to cut bangs or to not cut bangs: the ultimate pros & cons list
Bangs have come & gone throughout history in various shapes, forms & lengths. They’ve especially managed to revive themselves through various 2021 & 2022 hairstyle trends, including bottleneck bangs (think: Dakota Johnson) and curtain bangs.
In the era of social media and especially Pinterest, people often find themselves scrolling for inspiration for everything from decor to style to hair to tattoos. However, the situation most people (including myself) find themselves in, after being influenced, is that we sometimes get so caught up in how amazing a haircut looks on someone else that we forget to consider the most important part of the equation: ourselves. I can’t tell you how many facial cleansers, moisturizers, shampoos, and jeans I’ve bought because I’ve seen a celebrity using or wearing the same kind. Seriously, it’s probably an astronomical number. But, sometimes, their body types or skin types and hair types suit that brand or product in a way we don’t. We all have different needs for the products we purchase, and influencers & celebrities can cloud that judgment sometimes. Then, we can find ourselves upset that a pair of jeans don’t hug our figures like that one celebrity or upset that our skin didn’t start glowing after using that one cleanser that blew up on TikTok.
Sometimes, we get our hearts so set on replicating a style icon that our logic goes out the window completely. so… I decided it was my civic duty to start a pros & cons list for the one hairstyle that uses Zooey Deschanel, Taylor Swift and Dakota Johnson as the most influencing ambassadors ever. Seriously, one episode of New Girl and I’ve got my scissors out by the time the credits roll.
So, when that time of year rolls around again where you’ve got a Pinterest board dedicated to all the different fringe styles & lengths, maybe come back to this post and think about the consequences (or pluses!) that could come along with making the chop. Because, let’s face it, every bad day is made 10x worse when your half-grown out bangs won’t get out of your damn face.
First things first… things to consider!
what type of hair do you have? fine, medium, or thick?
As someone with fine hair myself, this can make having bangs a little tricky. Because fine hair can get weighed down easily, this implies more hair-washing (or sink-washing for just your bangs), because they’re more likely to separate from the oils on your forehead (or just your scalp in general). When I had bangs, I had trouble figuring out how to use heat-protectant on them when styling, because most brands would cause them to separate and weigh them down within the first 30 minutes. So, I found myself choosing between pretty bangs with no heat protection or healthy bangs that look a little oily.
2. is your scalp more oily or dry?
Personally, mine is more oily. This can be caused by a multitude of things — hormones, genetics, how often you wash your hair tools, how much product you’re putting into your hair, your shampooing technique, how often you shampoo, how much you condition, etc., etc. Honestly, oily hair is a story for a whole other time. The point is, you should consider whether or not this will affect how you want your bangs to look. It could cause some frustration having your bangs separate on day 1 or 2 after washing, and then there’s the issue of using dry shampoo close to your forehead, especially for the acne-prone people out there. So, I would recommend finding an oily-scalp routine if that isn’t an obstacle keeping you from your fringe. Shampooing 2x and using a clarifying shampoo 1x a week are my best recommendations & what have worked for me! And only condition the portion of your hair that fits into a ponytail. No root conditioning!
3. are you acne-prone and/or is your skin oily/combo?
Clearly, having an oily forehead can increase the risk of having oily bangs. It can cause them to separate and get that (typically) undesirable stringy look. While dry shampoo can remedy this, another problem can occur: acne. if you already have oily/combo skin, chances are you’re also vulnerable to breakouts due to the high sebum production. For example, even if you wash your face and have all of the perfect skincare on, the minute you let your bangs down that have collected all of the oil from your forehead during the day, you’re putting that oil right back onto your freshly-washed forehead. There are ways around this, though. Sleeping with your bangs pinned back, is one.
4. how willing are you to style your bangs everyday? & how comfortable are you with a round brush?
If your answer is very to either of those questions, then chances are a fringe might actually fit right into your lifestyle! Bangs have a life of their own, but some people blessed with hair that dries blow-out-style the second they step out of the shower. If you don’t fall into that category of mystical people, then chances are you’ll be tasked with taming your bangs most days. This means learning the correct techniques to creating the look you want, and purchasing the correct tools to do so (a round brush, for example). For some, this may sound tedious, but for others, it could uncover a love of hairstyling. For me, when I had bangs, i discovered the world of rollers and supermodel blowouts, and never looked back. Even though it was time-consuming, my hair never looked better than when I had bangs — because otherwise, they’d have been a frizzy, wavy, mess.
Now, onto the pros!
pro #1 — it adds a unique, timeless & interesting element to your look
If you’re looking to add a staple look to your style identity, this could be a great option. Bangs can help you express who you are, with the help of fashion & other outlets of expression, like your makeup or signature scent. With a world full of trends and a never-ending pressure to conform, it can be confusing to know where trends end and your innate style begins. The bright side is: bangs never go out of style, and they’re an easy way to spice up your look!
pro #2 — it’s an accessory in itself
When I had bangs, I actually found myself adding less acceories to my outfits, because the bangs really were an accessory themselves. The best part is: they’re also a customizable accessory. You can go for a sleek look with straight bangs and straight hair, or go for a voluminous 90’s supermodel look (think: Claudia Schiffer). Even though they’re more work, they open up a door of opportunity into ✨the world of hair✨.
pro #3 — it turns casual ponytails or buns into red-carpet looks
Bangs just elevate every hairstyle. They make ponytails, buns, half-up half-down looks, everything look just a tad more glamorous. They’re fun & flirty, and dress up every outfit, which is a plus for anyone who hates jewelry or nail polish or any other common accessory used to elevate looks. Except, you can’t take bangs off at the end of the night… unless they’re clip-in.
pro #4 — they make you look younger (this could be a con for some!)
