Should You Get Bangs? Here’s How to Decide

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Find the perfect fringe for your face with these easy tips

Co-authored by Gina Almona and Bertha Isabel Crombet, PhD

Last Updated: October 14, 2025 Fact Checked

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Testing How Bangs Look

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Deciding If Bangs Fit Your Lifestyle

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Choosing Bangs to Flatter Your Face

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Expert Q&A

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Changing your hairstyle is exciting, and getting bangs can give you a drastically new look in a short amount of time. If you're interested in trying bangs but not sure if they'd flatter your face or lifestyle, we're here to help. Keep reading to learn about everything you should take into consideration before making the cut, including which bangs look best with your face shape and how to easily test out different styles, with expert insights from professional hair stylist Gina Almona.

How to Know If You Would Look Good with Bangs

Bangs look best on round, square, and oval face shapes. They require styling and upkeep, so they may not be right for you if you like low-effort styles. Test how they’d look on you with clip-in bangs or by using an app. Professional hair stylist Gina Almona also suggests choosing a bang style based on your face shape.

Section 1 of 3:

Testing How Bangs Look On Your Face

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1
Pull your own hair forward to mimic the look of bangs. This can be an effective way to see what bangs might look like on your face. To test out bangs on yourself, start by tying your hair in a ponytail or half ponytail. Then, lift the ends of your ponytail to your forehead. Play around with the length and the part to test out different looks. You can also use the front part of your hair to create bangs by parting your hair in the middle and pinning the sides to look like curtain bangs.^{[1]
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- Another way of testing out bangs is to part your hair to the side and swoop your hair across your face. Then, pin the ends to test out a side bang look.
Meet the wikiHow Expert

Gina Almona is a professional hair stylist with over 20 years of beauty training experience.
Even better, go to a beauty supply store and try on wigs. It's more accurate than using your own hair, and you can get a sense of different styles. You can also order a variety of clip-on bangs online to help you decide on the perfect bang look.

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Use websites or mobile apps to virtually try on bangs. Websites like PerfectCorp allow you to try on virtual hairstyles. Simply upload a picture of yourself on your desktop or laptop and try on a variety of bangs. On your smartphone, apps like PicWish, Facetune, AirBrush, and YouCam Makeup allow you to upload a photo and add bangs to it. This offers a fun, zero-commitment way of seeing yourself with fringe!
- Search for quizzes to help you figure out what kind of bangs you should get, too, like this one from PerfectCorp.
Talk to your friends about what they think of your new idea. They may be able to give you additional advice and suggestions. If you know a stylist, reach out to them! They can advise you in your decision-making process, too.

Section 2 of 3:

Deciding If Bangs Fit Your Lifestyle

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Bangs can make you look younger or older, depending on the face you already have. There are so many different styles to choose from, from classic straight bangs to wispy and whimsical bangs and edgy side-swept bangs. Just think about your current look and how bangs will complement your style.
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Think about how much time you want to spend on your hair. Bangs require upkeep. If you have naturally curly hair but you want a straight bang, decide if straightening your hair on a regular basis is worth it. Moreover, bangs sit on one of the oiliest parts of your face—your forehead—so you'll likely need to wash them more often than you wash the rest of your hair.^{[2]
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- Another thing to note is that the oils from your hair may also cause breakouts on your forehead. So, you may need to spend more time on your skincare routine, too.
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Ask yourself if you are willing to get regular haircuts. Your bangs may grow quickly. This will be especially noticeable if you have straight hair and a choppy cut. If you have straight, blunt bangs, aim to trim them every 2-3 weeks. Trim your curtain bangs every 3-4 weeks, and your side-swept bangs every 4-5 weeks, to help them keep their shape. Wispy and layered bangs require less maintenance, so aim to trim those every 3-6 weeks.^{[3]
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- The good news is that it’s pretty easy to trim your bangs at home!
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Find alternative styles for your bangs if you don’t like how they look. You have lots of options for styling your bangs. For instance, simply wait for your bangs to grow out. Just remind yourself of how fast your hair grows and decide if you are willing to wait for it to grow back to normal.
- There are plenty of ways to hide your bangs if you want a different look, regardless of whether your bangs are short or long. Pin them back to the side or use the extra hair to create a frontal poof. Or, comb the bangs into the rest of your hair for a ponytail, bun, or braid.^{[4]
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Section 3 of 3:

