How to find out whether a fringe will suit you
There are only a few things in life that truly scare me, and cutting my hair is right at the top of that list. My hair grows at a painfully slow rate, and I’ve stuck to trims for the past six years to avoid any major disappointments. So far, so good. But lately I’ve been thinking: “What would I look like with a fringe?”
RELATED: Where to go from balayage
RELATED: How to get voluminous, Victoria's Secret-worthy hair
This kind of chop requires a lot of commitment, so before diving straight into the deep end with a pair of scissors, there are (of course) a few things to think about. Get it right, and a fringe will be the best damn thing you’ve ever done. Hello, Miss Glamour! If a face-framer is also piquing your curiosity, here’s what to do:
STEP 1: FIND YOUR FACE SHAPE
There are a hundred things to consider before making the chop, and your face shape is number one. Knowing the curves and edges of your face will help you to determine what kind of fringe is right for you.
Lucky you! Oval face shapes are an ideal canvas for fringes, and as for the most flattering cut? A long and thick fringe that hangs just above your eyebrows.
A long, thin and layered fringe works best. A short fringe will only accentuate your boxy features. It’ll also put you in the same league as these leading ladies. Case in point.
Go the gringe. Since it’s a long side-swept fringe that melts into the rest of your hair, it’ll help to elongate your face.
To balance your pretty heart face, opt for a fringe that is slightly shorter in the centre and longer at the cheekbones. Alternatively, a short side-swept fringe will draw attention away from your pointy chin and towards your eyes.
A long and straight fringe that stops just above your eyes will work to shorten the length of your face.
Rounded bangs that are thin and textured at the edges will fill in the narrow top of your head without drawing attention to your square jawline.
STEP 2: THE FAKE FRINGE
Once you’ve discovered what fringe type will suit your face, use the fake fringe test to see if getting the snip is really worth it. Test out your faux-fringe as follows:
- Tie your hair up in a high pony.
- Drag your hair up over the top of your head so it falls to the front of your face.
- Use your free hand to spread and style your chosen fringe type.
- And voilà, you have a fringe!
Top tip: If you want to see what the fringe would look like with your hair out, only tie up the top section of your hair.
Have you had a fringe before? Would you get one again?
288 Member Comments
Now there are even websites and programs for this, so I think there will be no problem with this;)
- Log in or register to commentReply to comment
- Likes 0
I have a square face and find a side fringe or curtain fringe works best for me
- Log in or register to commentReply to comment
- Likes 0
I've had a fringe for over 50 years - mostly a long thick fringe that sits on my eyebrows.
- Log in or register to commentReply to comment
- Likes 0
My mum gave me a fringe that started at the back of my head in the 80s. Too scared to have another one!
- Log in or register to commentReply to comment
- Likes 0
I had side swept fringe and love the look on me but it gets too high maintenance so I grew it out.
- Log in or register to commentReply to comment
- Likes 0
I really have no idea what shape my face is, I need someone to tell me. I’ve been too scared to get a fringe because of the maintenance—I’m a tie it up and leave the house kind of girl. If I had to do more than that each morning I’d never get anywhere.
- Log in or register to commentReply to comment
- Likes 0
What i have against a fringe is the maintenance. I know i won't keep up with it.
- Log in or register to commentReply to comment
- Likes 0
I have had fringes on and off over the years. It used to be the classic little girl blunt cut fringe at first, the developed into a long side swept fringe for my teen years, until I cut it one day above my eyes-and it's then I decided I would grow it out, so now that's the way I have it nowadays.
- Log in or register to commentReply to comment
- Likes 0
I have a high forehead, so I love a nice fringe
- Log in or register to commentReply to comment
- Likes 0
I do so love a fringe, I have one at the moment. Up keep is a pain in the neck but it is a wonderful way to cover up forehead wrinkles, lol.
- Log in or register to commentReply to comment
- Likes 0
As a 6 year old I decided that I needed a new fringe and cut my hair using the craft box scissors, needless to say I've never gone back to a fringe.
- Log in or register to commentReply to comment
- Likes 1
I think i would find a fringe annoying as my go-to hairstyle is a high pony to keep my hair out of my face.
- Log in or register to commentReply to comment
- Likes 1
Great trick for testing if a fringe will suit. I don't need to do it though, I've had a fringe forever!
- Log in or register to commentReply to comment
- Likes 0
Pretty sure my face is round. I do love the idea of a side sweeped fringed, sounds so glam.
- Log in or register to commentReply to comment
- Likes 0
Im too lazy to deal with the issues of a fringe. They are way too much work to keep looking good.
- Log in or register to commentReply to comment
- Likes 0
fake bangs from ebay might help. At least can take off
- Log in or register to commentReply to comment
- Likes 0
My hair is naturally very curly so I can't pull off a fringe, but I love the look of side swept fringes so sometimes when I straighten my hair I just pin it to the side so it looks like a faux fringe.
- Log in or register to commentReply to comment
- Likes 1
I used to have a fringe a few year back and loved it but, found the daily maintenance a bit too much for me to manage. I have since outgrown my fringe although...I have been contemplating having one again.
- Log in or register to commentReply to comment
- Likes 0
I've gotten a "gringe" before but I am just terrible at looking after it!
- Log in or register to commentReply to comment
- Likes 0
I rock a fringe hair piece when I get the urge. A fringe in a drawer is the kind of upkeep I can deal with.
- Log in or register to commentReply to comment
- Likes 0
Love the pictures with the face type really easy to figure out which type of fringe suits best.
- Log in or register to commentReply to comment
- Likes 0
Ok Michelle, you need to come to my place and explain it to me. I had no idea of my face shape after looking at this and couldn’t really see the difference in half of the diagrams. I need help!
- Log in or register to commentReply to comment
- Likes 0
