How to Grow Out Your Bangs

Whether or not to have bangs is a question women struggle with at various times in their lives. If you want a hairdo makeover, adding or subtracting bangs is an ideal way to get a new look. Bangs can also hide facial flaws, aging spots and forehead wrinkles. But while bangs may be ideal for one facial shape, they can detract from another.

What Shape is Your Face?

Determine your face shape. Is your face round, oval, rectangular or oblong? If you're not sure, you can always ask someone or outline your face with lipstick on a mirror. On the other hand, there's a scientific way to find out by asking yourself a few simple questions by measuring your face. For example, if your face is as wide as it is long, you have a square face.

Face Shapes and Bangs

Oval - Lucky you! With an oval-shaped face just about any hairstyle looks good.
Square - Tapered bangs or those that gently curve, softening a square-faced shape.

Heart-shaped - Blunt bangs, as well as full bangs, swept to the side, (textured or feathered) go with a heart-shaped face.

Rectangular - You don't want blunt bangs, as this emphases the flatness of your face. Instead, aim for tapered bangs.

Round - Long softly layered or feathered bangs complement a round face. Blunt bangs don't work.
Long shaped - To give a more oval-shaped appearance, have blunt bangs, draping gently over the forehead.

Inverted triangular shape - Wider, feathered bangs help diminish the triangular look, giving a face a more oval shape. Blunt bangs also work well with this shape.

Hair Texture

Hair texture also plays a factor on how bangs are styled.

Straight hair - If you have straight hair, blunt bangs work well.
Wavy or curly hair - On the other hand, bangs don't agree with wavy or curly hair. These textures go better with layered or feathered bangs. Side-swept bangs also agree with wavy hair, such as worn by Oscar and Golden Globe winter Geena Davis.

Thick hair - For thick hair, it's best to have your bangs layered, regularly, to get rid of the heaviness.

Thin hair - Bangs can give volume to thin hair. If you also have a round-shaped head, bangs look good, swept to the side.

Growing Out Bangs

On the other hand, you may have sported a hairstyle with bangs for years and are tempted to try a new look, letting your bangs grow out. Before deciding, experiment with your hair.

Part your hair - Using a middle part, you could clip hair back on both sides. On the other hand, try a side part and clip your hair to one side.

Pulling bangs back - Take your bangs and pull them back with a barrette or headband. After walking around with this new look, determine if it feels right or if you get compliments from your makeover. If so, then perhaps it's worth growing out your bangs. However, older women don't look as good with pulled back bangs as this can reveal wrinkles and other aging flaws.

Use hair accessories - For example, use headbands with teeth, allowing you to control rebellious strands. Or, try baby barrettes clipping strands up from your forehead. You can also use gels and hair spray to control wild strands.

Finally, use online makeover sites to help make a decision. By going to sites such as Lifetime.com, you can choose a total beauty makeover without doing anything to your hair.

Originally published on Suite 101.