These Styles Prove There's a Fringe for Every Hair Type (2024)

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Elinor Block

Elinor Block is an associate editor for Who What Wear UK with over 9 years of experience in media. She currently lives in London, England.

Byrdie's Editorial Guidelines

Updated on 09/23/22 05:48PM

Reviewed by

Sky Kim

Reviewed bySky Kim

Sky Kim is a hairstylist with over a decade of experience. She currently works at Serge Normant at John Frieda in New York City.

Hairstylist

These Styles Prove There's a Fringe for Every Hair Type (3)

Fringe can work to better frame your features, offer a more directional look, and immediately change the whole dimension of your face—all without you having to drastically cut off all your hair. And in case you’re thinking that a fringe is only reserved for those who have long, straight hair, think again. There are plenty of styles that prove bangs are suitable for any hair type, texture, and even face shape. From super-short bangs that really make a statement to a long grown-out fringe that A-list hairstylist George Northwood calls a "gringe," we've rounded up our favorite fringe styles that will instantly freshen up your look with the help of tips from experts.

Meet the Expert

George Northwood is a celebrity stylist based in London. His clients include Alexa Chung, Rosie Huntington-Whiteley,and Meghan Markle, among others.
Luke Hersheson is CEO of London salon Hershesons. Sienna Miller, Keira Knightley, and Emma Watson are some of his most well-known clients.
Gretchen Friese is BosleyMD's trichologist and stylist. She is also salon director at Foushee SalonSpa in Denver.

Keep scrolling for our gallery featuring 23 fringe styles to bring to your hairdresser.

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Blunt

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There's something very Margot Tenenbaum about Bella Hadid's sleek curled-under bob and slightly split fringe. All she needs now is a hair slide or two. To get the look, "using a blow dryer and a flat or paddle brush, smooth and straighten the fringe," says Friese. "Separate pieces with a little pomade or finishing spray."

Byrdie Tip

To keep a blunt fringe from appearing too harsh, straighten it with a flat iron by slightly dragging its edges to the side. This will give your fringe movement and softness—plus, set it straight.

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Natural

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A fringe totally suits natural hair—like the one seen here on Logan Browning, with piece-y tendrils that frame the face beautifully. Textured coils look great loosely pulled down over the forehead, and can give hair extra height.

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Micro

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This teeny-tiny choppy fringe gives Emma Watson's look a little more edge. Sure, it's a bit polarizing, but then again, what great hair trend isn't? And while we're on the subject—short, choppy, micro fringes look especially great with short hair.

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Arched

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Zendaya gives her ponytail some pep with arched bangs. Although this fringe more or less falls straight across the forehead, it's left longer on the sides to form an arch that frames the face. Those with square-shaped faces will find it especially flattering if they are looking to soften their angles.

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"Post-Workout"

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You know the way hair goes after you've done a little light exercise? A little ruffled and a little sticky, but in a totally good way. Well, Friese tells us that you needn't wear the Lycra to achieve it: Simply apply "a little pomade or finishing spray on dry bangs [to] create this separation and frame the face."

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Side-Swept

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When Karlie Kloss first wore this side-swept fringe, it looked totally fresh thanks to the chic lob she had cut in at the same time. Speaking about the side-swept fringe, Hershesonsays that this is the easiest of all: "It's the perfect first step if you're unsure about making the chop."

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"Peek-a-Boo"

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To keep a thick fringe from feeling too heavy across your forehead, take a page out of Jameela Jamil's hair book and create a barely-there part in the middle. To get her glossy finish, we encourage applying a small amount of shine-inducing product throughout tresses, like COLOR WOW Extra Mist-ical Shine Spray ($29).

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Curly

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Perhaps one of the more modern and exciting fringe styles is a curly one, since it's proof that you don't have to do have straight hair to look incredible. "A curl defining product along with a little styling oil and a diffuser is all one needs to create this look," comments Friese. "[It] can work with any face shape, especially oval, diamond, and triangle."

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Cascading

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Mary J. Blige's cascading tendril is the star of her updo. With nothing more than a simple hair flip, curling wand, and root-lifting product like Living Proof Full Root Lift ($29), you too can create a fringe on demand.

