Fringes are trending—here's how to tell which style will work for you

A fringe is a classic way to update your look, giving instant oomph to your hairstyle and making bad hair days a thing of the past, and during lockdown, they’ve become more popular than ever. There’s a multitude of styles to choose from, and fringes can be incredibly versatile, allowing you to mix up your look whenever it suits. If you’re considering snipping in a fringe, ponder no more, and read our guide to the fringe benefits…

MAINTENANCE

Hair grows between two and three centimetres a month, so bear this in mind when having a fringe cut in or when doing it yourself at home. Realistically, your fringe will need a little trim every fortnight to keep it looking fresh and precise, so you need to be prepared for the upkeep.

Set your alarm five minutes early, as bedhead bangs are a no-go. Fringes naturally draw attention to the face, so don’t let them go untamed; simply mist the fringe and blow-dry each morning to keep your hair looking fresh and chic, even if just for your daily Zoom call.

FACE SHAPES

A fringe can help balance out certain areas of the face, and draw attention to and away from certain features, so think about what you need from your fringe and how it works with your proportions.

When you’re considering your fringe, it’s also important to think about your hair type, the position of your eyebrows, your eye shape and also your overall hairstyle. You need to be realistic about what you can achieve; for instance, fine hair will never be able to create a thick, full fringe, while coarse or curly hair will struggle to look flirty and flyaway in a light, swept-to-the-side style.

Square
Opt for long bangs that are slightly tapered on the sides, as they can add a softness to the face. Ask your stylist to bring some weight to the sides, and cut the hair just below the brows, feathered slightly in the centre.

Heart shape
Try a side fringe, to balance the face and draw attention to the eyes and mouth. Have it gently layered, with the longest layer at the cheekbone and the shortest at the arch of the brow.

Round
If you have a rounder face shape, you might have thought that a fringe wouldn’t be for you. But actually, a rounder fringe can add some contour and shape to the face. You might need to be braver when it comes to the cut, and opt for a more angular fringe than you first thought; a rounder face can appear elongated if you cut in a choppy fringe which ends about three cm above the brow, which diffuses the roundness.

Long
Go for a long, side-swept fringe, tapered to one side and ending at the cheekbones to add width.

Oval
You lucky things – all fringes look great on an oval face, so have fun!

HAIR TYPE

How your hair sits, behaves and grows will all impact your fringe, so it’s essential to think about what can be achieved with the hair that you have.

Fine
A fringe can make fine hair look instantly thicker, simply because shorter sections look fuller. But be careful not to go for too heavy a fringe, as you’ll be left with a thinner effect on the rest of your ‘do. Try a side-swept, flirtatious fringe and style it with a root-lifting spray to add oomph and create movement.

Curly
A curly fringe looks fresh and fabulous. Don’t be tempted to straighten your fringe, simply smooth out with a round brush and a styling cream to loosen the curl without shaking it out altogether.

Thick
Go for a heavyweight, blunt fringe that looks retro and gorgeous, to make the most of your natural volume.

Products

A fringe will inevitably be subjected to lots of blow-drying and styling, which can affect the condition of your hair. To maintain your fringe and stop it looking too raggedy, use a nourishing oil regularly, and also use a heat protection spray whenever you’re styling to shield the strands; spray it directly on the brush, not the hair, then brush through and blow-dry as normal.