What you need to think about before getting a fringe

So you’re thinking about getting a fringe? Good choice: It’s a great way to update your look without losing your hair length – but there’s a few things to consider before making the plunge. Here’s what you need to know about fringes to help you make the right decision.

Before

Meet: Sit down with your hairstylist and talk about your hair type and face shape.

Discuss: “Consider the time of year –
in summer, a fringe can create a heat furnace on your forehead – and lifestyle; if you’re a gym-goer, having sweaty bangs may not work,” explains Laura Spinney, Styling Director and Cutting Educator at Sydney’s Acadèmie Salon.

After

Use: A round brush (smaller if you want a bend; larger if you want a straighter finish) plus a blow-dryer with a nozzle. “This allows you to directionally dry your hair with cool and warm temperatures and really stretch out that hairline as soon as it has been washed,” explains Spinney. Try Moroccanoil Ceramic Round Brush, and if you want to skip the hairdryer and try a straightener, invest in a mini one that is easier to manoeuvre, like ghd V Gold Mini Styler.

Technique: “Depending on the thickness of your hair, dividing your bangs into two or three sections gives you an even stretch and reduces the chance of kinks at the roots,” says Spinney. “Don’t give up after the first go – you can always wet it down and start again.”

Good to know

Maintenance: Fringes require trimming every two to three weeks, and no stylist has ever recommended clipping your own. “When you’re standing close to the mirror and your fringe starts to get shorter and shorter, it’s a problem,” warns Spinney. “Get your stylist to do it – it’s free!”

Wandering if you can get a fringe if you have a cowlick? Absolutely. To tame the cowlick, point the hairdryer downward “and use a comb to move the fringe back and forth, from left to right to middle, to soften the cowlick”, says Spinney. Start with cool air so you can get really close, then switch to high heat.

What you need

Dry shampoo to add texture and spot-clean. “It’s not a cleansing substitute, but you can delay shampooing by two days – any more and you will start getting build-up,” warns Spinney. (You can always wash your fringe and tie the rest back for one more day.) We love L’Oréal Paris Elvive Extraordinary Clay Dry Shampoo.

Not sure what kind of fringe to get? These are the best bang styles for your face shape.

For more hair tips from marie claire, check out marieclaire.com.au

Do you have a fringe? Any regrets or do you love yours? Share your experiences with us in the comments section below.

Main image credit: @januaryjones