At one point in your life, you’ll consider getting bangs. You’ll find yourself obsessively searching pictures of them and holding the ends of your ponytail against your forehead to figure out if you can actually pull them off. That’s not to mention countless hours spent grilling your friends about how they really feel about bangs, either.
It’s stressful trying to decide if you should try a new look, but we’re here to reassure you that you can totally pull them off. Bangs look beautiful on any face shape and almost every hair texture. Instead of limiting your style options, bangs will elevate even your most tried-and-true styles.
To prove our point, we’ve rounded up eight of the best styles that look even better with bangs.
Sky High Ponytail
A ponytail is everyone’s go-to style, but sometimes they can end up looking a little basic. Spruce up your boring pony with bangs so cute you’ll want to wear them on your next date.
Gather your hair—minus your bangs—at the top of your crown and secure it with an elastic. Once it’s in place, spray your bangs with a heat protectant and pass over them with a flat iron to make sure they’re perfectly styled.
Ballerina Bun
Give this classic style a much-needed update by adding bangs. Leaving your fringe out, gather your hair at the top of your crown and secure it with an elastic. Pull your ponytail through a hair donut, making sure the foam ring sits directly at the base of your ponytail. Begin to wrap your hair around the donut, making sure the donut isn’t visible through your hair. Once your hair is tucked, use a few bobby pins to hold the bun in place.
Going for a softer look? Consider sweeping your bangs to the side. If you want your ballerina bun to look a little edgy, keep your bangs blunt and full across your forehead.
Chignon
Elevate this already elegant style with edgy blunt or delicate side swept bangs. Bundle your hair at the nape of your neck, securing it with an elastic. Wrap your hair around itself until it begins to form a bun. Once the style is in place, use a few bobby pins to secure the chignon.
Wrapped French Braids
Most people don’t think braids and bangs go together, but they’re actually a perfect match. Adding bangs to a reverse braided crown will make the already angelic style that much more elegant.
Leaving your bangs out, part the front half of your hair down the middle. Don’t part your hair all the way down to the nape of your neck—it’ll allow for a more seamless look when you pin your braids up. Starting with half of your hair, gather three sections near your hairline and create a basic French braid.
Secure the braid with a clear elastic and repeat the steps on the other side of your hair. Once you’ve braided both sides of your hair, pancake the braids to give them a more voluminous appearance. Wrap one braid over the other and secure the style with a few bobby pins. Be sure to tuck the ends of the braid underneath the hair for a seamless look.
Sleek and Straight
Blunt bangs are the perfect complement to silky, straight hair. Begin at the back of your head, working with 2-inch sections of clean, dry hair at a time. Spray each section with a heat protectant and slowly pass over it with a flat iron followed by a comb. If necessary, do an additional pass with the flat iron to get your hair as sleek and straight as possible.
Continue flat ironing until you’ve finished your entire head, applying a light shine serum for a glamorous finishing touch.
Curly Bangs
Your mom’s curly bangs from the ‘80s are back and better than ever. If your hair is naturally curly, ask your stylist to add some bangs to your ‘do next time you head in for a cut. Your new fringe will look perfect with everything from a wash and go to a pineapple updo.
If your hair isn’t naturally curly, curl your whole head with a ¾-inch curling iron. Begin at the back of your head, working with 1-inch sections of clean, dry hair. Spray each section with a heat protectant before wrapping it around the curling iron. Continue curling until you’ve completed your whole head, including your bangs. Rake your fingers through the curls to lightly separate them and set the look with a light-hold hair spray.
Curly bangs look best one of two ways: full across your forehead or parted down the middle to frame your face. If you want full bands, use a hair pick to create volume so they match the height of the rest of your hair. If your curly bangs are longer, opt to part them down the middle and have them frame your face like super short layers.
Beach Waves
If your bangs are beginning to grow out, think of them as short, face framing layers that will look flawless when you curl your hair. Start at the back of your head, working with 2-inch sections of clean, dry hair. Spray each one with a heat protectant before wrapping it around a curling wand. Hold each section of hair to the wand until just heated through, approximately 30-60 seconds depending on your hair’s thickness.
Continue curling 2-inch sections of your hair until you’ve completed your entire head—including your bangs. After you’ve finished with your curling wand, rake your fingers through your hair to loosen up the curls. Part your curled bangs down the middle, allowing them to frame your face. Set the final look with a light hold hair spray
Half Up
Leaving your bangs out, gather hair from the front of your head and tie it into a ponytail. Once your hair is in a pony, you can leave it be for a classic half up look.
If you’re looking for something a little extra, jazz up your ‘do by styling the hair in your ponytail into a bun or classic braid.