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Bedhead

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The messy hair with a deep fringe is ideal for those who want to achieve that bedhead look, and a shaggy fringe over the eyes just so happens to be one of our favorite looks. Northwood recommends getting it to soften the face. Those with a more angular face shape (think: square and diamond) would make great candidates.

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"Faux Fringe"

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Not ready to go for the chop? Simply fake a fringe by pulling the front section of your hair over your forehead and tucking behind the ear, à la Tyra Banks. It's not cheating, it's called being resourceful.

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'90s-Inspired

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A real statement, the blunt fringe is one of our favorite looks. And if you dare go a little shorter, you'll achieve a beloved '90s trend thatis now making a comeback: blunt baby bangs. Just keep in mind that these require regular upkeep (read: trims every couple of weeks).

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Overgrown

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Northwoodadvises findingthe right fringe for your face shape, noting that those with soft features will generally find all fringe types to suit them.Still, no matter your face shape, the ideal fringe will create facial symmetry or "open up the face," says Friese.

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Long and Wispy

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Rashida Jones just might be the poster-girl of bangs. This long and wispy style is great for those with heart-shaped faces looking to bring balance to the widest part of the face (the forehead). Since bangs can get greasy as the day drags on, keep a dry shampoo like Living Proof Perfect hair Day (PhD) ($26) handy to refresh them as needed.

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Emo

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While we might all be past our "emo" phases, this dark side-swept fringe still looks pretty cool. Also worth mentioning is that this is perhaps one of the easiest and most versatile styles to grow out without looking awkward.

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Curtain

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Sure she's a pop diva—among other things—but when it comes to hair care, more specifically, a fringe, J.Lo is all about being low-maintenance. Curtain bangs contribute to a laidback vibe and can easily be styled and blended into face-framing layers.

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Triangular

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This sort of fringe was standard issue for any straight-haired school girls. Its triangular shape and the way it's brought forward from the center of the scalp gives it weight. However, it's worth noting that this fringe works best on those who have enough hair to sacrifice from the main body.

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Choppy

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Jennifer Hudson has had a lot of standout short hair moments, and this one is no exception. By incorporating a choppy fringe, she makes this otherwise classic pixie feel more modern. The varied lengths and angles also serve to flatter softer face shapes, like round and oblong.

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Long and Curly

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If you think curly hair doesn't suit a fringe, think again. Curly-haired people can flaunt a fringe with style and ease; it's just a matter of choosing the right cut and products. We're fans of Drunk Elephant Wild Marula Tangle Spray ($25) and Moroccanoil Curl Control Mousse ($28).

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Classic

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This is the classic fringe look that can be achieved if you have long, straight hair. And if you don't? Simply investing in a decent flat ironwill sort that out. Before styling, we recommend applying some Living Proof Restore Repair Leave-In ($30) to keep hair healthy and free from damage.

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"Wet" and Textured

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This wet-look style will make you rethink your gel phobia. Short at the front but choppy all over, it highlights texture to give off a fun and edgy vibe. A gel-cream combo can help you to achieve this trending style.

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Grown-Out

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Have a fringe and want to grow it out? Push it to the side, and then tie up your hair in a low pony.It's a fast, easy, and stylish option when you want to change up your look without the effort or commitment.

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Platinum Punk

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When it comes to head-turning hair inspo, Rita Ora never disappoints. This platinum bob number combines blunt bangs with a sprinkle of longer strands that give it a feminine punk flair. We can't be sure if we've ever seen anything like it—but we mean that in the best way possible.

FAQ

How often do bangs need to be trimmed?

Most bangs will need a trim every few weeks (unless they're longer, fringier bangs, in which case a little length is just fine). Be sure to ask your stylist if they offer bang-trims as a complimentary service, as many do.
Can you blow-dry bangs or should you air-dry them?

You can do either. If blow-drying, try a round-brush to add volume and if air-drying, try tying a scarf or a headband over the bangs so they dry downward, rather than in different directions
How often should bangs be washed to ensure they don't get greasy?

If your hair is perpetually greasy, you should probably wash it daily. Otherwise, go 3-5 days between washes, using a little dry shampoo if the bangs start to show oil around the roots.

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