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More hair talk: bangs

Janet

(website)

Veteran

Diana's thread about long vs. short hair got me thinking about one aspect of my hair I have defaulted to over the last decade: bangs.

I mainly choose hairstyles with bangs because I am a little self-conscious of my forehead. Unfortunately, I must be quite expressive with my face, and my forehead has lots of lines from laughing, frowning, raising my eyebrows, etc. Sometimes I wonder if I'm too aware of this and another style might suit me, but I keep going with bangs because the thought of growing them out is a bit daunting (even though my hair grows fast). When they get long, I sweep them to the side a bit, but I have had them for many years now, in varying "weights" from a light fringe to slightly heavier, straighter bangs. I think the lighter fringes suit me best.

I know some of you feel just the opposite about bangs/fringe. What makes you choose the way you do? Would you try the other?

General

32 replies

Latest reply was from

Diana

Veteran

Well, personally I don't do bangs primarily for comfort reasons. I hate having hair in my face and sticking to my forehead especially. And since I dislike the wispy bangs look on my straight asian hair, I'd want a thick fringe, which is hot and sweaty.

I think I was 12 the last time I had bangs! I do like the look (and they'd hide my huge forehead), if I didn't think they would drive me nuts I'd try it.

Janet

(website)

Veteran

Hair texture really does play into it, doesn't it, Diana? I never thought about how wispy fringe might be problematic with straight hair. My wavy hair handles thick bangs very poorly -- it just goes heavy and looks like a big wavy lump on my head. I

Liz A.

Veteran

Well, Janet, the proof is in the pictures! Do you have any without your bangs? I have kind of a big forehead, and I love the look of bangs, but I've grown them out because I just can't be bothered. Too much work straightening them all the time, and then they just curl right back up if moisture even gets near them!

Eliza

Veteran

I have not had bangs since I was a toddler. My forehead is very narrow and the proportions of my face would be unworkable with bangs. I also can't stand hair in or near my eyes. As I approach 60, I see some potential advantages of hair over the forehead, but I'll have to hope my retinoid skin cream keeps those wrinkles to a minimum.

annagybe

(website)

Veteran

I did the Florence Welch heavy bang for about four years. Due to some impressive colicks I've never been successfully able to do the sideswept look. I liked it, but now looking at recent photos I'm glad I'm growing them out. I still have a ways to go before it will look good.

Suz

(website)

Veteran

You have gorgeous eyes, Janet, and bangs tend to highlight the eyes and also the cheekbones (which you also have). I think they suit you, but you would look very good without them as well.

I usually wear some kind of fringe, whether it's just sideswept layers with more on the forehead when my hair was long, or the kind of asymmetrical bang I have now, or just a wispy pixie fringe. I have a really high forehead and a rectangular face and I think a fringe helps to balance me out. But a straight across heavy bang looks horrid (for those same reasons).

Hil

(website)

Veteran

I have worn bangs (we call them a fringe here) for the last while and I quite like having a little hair in my face. It needs to be relative wispy or jagged though and not too heavy. I had a disastrous experience with a heavy fringe once it just made my face look soooo chubby!

My dear mother however always tells me how nice I look with hair off my face.

I would quite like very short bangs like the pic below but I do have an annoying cowlick on the one side that makes a style like that a little challenging.

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Anonymous

The hairstyle I am sporting now is pretty much the identical one I wore when I was 16.

Over the years I have had long and short hair, and bangs and no bangs. I cut bangs a few months ago, and am loving them again after not having them for about 8 years!

Glory

Veteran

Bangs are so tricky for me. It depends on how long the rest of my hair is, how many layers etc. I just had my hair cut because I felt I had a mullet due to bangs and just couldn't get the right prescription.
I think laugh lines are a wonderful thing!

Thistle

Veteran

I had "mall bangs" in the 80s. I haven't worn them since.

This is partly because I just can't stand hair touching my face (thanks mom!!) and partly because I just haven't a style I like.

Mo

(website)

Veteran

Very much on my mind right now. I just emailed my hairdresser that I might want to go back to bangs, or figure out better updo's for work. Right now I love no bangs when my hair is down, but once I pull it back for work, it feels so blah.
I have had bangs in lots of weights and lengths, as seen over the years on this board. I like sideswept, but dealing with pushing hair off your face when you are getting your hands all wet bartending, or full of food waitressing, isn't at all ideal. I think we have similar hair texture - wavy tending toward curly. I've never done a really heavy bang except for accidentally 2 years ago and I grew it out as best I could.

rachylou

Veteran

I had some sidesweep bangs early this year. The problem was, they grew really fast and were poking me in the eye and lost their cool factor pretty quick. And I loathe to be in the salon every two weeks like a boy.

