to bang or not to bang

Fashion Tip Friday presents...

Bang into Fall.

When you picture bangs, put those thoughts of your 4th grade nightmare Mom-cut one-inchers into the "trash" receptacle in your brain. {whew! breathe.} There are SO many variations of bangs, so keep an open mind.

Now that we've determined that we're all cutting bangs, I need to tell you what kind suits that money maker of yours. Seeing as it is VERY individual I can try and give general guidelines according to face shape.

I need you to keep in mind a couple of things. First, the object of bangs is to flatter/frame your face. The most important thing to remember: Is that if they are done properly, they should make your forehead, cheek area, and chin appear proportional.

Objectives for face shape:

Oval:

thank your lucky stars, you can wear any hairstyle/bang unless there are special circumstances. ie Receding hairline, length/shape of nose, glasses...

Round: You'll want volume on top with closeness at the sides of the head. Try for some long side-swept bangs to create an angular illusion. You will instantly benefit from angled bangs which would help to add new angles and soften too-wide cheeks.

Square:

Soft bangs are a good option with volume around the temples and jaw. Square faces might also benefit from angled bangs which would help to slim too-wide cheeks and jaw lines.

Triangle:

Create width at the forehead area. Volume at the temples with some soft fringe. Heavy bangs are probably NOT a good idea.

Oblong:Hair shouldn't be super long which would make the face seem longer. Volume at the sides will offset the narrowness of the face. A heavy bang at the brow or below will offset the length of the face.

Diamond:

For long hair: Fullness or Long bangs below the chin area is a good option. Avoid hairstyles that move away from the cheek/ear area. This face shape will instantly benefit from angled bangs which would help to add new angles and soften too-wide cheeks.

Heart:

Longer than chin length hair, with some fringe is beneficial to this face shape. Bangs are definitely recommended. I also recommed angled bangs which would help to slim too-wide cheeks and jaw lines. Blunt bangs are also especially flattering on this face shape.

Well, that just about wraps it up. So tell your hair stylist to sharpen his/her shears. It's time to bang!