Choosing the Right Bangs for Your Face Shape

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This helps you rule out some face shapes and helps you get a general sense of your look. Just use a mirror and measuring tape to help. If your face is about equally as long as it is wide, you most likely fall into the round, square, or heart-shaped category. If your face is a bit longer than it is wide, you may fall into the oval or square face shape. In general, oval-shaped faces are considered the ideal face shape for all hairstyles.
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Identify the shape of your jawline. Your jawline falls at the bottom of your face. It starts at the level of your lower ears and ends at your chin. Look carefully at the shape of this area, paying close attention to the perimeter. For example, a pointed jawline will make a V-shape, while a round jawline is mostly circular with more rounded edges.
- A square jawline looks angular. It forms very clear lines that define the bottom of the face.
Determine if this area is wide or narrow. Use the other areas of your face for comparison. If your forehead is larger or more prominent than the other parts of your face, you likely have a wide forehead. On the other hand, your hairline may come inward and make your forehead look narrow in comparison to the other areas on your face.
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Use your observations to determine your face shape. The length of your face, your jawline, and your forehead dictate whether your face is round, oval, square, heart-shaped, oblong, diamond, or pear-shaped—not all faces are perfectly square or oval. Use your judgment to determine which shape most accurately describes your face. Almona says, “We need to consider the shape of the face.” She adds that an “elongated forehead” usually benefits from having a “bang.”^{[5]
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- A round face looks circular. The jawline is round, and the forehead may be wide or narrow. The face is equally long as it is wide.
- A heart-shaped face looks like a heart. The forehead is wide and the jawline is a pointed V-shape.
- An oval face is long and round. The length of the face is longer than the width and the jawline is round. According to Almona, oval faces can “basically wear any type of bangs.”^{[6]
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- An oblong face will be a bit longer than an oval and not as wide.
- A square face has even width from top to bottom. The forehead is wide and the jawline is square.
- A diamond-shaped face is widest in the center at the cheekbones. The jawline is V-shaped, and the forehead is narrow.
- A pear face is where the widest points of your jaw are a bit wider than your hairline.
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Choose the right bangs for your face shape. Ideally, your hairstyle will accentuate your eyes and make your face appear more balanced and oval-shaped. Since your hair frames your face, bangs add an extra dimension to how you look. You can ask for any type of bangs, but it is best to choose a style that flatters your natural features. For example: ^{[7]
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- Round faces do best with thick and choppy bangs that create hard angles on the face. These might lie on the forehead or swoop across to the side.
  - Most stylists do not suggest bangs that cut straight across the forehead for round faces. Almona shares that round faces aren’t the best look for a bang because “they’re just going to make you look rounder,” instead of longer, which is the desired effect.^{[8]
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- Heart-shaped faces do well with several styles. Both side-swept and straight across bangs look nice as long as they are textured. Also consider curtain bangs that hit right at the jawline.
- Oval-shaped faces look great in a wide variety of styles, as stylists agree that oval faces can pull off most cuts. Go for bangs that hit between the eyebrows and the eyelashes, and are longer on the edges. That way, you can wear them in front or sweep them to the side.^{[9]
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- Square faces look best with bangs that soften the angles of the face, especially at the forehead. Consider shorter side-swept bangs or even frontal bangs with a center part. Aim to avoid evenly cut bangs that make a line across the forehead—adding texture is key.
- Diamond-shaped faces look great with side-swept styles. These may vary from short and thick to a long swoop across the face. Try to avoid any bangs that are cut straight across the forehead.
- Oblong-shaped faces look best with bangs that widen and shorten the face. Side-swept bangs, thick blunt bangs, and curtain bangs add width and style at the same time.
- Pear-shaped faces look great with bangs that balance their narrower forehead and wider chin. Bangs with lots of volume, like curtain bangs or thick blunt bangs, help balance this face shape well.^{[10]
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Take your hair texture into account. Your hair may be too flat or too curly to create the exact look that you want, so choose a style that flatters your natural texture. For instance, try side bangs or wispy bangs for thin hair (remember, bangs will take away from any volume that you do have). If your hair is limp and gets greasy quickly, bangs will act the same way.^{[11]
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- Find a stylist who knows how to work with curly hair if you have curls. ^{[12]
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  Research source} Have your stylist cut your hair dry so you know exactly where the hair will fall after shrinkage.
- Invest in hair products and a good blow dryer to tame a cowlick. Many types of bangs work with a cowlick. The catch is that you have to blow-dry your hair right after washing to get rid of the cowlick.^{[13]
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Expert Q&A