I noticed that when I had bangs, people out in public, such as servers, etc., would use terms of endearment with me much more than when I didn’t have them. I was thought to be much younger and people were sweeter and slightly more condescending to me because I had a younger, more “wholesome” look going on. This also has to do with style, though, so when I amped up my makeup or went for a more traditionally “mature” look, those interactions subsided.
pro #5 — they can make you feel closer to your TV or celebrity faves who rock the same look
When I didn’t have bangs, I felt major FOMO for not being apart of the club that Zooey Deschanel, Dakota Johnson, and Taylor Swift all belonged to. Weirdly enough, I feel like when someone inspires a haircut or a hair color, when you make the change, you actually feel a little closer to them and more like them, in a way. I felt more playful and fun, with a wholesome, timeless aesthetic like they have when I had bangs. The best part is: since they’ve all got such different aesthetics and personalities, they’re walking proof that bangs can represent a lot of different style identities.
pro #6 — they’re timeless
Need I say more? You won’t have to worry that they’ll go out of style, even if people claim that they have. Olivia Newton-John, Jane Birken, Bridget Bardot, Audrey Hepburn — all of them are remembered as beauty/hair icons. If you want a timeless, classic look, then bangs will definitely do that for you.
And the cons…
con #1 — they make you look younger (this could be a pro for some!)
If you have a baby face and have a deep-rooted insecurity about not being “treated like a respected adult”, this is something to think about. They add a wholesome, youthful element to your look and if you’re wanting something less playful, then this might not be the route for you. However! style plays a big role in that too. You can balance out the playfulness in your hair by sticking to more traditionally mature clothing if it bothers you that much, and that might offset the youthfulness of your look.
con #2 — they’re high-maintenance
This is a no-brainer, for sure. Unless you’re one of those magical people whose hair dries perfectly the minute they step out of the shower, you’re in for some styling when you have bangs. Cowlicks, curl patterns, scalp oil production, wind, damage, I could go on. Totally normal yet annoying nonetheless, these are all things that will affect the look of your bangs, and sometimes, it can cost you a pretty penny to keep them in check, with hot tools, rollers, or even specific shampoo types to keep unruly hair a thing of the past.
con #3 — they could potentially cause breakouts
The reason we wash & clean our faces at night is to get rid of all of the build-up of sebum, bacteria, etc. that has complied on our faces during the day. Some have less than others (you know the ones I’m talking about, the people who naturally have angelic skin like Hailey Bieber herself…), but either way, all of that undesirable stuff that you wash off on the end of the day can get absorbed into your bangs, laying right in the hot zone of it all. So, even after you’ve double cleansed and exfoliated and completed your however-many-steps routine, the minute you let your bangs back down, you risk all of that bacteria jumping right back onto your skin. BEWARE!
con #4 — they take about 3/4 months to grow into curtain bangs… and that’s just curtain bangs.
This might be the worst part. As someone who is wildly impatient herself, I know just how frustrating it is to make a decision, change your mind, and have to live with it. I’ve come up with some hair growth hacks during my many experience with bangs, which is definitely a future post, but still, the emotional aspect of having to wait it out is a bummer. Unless you’re crafty and can make the most of taming your bangs with hairspray and barrettes for several weeks.
con #5 — they can make a frustrating day even more frustrating
You know when you’re having a terrible day, and it just seems to get worse minute by minute? Your coffee order is wrong, and then you get stuck in traffic, and then you run into a lamppost trying to get somewhere. You get my point. Bangs can stare you right in the face when you’re having a day like that. For example, the wind will blow them everywhere and you may not be in the mood to stop to smooth them back out. They may be looking slightly oily and the idea of having to wash & style your hair may just send you over the edge after a particularly awful day.
con #6 — unless you trim them yourself, you’ll need a bang trim every 2-3 weeks (depending on how fast they grow)
Hair normally grows about a 1/2 an inch a month. Crazily enough, it actually varies by race. Asian hair grows the fastest, while African hair grows the slowest. But no matter what your ethnicity is, your bangs will still need some upkeep as they grow — unless you decide to grow them out, but either way, you might want to trim them so they blend more into your hair. Unless you’re your own hairdresser, this might cost you, depending on what you’re normally charged for a bang trim.
So there you have it — all of the reasons to get bangs and all of the reasons to maybe… reconsider. Over the past several years, I’ve had maaaany fringe dilemmas and would’ve loved to have had something like this to guide me along. Hopefully, this gave you some things to think on if you’re in that same situation right now. I’d love to know in the comments what your thoughts on bangs are. Some people are pretty steadfast in their opinions about them.
P.S. — If you’re wanting bangs but aren’t sure if they’d suit you, get some clip-in ones! I have some and wear them whenever I’m thinking of trimming mine just to see if I get sick of them before I really cut them. The clip-in part is sometimes a little noticeable, but a hat or a headband easily solves that problem! And if you buy a blonde one and it’s too yellow (it usually is), pop some purple shampoo on it! It feels strange washing a clip-in bang at first, but saving yourself from the potential headache of getting bangs you regret is absolutely worth it.
