As the seasons change and the cooler weather officially takes hold, many of us are eager to experiment with new hairstyles to accompany us into the festive holiday season. Whether you’re insecure about your forehead or just inspired by the trends of A-listers and beauty influencers, there are tons of reasons to give bangs a go this fall. It’s all about figuring out what works best for your face and your style when choosing from the best hairstyles with bangs.
But, like any beauty trend, there is not just one way to bang (no pun intended). From full frontal to wispy fringe and edgy micro bangs, ahead, our celebrity hair experts walk us through all things bangs, from what’s trending to how to pick what’s right for you and post-cut styling.
Featured Experts
- Johnny Lavoy is a celebrity hairstylist
- Dimitris Giannetos is a celebrity hairstylist and Garnier Fructis ambassador
- Paul Labrecque is the creative director, master stylist and colorist with Paul Labrecque Salons
What are the best hairstyles with bangs right now?
What’s in and out in hair trends can change as quickly as the seasons, but luckily, our hair experts are always in the loop with what’s hot in haircuts today. “I have recently been loving the ‘Birkin Bob’ cut with ‘Birkin bangs’ that I just gave my wonderful friend Camilla Cabello,” says Giannetos. “It is the perfect mix of fun and sophistication and looks amazing on any hair color.”
“I’m still a big fan of a curtain bang,” says Lavoy. “The reason is that they are a great way to add softness to a hairstyle, they are the easiest to style, they look good on almost everyone, and they work for all hair textures. Plus, they are a great way to introduce bangs to a first-time wearer and are easy to grow out when you want to switch things up again.”
“I love the wolf cut with bangs—it’s especially striking for them to take on a very razored texture with this look,” says Labrecque, “For a bob, I love a thick, crisp-edged bang. With long layers, I adore curtain bangs.”
What are the easiest bangs to style?
For anyone who has had bangs or has researched what it’s like to have them, you know that styling can be a major roadblock in the bangs hairstyle journey. Luckily, though, the best hairstyles with bangs aren’t a hassle to style. “Bangs that are super simple and have been very popular recently are curtain bangs,” Giannetos says, echoing Lavoy’s sentiments. “This style is a good way to transition into the world of bangs because they are not very in your face or blunt. They organically transition into the rest of your hair but give you some extra volume in the front of your face to frame it. A simple blowout or roller routine will have curtain bangs looking salon-fresh every time. You can also use the Garnier Fructis Hair Filler ($10) as an easy and affordable option to keep the hair sleek and healthy when styling bangs.”
As Labrecque explains, “Styling bangs is less about a hairstyle and more about the amount of jump, cowlicks or frizz the front of the hair has, since bangs are reactive to moisture. Any style with a smooth front can have a bang. Unless you’re a good blow-dryer, jumpy fronts typically don’t do well with bangs, especially a straight bang.”
How do bangs work on different hair types?
As with any hairstyle or cut, considering your hair type is key. “It is easiest to style bangs with straight hair because it is more predictable and easier to control,” Giannetos beings, “But curly bangs are gorgeous, and if you can maintain them, they are such a beautiful look. With straight hair, you can experiment with blunt bangs, whereas with curly hair, you might want to look more into trying longer bangs with face-framing pieces or shaggy bangs.”
Lavoy agrees, explaining that “bangs can drastically change a hairstyle and also help enhance facial features, but before making the chop, consider your hair texture, face shape and your end goal—the shorter the bang, the longer the grow out. For curly hair textures, I suggest longer bangs. For normal to thicker hair types, a Birkin bang works great. Longer lengths look amazing with a curtain bang—it’s a great way to add that flirtatiousness and versatility to long, layered styles. Baby bangs look cool and edgy on shorter, finer hair textures, like pixies and shags.“