The Best Bangs for Your Face

Short and choppy. Long and layered. Texturized. Side Swept. Angled. Blunt. Feathered. If our eyes are the windows of our souls, then bangs are the drapes. They showcase our eyes or even hide them altogether. They are the finishing touches of a haircut that help contour the face, show off details, and cover up flaws. Bangs, though small, can pack a mighty punch in the style department. There is a bang for just about everybody.
With so many variations on the bang theme, there are very few women who cannot successfully wear them. For example, a woman with extremely curly hair probably shouldn't wear bangs. They usually end up springing up and looking too short, or they just stick up from the shape of the curls. However, women who get perms can usually wear somewhat of a bang (if the perm isn't too curly) because the curl is directed in the right place by the hair stylist.

Also, women with unusual cowlicks, such as a widows peak, may not be able to wear bangs. Sometimes a cowlick will cause the bangs to lay funny against the forehead, stick up, or just not be manageable. In this case, it's probably better to avoid having bangs at all, but check with your stylist just in case. The right cut can go a long way towards making your bangs work for you.

Some women definitely look better with bangs. A large nose is minimized by a heavy bang, as are forehead wrinkles, birthmarks, and eyebrow tweezing mistakes. Hairlines that are low in the front, causing a shallow forehead, look better with a bang as it visually lengthens the forehead area, making for a more oval shaped face.

How do you know what bang is right for you? Essentially, ask your hair stylist as she can evaluate your hair, your hair type, your face shape, and the amount of time you want to spend styling our hair and come up with a plan -and a bang shape- that will work for you. In the meantime, here are a few suggestions to get the bang-ball rolling.

If your face is round, the best bang for you is a long, swide swept bang. A long, blunt bang will make your face look shorter and rounder. Blunt bangs also have a way of making the wearer look like a kid. If your face is more sqaurish, a nice soft bang can round out your features, toning down the harshness of your face. A long, thin face would look good with a heavy blunt bang, as it visually shortens the length of the face. An oval shaped face looks good in just about any kind of hair cut or bang.

My most favorite type of bang is Nick Arrojo's SuperModel Bang. This is a variatito on on the swide swept bang. Bangs are cut in a V shape with the point in the middle, touching the nose, and with the hair on each side of the bang shorter than in the middle. This way, the wearer can flip them to either side she chooses. The V shape removes some of the bulk from the bang, allowing it to lay very nicely.

I also like point cut bangs. This way of cutting bangs helps create a nice, soft line against the face. It also makes for a flattering look for people who's hairline make it nearly impossible to cut a straight line. Deeply point cut bangs can create a dramatic, edgy, jagged look, and straighter create a more conservative, softer look.

If you want to try a new type of bang, your best bet is to find a picture of a bang or fringe that you love, and show it to your hairdresser. She can help you pick out the absolute best bangs for you face and customize them so they suit you. Go ahead, start looking for great model pictures and don't be afraid to try something new!