6 things you should know before getting a fringe

When Gigi Hadid embraces a beauty trend, it seems like we all want to follow suit. 

From her perfect effortless waves to her luminous, glowing skin, there’s something about the model that sends us straight into makeover mode (though, with her sister Bella climbing up the model ranks, time will tell if we’ll start taking our beauty inspiration from the brunette Hadid sister). 

At this year’s MTV Movie Awards, which took place just a few days ago, Gigi debuted a brand-new, full-on front fringe. While there’s no official word on whether this drastic hair change is the work of a cleverly placed clip-in fringe (yep, they exist – check out the Lady Jayne Solid Fringe Hair Extension) or she actually went for the chop, the train has already been set in motion, and women around the world, of all ages, are now considering taking the plunge and cutting a fringe. 

But getting a fringe is no easy decision, so we chatted to Renya Xydis, Celebrity Stylist and Owner of Valonz, to find out exactly what you need to consider before you opt for the chop.

Your face shape

Will a blunt fringe work with your face shape? According to Xydis, “It’s really important to consider the size of your forehead and shape of your face before committing to a fringe. Fringes don’t suit everyone’s features so I would definitely talk top your stylist beforehand.” 

While you may be drooling over Gigi’s full fringe, if your face is a bit smaller, it may not do you the same justice. Our tip? Do a bit of research on your face shape (and even look to celebrities with similar features) before deciding on your fringe style (or any fringe at all!) 

Xydis suggests, “If you have a smaller face, side swept fringes tend to work better than longer faces, which can carry a longer style fringe that starts closer to the crown.”

Your hair type

Your hair – both how thick or fine it is, and how it naturally dries – can play a huge part in how your fringe will turn out. 

Xydis says, “To carry off a good fringe, you need to have reasonably thick hair. Fine hair fringes can often look quite piecey, with lots of gaps between the bangs. They also often require more styling as fine hair doesn’t hold shape or stay in place as well as a thick fringe would. Having said that, there are still a lot of women who carry off thinner fringes well, however it will definitely up the maintenance required to keep it looking well styled. 

If you have naturally curly hair that you don’t style straight and you’re gung-ho about a fringe, Xydis recommends a shorter style of fringe (it starts closer to your hairline than your crown) that is soft and has less structure, as this will be more forgiving when it comes to movement with your curls.

How the weather affects your hair

According to Xydis, “Weather is definitely something to consider... if you have hair that is easily affected, for instance, by humidity, the key will be in your prep and the products you apply before leaving the house.”

If you’re quite low-maintenance about hair prep and a more of a run-out-the-door kind of girl, then just be wary that any humidity will affect how sleek and styled your fringe will look in the day. And if your hair is naturally curly and you tend to straighten it, any moisture in the air could also set off those natural curls and waves. 

The effort needed to style

Xydis warns, “If you want something effortless with minimal maintenance, then a fringe probably isn’t for you. 

“A fringe can be a lot of maintenance, especially if your hair has a naturally wavy or curly texture. It’s important to consider your daily routine and if blow-drying your fringe every morning and scheduling more frequent trims is manageable for you. 

If you are willing to put in the effort, Xydis recommends using a round boar-bristle brush, like Moroccanoil Boar Bristle Round Brush, and blow-drying your fringe in both the left and right direction, away from your face and rolling the ends under. 

If the finish isn’t as sleek as you’d like, go over the hair with the Cloud Nine Micro Iron to eliminate frizz and stray hairs. Finish with a quick spritz of a flexible-hold hairspray, like TONI&GUY Hair Care Flexible Hold Hairspray.

The upkeep 

While you can schedule your regular haircut appointment every six to eight weeks, your new fringe will need a bit more attention. 

Xydis says, “Depending on how fast your hair grows, I would recommend trimming it every three weeks. This will keep the shape well defined and the fringe line looking neat, also making it easier to style.” 

While you may not have expected that level of upkeep, Xydis believes that it shouldn’t necessarily be your biggest deterrent, saying, “Even though every three weeks can seem like a big commitment, your fringe is one of the first thing people see so it’s worth keeping up the maintenance to make sure its face-framing shape is working in your favour!”

Dealing with growing it out

One day – whether it’s in a week, a month, or a year – you’ll want to grow out your fringe. And while waiting for that hair to outgrow the awkward phase can be a little painful, Xydis has some tips on how to grow out your fringe. 

“Try parting your hair to the side. As your fringe grows out and becomes a little longer, it will make it easier to blend your bangs into the rest of your hair, especially when your fringe reaches that awkward, in-between length. 

“If you’re struggling with having hair parted to the side and are not sure how to style the in-between phase, don’t be afraid to play around with hair pins, braids and product!”

Main image credit: Getty