Bangs have a bad rap for being an irrational move when we're going through a new phase in life or craving change. They're certainly a quick and easy way to switch up your look, but there's a very rational argument for why bangs—when cut correctly—can elevate your style entirely.
This is especially true of the fringe. Unlike a traditional bang, a fringe is longer, hitting either right above or along the brow line—meaning it doesn't require months of growing out your hair to clip them up or tuck them behind your ears, should you have a change of heart. "I think the great thing about a fringe is that you can use it to really change up any haircut," says celebrity hairstylist Ashley Streicher. "Long, layered, bobbed, and shaggy [haircuts] can all add to a fringe to change the look. It's like an added accessory." Ahead, we've rounded up a solid group of 40 fringe bang photos for you to browse through, with expert tips from Streicher and hairstylist Alisha Leela on achieving the look.
Meet the Expert
- Ashley Streicher is a celebrity hairstylist, co-founder of Beverly Hills salon Striiike, and R+Co Collective member.
- Alisha Leela is a Canadian hairstylist who works at Bob + Paige Salon in Toronto.
Swept Updo
Whitney Peak's wispy curly bangs frame her effortlessly swept-up 'do. The loose strands of hair add to the romance of this look.
Sleek Blowout
We have Jane Birkin's 1970s iconic hair to thank for the popularity of Birkin bangs, which, as seen here on Jenna Ortega, never went out of style. We love how they flow effortlessly into Ortega's sleek blowout.
Short and Piecey
Zoë Kravitz traded in her famous pixie and micro bangs for a bit of a (semi) longer fringe and mid-height bun. For a similar look, Leela says to ensure the cut and length of fringe frames your face well. "The best cut with a fringe is something that harmoniously blends the cut and fringe," she says. "Stay away from solely asking for a fringe without cutting the rest of the hair, as the stylist will not have the opportunity to marry the two."
Natural Part
Alexa Chung has always been an icon of cool hair. Here, she lets a side part naturally peek through her fringe. If this isn't a natural occurrence for you, you can assist your fringe by placing it in the desired position with no-crease clips while wet. We like these No Bend Hairclips ($5).
Curly Crop With Bangs
Halle Berry's short curly crop is well-rounded with a bit of fringe grazing her forehead. Yet another convincing argument for pairing bangs with your natural curls.
'60s Lob With Bangs
Winnie Harlow's look was one to watch on the CFDA red carpet, where she paired her fringe with a slightly flipped-out lob. It's a statement look, though, so if you're looking to replicate it or attempt something similar, there are some things to keep in mind. "Important things to ask your stylist or keep in mind are things like: Do you wear glasses, and where should they sit with frames on?" says Leela. "How much maintenance is involved, and how to style it? What products will I need?"
Stick-Straight
Justine Skye's blunt fringe lays down stick-straight above her brows, but her flipped-out bob adds movement to the look.
Feathered Fringe
Freida Pinto’s feathered fringe lends itself to effortless movement. To keep this style from becoming high maintenance, show up for your appointment with clean, dry hair styled the way you always style it. This will enable your stylist to give you a quick, dry cut and provide the immediate gratification you're looking for.
Feather-Light Bangs
If you have thicker, heavier hair like Constance Wu, ask your stylist to cut into your bangs for a lighter, piece-y look. Mist with a product like Aveda's Brilliant Damage Control ($33) to keep hair shiny.
Wavy Bob With Bangs
As if this texture wasn't already something we'd want to replicate, the addition of these long textured bangs on Carey Mulligan has us swooning, too.
Byrdie Tip
To help set your bangs, use a wet texture product like surf spray, pin your bangs in the desired position with no-crease clips, and very lightly blow-dry with a diffuser.
Voluminous Waves With Soft Bangs
Camila Cabello’s fringe is a minor detail amidst her big, wavy mane. For a similar look, ask your stylist to bring a very small section forward when cutting your new fringe.
Ballerina Bun
Shailene Woodley keeps her fringe prim and proper with this ballerina bun. To style this look, try dry shampoo rather than washing hair from scratch. "Dry shampoo and texture sprays will definitely be your friend," says Streicher. "Because bangs lay on the forehead, which tends to be oily, you will want to keep this hair as oil-free as possible." Streicher recommends R+Co's Balloon Dry Volume Spray ($32), which she says keeps bangs "full with fluffy volume and absorbs any oils from your forehead that could possibly cause separation."
Gradual Layers
Kirsten Dunst wears her long fringe split down the middle, cascading down gradually into her face-framing layers. Check out our guide on how to cut your own hair for a technique that can help you get the look at home.
Mod Fringe
A long fringe looks great with this mod-inspired, half-up, half-down 'do on Bryce Dallas Howard. When you see your stylist and request a fringe like the one seen here, be sure to wear your hair in its natural state (or your choice style if you always wear your hair the same way). The point being: You want your stylist to see you as you always are.