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What face shape looks good with bangs?

Laura Martin
Licensed Cosmetologist
Laura Martin is a Licensed Cosmetologist based in Milledgeville, Georgia. She has been working as a hair stylist since 2007, and began a career as a cosmetology teacher in 2013. She worked as a teacher at Arrojo Cosmetology School, teaching cosmetology practices, hairstyling, and hair color application. She also brought her cosmetology expertise to her work as a staff writer for fashion blog Style Noted, writing pieces related to hair and fashion. She received an MFA in Creative Writing from Georgia College & State University, where she was also an English Teaching Fellow. Additionally, she received a BA in Creative Writing and Literature from New York University.

Laura Martin

Licensed Cosmetologist

Expert Answer

Bangs can be flattering for any face shape if they are the right ones. A side-swept bang looks great on round or square faces. Straight across bangs look good on heart-shaped or oval faces.

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Are bangs good for round faces?

Laura Martin
Licensed Cosmetologist
Laura Martin is a Licensed Cosmetologist based in Milledgeville, Georgia. She has been working as a hair stylist since 2007, and began a career as a cosmetology teacher in 2013. She worked as a teacher at Arrojo Cosmetology School, teaching cosmetology practices, hairstyling, and hair color application. She also brought her cosmetology expertise to her work as a staff writer for fashion blog Style Noted, writing pieces related to hair and fashion. She received an MFA in Creative Writing from Georgia College & State University, where she was also an English Teaching Fellow. Additionally, she received a BA in Creative Writing and Literature from New York University.

Laura Martin

Licensed Cosmetologist

Expert Answer

Straight across bangs are not the most flattering for round faces, but angled bangs can look great. Waterfall bangs, or any asymmetric bangs, are also a strong option.

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Question

Do bangs really make you look younger?

Laura Martin
Licensed Cosmetologist
Laura Martin is a Licensed Cosmetologist based in Milledgeville, Georgia. She has been working as a hair stylist since 2007, and began a career as a cosmetology teacher in 2013. She worked as a teacher at Arrojo Cosmetology School, teaching cosmetology practices, hairstyling, and hair color application. She also brought her cosmetology expertise to her work as a staff writer for fashion blog Style Noted, writing pieces related to hair and fashion. She received an MFA in Creative Writing from Georgia College & State University, where she was also an English Teaching Fellow. Additionally, she received a BA in Creative Writing and Literature from New York University.

Laura Martin

Licensed Cosmetologist

Expert Answer

They can; softer shapes such as waterfall or side-swept bangs tend to be more flattering on aging faces. Blunt bangs can also appear youthful but may be severe on some faces.

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The advice in this section is based on the lived experiences of wikiHow readers like you. If you have a helpful tip you’d like to share on wikiHow, please submit it in the field below.

If you're cutting your bangs at home, trim them a little bit at a time. You can always cut more, but you can't take back what you cut!
Spray your bangs with dry shampoo or sprinkle on a bit of cornstarch to keep them oil-free and voluminous in between washes.

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