Confession: I have a total girl crush on Zooey Deschanel. Ever since [amazon_link id="B001E5CH0G" target="_blank" container="" container_class="" ]Elf[/amazon_link] and even more since the 2011 premiere of [amazon_link id="B0072KZ0Z6" target="_blank" container="" container_class="" ]New Girl[/amazon_link], I’ve been a tiny bit obsessed. Not necessarily with her acting, which is admittedly pretty spectacular. No… I’m in love with her hair.
I know! Pretty awesome, right? I’ve been growing my hair out since August 2011 and since that point I’ve had the same conversation with my hair stylist every single time I went in for a cut & color.
Andrea: “Should I cut bangs?”
Stylist: “Hmmm…. I think you should think about it.”
Andrea: “But I really want to do it!”
Stylist:”Ok, let’s do it then.”
Andrea: “No, I think I should think about it.”
What can I say – indecisive is my middle name. Well, friends, in September I finally took the plunge and got the super thick fringe I’ve been lusting after for more than a year. I’m absolutely in love and I want to help you decide if thick, blunt bangs are for you!
Pre-bangs… I have quite the fivehead (forehead… get it?)
Should I cut bangs?
The first day of the new ‘do!
There’s lots of websites out there that will tell you if it is “right” to cut bangs based on your face shape. I think that’s a lot of hooey! I think just about anyone can look great with this style of bangs. It’s less about your face shape and more about your level of commitment. The only person I would not recommend thick, blunt bangs for is someone with a very small forehead.
I think the thing you need to think about is do you have the time and desire to fix your hair each day. When you have bangs, you cannot wake up and go. I have to fix my bangs each and every day, even on days I do not wash my hair. Granted, it takes me 3 minutes tops but it is something you wouldn’t have to do if you didn’t have this hair style.
We’ve talked about some of the drawbacks of having bangs – but now let’s talk about why you should cut bangs. They make you look younger! When I first cut my hair, I got so many comments and compliments on my new look. The thing most people said was “wow! you look younger!” It is also any easy way to drastically change your look. Honestly, I feel so chic with bangs. I don’t need a ton of makeup, a sparkly headband, or hat. My bangs make a statement all on their own.
Keeping Your Bangs Looking Fly (Not Flyaway!)
I have my bangs trimmed every 2.5-3 weeks. I really need to have them trimmed at 2 weeks, but I stretch it to 3. If you are handy with scissors, DIY! I’m not, so I have to make an appointment with my stylist,drive to the salon, pay $6, and get my bangs trimmed every three weeks.
Growing out this type of bangs will not be a simple process. Whereas with side-swept bangs you can simply blend them in with the rest of your hair while they grow out, with this type of bang you will have an uncomfortable growing out process. To address this, ask your stylist to cut longer pieces around your temples.
One thing I’ve been asked is if you can have bangs if you have a cowlick. Yes! I have both a widow’s peak and a cowlick. It does make it a little more difficult, but the weight of the thick bangs and they way you will dry them (more on that later) will tame your cowlick.
So You’ve Decided to Go For It. What Now?
Now you need to learn how to style your new bangs.
- First things first – no product on your bangs! It will just make your them greasy. I can go three days before I need to wash my hair. (On the third day, my bangs and roots are a little questionable, so I use dry shampoo.)
- Dry your bangs immediately. Do not let your bangs air dry. I air dry the rest of my hair, but as soon as I get out of the shower I blow dry my bangs.
- I use a boar bristle brush to style my bangs. I blow them first to the right while brushing, them to the left. Then I pick them up with the brush and pull straight down as I direct heat with my dryer. This entire process takes me about 2 minutes.
- I have thick, frizzy hair so I follow up with a flat iron. This also really helps my cowlick stay down. I turn down heat on my flat iron to low and give my bangs a quick pass. Then I comb through and I’m ready to go!
- On days 2 & 3, I simply flat iron my bangs (since they are sticking straight up from my night of tossing and turning).
So what do you think? Is this a style you are interested in? Will you be sporting thick, blunt bangs this winter?
Andrea House is a Southern bell and a self-titled beauty maven that deals with her toddler’s frequent meltdowns by seeking peace in the aisles of Sephora and Ulta. By day she is a social worker, while at night she manages her household while reading story books in her best Elmo voice. Andrea blogs at My Chihuahua Bites, where her blog philosophy is “keepin’ it real.” You can read more from Andrea on her blog, My Chihuahua Bites.
Sigh, I want to be you. This blasted cowlick, it is the bane of my existence.
Brittany, you are too sweet! I hear you on the cowlick. Mine is right on my forehead and I have to work to tame it. But there’s hope – my flat iron helps so much!
You make me want bangs. I have curly hair. BUT YET.
