Beauty
It’s time to take the plunge.
There once was a time when most people were afraid to get bangs. It was considered an intimidating hair commitment, so it wasn’t uncommon to back out mid-consultation and opt for layers instead. Now, in the year 2023, it seems like everyone’s cutting fringe with reckless abandon — and as a result, several bangs trends are taking off at once.
Bangs are definitely having a moment, says Chris Funk, a hairstylist based in Vancouver, Canada. Various types of bangs have been spotted on a whole slew of celebs and influencers, he tells Bustle, most likely because they’re realizing it’s an easy way to experiment and have fun without having to do a big chop. (Just look at EmRata, Olivia Rodrigo, and Bella Hadid, to name a few.)
The fact they’re so versatile is another major factor in the rise of the bang. “Previously, when people thought about bangs, it typically meant straight across, blunt, above the eyebrow length hair,” says Raven Hurtado, a stylist at Maxine Salon in Chicago. “Now you can really have fun with bangs, whether you’re wearing them long or short.”
Of course, if you end up hating your bangs, there’s comfort in knowing your hair will grow back, says Tukia Allen, an educator coach at Aveda Arts & Sciences Institutes Atlanta. “Anyone who has steered away from them for so long either held onto the trauma of a bad haircut as a child or never [knew] how to wear and/or style bangs,” she tells Bustle. “But no more — the time is now [and] this trend is a lasting one.”
Keep scrolling for all the biggest bangs trends of 2023 to use as inspo in case you finally decide to take the plunge.
5
Micro Bangs
Olivia Rodrigo and Zendaya have both worn micro bangs to the Met Gala, and Florence Pugh has also recently become a fan of the teeny, tiny fringe. “Micro bangs are an inch or two long on the forehead,” Hurtado says. “They can be blunt or choppy for an edgy look.”
To get your micro bangs just right, Hurtado suggests air drying or flat wrapping them with a paddle brush. Make an “X” shape as you dry your bangs to get them to lie flat, then spritz some hairspray so they’ll stay in place.
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Curly Bangs
No need to steer clear of bangs just because you have curly hair. According to Todd Faulk, the senior cosmetology educator at Aveda Arts & Sciences Institutes in Dallas, bangs are becoming more popular among folks who have textured, curly, and coily strands. “You can blend them with your curls or style them straight,” he tells Bustle. Check out Nicki Minaj, Oprah Winfrey, and Sandra Oh for inspo.
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Bottleneck Bangs
According to Hurtado, Lily Collin’s bottleneck bangs are also taking over. This style of fringe is blunt and a little shorter in the middle, while the sides curve outward and are extra long, often falling at the cheekbone.
“To get these bangs, ask for the shortest piece to be in the middle, typically right at the brow or slightly below, and longer towards the cheekbone,” she says. “Texturize the bangs for a lighter feel and movement.” As a bonus, these bangs look just as great down as they do when your hair’s up in a ponytail.
Sources:
Chris Funk, hairstylist
Raven Hurtado, hairstylist
Tukia Allen, educator coach
Emily King, hairstylist
Gina Rivera, hair artist
Todd Faulk, senior cosmetology educator
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