Side Part
A good fringe doesn't have to lay straight down. If you have a natural side part, you can still opt for fringe that caresses the brow line, as seen here on Kylie Jenner.
Face-Framing Fringe
Ana de Armas's short, curved-under bob creates a focal point on her beautiful face with the help of full, blown-out, eyebrow-obscuring bangs.
Tousled Fine Hair With Bangs
If you have fine hair like Kate Moss, a little fringe and some razor-cut layers can really add body and movement to your strands.
Side Swoop
Since a good fringe is long to start with, it can give you more versatility than your average bang. Try pushing them over into a side swoop—à la Ciara and her bob—when in between trims.
A-Frame Bangs With Updo
Actress Ella Balinska's messy updo is perfectly complemented by these soft, full bangs, bookended by longer, face-framing pieces on the side.
Long and Straight
Elizabeth Olsen pairs her long locks with a long fringe—and it has us wondering if we should be growing out our hair, too. For straight and shiny hair like Olsen's, use a product such as AG Care's Set It Straight Argan Straightening Lotion ($22).
Curly Shag
The only thing we love more than a touseled, curly shag is a messy, curly shag with accompanying curly bangs. Gabrielle Union's version is giving us serious disco feelings.
Half-Up
Zooey Deschanel has pledged herself to maintaining good bangs. If you're hesitant about making the switch, try starting out with a longer fringe like this one.
Baby Bangs
Keke Palmer keeps things neat and petite with this chic pixie. Because the bangs are proportionate to the length of the cut, they look more sophisticated and less third-grade-bowl-cut.
Sweeping Shag
Suki Waterhouse is the epitome of effortless cool when it comes to her style. Her hair doesn't disappoint either, and this shag with swooping curtain bangs is certainly no exception.
Messy-on-Purpose Updo
"I think Dakota Johnson is a perfect example of how bangs can accentuate and balance the face," says Leela. The actress wears her fringe au natural, with her bangs naturally cinching just above the brow line.
Waved Long Fringe
Gemma Chan's side-parted style is great for those who want to try curtain bangs or even grow out their current fringe.
Faux Fringe
If you're unsure about making the leap and cutting a fresh fringe, try grabbing some clip-ins first. Kendall Jenner's faux fringe (almost) had us fooled.
Jagged and Messy
We love a hair chameleon, and Emma Watson is one of our favorites. From long loose waves to cropped pixie cuts, you never know what she'll do next. So we were especially pleased when she debuted a micro-fringe (also known as baby bangs) with messy, jagged ends.
Topknot
Rashida Jones has had bangs for as long as we can remember. Here, she styles her hair into a topknot and lets her fringe be the star of the look.
Coiffed
Taylor Swift's bangs are coiffed to the side and follow the wave of her hair for a structural look.
Side Swept
Julia Garner's long pixie has volume thanks to long layers and a fuller bang swept to the side above her brows. To maintain the style throughout the day, keep a bottle of texturizing spray handy. "It's great to have on hand for volume and stay ability—to keep [the bangs] from separating or getting too flat," says Streicher.
Overgrown Fringe
Sarah Hyland's overgrown bangs cover well past her eyes but flow seamlessly into her layered and styled blown-out tresses.
Center Parted Bangs
Sydney Sweeney's center-parted bangs and spaghetti strap dress are giving us major supermodel vibes. Keep your bangs long and let them blend into the rest of your cut when styling this look.
Grown Out Arched Bangs
Nicola Peltz Beckham debuted new arched bangs in 2022, but she has since let them grow out to cover more of her forehead, forming more of a straight line.
Mullet Bangs
Lily Collins may rock bangs as her television character Emily in Paris, but she loves them off-screen, too. Here, she refreshed her mullet bangs with two longer pieces on the sides of a full fringe.
Flipped Out Fringe
We're swooning over Riley Keough's perfect, shiny red curls, made even more fashionable by her flipped-out fringe. To add some movement to your fringe, blow out the end pieces so they are slightly flared.
Peekaboo
Jameela Jamil has been sporting a full bang for as long as we can remember. To keep her fringe from looking too heavy, she wears them slightly parted with a sliver of forehead peeking through.
Sultry
Khloe Kardashian is no stranger to switching up her hair, but we have to admit: This sultry bedhead look—complete with messy, wispy bangs—has to be one of our all-time faves.
Spiked
Lizzo's hair for the 2023 Met Gala featured flat, spiky bangs in contrast with soft curls in a sky-high pineapple updo. We love the different textures and how the sharp bangs give the look added edge.
Coily
While Yara Shahidi's tight curls make up her full and voluminous lob, it's her springy, coily bangs that are the star of the show.