9 Bangs Trends To Help Frame Your Face Because You’re a Work of Art
They say that bangs are like a frame for the face. And any good art curator knows that you need to consider the masterpiece when choosing the frame. You wouldn't put the Mona Lisa in an industrial-steel black frame, would you? Or surround an Ansel Adams photograph in ornate gold filigree?
From bold and blunt to soft and sexy, there’s a fringe for every aesthetic.
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They say that bangs are like a frame for the face. And any good art curator knows that you need to consider the masterpiece when choosing the frame. You wouldn't put the Mona Lisa in an industrial-steel black frame, would you? Or surround an Ansel Adams photograph in ornate gold filigree?
In 2023, bang trends are all about matching your personality and mood. If you're looking for romance this year (à la Degas and Monet), consider soft and feathery face-framing pieces. Or are you hoping to shake things up and buck tradition (like Picasso or Pollock)? Try a grungy, piece-y fringe or spiky baby bangs. Maybe you want to stand out (similar to a Rothko or Lichtenstein) with blunt, bold bangs or big, bouncy ‘70s fringe. Or perhaps you simply have an appreciation for the classics (you’re vibing with Vermeer and Rembrandt) and timeless curtain bangs.
Whatever your particular genre, start with your face shape and go from there. "Many bone structures can be complemented by bangs," says hairstylist and founder of IGK Hair Care, Aaron Grenia. "You’ll want to determine what types of fringe look best with your face shape and avoid those that won’t. For example, if you have a wider forehead, you may want to avoid full, blunt bangs." Bangs that fall below the temples on each side can make cheekbones look more chiseled, and longer, angled bangs bring focus to the eyes.
Here, we've rounded up the best bangs trends of 2023 to help frame your face and your mood.
Meet the Experts:
Nunzio Saviano is a New York City-based hairstylist and owner of Nunzio Saviano Salon.
Aaron Grenia is a hairstylist in New York City and Miami and cofounder of IGK Hair.
Frédéric Fekkai is a New York City-based hairstylist and founder of Fekkai.
Jonathan Colombini is a celebrity hairstylist and creative director of style and color at L'Oréal Paris.
René Fris is a celebrity hairstylist at Salon SCK in New York City.
Fabian Lliguin is a New York City-based hairstylist and cofounder of Rahua.
Rodger Azadganian is a Seattle-based hairstylist and founder of äz Craft Luxury Haircare.
Travis Speck is a New York City-based hairstylist at Suite Caroline Salon.
Jason Hallman is the lead stylist and educator at Ouidad Salon in New York City.
Curtain bangs
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Are you an ingénue or a femme fatale? A winter or a summer? A Carrie or a Samantha? Curtain bangs like Camila Cabello's let you have a little bit of everything. They're bangs, but they're also not quite bangs. They're layers, but they're not just layers. "This type of fringe is versatile, flattering on many face shapes, and can be styled in various lengths," says hairstylist Frédéric Fekkai. "Ask your stylist to create your fringe in an inverted ‘V’ shape to frame the face on both sides." Depending on what features you want to highlight, you can either have them cut longer to highlight the cheekbones or shorter to really frame the brow line, he adds.
Straight bangs
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"Soft, straight bangs bring instant attention to your eyes," says New York City-based hairstylist René Fris. (Admit it: You've been lost in Megan Fox's eyes this whole time, haven't you?) "Tell your hairstylist that [the bangs] should rest just beneath your eyebrows." When styling at home, keep things simple: Quickly hitting it with a round brush and a hairdryer should do the trick.
Bottleneck bangs
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No need to grade Halle Berry's bangs on a curve. (Uh, anyone?) These tried-and-true bottleneck bangs have all the expert bend and shape they need to make it to the head of the bangs class. "The top is narrow and then moves into a longer, wider ending, like a bottle, hence the name," says hairstylist Rodger Azadganian. “This type of bangs gives a ton of versatility because the outer fringe is longer and the middle can easily be swept to the sides for more of a curtain bang look.”
Blunt and Bold
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“You could go into the salon, ask for just these bangs, and your look just made a complete 180” ”
This style works especially well on thicker hair as the straight, blunt cut is made bolder by its full coverage (thinner hair types will wind up with a piecier version). Colombini recommends adding some longer, wispier pieces near the lip line to give the cut even more edge as Natasha Lyonne has here.
