| Hair: Adding Bangs |
| Karen Marie Shelton |
| Revised Date: 12/05/07 - Original Publication Date: 12/03/2004 |
Introduction
 |
|
Amber Tamblyn with long bangs
at the 51st Annual Boomtown Party at the Westin
Century Plaza Hotel, Century City, CA.
May
15, 2004 |
|
|
Jason Kirk - DailyCeleb.com
All Rights Reserved
|
One hair look that
constantly cycles in and out of fashion has been the
"fringe" which
is British for the American term "bang".
Throughout recent hair
history bangs have been seen in large numbers on the fashion
walkways from time to time.
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.
Some people, myself
included, prefer to have bangs all the time. Although I have
never managed to be plagued by those traditional 60s style "mall bangs"
I have always preferred some sort of fringe for my
face shape.
Other people detest and despise a forehead fringe of any kind. With
everything hair related, not every type of fringe is right for every
type of hair.
Note: To read how to trim your own bangs check out
Hair Tips:
Trim Your Own Bangs.
Why do bangs continue
to cycle in and out of favor? The simple act of adding a new
forehead fringe and skillfully applying some face framing highlights
can create an
instantaneous awe inspiring transformation.
Celebrities like
Jessica Simpson, Lara Flynn Boyle, Kim Cattrall, Amber Tamblyn and Jennifer Lopez
have used forehead fringes to instantly create brand new sizzling
looks. Many celebrity hairdressers like Ken Paves uses custom hair
extension pieces to create perfectly matched bangs for their famous
client.
Ken has often told me
in our frequent cell phone chats that he "love bangs because they
are such a great way to provide an instant tune-up for just about
any hairstyle or look". And Kenny knows all about celebrity bangs
because he has personally created them for Jessica, Lara Flynn, Kim
and Jennifer.
Looking ahead Ken loves "bangs that are fresh, fun and sizzling. He loves
particularly is fond of side swept and blunt bangs which he has
created with great panache for all of his "girls" as he calls his
famous group of female celebrity clients.
Selecting The Proper Fringe
Style
Bangs have recently been spotted on the fashion runways
showcasing 2005 designs which are still being heavily influenced by
the 2004 trend of "anything goes". Fringe endowed models have
been spotted wearing angled bangs, eyebrow skimming peek-a-boo
fringes and an array of romantic mixed texture
bangs.
Basically 2005 looks like another banner year for forehead
bangs
that are customized. Whether you blend in highlights,
lowlights, colored tips or even partial colors enjoy the freedom to
mix and match your bangs with hair flips, chips, layers, shaggy
pieces, choppy pieces and panel strands.
Since fringe possibilities are mind-blowingly endless, how do you
select a bang style that is best for you?
If you are interested in having
a new fringe but are unsure of the best type that would work with
your current hair style and face shape, read on.
Listed below is a summary of some of the more popular and basic
bang types along with compatible face shapes, hair texture and
styles.
Keep in mind that ultimately you have the option to work with
your hairdresser to create whatever type of
bangs work best for you.
Classic Blunt Bangs
A basic blunt fringe draws fantastic attention to your eyes. It adds
instant drama and works well if you love to crank up your eye makeup. The blunt bang coupled with the right amount of
makeup will produce big beautiful eyes.
Blunt bangs are usually very flattering for face shapes like some
heart shaped and inverted triangular face shapes
that feature wide or full foreheads. Blunt cut fringes will
help to balance a large forehead and soften facial features
including a pointy or prominent chin. While blunt bangs will
usually work with oval face shapes, they may need to be modified to
flatter square or round face shapes.
Blunt bangs can be updated for 2005 by mixing in a small amount
of choppy or layered texture that gives you the option to play with
different looks. Experiment with carefully applied highlights
and lowlights to really open up your face and make your eyes pop.
Super Short Bangs
If you want to be really bold and show off your
face as well as your peepers, you can wear the teeny tiny short little bangs that are the reason they have been
nicknamed "the fringe". True fringes are exactly that.
The classic baby bangs work great for oval and some round face shapes,
since short bangs tend to add instant face length and slimness.
Long, angular, thin or oblong faces should stay away from face
lengthening mini bangs. Keep in mind that the shorter your
bangs,
the longer your face will appear.
