There are days when you just want to shave your head and others when you really wish you had your long hair back. But what about bangs? If you’ve ever considered getting that hairstyle, there are issues to consider before you follow through on the whim.
For example, if it turns out bangs are a bad look, you’re facing months or even years before your hair grows out again. So commitment is one issue, but it shouldn’t be the deciding factor.
Before you get out the scissors or head to your favorite hairstylist, here are the factors that go into the bangs-or-no-bangs equation:
Your Face Shape
This is the biggie. No matter which celebrity looks adorable with bangs, you can’t imitate her look unless your face is a similar shape.
Just about any type of bangs will look stylish if your face has an oval shape. If you have a long face, though, forget short bangs or look forward to having a pronounced forehead.
If your face is round, bangs that arch in a straight fringe and reach just below your eyebrows will look great, or long side bangs. You should leave the side-swept bangs for those with heart-shaped faces, however.
And you can still have bangs if your forehead is short, but opt for a sloped fringe that curves into your jaw line and is longer on one side of your head.
Styling Skills
Some hairstyles require little in the way of styling skills. Bangs are not one of them. You can’t get away without some sort of heat styling for bangs a couple of times a week.
You’ll most likely spend more time fluffing or rearranging bangs during the day, too. Of course, they’re short, so the styling doesn’t take long, but bangs make it so you can’t just do your hair once in the morning and forget about it.
Maintenance Motto
If your hair is currently low maintenance and you’re happy with it, you would be sacrificing that for a style that includes bangs. They are literally on your forehead all day, so they get oily more quickly than the rest of your hair and need more frequent washing.
In addition, while you may be able to stretch out the time between snips with most long or mid-length hairstyles, bangs are in prominent view on your face. That means you must keep them trimmed.
Where You Live
It sounds frivolous to factor in your locale before deciding to get bangs, but it’s a necessary step. While any hairstyle is susceptible to humidity, randomly frizzy bangs don’t frame your face or accentuate your features. They just look, well, frizzy.
It’s the same if your area gets a lot of rain and your hair tends to get limp or greasy in those conditions. Your bangs will, too, only you can’t hide them under a hat.
More Or Less Make Up
Many of the additives in foundation, blush and other facial products aren’t good for hair. If you wear a lot of make-up on your forehead, you might want to pass on bangs or go with side-swept options.
Ditto if you’re reliant on a heavy-duty skincare regime. Many products for acne and dry skin can damage your hair, too.