Baby Bangs
Kevin Mazur / Getty images
"Baby" bangs is kind of a misnomer, given how badass this cut actually is. "Punk rock don't-mess-with-me bangs" just doesn't roll off the tongue as well. Fris expects to see more of these spiky, uber-short bangs in 2023, especially paired with shags and wolf cuts like Doja Cat did here. "Ask your hairstylist for straight, textured bangs that fall about an inch-and-a-half down from your hairline," says Fris. Wear them straight or use a texturizing paste to give them a messier, tousled look.
70s Buxom Bangs
Instagram/@nunzio_nyc1
This ‘70s-inspired style on model Julia Zou is kind of like a sexy bowl cut for your bangs. The rounded, bouncy, voluptuous fringe is very Charlie's Angels and works especially well with longer hairstyles. "Seventies bangs look great on every face shape and any hair texture, regardless of the length," says New York City-based hairstylist Nunzio Saviano. “They're soft with a lot of movement.” To get that extra va-va-voom bounce, dry damp bangs using a large-barrel round brush and a volumizing product like JVN Embody Volumizing Hair Foam.
Feathery French Bangs
Instagram/@jennaortega
This feathery fringe is the bangs equivalent of wearing a silk robe. It's soft, romantic, comfortable, and, paired with a glass of champagne (you know, the real kind from the real region), it's oh-so-French. "These bangs are usually longer than regular fringes and have lots of texture," says Fabian Lliguin, hairstylist and cofounder of Rahua, adding that these bangs can easily be air-dried for an undone look.
New York City-based hairstylist Travis Speck recommends pulling the rest of the hair into a messy chignon or ponytail as Jenna Ortega has here. And when they get too long? Go with it. That's the beauty of this looser, bedhead-y fringe. "Letting bangs grow into something different is actually what makes them special," he says.
80s Grunge Bangs
Michael Bezjian/Getty Images
Speck expects to see these grungy, punk rock bangs make a comeback in 2023. It's very “I don't care about my hair, I just cut it with my kitchen shears,” and there’s something extremely, well, chic about that. Or did we just make it not chic by saying it was chic?
Speck recommends asking for your bangs to be cut with a razor in order to give them that DIY vibe. “The imperfections are what make it perfect,” he says. To get the messy separation that Rowan Blanchard has here, style them with a dab of texturizing cream like Bumble and bumble Bb Texture Hair (Un) Dressing Creme.
Curly Fringe
Instagram/@alannaarrington
Loose, sexy curls make for bombshell bangs, but they can also be a little tricky to wrangle. The advice here, says Ouidad lead stylist Jason Hallman, is to have a stylist take a look at your curl growth patterns and choose the length and shape that will cooperate naturally. (This brow-length fringe is a perfect fit for Alanna Arrington's looser curls, for example, while those with tighter coils may want a longer length). "I always tell my clients to achieve the look at home using a Wet Brush," says Hallman. Then brush the bangs from underneath while damp and shake them out to form the curls, he says.
"Raven" Black Hair Color Is Trending & It's So Goth-Chic
Some of the most stylish stars in the game are donning their own versions of the soft black hair color. Let’s have a closer look!
‘Tis the season... to go extra dark...
‘Tis the season... to go extra dark...
Originally published @Bustle |
As a beauty editor, my finger is perpetually on the pulse — so, naturally, I’ve had my eye on raven black hair for a while. Icy platinum and ’90s-era Pamcore blondes have had their moments recently, but for dark-haired girlies, ‘tis the season to go even darker. Some of the most stylish stars in the game are donning their own versions of the soft black hair color — like Kylie Jenner, Dua Lipa, Billie Eilish, and Megan Fox, to name a few. Their strands are all tinted a glossy onyx that gives the appearance of perfectly-sleek glass hair.
I’ve been a super-dark brunette my entire life (save for a brief blonde balayage phase that I’d prefer to block from my memory), so this color trend tempted me immediately. However, I was hesitant to bump up the contrast even further — I worried the ultra-dark shade would look too witchy or wig-like on me. But when my husband made me watch the 1990 classic The Hunt for Red October, Jack Ryan’s sexy black hair sealed the deal — and off to the salon I went.
