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HAIR STYLING

Should I Get Bangs? 5 Things to Consider Beforehand

Updated On 06/08/2023
We’ve all been there—staring at ourselves in the mirror and fussing with our hair before ultimately wondering 'should I get a fringe?' We take section after section of our strands and drape them across our foreheads pretending to have flawless blunt bangs or chic wispy fringe. Before you make the leap, we suggest turning to the person who knows your hair best—your stylist. As any stylist will tell you, the type of bang hairstyle you should get really depends on your face shape and everyday routine alongside other factors. From how much you exercise to how much time you can dedicate to styling, we've collated advice from our Redken experts to give you 5 top things to consider before getting bangs. 
 

The Maintenance Factor

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Redken muse and model, Soo Joo Park models shiny platinum blonde hair and side swept bangs.

An area that many tend to overlook when opting for the chop is bangs maintenance. Redken Education Artist Director and hairstyling master Sam Villa points out the importance of considering how much time you'll be willing to invest in your new hair. Whether your blunt bangs aren’t looking so blunt or your side bangs seem to have a mind of their own, daily styling and regular trims are often needed for the hairstyle. Next time you chat with your stylist, see what type of styling products and trim schedule will realistically be needed for your bangs maintenance.

The Texture Factor

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Redken muse and model, Chloe Norgaard shows off her vivid haircolor by City Beats.
As much as we might love the look of a light, wispy fringe we spied on that social media influencer, sometimes our own natural hair texture means that bangs end up looking like a small echidna sticking out of our forehead, rather than an effortless face framing enhancement. In terms of the shape you'll opt for, your natural hair type is an important thing to consider before getting bangs. Those with curly hair might want to steer clear of razor-cut bangs for example, as this can cause the hair to look frizzy. Not all hair textures pair perfectly with every bang style, so be sure to chat with your stylist to see what options would work best for you.

The Individuality Factor

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Redken muse, Jetta shows off her curly hair and textured bangs.
Everyone's hair and head shape is unique. Features like widow’s peaks, dramatic cowlicks and forehead shapes determine how a fringe shapes will fall. For instance, if someone has a cowlick right at their hairline, side bangs may not want to behave and swoop to your desired side. Don’t be deterred—work with your stylist to decide what other shapes will work with your unique set of strands and the bangs maintenance needed to keep the look you want.

The Lifestyle Factor

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Model with bright blonde hair and blunt bangs
For Redken Artist Sarah Bramham, one of the biggest factors for helping a client decide on a bang type is their lifestyle. “I love to explain how a certain shape fringe will complement them, but mostly a client’s lifestyle will be my determining factor. For example, if she works out a lot and can’t stand hair in her face, a fringe may not be for her.” Gym junkies may prefer to keep hair out of their face altogether with our quick and easy hairstyles for working out. Sweat and oil production is also increased for the exercise inclined, in which case a dry shampoo product will become your new best friend. If you live in a climate that's prone to humidity, then very layered fringes may also not be the most manageable. 

Your unique lifestyle has many smaller subcategories, so it’s best to chat with your stylist to see what will work best for you.

The Photo Factor

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Bangs are the perfect addition to your next selfie.
To assist your stylist in helping you answer the question 'Should I get a fringe?', ensure you bring along photos of what you do and don’t want to your appointment. Not feeling the big, poufy bangs of the ‘80s? Show that to your stylist. Don’t want to look like your old Facebook photos from that experimental high school phase of your life either? Show them that too. By having a clear idea of what type of bangs you’re looking for, your stylist can help tailor that particular style to you.
Now that you're armed with our list of 5 things to consider before getting bangs, find your nearest Redken salon for a consultation with our hair experts today. For more inspiration, take a look at our other hair styling articles, or explore our range of hair styling products to help manage your new fringe.