Fringes have come a long way since those squiggly, brow-skimming haircuts our mums gave us with the kitchen scissors. These days every celebrity worth their salt has experimented with a long hair with a fringe, whether it is 70s style curtain bangs, Noughties bangs, the micro fringe or choppy fringe. And that includes those with long hair, where fringes are more versatile than a standard-issue blunt and straight-across job.
Chopping in some achingly cool bangs is undoubtedly one of the easiest ways to elevate long hair. It also scratches that itch for change without making you feel like you're back-peddling to a shorter haircut. "With long hair, fringes can really liven up a hairstyle and highlight facial features," says Stephen Buller, co-founder of Buller and Rice.
When it comes to style, you're seriously spoilt for choice, meaning it's really dealer's choice when it comes to deciding on the type of fringe you want for longer locks. But what each cut has in common is face-framing pieces that either draw attention to the eyes or softly contour the cheekbones or jawline.
What bangs look best with long hair?
Ah, the million dollar question. The easy answer: it depends who you ask. “70s curtain bangs as seen on Sienna Miller and Alexa Chung are popular as they're not heavy fringes, they suit pretty much everyone, are easy to grow out and very low-maintenance,” says Luke Hersheson, top hairstylist and CEO of Hershesons.
While Stephen believes the best type of fringes are those that "offer versatility," as "they are often easiest to style at home." For example, he's a big fan of Billie Eilish's blonde bangs: “Eilish has a soft, sexy, layered haircut, with face-framing layers that seamlessly connect into the fringe,” he says. "A fringe that has a softer edge, allows you to move it around or even get caught in the wind, without it looking ruined," he notes.
Both Stephen and Luke have also noticed an uptick in requests for ‘shag bangs’, which Luke says are especially flattering for curly hair. “Shag bangs are a bit more rock and roll than curtain bangs and more layered at the sides,” explains Luke. “These layers give you volume, which looks especially subtle and flattering on curly hair.”
Stephen also advises those with curly hair to choose a fringe that sits somewhere between a shag and wolf bangs. The style is defined by "longer hair, styled with shorter, shattered layering that flows from the fringe," he says, and is "best worn with natural, wavy textures, that could be enhanced with a curling wand, for extra definition."
Chin bangs are also a stand-out fringe cut right now and serve up the perfect Goldilocks sweet spot of framing the face with soft Bardot-like tendrils and ensuring you don't lose too much length.
Not to be confused with curtain bangs (too shaggy), chin bangs have a grown-out vibe. But, as the name implies, the entire length of the fringe cascades down to the chin rather than falling in layers.
Here are out favourite long hair with fringe ideas to give you the ultimate hit of inspiration...
The cheekbone-grazing fringe for long hair
The invisible layered fringe for long hair
The retro fringe for long hair
The wispy fringe for long hair
The balayage fringe for long hair
The winged fringe for long hair
“The Pamela” fringe for long hair
The shaggy fringe for long hair
The razored fringe for long hair
Bottleneck bangs for long hair
The grown-out fringe for long hair
The feathered split fringe for long hair
The 70s fringe for long hair
The low bun and fringe for long hair
The beach waved fringe for long hair
The textured fringe for long hair
The micro fringe for long hair
The mussed-up fringe for long hair
The fringe for long hair with updo
The choppy fringe for long hair
The super blunt fringe for long hair
The straight 'n' sleek fringe for long hair
The lash-skimming fringe for long hair
The half up, half down fringe for long hair
The mullet-style fringe for long hair
The middle parting fringe for long hair
The full and straight fringe for long hair
The light face-framing fringe for long hair
The side-swept fringe for long hair
The full and heavy fringe for long hair
The fringe for long hair with plaits
The sleek fringe for long hair
The French Girl fringe for long hair
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