13 Types of Bangs For Every Face Shape
It's official: bangs are back. From micro fringes to sweeping curtain styles, this face-framing look is as popular as it is versatile. But how do you find the right bangs for you? Or, if you're a hairdresser, how do you help your client pick their perfect cut? Here's everything you need to know about blunt bangs, wispy bangs, bottleneck bangs and more...
Find Your Perfect Type of Bangs
Getting bored of your bob, or need to add a little something to your super long layers? Here are our favorite new season styles of the moment…
Classic Bangs
Image Credit: @quecolour
Classic bangs are trimmed straight across and blow-dried ultra smooth, and a protective lotion, like ULTIMATE REPAIR Protective Leave-In, is essential for achieving this frizz-free look. But there's a secret weapon – Shinefinity Color Glaze – making this particular cut extra radiant, with the cool shade 09/13 lending a reflective sheen to brunette lengths. It's a blonde hue, but veiled over dark tresses, it dials up luminosity on even dark hair. If you're trying the look for yourself, ask your hairdresser for Shinefinity to banish dullness in the space of a lunch break.
Micro Bangs
Image Credit: @valonzhaircutters and @nathendinatale_valonz
Take the shortcut to an eye-catching style with this season’s trending baby bangs. They make a statement not just in the cut department, but they also draw attention to your eyes. Just remember: damage protection is a must, as the super-short front means there’s not much room for trimming split ends. That’s why we recommend ULTIMATE REPAIR to repair locks and prevent future breakage. Reach for ULTIMATE REPAIR Shampoo and ULTIMATE REPAIR Conditioner for the most nourishing care. Then, complete the regimen with Miracle Hair Rescue; a spray-on, leave-in treatment that repairs damage in 90 seconds*, leaving hair with 99% less breakage**.
Curly Bangs
Image Credit: @jhair_stylist
Curly hair and soft, shaggy bangs are a match made in salon heaven. Adding extra shape to chin-length cuts, they give that natural texture the spotlight by flawlessly framing the face. Anyone with curly hair can rock this look – it's all in how blunt you trim the front layers. Go straight across to add width to oval face shapes, or gently taper the sides to give the illusion of sharper cheekbones. Then, get curls popping with EIMI Curl Shaper, a 72-hour curl-defining cream gel that defines each and every ringlet. Gently scrunch into clean, damp hair, then dry with a diffuser.
Wispy Bangs
Image Credit: @bethanyschair
Want classic bangs without the weight? Try this soft and wispy fringe. Ideal for anyone who's new to bangs, this look can be worn straight across, middle parted, or swept to the side for easy styling. Vertical cutting is key, so if you're a hairdresser, snip upwards into your client's hair. Pinch small sections between fingers as you go, starting in the middle and moving out to the sides. Then, blow dry with a round brush to add body, ensuring wispy bangs don't fall flat. You can also use a little pomade, like EIMI Just Brilliant, to keep frizz and flyaways at bay.
Shaggy Bangs
Image Credit: @brianacisneros
No shag haircut is complete without bangs. So, if you want this retro look, get ready to embrace choppy layers through the face frame, as well as the rest of the hair. Bottleneck bangs go best with this look, meaning they're shorter in the middle and longer at the sides. Then all you need is a texturizing spray – and few get that piece-y, chunky, full-bodied finish quite like EIMI Sugar Lift. Spray, scrunch and manipulate for lift, shine and grippy texture. You can use it on damp hair to prep for a blow-dry, or mist into dry lengths to refresh and re-energize those layers.
Blunt Bangs
Image Credit: @dereqc
Blunt, straight-across bangs are a bold choice, but the risk can pay off on longer face shapes. They not only add width, but they also draw attention to the eyes – especially if you embrace a shorter bang style. Perfect for pairing with pixie and bob haircuts, this look is sleek, chic and timeless. Just make sure you have a flat iron ready to keep this type of bangs tidy. ULTIMATE REPAIR Protective Leave-In will prep strands for smooth, damage-free straightening, so you can tame blunt bangs daily.
