Fashion + Beauty

Tuesday, February 9, 2010

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A Quick Guide on How to Find the Right Bangs for Your Face

Recognizing that bangs, like black nail polish, have moved beyond their humble hipster beginnings to become an overarching trend that’s apparently here to stay, we figured now was as good a time as any to provide you with a cutting guide for your specific face shape. And we say your deliberately, seeing as how we have been told on countless occasions that we are not good fringe candidates (an angular chin and big, high-set cheeks apparently equal a lifetime of boring long layers). Below, Manhattan-based stylist Antonio Prieto breaks it down so heart-shaped girls don’t confuse themselves with the diamond-shaped set, thus preventing the kind of post-salon hair traumas that are colored by tears and self-deprecation (yeah, you know exactly what we’re talking about):

Round
Sorry, ladies. You apparently fall in line with us, according to Prieto, who has essentially vetoed the idea of fringe for this specific genetic scenario if only so the wandering eye can see more face, thus preventing a shorter, fuller, wider appearance.

Diamond
Noting that this shape is more angular overall, Prieto recommends working a short, side-swept look to soften stronger facial contours.

Heart
In order to properly offset the pointy chin and wide forehead here, Prieto suggests keeping bangs narrow and making sure they do not extend past the outside of the eye.

Triangle
Even though we’re having some difficulty visualizing what a triangle-shaped face actually looks like, Prieto describes it as a narrow forehead with fuller jaw line and suggests that these poor souls are ripe for a set of bangs, which, if kept full and wide, should create the illusion of more balanced proportions.

Oblong
The goal here is to create width through the side of the face, says Prieto, who maintains that longer, side-swept bangs will complement the narrow, drawn-out shape of this face. Making sure that the bangs fall on or near the cheekbone will also yield better results.


Photo: Clockwise from left, Barry King / Film Magic; Araya Diaz / Wire Image; Barry King / Film Magic; Jesse Grant / Wire Image

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From the Community…

Comments 1-10 of 46
  • HH's Avatar
    Posted by HH Wed Jul 15, 2009 9:42am PDT

    way to potentially alienate people with triangle-shaped faces. good job. also, i love zooey deschannel. she makes me melt.

    Report Abuse
  • Jess's Avatar
    Posted by Jess Wed Jul 15, 2009 9:58am PDT

    How the heck do I determine which one is which? be a lil more helful guys...

    Report Abuse
  • leslie's Avatar
    Posted by leslie Wed Jul 15, 2009 10:07am PDT

    didnt help at all!!!!

    Report Abuse
  • sweetie pie's Avatar
    Posted by sweetie pie Wed Jul 15, 2009 12:47pm PDT

    i just want to know does it look good for any age,or what

    Report Abuse
  • sweetie pie's Avatar
    Posted by sweetie pie Wed Jul 15, 2009 12:48pm PDT

    i just want to know does it look good for any age,or what

    Report Abuse
  • kaliluna's Avatar
    Posted by kaliluna Wed Jul 15, 2009 2:08pm PDT

    I hate that I keep reading that people with round faces shouldn't have bangs. This is bull s---! I have a round face and actually look better WITH bangs, otherwise my face has that kind of moon appearance and is not very flattering. I have side bangs instead of across bangs (which I wore for a long time and granted were not the best look for me). I really think it depends on the hair type as well as the face shape, and the personality of the person, to best determine what bangs might suit them best.

    Report Abuse
  • raevolutionary's Avatar
    Posted by raevolutionary Wed Jul 15, 2009 3:00pm PDT

    i agree w/ kaliluna.. i have a round face and I feel i look better w/ longer bangs, not straight across my forehead, but like wispy, and kind of carefree.

    I hate how your face shape, eye color, body type etc... dictates how you "should" look. I say if you love it, rock it w/ confidence!!!

    Report Abuse
  • Mickey's Avatar
    Posted by Mickey Wed Jul 15, 2009 11:24pm PDT

    i'm not really understand? can u post some image as example?

    Report Abuse
  • Frank Comment's Avatar
    Posted by Frank Comment Mon Jul 20, 2009 7:08am PDT

    Too bad massive pointy chins and huge underbites aren't and never were in style. Otherwise Reese would be in. As it is she's highly over rated as an actress and as an attractive person.

    Report Abuse
  • dreamer's Avatar
    Posted by dreamer Mon Jul 20, 2009 7:20am PDT

    I so agree with raevolutionary. I am so tired of all the "beautiful people" dictating how we should look. If you feel great with a certain look than go for it! There is nothing worse than not feeling good about yourself. I was a vetern to that till recently. YOU need to decide what looks best and makes you comfortable, not someone who has never even met you! I for one need bangs too! Big forehead and well big head LOL! Tell me I shouldnt wear bangs! Yeah right....

    Report Abuse
Comments 1-10 of 46

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