Bangs: Choppy Bangs

Introduction

Christina Ricci Gala Opening of MURAKAMI 10-28-07

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In the original article I wrote about Bangs in 1997 - Hair Bangs - Types & Face Shapes I defined choppy bangs as:

Hair Bangs - Types & Face Shapes - Usually worn as a modified version of blunt bangs, these bangs are often cut with a scissors and then texturized for a choppy look.   Choppy can also be translated to mean uneven.

Choppy bangs provide increased depth to the facial features.  Depending on how they are worn, choppy bangs can create a variety of looks from edgy and fun to formal and dramatic.  They can be worn at a variety of lengths from very short to very long. 

The length of choppy bangs can be varied.  Choppy bangs can range from very short to long in the same bang cut as shown by actress Christina Ricci at the October 2007 Gala Opening of MURAKAMI (shown to the side and below).

Since I first wrote the Hair Bangs - Types & Face Shapes article I have been studying all types of bangs and have made some new discoveries about my original choppy bangs definition.  I have also been paying close attention to various celebrities in hopes of finding a Choppy Bang Celeb Icon.

Continued below ↓

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Christina Ricci Gala Opening of MURAKAMI 10-28-07

DailyCeleb.com All rights reserved.

Choppy bangs can be crafted with scissors, shears or even a razor.  When choppy bangs are cut with a scissors, deep V shaped notches are randomly cut along the edge of the bangs to create the piecey choppy look.

One thing I have learned about choppy bangs is that there is no right or wrong way to create them.  Depending on the type, texture, and condition of the hair being cut into choppy bangs some hairdressers feel more comfortable with scissors or shears.

Some hairdressers who feel comfortable using a razor can create spectacular choppy bangs by randomly razoring across the bang edge.

There are some advantages and disadvantages to using a razor to create choppy bangs which include the following:

Advantages Of Choppy Bangs Cut With A Razor:

1.  A razor, when handled properly by the stylist, can create uniquely edgy chopped up bangs.  A good razor bang cut with the correct styling products can be transformed into divine pieceyness.
2.  Choppy bangs work with either sleek hairstyles like Christina Ricci's sleek bob (shown above) or with choppy haircuts.  Using a razor to either contrast sleekness or complement choppiness can create a choppy bang that has great lines and flow.

Disadvantages of Choppy Bangs Cut With A Razor:

1.  Razor cuts may tend to fracture or damage the delicate bang strands.  When razor damage occurs the bangs may be too thin on the ends, become frizzy or dry and harder to manage.
2.  Razored bangs created by unskilled hair cutters can be hard to control and may result in over choppiness or uneven lengths.

Choppy Style Bangs

Christina Ricci Into The Wild Premiere 09-18-07

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Christina Ricci has been wearing a version of her current chin length bob off and on for several years.  She partnered various bob styles with a wide range of different bangs ranging from side-swept to faux bangs or no bangs at all. 

In 2005 Christina started to wear her hair in a version of blunt bangs cut to be choppy.  The choppy bangs looked amazing on the actress and in my humble opinion it was her best hairstyle look yet. The choppy bangs create an overall softening, make her gorgeous eyes pop and showcases her luminous skin.  The choppy bangs also draw attention to her lips. 

Christina must have agreed because she continued to wear the choppy bangs from 2005 up until the current time. 

As of late October of 2007 at the Gala Opening of MURAKAMI Christina was wearing a sizzling hot chin length bob with choppy bangs brush slightly to one side.  Her dark brown hair has been highlighted with tiny ribbons of lighter caramel which makes the bangs pop.

Christina Ricci Into The Wild Premiere 09-18-07

DailyCeleb.com All rights reserved.

At the Into The Wild Premiere Christina had fuller bangs worn covering her forehead. 

If you look closely you can see the choppy edges.  She also has a series of partings interspersed across the bang area which provide a dramatic look.