Hmm… yeah I think curly hair + bangs might be a no.
Love, love, love your bangs. I just got bangs a little over a week ago so I am still getting used to them. They are not as thick as yours…yet. Things could change. I am notorious for constantly changing my hair. I also have thick hair so I feel your pain. I need to try your styling tips. I am jealous that you don’t have to wash your hair every day. Mine gets too greasy. I keep debating on trying a dry shampoo. Which one do you use?
Thank you Jayme! I admit at first I wasn’t sure, but now I love them! Mine have gotten progressively thicker as I’ve gotten used to them.
Do you use product on your hair? If you do, try only putting it from your ears down. This should help some.
I really like Psst or Batiste dry shampoo. You can get them both at CVS, Walgreens, or Ulta.
You do not have a five head! Trust me! If your forehead were smaller your face would look squished. Your bangs look great, too though. Way to bang!
Jenn, you should see my brother – now he has a fivehead. It doesn’t help that his hairline is receding.
I’m ok with it. It’s a family trait!
Thanks for the compliment!
I think maybe I have a five-head too…perhaps bangs are an option. When I’m not this scared.
Something to think about for sure! I thought about it for a good year before I took the plunge.
I had bangs up through high school. I think my Dad actually told me not to grow them out, because my forehead was too big. Which I think I used as incentive to grow them out. Maybe he was right
I’ll consider it.
I think it says something major about my filthy mind that EVEN WITH THE TITLE PHOTO I clicked on this article expecting it to be about a completely different type of bang.
Ha Jamie! I like using suggestive titles. Got you to read, huh? LOL!
I too am in love with Zooey Deschanel, so last year I cute mine. And I am here to tell everyone, they are the greatest thing ever. I was also very indecisive about getting them cut, but oh so glad I did. They’re my favorite accessory.
Chloe, I’m so glad I got it done! I’m not sure about keeping them during the summer months… I can’t imagine sweaty bangs will be cute, and it gets so hot here in the South. But I’m keeping them until spring!
I wanted to do it this last trip to the salon but I chickened out! :/ love yours, they look amazing!
Do it Tricia! You can always grow it out if you hate it.
First, your hair looks supercute!! I love the second pic (with the curls), especially!! As someone with stick straight hair, I’m so envious of your curls!!!
I have bangs, but mine are more the longish, off to the side variety. I’ve gone back and forth on the thick fringe – I had it when I was in grad school, and it was fine, but I had contacts then, and I’m not sure how they’d look with my glasses. But I’m in the market for an alteration to my look, and I need a trim anyway, so I think I’ll look into this.
SwingCheese, my stylist actually did those curls the day I got my bangs cut. I am clueless with a curling iron! But thank you so much!
You are right! It makes you look a lot younger
And if we are over 25, that’s no bad thing right?
I go back and forth, right now I’m sporting the side fringe and am seriously considering a full one. Haven’t had one since 2010 so it’s about time
You really look lovely with the fringe; I’m sure you’ve helped a lot of women decide to go for the chop.
Jods, yes! At first when people told me that I was like “well how old did I look before?!” I’m closing in on my mid-30s so I’ll take the compliment! HA!
I once I had a dream I cut my bangs, so I woke up and cut my bangs. Turns out, I’m not the type of person who can pull off bangs (I am petite and they just made me look “cute”). They were a bitch to grow out, but at least I tried and know the consequence of bangs…for me.
Kel, that is so funny! I once had a dream that I chopped half of my hair off (like only one side) and I woke up in a complete panic, thinking the dream was real! HA!
I took the plunge back in 2008 and am so glad that I did. My forehead was really starting to become too prominent and I thought bangs would give me a much better look. Yep, they took a LOT of years away…I was 54 at the time with very thick dark hair. Bangs are a fashion accessory! Fortunately, I don’t have to fuss with them but you’re right a little touch of the flat iron brings them into place very quickly. Four years later I’m very glad that I finally did it.
I love mine as well! That’s exactly how I view them – as an accessory!
Andrea, thanks for posting this. I am always trying to figure what to do with my bangs.
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I LOVE those bangs on you! They are super stylish! I wish I could pull off that type of bangs, but I have to say I think I might have the one face shape that doesn’t work with blunt bangs… I have a very square-ish jawline, so if I cut bangs that are straight across like that, my face just looks super square. But they look beautiful on you.
Thank you for the compliment, Laura!
Bangs looks great. I bit wide though.
They look really stylish and great on you. My stylist refuses to give me Zooey bangs because she thinks it will make my nose look even bigger. For now they’re side swept but I really want the zooeys! She’s a stylist so she must know right? That said she was skeptical of the side bangs. So I’m now wondering if she’s just nervous I’ll hate them. To do or not to do?
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