How to Style Bangs, No Matter Your Hair Type

Attack Frizz In the Shower

One of the most common annoyances with bangs is frizz, so attack the problem before it appears by using a shampoo and conditioner duo that tames flyaways and static with nourishing ingredients — we recommend Love Beauty and Planet's Smooth and Serene Shampoo and Conditioner ($9).

Blow-Dry Your Bangs Immediately Post-Shower

For those looking to have sleek bangs, be sure to blow out your fringe as soon as you hop out of the shower while your hair is still very wet. Your bangs dry faster than you think, and the moment they start to air-dry, they’ve already begun to set into their natural shape. The sooner you start styling, the better your results will be.

Enhance Curly Bangs With Styling Products

If you have curly hair and want to maintain your natural pattern versus straightening it, Scuoppo says to apply a lightweight curl cream from root to end while your hair is still damp. "Then, twist each curl around your finger," she adds, as this will help set your curl pattern into place as it air dries.

Master This Blowdrying Technique

A small round boar-bristle brush is the gold standard for styling bangs because the tightly packed bristles grab every hair, allowing you to use the right amount of tension. Once you’ve got the proper brush and a powerful hair dryer (with the concentrator nozzle attached), you need to master this bang blow-drying technique.

Hold your hair dryer over your head, facing down toward your forehead, and brush your bangs from side to side until dry. This takes care of any cowlicks and ensures your bangs fall straight. Finish by rolling the ends under. "You may also use large velcro or hot rollers to straighten and remove frizz from bangs," suggests Scuoppo. She says to leave the rollers in until the hair cools, followed by a flexible hairspray.

Invest In a Mini Flat Iron

To tame frizz and seal the shape, smooth your bangs with a flat iron. Start on one side of your face and take vertical sections all the way across. The best way to do this is with a slim flat iron that can get all the way up to the root. "For people with curtain bangs, a thick flat iron is an easy tool to create that perfect swing to the sides," says de Zeeuw. "Make sure you direct the hair towards the face before you curl the ends to the sides."

Reduce Static By Reducing Heat

Scuoppo says heat can cause static and flyaways, so avoid heat styling tools if you can and if not, reduce your heat settings. "If using a flat iron, use small sections and go quickly over hair, ensuring that the flat iron remains no higher than 380 degrees," she suggests. Then, to keep bangs in place, use an anti-frizz styling product, like Fekkai's Brilliant Gloss Multi-Tasker Perfecting Crème.

Keep Bangs Clean

Even if you’ve adopted a less stringent schedule for washing your hair, make an exception for your bangs. The simple truth is that they get greasy fairly quickly, so wash them more often than you would the rest of your hair. Alternatively, keep a mini dry shampoo on hand for on-the-go touch-ups, such as The Rootist's Clarify Dry Shampoo Powder, which comes with its own convenient brush for application. If you have a little more time on your hands, Scuoppo says to apply dry shampoo at the roots and then blow drying it in the hair with a round brush on medium heat.  

Give Your Fringe a Bit of Volume

A hint of volume gives bangs and your overall hairstyle a certain je ne sais quoi flare, and it's so easy to achieve. Dry shampoo, apart from being useful in preventing your bangs from becoming oily, is also an excellent tool for giving your fringe a subtle boost. You don’t need a lot, but a quick spritz before you head out the door will prevent midday, oil-induced separation or flatness. We recommend Klorane's cult-favorite Dry Shampoo with Oat Milk.

Scale Back on Hairstyling Products

When it comes to styling product and your bangs, less is more. You can use whatever product you would normally use, but apply it to your hair first, then use only what is left on your hands for your bangs. Any more, and you’ll wind up with greasy fringe by noon.

Use the Right Product for Your Hair Type

You may be able to get away with using no product, but most women need a little something to keep cowlicks in place. If you have fine hair, use a styling cream like Living Proof’s No Frizz Smooth Styling Cream. For thick or coarser textures, try something with slightly more hold like Oribe’s Gel Serum.

Let Your Skincare Absorb Before Unleashing Your Bangs

We would never advise you to skip to moisturizer, but you do need to be very mindful of the products you use on your forehead as bangs will inevitably transfer your hair's natural oils to it. So, keep your bangs off of your face until your products have fully absorbed, which can take up to 10 minutes. To be safe, blot your forehead with blotting paper before releasing your bangs, just in case. We recommend Clean & Clear's Oil Absorbing Sheets or Lalais The Blotting Compact, which is refillable.

Take Extra Care of Acne-Prone Skin

"For those with acne-prone skin and bangs, certain hair products can exacerbate the condition," says Scuoppo. People with this skin type should definitely apply the less-is-more mindset when it comes to their haircare products to prevent ingredient transfer, especially on the forehead. Consider integrating AHAs and BHAs into your routine to keep your pores clear of buildup to prevent breakouts.