How to Tell if Your Face Is Well Suited to Bangs: 11 Steps (2024)

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1Choosing Bangs by Your Face Shape

2Weighing Your Options

3Testing Out Styles

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Co-authored byGina Almonaand Amber Crain

Last Updated: December 6, 2023References

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Whether they’re blunt, soft, side-swept, or straight across, bangs can be flattering and beautiful. For every set of bangs that you’ve admired, you’ve probably also asked yourself, “Could I pull those off?” After all, once you chop your hair, you’re committed for a while. Luckily, you don’t need to take the leap blindly. There are a few tips and tricks to determine if your face is well suited to bangs.

Part 1

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Choosing Bangs by Your Face Shape

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  1. 1

    Go for side-swept bangs if you have a round face. These bangs are styled like the name would imply – they flow over the forehead to one side of your face. The best types of side-swept bangs for round faces are thick and full, rather than thin and wispy. These will add a bit of shape and dimension to a round face. Figure out which side of your face you would like your bangs to go and try it out.[1]

    • To find out if you have a round face, measure across your upper cheeks (from the outer corner of each eye) and your face length (from your hair to your chin).
    • If these two measurements are pretty equal and you don’t have a sharp jawline, your face is round.[2]
  2. 2

    Try wispy crescent bangs if you have a heart-shaped face. Heart-shaped faces are wider at the top and become narrower and pointed at the bottom, just like a heart. Bangs that are a bit wispier will soften this face shape.[3] Bangs that are a bit longer on the sides will also help to soften up the more sharper chin.[4]

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  3. 3

    Opt for slightly shorter, softer bangs if you have a square face. Square faces are a bit more angular than others, so the key is getting bangs that will soften everything up. Bangs that softly split down the middle work really well for square faces because their slanted “A” shape breaks up the sharper lines of the face.[5] As for length, ask for bangs that hit your eyebrows and no longer.[6]

  4. 4

    Go for bold, blunt bangs if you have an oval face. Oval faces are pretty easy to work with, because it’s the face shape most people actually desire and can basically work with any kind of bangs. That being said, blunt, straight-across bangs can particularly flatter oval faces. Because your face is longer, the blunt bangs don’t overwhelm your entire face, but really, pretty much any style of bangs should look flattering on you.[7]

  5. 5

    Examine the size of your forehead. The shape of your face is the biggest thing to consider when you’re toying with the idea of bangs, but the size of your forehead should also come into consideration. If you have a small forehead, side-swept bangs can make it look a bit bigger and more proportionate.[8] If you have an elongated forehead, parted, wispy bangs can disguise a bit of the length while softening the shape.[9]

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Part 2

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Weighing Your Options

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  1. 1

    Look online or in magazines for “bang inspiration.” The best way to figure out what sort of bangs you like is to find pictures of people who already have them. It’s particularly helpful if you can find pictures of people with similar face shapes and hair types! Save a few photos on your phone or bring them with you so you can make sure the hairstylist knows what you are looking for.

    • Instagram and pinterest are both great sources for ideas.
  2. 2

    Talk to a hairstylist. If you’re unsure if your face is well suited for bangs, the best thing you can do is talk to a professional. Hairstylists want you to be happy with their service, so they will offer you good advice about what to do. They have experience cutting and styling all types of hair, so they will be able to answer your questions and help you figure out what type of bangs will work best.

  3. 3

    Consider the upkeep of bangs. For bangs to look their best, they will likely need to be styled. After all, they are front and center when you’re speaking to people, so you want them to look polished. If you’re a fan of rolling out of bed every morning and barely touching your hair, they might not be the best option for you. Additionally, you’ll need to make time to get regular trims.

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Part 3

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Testing Out Styles

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  1. 1

    Experiment with looks using a hair app. There are many hair apps available that allow you to upload your own image and then edit different hairstyles, hair colors and/or bangs on to it. These apps can give you a very good idea of what bangs will look like on you. You can experiment with different types of bangs until you find something that best complements your specific features.[10]

  2. 2

    Try clip-in bangs. You can buy these either at a beauty supply store or online and they come in a wide variety of shades and styles. Pick up the clip-in bangs style you're considering, then part your hair down the middle, slide the piece in and secure it with the three clips.[11]

    • This is a great way to experiment with many styles without actually getting a cut, so wear the piece around a few days and see how you feel about it.
  3. 3

    Use bobby pins to "create" bangs. If you have a particular style of bangs in mind, use bobby pins to arrange your hair into that fringe, then pin the fringe in place. For example, if you want side-swept bangs, pin your hair back so that it looks like you have them, then check out how it looks on you.

    • First, section your hair and form it to the length you want your bangs to be. Style it to the best of your ability and then bobby pin it in place.
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      Tips

      • If you get bangs but don't think they suit your face, you can find ways to hide them, regardless of whether they're short or long.

