How to choose the right fringe style according to your face shape

It’s always tempting to get your fringe cut, especially after seeing a celebrity or friend rocking a refreshing new look that appears like she’s taken years off her age. Indeed, bangs have that kind of effect on our appearance.

However, it can be a rather daunting commitment; get it wrong and you’ll have to stick with the mistake until your bangs grow out, which can sometimes feel like forever especially when you hate how it looks.

To help you out, here’s a guide to help you pick the most flattering style of bangs, according to your face shape.

Best bangs for round-shaped face

Round-shaped face are slightly shorter and with a rounded chin. The widest part of a round-shaped face is the cheekbones.

Your celebrity inspiration: Chrissy Teigen and Gemma Chan

Try blunt bangs

It’s all about balance. Since there are a lot of curves in your face shape, an angular fringe style will help sculpt the face.

Note that blunt fringe typically requires more trimming, so make sure you visit your hairstylist regularly to keep your hairstyle in tip-top shape.

Try long, side-swept bangs

For something lower maintenance, opt for slightly longer, side-swept bangs. This style can help give you the appearance of a more elongated face.

Tip: Make sure your bangs have some lift instead of hang limp. A volume spray and hair-drying in the morning can perk up the look. Alternatively, you can curl your fringe and secure it loosely with bobby pins to the side.

Product to try: Ouai Volume Spray

This mist helps add volume even if you have fine, limp hair. Simply mist it lightly onto damp roots before blow-drying to give some volume and bounce to your fringe – and the rest of your hair if you’d like. The mist also protects your hair from heat, making it perfect as a step before any heat-styling.

This retails for S$40 at Sephora.

Best bangs for square-shaped face

People with square-shaped faces have angular jaws and little curves to their overall face shape. Their forehead, cheekbones, and jaw are also more or less equal in width.

Your celebrity inspiration: Jennifer Aniston and Lucy Liu

Try side-swept bangs

The main idea is to avoid squared-off fringe or straight bangs that will make your face shape look even more angular.

Side-swept bangs are your best bet because they lend some curves to your face shape.

Tip: Invest in a good rounded brush for daily styling.

Try piecey, textured bangs

We’ve mentioned that straight bangs are a no-go, so go the opposite direction: piecey, textured bangs.

The layers and interesting textures add curves to your face shape to soften the overall look.

Product to try: Verb Sculpting Clay

For both side-swept bangs and piecey bangs, you’re going to need a bit of styling clay to keep the look in place. We love the Verb Sculpting Clay because this pomade has medium hold and offer a natural-looking texture that you can easily re-shape even throughout the day.

On top of its ability to provide hold, it’s also able to protect hair while adding shine. Infused with avocado oil, vitamins A, D, and E, as well as amino acids, the hair pomade further nourishes your hair while keeping it in place.

This retails for S$24 at Sephora.

Best bangs for heart-shaped face

Heart-shaped faces are defined by a larger forehead, prominent cheekbones, and a slender jawline with sharp chin.

Your celebrity inspiration: Gwyneth Paltrow and Cheryl Cole

Try wispy bangs or “air bangs”

Your angular facial structure can be softened with the help of layered, wispy bangs. The trendy Korean “air bangs” is one of the styles that will flatter your face shape.

Try curtain bangs

To draw less attention to your wide forehead, curtain bangs helps minimise its appearance.

Tip: Remember to ask your hairstylist to give you a more layered look in order to soften the style.

Product to try: Percy & Reed Radiance Revealing Invisible Dry Shampoo

For both “air fringe” and curtain bangs, the biggest no-no would be oily hair that sticks to the forehead. This is why a good dry shampoo can be a midday life-saviour when your hair starts to give way to the heat and humidity in Singapore.

Try this popular one from Percy & Reed that is lightweight and gives an efficient refreshing without leaving behind visible residue in the hair. You’ll love that it retains the natural movement in your hair so it looks like you’ve washed (and dried) your hair.

This retails for S$28 at Sephora.

Best bangs for oval-shaped face

An oval face is usually considered the “ideal” face shape – with a shape that’s similar to that of an egg.

While most experts will say that those with oval-shaped faces can rock practically any hairstyles, we still have some recommendations that you may find useful.

Your celebrity inspiration: Emma Watson and Song Hye Kyo

Try baby bangs

Baby bangs or micro bangs are among the toughest hairstyles to rock – but hey, if you’ve been blessed with an oval face, might as well flaunt it.

However, note that this style will look best if you have a shorter forehead, or it may emphasise the forehead, making it look longer than it actually is.

Try centre-parted bangs

Another trendy look that can be challenging to rock, this is a great style to consider for those with an oval-shaped face and a slightly longer forehead.

This is because splitting your bangs right in the middle exposes the part of your forehead at the lowest point to your hairline, making your forehead look shorter.

Product to try: Kerastase Keratine Thermique Heat Protection for Anti-Frizz

One thing that’s going to mess with you style? Frizz.

Try this heat protectant that prevents frizzy hair to make sure your mane remains tamed while it’s protected during your blowdrying process.

Formulated with thermo-protective agents, this can help protect hair from heat damage up to 180°C. It also carries anti-humidity and anti-frizz properties so your styled hair stays smoother for a longer time.