Nanabear

I love how bangs look on other people, but I don't think I'll ever get them myself. Bangs are tremendously high maintenance for people like me with A LOT of thick, straight hair. I think you will look great with bangs though! If you don't want to make the commitment, you can experiment with clip-on bangs to see if you like the look.

texstyle

(website)

Veteran

I can relate Janet. I feel like I look so much more "serious" without bangs. I've done the photo test where I style my hair all off my face, take a photo and see what I think. I wasn't sold. I mean, it would be okay but I really don't love my forehead being "out there" on display either. I've worn bangs and light layers near my face for a long time now so I guess I'm just set on it being one of my signature things. I also think for me *not* having bangs would mean more hair in my face because my hair is very wavy/curly and wild and just doesn't like to behave. I tried it many years ago and it drove me crazy, just like bangs drives many others crazy I guess. I wear a cap or hat when I'm outdoors/sweating and I first pull my bangs back and sweep the hat on from front to back so my bangs are not between the cap and my forehead. My hair comes out looking better that way when I take the hat off.

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

I like hair OFF my forehead and face. It's extremely comfortable and looks best on my small forehead.

Some people are just made to wear a straight fringe - like Natalie and Raisin. I like the idea of a side swept fringe for you, Janet.

biscuitsmom

Veteran

I've worn side-swept bangs for so many yrs, I would be lost w/out them! I have a fat, pudgy face, so I try and cover-up!

cciele

Veteran

I had a fringe cut in earlier this year. People thought it was a youthful look. I liked it ok, but at some time it started to irritate my forehead. Now it's grown out to long, chin-length pieces which I am enjoying.

I also like the side-swept fringe idea for you!

Irene

Veteran

I have a long face (think Liv Tayler) so bangs suit my shape because they make it look shorter. However, my frames AND bangs really clash a bit and it and the hair on my face bothers me.

Truth is, when I have no fringe I feel blah. Then I get a fringe to spice things up and I regret it the minute I see myself as a little girl -and then start breaking out. Then it gets longer and I have side swept bangs, which are the most uncomfortable you can get. And then they finally grow out and I feel blah. Repeat until time of death.

Janet

(website)

Veteran

Yep, I'm thinking I'll stick with my recent strategy, which is a sort of asymmetric fringe that is cut a little higher above my "better" eye (yes, on my asymmetrical face, one eye is a bit more open/upturned than the other). It helps achieve the sideswept effect.

Interesting to see all the reactions! I have a small face/head/forehead, and it would seem that pulling my hair off my face could help offset that by showing more face, but I just don't love that look on me. It's ok from time to time, especially if I'm working out or ultracasual, but it's not my favorite look for my particular face and hair.

I think almost anyone *can* wear bangs/fringe -- it just depends on the style. There are so many different ways to cut them to work on different hair and facial types.

Glory, I like laugh lines too, but I also have those horizontal lines that result from "talking with my eyebrows" (as my sister and I call it) plus a stubborn little vertical crease between my brows from when I furrow them, which is apparently more often than I realize. And I do not want Botox.

I haven't looked at a picture of myself without bangs in AGES, so I was curious. Here I am today pushing my hair off my forehead in nice harsh daylight. And after I let it back down.

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Mo

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Veteran

Oh, you are much too hard on yourself! I barely see any lines at all! Love that top by the way
I have a much thinner face, like Irene, and should probably stick with bangs most the time, but I engage in the exact same cycle she described. Funny, but slightly maddening as well.

Janet

(website)

Veteran

Aw, thanks, Mo! The lines don't show up too much in the photo. Looking at the picture, I'm a little surprised it doesn't bother me more. I don't look too bad with my hair back.

Oh, and what I'm wearing is a dress. Thanks! I should take a WIW. It's the Presley Skye dress I bought last summer for my hubs' high school reunion in TX. It is 95 degrees and extremely humid here today, perfect for this light, floaty dress. We're going for a nice dinner tonight so I'm a little dressed up.

citygirldc

(website)

Veteran

I have a long face and lots of fine baby hair (and new gray hair) which I need to hide. I once grew out all my bangs and looked ridiculous making my face look even long (think Cher).

I've had a page boy bob with straight bangs and side-swept bangs. I'm more into the side swept fringed look now.

DeclawedJaguar

Veteran

Janet, I love your asymmetrical fringe, it really does bring out your eyes. But I do think you look gorgeous with an open forehead. Whatever lines there are (and I can't really see any), the overall effect is an open, warm, beautiful face.

Anonymous

I agree, Janet! I find your fringe swallows your face up and makes it look small. Your face is so expressive and beautiful, and your brows are gorgeous.

Liz A.

Veteran

You reallylook great both ways. You can always pin your bangs back for a different look when you feel like it.

TraceyLiz65

(website)

Veteran

Prefrer some bangs and have never been comfortable otherwise.. I mean really hate it without...

Mona

Veteran

Oh my Janet, you have such beautiful eyes and eyebrows. I prefer the bangs especially because they are golden which brings out your eyes more.

pil

Veteran

My stylist suggested bangs a couple of years ago. After she cut them I got a few comments about looking younger with the bangs. Hard to argue with looking younger.

Both bangs and hair pulled back look really nice on you Janet. Decisions, decisions.

Echo

Veteran

There has never been any question for me about fringe or no fringe. I look dreadful without it. I even went to a new hairdresser once years ago and asked for fringe because mine had grown out so far that I swept it back with all the rest. He cut it that way, looked at me after he styled it (and after I'd told him how much I missed the fringe and how awful I looked without it) and said, "Wow. You DO look better with bangs!"

They require maintenance, but most hairstyles do. I think you are beautiful with or without them, Janet. It comes down to how you are most comfortable.

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