It really is the eternal question: “Should I get bangs?” (Need further proof? Check out Chrissy Teigen’s Twitter bio. (Yep.) If you’ve answered yes and taken the metaphorical jump to a fabulous fringe, you’re likely in need of some styling advice. And as always, we’ve tapped some of our favorite fairy godmother stylists for their best hair tips and product recommendations to keep your bangs bangin’. Read on.
Straight Bangs
If you’ve got straight hair, make sure your bangs stay sleek — but never flat — by using a volumizing spray or mousse. “Naturally straight hair is usually a little more limp and have a tendency to get a little flatter throughout the day,” says Goddard+Bragg hairstylist Cervando Maldonado. “I would recommend first putting Resistance Volumifique Impulse Amplifying Mousse by Kérastase — about the size of a nickel — and apply it to the ends of your bangs.”
Kérastase Mousse Volumifique, $42, availalable at Kérastase.
“Afterwards, I like to use a light spray of Oscar Blandi volumizing spray through the roots,” says Maldonado. To create more smoothness through the bangs, use a small Ibiza boar-bristle round brush on the ends.
Oscar Blandi Pronto Dry Texture & Volume Spray, $24, available at Ulta.
Those with thin, straight hair should stay away from oils and creams, advises Jon Reyman, founder of Spoke & Weal salons. “Use a spray-on prep product with hold, like [Aveda] Volumizing Tonic or Pure Abundance Style Prep.”
Aveda Volumizing Tonic, $21, available at Aveda.
Alternatively, for thick hair types, Ryman suggests using a mousse, like Aveda Phomolient or Shu Uemura Ample Angora Mousse. You can combine the product with a light oil product to soften or finish the hair.
Shu Uemura Ample Angora Volumizing Mousse, $39, available at Shu Eumura Art Of Hair.
Curly Or Wavy Bangs
“Start first on damp bangs and use a half dime size of Oribe curl cream and lightly, with your hands, put the product on the ends, letting it naturally distribute into the root of the bangs,” recommends Maldonado. “Once you’re done with that, take your fingers and push your bangs where you want to see them grazing your forehead. After that, let them dry natural, or you can use a sock diffuser and lightly dry them three-quarters of the way, which will leave your hair with definition, texture, and shape. ”
Oribe Curl by Definition Crème, $55, available at Oribe.
When it comes to curly bangs, master stylist Reyman is all about products with a bit of hold. For fine types, he advises a light hold product such as a sea salt spray. “No need for an oil product.”
However, to tame coarser curls, use a stronger-hold product coupled with an oil-based primer to soften strands. His picks? Bumble and Bumble Invisible Oil Primer, Kérastase Elixir Ultime, and Aveda Dry Remedy Oil.
Bumble and Bumble Hairdresser's Invisible Oil Primer, $28, available at Sephora.
If you want a little extra hold, Reyman suggests finishing with a light hairspray, like Oribe Dry Texturizing Spray or Aveda Air Control.
Oribe Dry Texturizing Spray, $44, available at Oribe.
Wispy Bangs
“Start on damp hair [and] apply Serge Normant volumizer through the roots and start rough drying,” says Maldonado. “While blowdrying bangs, comb bangs side to side on the forehead — this creates natural, messy texture that looks great with wispy bangs.”
Serge Normant Meta Lush Volumizer, $23, available at Birchbox.
When it comes to styling wispy bangs, sometimes, a simple sea salt spray is all you need. Bumble and Bumble Surf Spray and Wella Ocean Spritz are two of Reyman’s favorites.
Wella Ocean Spritz, $19, available at Ulta.
Reyman says to use a medium-hold product to prep wispy bangs such as [Aveda] Volumizing Tonic or Confixor and a cream finish product such as Aveda Light Elements Texturing Creme or Arrojo Cream Whip.
Arrojo Cream Whip, $21, available at Arrojo.
Side-swept Bangs
Work a lightweight mousse into side-swept bangs and follow up with a blowdry for all-day pretty. Begin with damp bangs and apply Leonor Greyl mousse, which is light and airy. Afterwards, use Serge Normant Meta Lush Volumizing Spray and a comb to distribute both products evenly through the hair. Then, blowdry starting at the root, then brushing away from the face to create lift and that side-swept style.
Leonor Greyl Mousse Au Lotus Volumatrice, $46, available at Leonor Greyl.
If you’re planning on heat-styling your sideswept fringe, heed Reyman’s advice and prep with a product with a little bit of hold, like Aveda Phomolient or Unite Boosta Spray.
Unite Boosta Spray, $11.50, available at Unite.
For coarse hair, use a stronger, cream-based product, like Number 4 Blow-dry Lotion or Aveda Smooth Infusion Style Prep, as well as a hold product such as TIGI Bed Head Queen For a Day, suggests Reyman.
TIGI Bed Head Superstar Queen For A Day, $9.99, available at Ulta.
Blunt Bangs
“Blunt, thick bangs can be sometimes be more high-maintenance and have to be styled a little differently,” says Maldonado. Start by adding a quarter of a dime size of Sachajuan intensive hair oil on damp hair before blowdrying. If you’re so inclined, go the extra step and flat-iron your fringe to create more definition and shape, followed by a waxy pomade to keep everything in place. Last piece of advice? “Have a comb ready for you in your purse to use throughout the day to keep your bangs in place.”
Sachajuan Intensive Hair Oil, $50, available at Barneys New York.
“The idea of blunt and thick is looking strong, not heavily weighted, and not fluffy or puffy,” says Reyman. “Use a little hold to set, and a very light oil, so it’s not too greasy. You want to look set and not piece-y.” His recommendations? Bumble and Bumble Thickening Hairspray for hold, followed by a shine-boosting spray like Oribe’s for a super-glossy finish.
Bumble and Bumble Thickening Hairspray, $29, available at Bumble and Bumble.
A universal tip: A light hairspray to hold fringe in place can be applied upon completion. For fine hair, use a little; for coarse or thick hair, you can layer a light hold hair spray to increase the effectiveness. Try Aveda Air Control, Joico Joy Mist, or Oribe Dry Texturizing Spray.
Joico Joimist Medium Styling & Finishing Spray, $16.99, available at Loxa Beauty.
Like this post? There's more. Get tons of beauty tips, tutorials, and news on the Refinery29 Beauty Facebook page. Like us on Facebook — we'll see you there!
Like what you see? How about some more R29 goodness, right here?
This Dog Has The Best Hair On Instagram
Rainbow Bangs Are Really A Thing
The Best Products To Stop Dandruff In Its Tracks