Bangs Are Back!
Many of today's cutting-edge women have haircuts featuring — bangs!
They've returned, and they're this season's hottest hairstyle, inspired by celebrities on the red carpet.
On The Early Show Monday, stylist to the stars David Evangelista demonstrated how you can get the three most popular looks with bangs.
For each of them, he showed a "before" picture taken Friday at the Cornelia Day Spa just before he cut their hair. Then, Evangelista revealed their new look, explained the style he gave each model, and told how to maintain the look.
The looks are:
Evangelista says he's been giving a lot of his salon customers styles with bangs lately. Many women have even been asking for them.
And, while some women may shy away from bangs because they've had a bad experience with them in the past (think tragic, third grade haircut, or those big, teased bangs of the 80s!), this is a great time to give them a try, or revisit them. Today's styles are a lot more wearable. And bangs are an easy way to update your look.
People often wonder if bangs should be cut wet or dry. David says that everyone does it differently. He likes to cut them wet, because he can get a better grip on the hair, and stretch it out better that way. Then, once they are dry, he will tweak them, if necessary.
And, a lot of women wonder if it's OK to trim their own bangs, so they don't have to visit the salon all the time. Evangelista says, for some bangs, it's fine. And he has some advice: Pull the rest of your hair back, so you don't accidentally cut off more than you mean to. Then, to hold your bags up at a 90 degree angle and cut them. There's less of a chance you'll mess them up that way. BUT, he does NOT recommend cutting your own bangs if you have super-short ones. Otherwise, you'll end up with stubble.
If you want bangs, and have a specific look in mind, Evangelista recommends bringing in a picture of the look to show your stylist. He says it will let him know where you are mentally.
And, if you want to change up your look, or let your bangs grow out altogether, hair accessories are big this spring. We're seeing a lot of headbands and scarves, and even some clips. Simply pull your bangs back with one of them!
SOPHISTICATED
Look: Long and angled (aka side-swept)
Celebrity Inspiration: Nicole Richie, Hilary Duff
Maintenance Level: Low
Description: These angled bangs are extremely popular, and for good reason: They're extremely versatile! They can be cut blunt or textured, light or heavy, at a sharp or a soft angle, and to the right or left. And, they work well with a number of different hair textures, including curly.
Styling: These bangs are also very versatile as far as styling goes. You can diffuse them for a wavy look, blow-dry them to the side while smoothing with your hand or a brush for a side-swept look, or flat-iron them stick-straight for an edgy look. Use a Velcro-roller and a boar-bristle brush.
Product: Couture Milano Fringe Swing: For layered fringe that requires lightness and movement with light control and definition. Also contains a unique barrier complex to guard against oils and perspiration from the forehead. $16.50, salons and alfaparf.com. That product line was created specifically for bangs.
Maintenance: This type of bang is relatively easy to grow out. And it looks great long or short, so you can trim it as little, or as often as you like.
SEXY
Look: Thick and straight (think "Mod Squad")
Celebrity Inspiration: Nelly Furtado, Mena Suvari
Maintenance Level: moderate
Description: This bang is blunt, wide, and long (it should sit just below the brow). It can be cut straight across or rounded down (at the corners). This is a big, bold look, so it is not for the faint-of-heart (or for women with curly hair)!
Styling: If your hair is not already stick straight, this style requires daily straightening. So, that might mean drying them with a large, round brush (until they are completely dry) and, depending on the texture of your hair, running a flat iron over them, while curling it under slightly at the ends. Use a one-inch straight iron.
Product: Couture Milano Fringe Big Bang: For fringe loaded with volume and extraordinary shine. A smoothing effect with medium hold. Also contains a unique barrier complex to guard against oils and perspiration from the forehead. $16.50, salons and alfaparf.com.
Maintenance: This is a difficult type of bang to grow out, since it's cut so deeply into the sides of the hair, and so far back at the top. So, be sure this look is for you before you take the plunge.
SWEET
Look: Super short
Celebrity inspiration: Rosario Dawson, Alyssa Milano
Maintenance Level: high
Model: Ashley Baird (one of our Bas). She cut the bangs, some color, and a major cut (to just about chin-length).
Description: These super-short bangs really draw attention to the eyes, for a sweet, youthful look, with an edge. This fringe can be cut blunt, or it can be cut more textured and piecey.
Styling: Blow-dry wet bang, angling the air flow straight down (if all your hair is wet, dry your bangs first, so they don't get a chance to do their own thing, like form a cowlick or curl-up). Smooth the hair down with your hand or a fine-tooth comb as you are doing this. Use a comb and silicone product (drops or gel are fine).
Products (in addition to silicone): Couture Milano Fringe Spike: For spiky and defined fringe with instant and maximum separation of the strands with a new feeling of softness and brightness. Also contains a unique barrier complex to guard against oils and perspiration from the forehead. $16.50, salons and alfaparf.com.
Maintenance: This bang is very high maintenance. Of the three looks, it needs to be trimmed the most often (and this one, you shouldn't trim on your own). And, it's not great for women with curly hair.