The good news with the
shortest fringe is that it will take a lot longer to grow out than longer bangs.
The bad news? If you hate them, you will have to deal with
them for some time.
Straight Hair Fringes
Stick straight hair usually looks great with shorter, blunter styled
bangs which tend to soften the overall effect of straight tresses.
If you want to jazz up straight bangs for special events....you can add a little gel to slick them back. You can also
add a light hair spray and a hint of glitter.
The layered highlights and lowlights as well as baylage work nicely on
straight bangs as well. when adding hair color you can be outrageous or subtle. You can
match your current hair color or go wild and use the contrasting lighter or
darker hues.
Angled Bangs
Angled bangs can take on a lot of different forms
with just a few longer hairs coupled with a lot of other hairs at different lengths. You
can just let your natural curls and waves take over...or you can gel the bangs to achieve
a tousled look.
Some round and diamond face shapes can instantly benefit from angled
bangs
which would help to add new angles and soften too-wide cheeks. Bangs that
are squared off also will add new angles to a too-round face shape.
Longer angled bangs tend to be the best bet for curly or wavy hair. Longer
bangs have the opposite effect of baby
bangs. They will shorten your face.
Wavy Hair & Curly Hair
Unfortunately angled or any type of bangs may not work on some
types of naturally curly or super wavy hair without a lot of styling
time. If the hair above your forehead has a whirl or prominent
cowlick or easily curls up, bangs may not be a wise choice since
they may be uncontrollable and definitely time consuming to deal
with.
Strong Facial Features
Side swept bangs may offer instant magic for long or thin face shapes with sharp angular or
pointy features. Have your
bangs cut to just one side if you want to downplay or sharpen your
facial features.
Traditional square and heart face shapes may definitely
benefit from angled bangs which would help to slim too-wide cheeks
and jaw lines. A carefully created side swept bang can create
new angles and overall facial softness.
Texturing of just the area around the bangs is also a good
softening option. Feathered
bangs will create a fluffy look that
softens and lengthens.
Long Hair
Properly designed and created bangs may work well with any type of long hair.
Some long hair experts like the world renowned long hair expert
Dr. George
Michael does not believe in any type of
bangs.
However, if you are tired of the same style,
bangs can add
a new look without requiring you to lose any length in your overall hair. Choose
bangs to
match your hair texture and facial structure.
Highlighted Bangs
If your hair is very dark, you may want to experiment with tiny highlighted stripes in a lighter
color to draw attention to your eyes or face. The good news if that if you like the look,
it is easy to maintain. If you don't,
bangs will grow out in a matter of weeks.
Adding highlights and/or lowlights to thin, fine hair can
instantly plump them up, adding softness.
Festive Bangs
Besides adding highlights or lowlight to your bangs, you can add tiny beads, feathers
or other adornments to your
bangs. You can also add the new tiny clips, barrettes (also known
as slides) or be creative with gels, mousses or sprays.
If you limit your creativity with
hair products to your bangs you have the added benefit of not risking any damage to the
rest of your hair.
Wild Bangs
Turn up the heat on your look with mix and match textures. Models are
often captured on camera combining
wild curly bangs with sleek, slicked back ponytails and braids or stick straight bangs
with wild curly hair that flows to their shoulders.
Bangs can be a combination of very
short on one side and long, angled and even wavy on the other side. Nothing can stop you
and your hairdresser from creating just the right type of bangs for
your face shape, hairstyle and texture but your creativity.
Summary
Whether you go with a traditional blunt or side swept fringe
style or go with a version of anything-does-for-hair, you can
instantly spice up your current hairstyle with
bangs.
Footnotes
Mall bangs
are a term bestowed on heavy bangs that were very popular in the
60s. The were cut so that they would site very high up on the head.
Although mostly worn by women in the 60s, some men did wear them as
well. Natalie Maines of The Dixie Chicks
has made it a point to comment on the fact that she had her own set
of Mall Bangs in 1988. She has stated publicly during her live
stage shows that Mall Bangs are still a problem in "Las Vegas".
Celebrity hairdresser Ken Paves is totally
against Mall Bangs which are also known as Rat-Mall Bangs.
Paves has been quoted in the press and media as saying "There
is no excuse for mall bangs, I am a licensed hairdresser, and if I
see that on the street, I will arrest you." |