Before you take the plunge, this is what you need to know about cutting bangs

It’s so unbelievably tempting.

In fact I would argue it’s a canon event. Watching Mika Abdalla in Off Campus or Dakota Johnson in The Materialists and being struck with the intense desire to cut a fringe. I’ve had personal experience on the matter. In 2024, I watched The Idea of You. A week later I had a salon appointment booked for Anne Hathaway-style bangs.

I kept my blunt fringe for about three months before letting is grow out into curtain bangs. I loved it and don’t regret it, but there are definitely a few things I wish I knew before I took the plunge.

When I asked acclaimed editorial stylist Anthony Nader if there is any kind of person who absolutely shouldn’t be getting bangs, his answer was instant: “I would say anyone who is time poor”.

The reality is, those perfect bangs and fringes you see on screen come courtesy of expert styling and a range of products. Rolling out of bed with perfect hair is a pipe dream.

Are you contemplating a new choppy style? Hair will always grow back, so making a change is never a bad idea. But there are a few things you should think about before you truly submit to the urge to cut bangs. According to Anthony Nader, this is what you need to know about your future fringe.

 

Bangs can work on everyone – but hair type and face shape play a role

Nader has been in the industry for more than 38 years and he says that bangs and fringes can work for anyone. But hair type, face shape and hair density undeniably play a role in how to cut the bangs. Cow licks, low hair density, bold curls and long or short foreheads can all suit bangs, you just need expert advice and precision.

“For instance, if a client has a cute little forehead and really wants bangs, the goal at the end of the haircut is to open the face,” he said “You’d never introduce a solid heavy section because this would scream ‘where did my forehead go?'”

“Instead, I’d gently introduce softer and shorter pieces that float below the eyebrow that can still appear see-through that can swing softly with a longer length aching longer around the temples.”

Bangs and fringes require maintenance – you will need to style them daily

When I asked if bangs require more maintenance, Nader said: “I’m not going to lie – it’s 100% yes.”

If you think that cutting a fringe means you’re going to wake up looking like Allie from Off Campus every morning, you may need to be more realistic. Bangs need to be styled and maintained daily. You may need to wash them more often, sectioned off from the rest of your hair. You will also need regular salon appointments to keep them fresh.

While the full maintenance is a lot, Nader said daily styling shouldn’t take more than a couple of minutes in your morning routine when you’re trying to get out the door.

“Don’t go overboard with styling products, as you’ll only look like you’ve just got caught in the rain because it will appear oily,” he said. “Go easy, and start with a sea salt spray or foam on damp hair and then add your heat.”

“If you have a stubborn cowlick (which most of us do), attach a narrow nozzle on the end of your dryer and with a fine-tooth comb push the hair in the opposite direction to how it grows with the heat,” Nader says. “I normally finish dressing bangs with Oribe Swept Away texturising powder instantly adds buildable grip and so light it doesn’t even look like you have product in the hair.”

There is one big positive. For Southern hemisphere residents, now if the right time to cut your bangs if they make sense for you. “It’s Winter RUSSH readers, your forehead won’t be as oily compared to say the warmer months, meaning your bangs won’t appear wet,” says Nader.

Importantly, it’s best to aim for bangs that aren’t blunt and clean cut. Otherwise, you’ll be making salon visits every three to four weeks to maintain them.

Some lifestyle factors can make bangs complicated

Nader says while bangs are for everyone, there are a few lifestyle factors that can complicate things. He says that anyone who is extremely time poor may want to choose another style, and especially if you also really don’t enjoy styling you own hair.

If you’re a gym junkie, a runner, a swimmer or do hot yoga, all these things can make your fringe oily faster – you’ll need to spend more time on washing and styling. So be sure to consider this. Nader also says that if you’re on a timeline and you don’t have months to wait for them to grow out, you should definitely think twice. And, if you have fragile or chemically damaged hair, focusing on repairing the damage is often better than plunging into a bold new style.

Before you take the plunge, here’s what to do

“Bangs are a commitment but they’re also so worth it,” Nader says. “Bangs can be your ‘voice’ your ‘identity’. It’s what everyone sees first and you can also style the rest of your hair in a way that your bangs are the statement.”

But before any bold change up, you should have a detailed conversation with your hair stylist. Nader says there are some key things you can do to get the most from the process.

“Ask your hairdresser for the pros and cons,” says Nader. “Hairdressers also love inspo pictures. I would recommend two or three images you adore – and why you like them or why you don’t.”

And certainly do not attempt to cut a fringe for the first time at home. It really does need to be done by a professional.