On the fringe: achieve the best bangs for your face

Bangs are super cute and chic, but there are some things to keep in mind, as News Corp writer Remy Rippon discovered.

GO SHORT OR GO HOME

Ultra-short fringes (sitting at least an inch above the brows) are this season’s beauty standout.

A word of caution before proceeding: trim every three weeks to keep the style more cool, less kid-like.

START SMALL

Stay on the fringe of the trend, with a style that hovers between side-sweep and full-blown bangs.

Leave it lengthy enough to just dust your lashes; it’s noncommittal as the extra length will ensure it’s long enough to pull back into a pony, or side-sweep within a few weeks.

MAKE FRIENDS WITH DRY SHAMPOO

Let’s first dispel a universal myth about fringes: that they are low-maintenance.

While they may not take hours to style each morning, no matter your hair type, a fringe will require an element of daily coercion.

If you exercise regularly, you’ll encounter an oil slick between washes, so dry shampoo will be your new confidante; ditto your hairdryer.

KNOW YOUR FACE SHAPE

Consult your usual stylist, who will be able to assess the best fringe type for your face shape, as well as how far back on the crown to start it.

As a general rule, heart-shaped faces suit just about anything, while narrow faces can pull off a fringe that’s ultra-blunt.

For a universally flattering style, make it arrow-shaped.

GROWING PAINS

If there’s one bugbear when lopping a fringe, it’s the grow-out phase.

Hair grows at an average rate of 1.25cm per month, but that doesn’t mean you need to forgo trims.

Ask your stylist to feather out the ends so they eventually assimilate with the rest of your strands, and choose a part line — middle or side — to sweep once it starts blocking your vision.