Bangs can completely transform your look, but before you take the plunge, you should know a few things. From the upkeep to the styling challenges, here are 15 things to consider before committing to a fringe.
1. You Have to Style them Every Day
Believe it or not, bangs don’t just fall perfectly into place after washing your hair. A fringe is deceiving in that it looks like you woke up in it, but it actually takes careful curation to look the way it does. Be prepared to spend time every morning blow-drying, straightening, or curling them to keep them looking fresh and polished.
2. They Need to Be Trimmed All the Time
You mightn’t notice the rest of your hair growing quickly, but you’ll sure know when your fringe needs a trim. Bangs grow fast, and before you know it, they’ll be poking into your eyes and getting in the way. You’ll need to visit your stylist for a trim every few weeks to keep them at the right length and looking sharp.
3. They Make Your Forehead Sweat
Bangs look great on other people, but anyone with a fringe will tell you that they’re profusely sweating under their luscious locks on a hot day. If you’re prone to sweating, especially in the summer, bangs can become sticky and flat against your forehead. You might need to carry oil blotting sheets or a powder to keep them looking fresh throughout the day.
4. They Can Cause Breakouts
If you have oily or acne-prone skin, bangs can trap oil and sweat against your forehead, leading to breakouts. You must keep your skin and bangs clean to avoid this issue. Or you may have to skip getting a fringe altogether if you have highly acne-prone skin.
5. You’ll Have to Train Your Hair
Depending on where your hair naturally parts, you’ll need to train it to stay in place as bangs. When you first get a fringe, you’ll most likely find that your hair won’t want to sit how you want it to. This can take some time and patience, often involving blow-drying your bangs in the right direction every day.
6. They are a Nightmare in Wind
Bangs are a chic hair choice that makes everyone look stylish, well, that is, until a gust of wind comes along. Wind can ruin your perfectly styled bangs in seconds. That’s best case scenario, in constant wind, you may even look like you have bald spots. You might find yourself constantly smoothing them down or carrying a comb or brush to fix them when you’re out and about.
7. They Make Makeup Application Tricky
There’s no doubt that having a fringe is ultra chic, but one downside is that applying your makeup becomes a pain when you have hair sitting over your forehead. Applying foundation and other makeup products around your forehead can become more challenging with bangs in the way. You’ll need to be careful not to get the product on your hair, which can make it greasy.
8. They Don’t Suit Every Face Shape
Bangs can be incredibly flattering, but they don’t work for everyone. It’s essential to consider your face shape and consult with a stylist to find out if bangs will enhance your features or if another style might be better. If bangs don’t suit your face shape, you could try chic layers scattered throughout the hair for some face-shaping texture instead.
9. They are a Pain to Grow Out
There’s no worse feeling than getting bangs, only to decide that you don’t really like them after all. If you decide bangs aren’t for you, growing them out can be a long and awkward process. You’ll likely need to find creative ways to pin them back or blend them into the rest of your hair until they reach a manageable length.
10. They Can Highlight Forehead Lines
While bangs can hide some forehead lines, they can also draw attention to others, depending on their length and style. Consider this if you’re concerned about emphasizing wrinkles. If you want to cover up forehead wrinkles, you could try a classic front fringe or curtain bangs for a chic and functional hairstyle.
11. They Can Make You Look Younger or Older
Bangs can have a dramatic effect on your appearance. While they can make you look more youthful, the wrong style can also add years to your look. Before choosing a style, consult with a trusted hairdresser and really think your decision through, otherwise, you’ll be stuck growing them out for months.
12. They Require Extra Heat Styling
You’ll likely need to use a flat iron or blow dryer regularly to keep bangs looking smooth and in place. This means exposing your hair to more heat, which can lead to damage over time if you’re not careful. Consider non-heat options such as velcro rollers, or make sure to use heat protectant spray on your hair to avoid long-term damage.
13. You Need To Consider Your Hair Type
The hard truth is that not all bangs work with all hair types. If you have curly or frizzy hair, bangs might require extra styling time. On the other hand, fine hair might need more volume to prevent them from looking flat. There’s no worse feeling than being disappointed with a new haircut, so make sure you’re really thinking through your choice before committing to a new hairstyle.
14. They Can Interfere with Glasses
If you wear glasses, bangs can sometimes get in the way, making it difficult to keep your frames in place or causing your bangs to split awkwardly. This is only exacerbated if you forget a routine fringe trim. Be sure to consider how your bangs will work with your eyewear and consider trimming your fringe just above the brow to avoid any annoyance.
15. You Might Need to Adjust Your Haircare Routine
No matter what, getting bangs is an adjustment to your hair, which means that your haircare routine will change. You might find yourself washing your hair more often or at least washing just your bangs more frequently to keep them from looking greasy or flat. This shouldn’t deter you from taking the plunge, but be prepared to do more brushing, combing, styling, washing, and training with bangs.