Is it possible to have layered bangs without damaging your hair or making a big production of it? Absolutely. The style isn’t just doable, it’s very popular as well. In fact, the process is so easy, some folks manage their bangs at home with a basic approach and about 10 minutes of cutting and finishing to keep their bangs perfect daily instead of regular trips to the salon. Of course, that’s a bit more on the daring side, but it signals how easy it is to keep bangs in shape versus an entire hairstyle or cut.
There’s a Lot of Examples Online
More than one beauty blogger posts their version of how to manage bangs, and the tips don’t go ignored. Many salon staff are re-educating themselves over dinner and in the evening or when on a break watching the tips and how to apply them quickly and effectively. And, believe it or not, the entire process of creating layered bangs can be done in five very simple steps. Here’s how to go about it below.
The Simple Method Anyone Can Do
First, you have to get your hair damp so that it can be shaped easily. Note, the key word here is to dampen, not soak. Take a shower and towel-dry your hair thoroughly so it’s not dripping or a runny mess. Your hair should be wet but not showing water drops. If you don’t want to make a big production of it, just get a spritzer bottle and mist all over the affected area to do the job right.
Second, it’s time to part and form your hair. Use a comb, not a brush, and part your hair from one side to the other side. You want your parted hair to line up with the middle of your eyebrows for the areas combed to the side. This should just leave the very center of your hair off the crown combed downward towards your face.
Next, if your front hair is long enough, twist it like rope. Why? This is the technique one uses to create the layering effect on your bangs that will occur. Don’t try to cut your hair right across. One, you’ll end up with a Xena hair cut instead, and two it will actually peak up on the side corners giving you more of a weird Vulcan look than anything. By roping the hair, you actually give it micro differences in length and the sides will be longer than the exact middle. That gives you more of a gradual layered bangs look versus a straight cut right across that won’t match your face.
Now it’s time to cut. Most would think that they should cut the roped hair at their eyes. Wrong. You need to give it length because your hair will bounce upward when free and naturally hang much higher. If you cut at your eye level, your natural hair length will then end up somewhere in your upper forehead. Instead, your going to be cutting the hair closer to the mouth.
If your hair is naturally straight, there’s less bounce. So, you can cut right at your lips. If your hair is wavy and has more bounce, cut lower below the lips. Also, don’t go at it with a pair of meat cleaver scissors from the office or kitchen. Use a pair of smaller, salon-style scissors. These will give you far better control.
They are typically cataloged as “manicure” scissors. Alternatively, you can get online and find all sorts of professional barber scissors as well designed specifically for hair cutting.
With the cutting completed, you’re now in the final stage (or your salon person if you’re not daring enough). You need to get all the cut hair out, which basically means giving the front area a good shakeout. Use a wide brush and go at it with the blow dryer.
Anything loose will come out and you’ll be left with dry, freshly cut bangs and no bits stuck in between. And, when blow-drying, make sure you’re aiming downward while brushing towards your face. This will dry the hair to hang instead of bending it back with a temporary curl.
Guess what? You have now completed your layered bangs change, or your salon person did with the same easy steps. And the results are a natural, face-framing look that accentuates your face with your longer hair on the sides. However, instead of a harsh, angular Xena look, you have a far more natural softer approach and transition to your longer hair. You also don’t have to worry now about constantly having to brush your long hair out of your face or tying it back, just in time for summer.
Last Tips to Note
Remember, if you do go at it yourself layering your bangs, cut them longer than normal first and see the results. This at least gives you room for repair if something went sideways and didn’t work right. Touch up is easy to do after the fact but trying to replace hair cut too short won’t happen. You’ll just have to wait for it to grow out again, which will be annoying for weeks.
