For as long as I can remember, I’ve been a firm believer in the transformational power of fringe. Whether it was my seventh-grade breakup, my freshman year of high school or my first big internship, a bold bang has been a staple of my hair rotation. Did it take a few attempts to find the cut that was actually flattering on my face? Well, let’s just say it was a trial-and-error situation.
To save you the cringe of a less-than-stellar snip sitch, I tapped the experts. “I believe anyone can pull off a bang if it’s customized to them,” says Privé creative director Chad Cook. The trick? Understanding how the shape of your face, texture of your hair and willingness to maintain your mane all play a pivotal role in determining which style you choose. Cut class is now in session…
Curtain
This flirty flounce is *so* Short n’ Sweet coded—and a great choice for bang-curious girlies.
Who it flatters: Just about any face shape and hair texture. “They add subtle dimension but also blend into the rest of your hair, so they’re incredibly easy to wear,” says celebrity hairstylist Lacy Gadegaard.
What to ask for: Longer in the front with a soft middle part, cut with movement and blended into layers. “I always lean toward a longer curtain bang,” Cook advises.
Maintenance level: 💇♀️
Wispy
Less heavy than your classic bang and less chunky than curtain bangs, this feathery fringe feels fresh and airy for spring.
Who it flatters: Typically, round and heart-shaped faces with fine, straight hair—but wispy bangs can work on girls with thick hair or type 2 curls, too. “They’re perfect if you want the look of bangs without feeling boxed in,” explains Gadegaard.
What to ask for: As with all new haircut goals, Cook recommends bringing in reference photos for your stylist. Here, ask for light, textured bangs “cut with softness and movement instead of a heavy line,” he instructs.
Maintenance level: 💇♀️💇♀️
Bottleneck
The shaggier little sister of the curtain bang, this cut creates a face-framing shape that adds movement without weighing you down.
Who it flatters: Round and diamond face shapes benefit most from the structure of this trim. If you’re after something trend-forward and low-maintenance, this is your fringe.
What to ask for: “Shorter in the middle and longer toward the cheekbones,” says Gadegaard. Make sure the sides are long enough to tuck behind your ears so the cut feels swoopy, not blocky.
Maintenance level: 💇♀️💇♀️
Blunt
This classic chop never goes out of style (just ask J-Law), but be ready for regular trims to keep the shape sharp.
Who it flatters: The beauty of blunt bangs is how easily they can be customized. Round or heart-shaped face? Consider cutting your bangs slightly above your eyebrows to help elongate. Oval or long face? Look to snip right at the eyebrow or slightly lower.
What to ask for: “A blunt solid line straight across the head,” explains Cook. “Styled sleek or slightly curved, grazing your eyebrows.”
Maintenance level: 💇♀️💇♀️💇♀️
Curly
Bouncy, textured and full of personality, this fringe works *with* natural waves and curls. Use a spray bottle with water and a tiny bit of conditioner to reshape bangs between washes.
Who it flatters: Ideal for longer and heart-shaped faces, but adaptable for most shapes thanks to the softness of the spirals.
What to ask for: Curly bangs should be styled to blend with the rest of the hair. Think shape and movement rather than a classic blunt chop. Ask for soft point cutting with light layers, cut by the curl.
Maintenance level: 💇♀️💇♀️
Coily
This sculpted look holds its structure thanks to coily hair’s natural volume and texture.
Who it flatters: If you’ve got a longer face, this cut will add balance, but “almost anyone can wear these bangs,” says Gadegaard.
What to ask for: “The key is adjusting the thickness and length based on how the hair naturally moves,” Cook reveals. To keep your bangs from ending up shorter than you want, ask your stylist to cut your hair dry, not wet, and to shape each curl individually so coils stay defined.
Maintenance level: 💇♀️💇♀️
Micro
Purposely cut high above the brows, micro fringe is bold, graphic and probably the chicest hair you’ll see this spring.
Who it flatters: These baby bangs are well-suited for oval, round and diamond faces—and for anyone with strong personal style. This cut is less about blending and more about looking edgy and playful.
What to ask for: “Very short and bold with a hard line,” shares Cook. Be clear that you want it intentionally above the brows, not just a too-short blunt bang.
Maintenance level: 💇♀️💇♀️💇♀️
Face-Framing
These longer pieces sweep away from the face and blend right into the rest of your cut, giving you the vibe of fringe without anything sitting across your forehead.
Who it flatters: Round, square and heart-shaped faces. (Psst: They’re also perfect if you’re a tad commitment-phobic.)
What to ask for: Long, blended face-framing layers that start around the cheekbones or jaw and melt into the rest of your haircut with no harsh lines. Emphasize feathery softness over anything blunt.
Maintenance level: 💇♀️
Hey, girl! Just to let you know, this originally ran in our April/May 2026 issue. Read our print mag for *free* today when you click HERE!
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Images: @taylorswift, @sabrinacarpenter, @lalalalisa_m, @mrenriquemelendez, @georgieeisdellmakeup, @chappellroan, @laurapolko, @zoeisabellakravitz, @sofiawylie