Curtain Bangs
Image Credit: @romeufelipe
With a cool ' 70s vibe, the curtain fringe is a summer staple. Add sun-kissed skin and honey highlights, and you've got that Farrah Fawcett, Stevie Nicks, Jane Birkin energy. It's a type of bangs that goes with all hairstyles, from tousled waves to low-slung ponies. So, while it might be the trendiest haircut around right now, we don't see it going out of style anytime soon. Plus, it works for everyone – especially those with round and square face shapes, who will love it for its cheekbone-popping effect. Want to lengthen your features? Trim those curtain bangs a little bit shorter so they lightly skim the lashes.
Side-Swept Bangs
Image Credit: @ariannaskye
Side bangs are a forever vibe, especially on curly hair. So, if you're styling curly bangs, try sweeping the face-framing layers to one side for instant glam. This quick trick softens square, heart and oblong face shapes, while adding dimension to round face shapes. Definition is key, which means you (or your client) will need a defining curl cream or balm to boost that bounce. Try NutriCurls Curlixir Balm, gently scrunching it into damp locks before blow-drying with a diffuser for flawless ringlets.
Bottleneck Bangs
Image Credit: @brianacisneros
Once trending, now a staple, bottleneck bangs are one of our favorite summer styles. Teamed with bronde (brown-blonde) highlights and a tousled finish, they add dimension to straight hair or wavy hair in need of extra body. They're short in the center and longer in the sides, framing the eyes and the face beautifully. Simply style with a salt spray, like EIMI Ocean Spritz, for added texture and movement that screams surfer chic.
Layered Bangs
Image Credit: @rcgimenes
Layered or textured bangs are perfect for leveling up short hairstyles, giving a pixie cut or gamine crop extra movement through the front. Hairdressers, you'll want to use a point-cutting technique to perfect that choppy, piece-y finish. Style with a pomade, like EIMI Just Brilliant, to tease and tweak this bangs style to perfection, using it to ruffle up the fringe and sweep sections to one side.
Feathered Bangs
Image Credit: @danielmbeauty
If seamless styling is your vibe, feathery bangs are a must-try. They rely on lots of layers and tapered cutting, so that the fringe section gradually blends in with the face frame. Here, the center appears blunt, while the longer sides segue into tumbling waves. A great styling option for thick hair, you can razor cut the front to reduce weight and density – instantly. Then, loosely wrap sections of hair around a wide-barrelled curling iron to create loose curves. Gently brush out, and finish with a misting of hairspray, like EIMI Stay Firm.
Choppy Bangs
Image Credit: @jhonyveiga
Like blunt-cut bangs, choppy bangs are trimmed straight across to nail a statement look, but a point-cutting technique gives them a chunkier finish that vibes with tousled hair styles. So, if you or your client are more into undone waves and curls versus super-sleek styles, opt for these tapered yet heavy bangs. They'll set off your beachy look flawlessly. This choppy style is calling out for chunky highlights to add even more dimension, so consider high-contrast balayage with BlondorPlex; our bond-strengthening lightener that lifts hair up to nine levels.
Grown-Out Bangs
Image Credit: @anderrateliehair
You don't have to wait for hair to grow out to achieve effortless grown-out bangs. By trimming bangs just below the eyes, you get this 'model off-duty' look in seconds flat. To make them ultra-manageable, ready for sweeping, blow-dry with a round brush to boost body. EIMI Extra Volume Mousse helps you lift locks right at the root, then curve under for a smooth, glossy look. Plus, it protects hair from drying out during heat styling, so you can style on the regular. Point the hairdryer nozzle down the hair shaft as you go, helping the cuticle lie flat for a sleeker finish.
Looking for more hair care and styling tips? Discover our complete collection of Hair Care Guides, featuring tips for every type and concern.
* When using ULTIMATE REPAIR Miracle Hair Rescue.
** Vs. non-conditioning shampoo.