“Being this strikingly dark is having a major moment right now,” Olivia Casanova told me as she tinted my hair the natural-looking shade of black. Casanova, an influencer-favorite colorist at IGK Salon in New York City, says that more of her clients have been requesting the goth-chic shade than ever before. And for good reason — my hair is way shinier than it was when I was a brunette, the raven shade is flattering against my fair skin, and it makes me feel like Cher circa 1973. So yeah, consider me a black-haired girlie from now on.
If you’re also considering dabbling in the uber-dark hair color trend, read on for everything you need to know about achieving and maintaining this utterly cool shade of black, courtesy of top colorists.
What Is Raven Black Hair?
This color trend isn’t your run-of-the-mill black — which is largely why it’s so alluring. Despite being extremely dark, I was pleasantly surprised by how natural it looked on me. The gorgeous sheen is equal parts dramatic and sophisticated. “Raven black differs from other hair colors because it’s pretty much the only ‘natural’ black shade,” says Casanova. “It’s neither an artificial blue-black nor the absolute darkest brown.”
Lorena M. Valdes, a colorist at Maxine Salon in Chicago, adds that the color features an emphasis on shine. “It’s a soft black that uses shine to create more movement rather than it being dark from roots to ends with dimension,” she says.
Raven also happens to be a cool hue, not warm, which also sets it apart from certain dark brunettes and blacks with red tones. “It’s the darkest neutral cool black,” says Jonathan Colombini, a L’Oréal Paris style and color expert. “There are a lot of other tones showing, which keeps this color very natural-looking.”
What To Know Before Dyeing Your Hair Raven
Going black is obviously a bold move, so take your natural hair color and skin tone into consideration — your colorist can help you there. “The raven trend is best for those with olive to darker skin tones,” says Casanova. “It can also suit fair-skinned individuals, as long as they have a rosy/pink undertone. That can give romantic, Snow White vibes.”
If you’re fair with yellow or green undertones, however, the hue could wash you out. In this case, Valdes recommends trying a darkest black-brown. “Most people can [go raven], unless they need more warmth and brighter colors,” she explains. “If your skin would do better with a different variation than the soft black, you can modify a dark brown by adding different underlying tones.”
If you’re looking to achieve the hair color at home, be sure you buy the right shade. Look for a natural black and avoid anything with a blue or burgundy tint. Casanova actually recommends asking your colorist for a natural black gloss or using a professional at-home color kit like IGK’s permanent 00:00 Almost Black.
From there, Colombini says to apply the color only to your roots. “After the processing time is up, comb the color down about two inches,” he said. “If you want to pull it through the ends, only leave it on for five minutes max.” This will ensure it looks as natural as possible, not flat. This is the technique Casanova used on my own strands for a flawless finish.
That being said, Casanova notes that black dye is something you should be careful of using at home. “It’s extremely hard to remove from your hair if you ever do decide to change your color.”
How To Maintain Raven Black Hair
Getty Images/Ricky Vigil M / Contributor
You’ll be happy to know that maintenance is pretty easy. “It usually doesn’t fade quickly,” says Casanova, who notes that you’ll need a touch-up every six weeks, give or take, based on your natural hair color.
To keep that color as fresh as possible, color-safe shampoos and conditioners are key. To keep this shade vibrant, I’ve relied on the Kérastase Chroma Absolu Shampoo and Conditioner for Color-Treated Hair and only wash my hair every three or four days. As a result, my color still looks super vibrant two weeks after my salon appointment.
Casanova adds that you could also wash with pigmented products meant for dark brown or black tones, such as Davines’ Alchemic Chocolate Shampoo and Conditioner. “These will add pigment to your color with each wash, helping to prevent it from fading,” she explains.
Experts Say This Is the Best Way to Try the Two-Toned Hair Trend
There are very few rules with this trend.
Jonathan Colombini says the colors can be the same tone, such as pink on pink or red on red, or they could be the complete opposite. Get the inside scoop from experts on what to ask for in the salon if you want to nail the two-toned hair trend.
Experts agree: This is the best way to approach two-toned hair.
Old trends are new again, with TikTok stars highlighting oft-forgotten fads. The most recent example is two-toned hair.
“Oh, the ’90s are back with the high contrast of two-toned colors making a very bold statement,”
”
“Hair history always repeats itself. Artists like Billie Eilish have reintroduced this typical ’90s grunge into mainstream.
