Are Bangs Right For You?

Are Bangs Right For You?

16/07/2007 2:53:31 PM

Source: MSN/Sympatico

Explore the pros and cons of the newest hair trend: bangs.

Whether you choose to believe it or not, hair contributes a large part to our individuality and creativity, especially as it relates to our own personal style. No single person has the same colour, cut, texture, length or thickness of hair as anyone else, and quite often hair says as much about a person as the clothes they are wearing.
Not only does hair speak to who you are, but you can also change your style drastically just by differing the way you wear it, the colour or the cut. Like a mood ring, you can show others how you feel on any given day by the way you choose to wear your hair and that can be very empowering. Just like fashion, popularity in hairstyles changes on a regular basis.
It can be difficult deciding on something new, but the key is to find the right hair care professional; someone who knows you, someone you trust, someone who knows your style and who you are, plus can best manipulate your hair into a masterpiece. I am definitely not that person, but I do know a thing or two about the latest hair craze – bangs. I am going to shed a little light on this somewhat scary, but very trendy and often flattering style.

Caution

Before I begin filling your heads with the many wonders of bangs, I should probably start with a word of warning. Bangs are not for everyone. As with many trends that come our way, it is best to do your homework before diving in, because fashion is a very personal and individual area of life and every trend cannot possibly suit everyone equally.
Reading this article is a good first step, but I would also suggest looking at pictures of people with bangs, paying particular attention to face shapes and different styles of bangs. As well, your hair stylist is an invaluable source of information with a wealth of knowledge, so a consultation before beginning is a must.
Before taking the leap, you need to know the facts about you; face shape, hair thickness, which features are best to accentuate and finally what style of bangs will work best on you. These are all questions your hair professional can help answer. It’s only hair…but it’s important.

The Facts

Now that I’ve scared you into continuing to read, I’m going to bombard you with facts about bangs and how to tell if they are right for you.
“To cut the hair so as to form a fringe over the forehead” (dictionary.com), this is the definition given for one of the hottest trends in hair at the moment, but like all things trendy, the definition leaves a great deal open for interpretation. There are many styles of bangs available, including the blunt fringe, side swept, a slight part, choppy and asymmetrical.
Within those categories are sub-categories depending on the amount of drama and edge you desire. Going hand-in-hand with bang types are face shapes (including round, square, heart, oval, triangular and long) since one depends on the other. For instance, experts tell us that long, soft layers are best for round faces, side swept bangs flatter square shapes and oval faces can pretty much carry off anything…lucky you. As I stated before, research is important, but you have many resources at your disposal, so take advantage.

Take Care

Bangs, not unlike a pet, can be a lot of work, which is something you need to consider when deciding if they are right for you. First of all, there is the training. If you haven’t had bangs since you were five, then your hair probably isn’t used to sitting flat across your forehead, so it will take a considerable amount of time and patience to get them to behave the way you wish.
Having the proper tools for success are important as well, which means having the right styling products for your hair type and knowing how to care for your bangs (for example: blow drying vs. towel drying and knowing which brush to use). There are a plethora of conflicting theories, but the best way to sift through the madness is to utilize your hairdresser’s methods.
If you are not used to putting a lot of effort into your hair or you are simply lazy (I’ll admit to that), then bangs may not be the best route to take. Knowing yourself is key to answering these questions.
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to bang or not to bang?
Bangs can be a great way to drastically change your appearance and give you a new confidence, but they can just as easily go awry if not done properly. The best way to avoid a catastrophe is to arm yourself with the information you need to make an educated decision.
Pick up some magazines devoted to haircuts and maintenance and peruse websites for pictures of what you would like. When you have gathered your evidence, present it to your hairdresser and let them take it from there.
I hope this article has at least stimulated your interest in a change. While bangs can be a scary alteration, the result can be brilliant, so let your fears subside and then take action…you won’t regret it.