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      About This Article

      How to Tell if Your Face Is Well Suited to Bangs: 11 Steps (31)

      Co-authored by:

      Gina Almona

      Professional Hair Stylist

      This article was co-authored by Gina Almona and by wikiHow staff writer, Amber Crain. Gina Almona is the Owner of Blo It Out, a New York City-based hair salon. With over 20 years of beauty training experience, Gina's work has been featured in People Magazine, Time Out New York, and Queens Scene. She has been able to keep a fresh perspective in the industry by demonstrating and participating in trade shows and workshops like the International Beauty Show. She received her cosmetology training from the Long Island Beauty School, Astoria. This article has been viewed 54,894 times.

      2 votes - 80%

      Co-authors: 6

      Updated: December 6, 2023

      Views:54,894

      Categories: Body Type and Fashion | Hair Bangs (Fringes)

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      Thanks to all authors for creating a page that has been read 54,894 times.

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      How to Tell if Your Face Is Well Suited to Bangs: 11 Steps (2024)

      FAQs

      How do I tell if I would look good with bangs? ›

      Square or heart-shaped faces look best with wispier, feathered fringe to add softness. Oblong face shapes are a perfect match for blunt-cut bangs. Round faces can get added dimension from side-swept or curtain bangs. Oval-shaped faces can pull off just about any type of bang.

      Which face shape doesn t suit bangs? ›

      If You Have a Round Face: Round faces are identifiable by full, wide cheeks. For these face shapes, straight bangs are a big no-no, as they accentuate your face's fullness.

      How do you know if your face will suit a fringe? ›

      Truly knowing your face shape is essential in selecting the right fringe for you. Those with a heart shape face will suit layered full fringes. These type of fringes really suit textured shaggy mid-length styles. Square face shapes can be softened by long layered fringes, which look great worn in messy up do's.

      What are waterfall bangs? ›

      What Are Waterfall Bangs? “Waterfall bangs are in between a curtain bang and a straight across bang,” explains Jenna Spino, a hairstylist at Maxine Salon. “The bang has various lengths, the longest hitting around the cheekbone, blending right into the sides of your hair.”

      How do I find out my face shape? ›

      How to Find Your Face Shape. You can determine your face shape by measuring the widest parts of your face. If the widest part of your face is your cheekbones, you might have an oval or diamond face shape. If it's your forehead or chin, you might have a heart-shaped or triangle face shape.

      Should I get bangs if I have chubby cheeks? ›

      Wispy bangs are an excellent option for anyone with a round face looking to experiment with a straight-across style, as they're easy to manage and don't add much weight to your look. The piecey look, as shown by Olivia Munn, is traditionally cut with a razor and will grow out seamlessly.

      What bangs are in style in 2024? ›

      Curtain bangs continue their trend cycle domination; we named them as one of the biggest hair trends for 2024, and Carpenter's fringe is the perfect example, especially when paired with her enviable blowout.

      How do I know what hairstyle suits my face? ›

      This can be done very simply ; firstly tie all your hair away, stand in front of a mirror. Draw the circumfrance of your face shape on the mirror with a lipstick or marker pen. Walk away and you will see your face shape . Your hairdresser will also be able to advise you.

      Is my face too round for bangs? ›

      While most bangs work for round faces, one style to avoid is a sharp, straight fringe. “Short blunt bangs are in most cases a big no, as they create a horizontal line which will cut the face shorter giving a wider look,” says Antiga.

      What is a peekaboo fringe? ›

      One of the most popular styles of the moment is peekaboo bangs. It's a textured take on blunt bangs, which fall across the forehead but—thanks to the choppy and layered style—allow some of the forehead to show through.

      How do I know if I would look good with bangs? ›

      Time to chop-chop!
      • If Your Face Is Heart-Shaped: Wispy Bangs with Long Hair. ...
      • If Your Face Is Round-Shaped: Thick, Side Swept Bangs. ...
      • If Your Face Is Long-Shaped: Straight-Across Heavy Bangs. ...
      • If Your Face Is Oval-Shaped: Anything, Really! ...
      • If Your Face Is Square-Shaped: Brow-Grazing Fringe Bangs.

      What is the four finger rule for bangs? ›

      Comb your hair backwards to reveal the entire shape of your face. Let's begin with a forehead – check whether your four fingers, put horizontally, fit between the brow line and the hairline. If they fit perfectly and cover the entire forehead, you don't really need bangs, since the proportions are close to ideal.

      What is the 4 finger rule forehead? ›

      Try this: Place four fingers horizontally against your forehead. If the forehead takes up more space than the four fingers, then it may be broad to the point where it doesn't match with your other features. Not many people are aware that plastic surgery can reduce a large forehead for both men and women.

      How do you know if your hair is good for bangs? ›

      Assess your hair density. Hair density plays a huge part in shaping bangs as well. Per Tyson, the length of the bangs could be just right if you have lighter hair density, but if you have thick hair, you may unintentionally end up looking like Betty Page. When in doubt, ask your stylist!

      Is there a filter that gives you bangs? ›

      Easy-to-use Bangs Filter

      Simply upload a selfie or portrait, provide a description of your desired bang style, and let Fotor apply a realistic bang to your image. Weather you prefer curtain bangs or wispy bangs, Fotor has you covered.

      What face shape is good for see through bangs? ›

      Wispy bangs help frame your face, specifically see-through bangs for oval face shapes. Layered hair helps keep the weight off while maintaining the overall length.

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