I grew up in an era when bangs were all the rage. If you didn’t rat them up as high as possible, you really weren’t living your best life. Thank goodness that trend ended years ago (and I’m especially thankful there wasn’t any social media around back then to document my too-thin bangs). But the desire to change our look via hair length, particularly in front, has never really left. This year, bangs are back in a very big way.
While Prime Women aren’t typically slaves to celebrities’ latest hairstyles, there are some good reasons why we might want to follow suit. For years now, bangs have been referred to as the natural Botox. With aging, there is no better way to conceal those frown lines than by adding those lovely little wisps of hair called bangs.
Bangs can work on any face shape, straight or curly, and long or short hair. At salons worldwide, women are told they can wear bangs if they want. However, the question is deciding which type is best for you. There are many variations out there, but we’ll look at four different types of bangs, which then span out into various styles.
Types of Bangs
Bangs are a versatile hairstyle choice for women, offering a wide range of styles to suit different face shapes, hair textures, and personal preferences. One of the most popular styles is straight-across bangs, which cut evenly across the forehead and provide a classic, bold look. They work well for medium to thick hair and can soften angular faces.
Side-swept bangs are another common choice, where the bangs are cut longer and swept to one side, offering a softer, more casual appearance. These bangs are ideal for women who want a subtle change without committing to a full fringe.
For those seeking a low-maintenance option, curtain bangs—longer bangs parted down the middle—frame the face and blend effortlessly into the rest of the hair. This style flatters most face shapes and grows out easily.
Wispy bangs are a lighter, more textured option that adds softness without the heavy commitment of straight-across bangs. They’re perfect for those with a finer hair type.
Deeper Dive into Bang Style
Are you still not sure if bangs are right for you? Did you decide to take the plunge but aren’t sure which look will work best? We’ll break down four types of bangs to help guide you on your hair journey.
Wispy and thin bangs
If you have wispy bangs, you’ll find they can be quite versatile. You can cut them a little thinner to add a whimsical look or have them long enough to brush the top of your eyes. Depending on your haircut, you can also sweep them across your forehead or wear them straight down. This type of bang is perfect for covering forehead wrinkles or for masking a receding hairline.
Side-Swept Bangs
A beautiful side-swept bang can add a depth of style to your hair as well as make it look fuller and more robust. You can also play with the length of your bangs – to either look like a true bang or to get more of a layering effect, which can add volume and depth to your hair. You can also elect to angle to one side or split your bangs down the middle to frame your face. This type of bang is so versatile you could change up your look on a daily basis.
Blunt Bangs
Blunt-cut bangs definitely make a statement and typically work with a wide variety of hairstyles. Again, you can play with the length and chop them above your eyebrows for a chic look or keep them down to your eyes for a more traditional look. You don’t have to cut them thick or chunky either; you can keep them slightly thinner so they don’t overwhelm your face and simply add a touch of style to your look. If you’ve got curly hair, you can even keep your bangs curly as well to kick your style up a notch.
Curtain Bangs
Curtain bangs are all the rage right now, allowing you to not quite make the full commitment to bangs while still giving you some of the styling options full-on bangs can bring. You can wear this longer look as a face-framing style or pulled back to hide that they’re even there. Or, pull your hair back into a tight bun while keeping your curtain bangs forward to give you an elegant look for a night out (or an elevated messy bun for a day out with your friends).
All four types of bangs can be used to change a style and update a look. Hairstyles with bangs quickly recreate a woman’s entire appearance, but it’s important to know that they look best on longer faces, especially if they are thick and heavy.
Girls with a widow’s peak or cowlick have a horrible time getting straight bangs to fall flat. For shorter, smaller faces, particularly oval-shaped, side bangs make a perfect change. The biggest faux pas in fashion is making your bangs super straight while leaving the rest of your hair curly. That look takes the sex right out of goddess and accentuates the myth of suburban-looking hair.
Why do we have a love/hate relationship with bangs?
Once they are cut, bangs take forever to grow out, leaving a girl in a state of panic when she wants to tie her hair back to go to the gym. An alternative and quick fix is a clip-on bang piece – a small extension that puts bangs in when they are needed and clips right out when you want to go for a run. Don’t be shocked. Many celebrities wear them. Think of how they just change their look so quickly.
If you want to change your look but don’t want a big cut, try a bang. Consult with your stylist first to determine what bang is right for you.
Read Next:
Short Hairstyles for Women Over 50
The Best Haircut for Your Face Shape