Choppy Style Bang Facts

An important fact to remember when considering choppy bangs is to keep in mind how choppy varies in the minds of many hairdressers.  Some hairdressers may define choppy as radically texturized while others may consider choppy to be similar to the bang style worn by Christina in this article.

Since the creation of choppy bangs can be a subjective matter, it's very important when requesting choppy bangs to take several photographs of bang hairstyles you would like to have re-created on your own hair.

Choppy bangs, especially if they are cut into an asymmetrical pattern may require frequent trims to maintain the style over an extended period of time.

Types Of Hair Compatible With Choppy Bangs

Christina Ricci Women's Guild 50th Anniversary Gala 09-15-07

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Choppy bangs can be stunning when combined with any type of hair length from super short to super long and somewhere in-between.  Long eyebrow skimming bangs work best on hair that is naturally straight due to the fact that tresses with any type of bend, wavy or curl will be more difficult to style. 

Depending on the natural type, thin, medium or thick, long eyebrow bangs can be worn thin and wispy or very thick with lots of volume. 

Choppy bangs can be cur straight across from side to side or it optionally can be cut in a way that the bangs angle down from the end of the eyebrows down towards the ears to create a triangular effect. 

Highlighted Choppy Bangs

If the goal of choppy bangs is to punch up the eyes, carefully applied ribbons of highlights and lowlights intertwined throughout the bangs can have a spectacular effect.

Christina Ricci William Rast Collection Debut 11-10-05

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If the highlights and/or lowlights are added to thin, fine hair worn in choppy bangs, there is an added benefit of instant plumpness and volume.

Choppy Bang Styling Options

Choppy bangs can be styled so that they are worn down in a straight or jagged line extending across the forehead.   Sometimes choppy bangs are worn swept to one side with the bulk of the bangs draped over one eye Veronica Lake style.

How To Style

Depending on the desired result, choppy bangs can be style with a blow dryer and fingers used to ruffle and tousle the bangs into a messy bed-head style. 

Christina Ricci William Rast Collection Debut 11-10-05

DailyCeleb.com All rights reserved.

Choppy bangs can be air-dried or to achieve a sleekly finished style, they can be blow dried straight using either a round, straight or vented Boar's bristle brush.

Applying a shine product such as a shine serum or shine spray can add a beautiful shimmer.  It should be cautioned that the use of too many shine products may cause bangs to get oily or too slick. 

For an alternative choppy bang style use a small barrel flat iron and run it quickly through alternate strands.  This will create a sleeker finish like Christina's at the William Rast Collection Debut (see image below and above).

Summary

Usually worn as a modified version of blunt bangs, these bangs are often cut with a scissors and then texturized for a choppy look.   Choppy can also be translated to mean uneven.

Choppy bangs provide increased depth to the facial features.  Depending on how they are worn, choppy bangs can create a variety of looks from edgy and fun to formal and dramatic.  The length of choppy bangs can be varied.  Choppy bangs can range from very short to long.

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For additional hair care articles, tips and product information check out the following links:

• Hair Boutique Tips & Articles section.  Check out the over 10,000+ different hair care and styling tips at HairBoutique.com
• Bangs - Hair Dos & Don'ts - Visit our page dedicated to bangs with dos and don't.
• Hair Bangs - Types & Face Shapes - Match your face shape to possible bang options.
• Hair: How To Trim Your Bangs - Abridged version of cutting your own bangs.
• Hair Tips: Trim Your Own Bangs - Detailed step by step instructions.

• Hair: Adding Bangs - Descriptions of different types of bangs.

• Hairboutique.com is proud to announce our new HB Hairstyle Wizard™  which is available through our MyHairBoutique.com™ portal.  If you already have an account & password on HB.com (Marketplace or HairTalk) use it to log in. 

• Celebrity Hair: Bangs & Fringes - Whether you call it a "fringe" or a "bang", this hairstyle has once again become popular with many of the top supermodels, fashionistas and celebrities.