever, and curly bangs are proof. Curly bangs look best in two ways: full across your forehead or parted down the middle to frame your face. 

Pro tip: Be sure to ask your stylist to cut your curly bangs when they are dry. If you experience a lot of shrinkage, cutting wet bangs may give you a false sense of the final length.

Our Best Defining Gels and Lotions for Curly Bangs:

The Routine

Of these looks, curtain bangs continue to be the top-requested style at the salon. Watch the tutorial below for their best-kept styling secret.