Garnier’s celebrity colorist Nikki Lee, who has worked with stars like Selena Gomez and Hilary Duff, believes two-toned hair is trending because it’s something different. “It can be done more subtle like a pop of color on the underneath of your hair, or something more dramatic like a thick money piece right in front,” says Lee.
There are very few rules with this trend. Colombini says the colors can be the same tone, such as pink on pink or red on red, or they could be the complete opposite. We got the inside scoop from experts on what to ask for in the salon if you want to nail the two-toned hair trend.
Two-toned hair options
Ahead of your appointment, it’s essential to decide how you want to lay out the dual tones. You can ask for absolutely anything so do some photo research to find an example of what you want to show your colorist. “Two-toned hair can be achieved with chunky highlights or lowlights to create contrasting colors,” says Lee. “The money piece is also a trendy form of two-toned hair,” she adds. Other options include dying the underside of the hair, ombre, dyed ends, stripes and more.
When heading to the salon, be sure to have photos of what you want. Pictures of what you don’t want can also be helpful. Colombini suggests mentioning the “back-to-back foiling technique” to your stylist when looking for two-toned hair.
Color combination inspiration
The fun of this trend is that you can really make it whatever you want. However, if you need a bit of inspiration, the experts have a few thoughts. Colombini loves seeing colors of the same tone together, especially reds. He likes “something that isn’t of contrasted colors but rather tone on tone.”
Lee also suggests “keeping the colors in the same tonal family,” such as warm brown with warm blonde highlights. “If you keep the tones in the same family, you can maintain them at home” with a product like Garnier Nutrisse Color Revivers ($10).
Can We Stop Naming Hair Color Trends After Beverages?
In which we discuss the pros and cons of naming hair colors after beverages. Some find it helpful, this author finds it annoying, and all agree it’s just the beginning of the consulting dialogue.
Originally published @ InStyle |
Matcha, kombucha, cold brew, rosé — I will fully defend my millennial obsession with beverages, whether that's some fancy caffeinated drink or a $16 vodka soda. I own not one but two French presses, myself. However, as much as I love my generation's obsession with beverages, what I refuse to support is our preoccupation with naming hair colors after beverages.
In October 2017, "cream soda" a dimensional blonde shade, was named one of the hottest hair colors of fall. In September 2018, just a few short weeks ago "mauve champagne" — a blonde hue with subtle purple highlights — was introduced as the edgy blonde hair color perfect for anyone who doesn't want to let go of their past pastel life. And yes, pumpkin spice latte hair, an auburn shade that looks strikingly similar to the contents of your Starbucks cup, is actually a thing. There's also root beer hair, and the happy hour-themed mulled wine hair.
It's getting a bit ridiculous.
Why, all of a sudden, are hair color trends mimicking the aisle on the far end of the grocery store? Sure, these beverage-inspired names lend themselves well to an Instagram hashtag and caption, but what happened to just bringing a pic into the salon paired with some key descriptors, I don't know, "light blonde?"
RELATED: We Found Your New Fall Hair Color, So You're Welcome
If beverage hair colors are your vibe, don't let me get you down. Apparently, hair professionals don't mind them as annoying as I do, much to my dismay. According to L’Oréal Paris Celebrity Hair Expert Jonathan Colombini, he says they're actually pretty helpful when communicating with clients during salon appointments.
“It helps identify a specific color without looking at an image, the more general a description, the better.
We all know what color a root beer is, opposed to if I were to say dark brunette at a level 5 with red undertones.
Some might struggle with those specifics.
”
OK, fine. I guess I get it. To Colombini's point, I definitely do not know what "a level 5" means, and I'm very familiar with what colors make up a root beer float. Plus if you coin your work with a buzzy name, it sticks. Marketing 101?
Then again, waltzing into a salon and asking for cold brew can create some confusion, too. Sharon Dorram, a Master Colorist at Sharon Dorram Color at Sally Hershberger Salon, agrees that they help conjure up an image, but not every stylist even knows what "mulled wine" hair is.
"They are actually not so helpful because one can have many interpretations on a theme name," she says. "When a client comes in describing a color, I always ask for a visual so I know we are on the same page. There are many variations of a pumpkin spice latte!"
And though I'm not a fan of beverage-inspired hair colors, that doesn't mean you won't see me with cream soda hair come November — I just refuse to utter the name. Then again, I will still be searching for the hashtag. After all, a picture is worth (a thousand beverage-related) words.