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For many of us, bangs are a right of passage. As children, we had no choice but to sit in the salon (or kitchen) chair while our moms, aunties, or grandmothers dictated that a blunt bang was to be our signature look. Today, they often carry the torch for symbolic life transitions that are accompanied by dramatic style switch-ups. That's a lot of baggage for a haircut to carry, but bangs needn't be so intimidating. In fact, they have a ton of versatility to offer with various lengths and shapes to flatter all hair types and face shapes. The most accessible of all? Light, wispy bangs that can be worn on thicker, textured hair to break up the density that can weigh down the face or on thinner hair to help effortlessly add shape.
"If you want something fun that'll incorporate new styles into your regular hair routine, wispy bangs can be a simple way to do just that," says hair expert Megan Giaimo. We tapped Giaimo and hairstylist Gregga Prothero to get their input on what to consider as you begin the journey to wispy bangs.
Meet the Experts
- Gregga Prothero is a master stylist and founder of Gregga LA.
- Megan Giaimo is a former hairstylist, educator, and salon owner. She specialized in healthy hair transformations and color for blondes.
Below, find 52 of our favorite ways celebrities are wearing the light, wispy bang trend.
Choppy Cascade
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@selenagomez / Instagram
Wispy bangs are often cut with a feather razor on thicker hair to give it that airy, edgy look. Here, Selena Gomez wears her razor-cut wisps at choppy lengths around the eye line.
Full and Fluffy Curls
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@yarashahidi / Instagram
Yara Shahidi's soft, voluminous curls—including her barely-there bangs—are the epitome of cool. Keep your coils hydrated with moisturizing leave-in conditioners and amp up fullness with something like Sexy Hair Big Sexy Hair Spray & Play Volumizing Hairspray.
Glossy and Choppy
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@lilyjcollins / Instagram
Lily Collins's wispy bangs come with choppy ends of varying lengths, albeit subtle. Hitting right at her lashes, they work to draw attention to her eyes. To style, "Go for a lighter product with some hold, like Davines' This is a Texturizing Serum. This creates body, structure, and shape while you blow-dry," explains Prothero. "Avoid too heavy products that have too much oil because it can cause the bangs to look greasy."
Overgrown Curtain
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@haileybieber / Instagram
Here, one of our favorite hair muses, Hailey Bieber, is wearing her hair up while letting her bangs frame her face. "Wispy bangs are the softer feathery version of the blunt straight-across bangs. They differ from curtain bangs in that curtain bangs are parted down the middle and are cut longer to frame your face on both sides," explains Prothero. If you can't decide between the two, go for Bieber's version, which is something of a wispy curtain-bang mash-up.
Byrdie Tip
If you have grown-out curtain bangs and want to try something a little gutsier, ask your stylist to take a feather razor to your center pieces for an easy trim. This simple detailing will take you from curtain bangs to a wispy, feathered fringe—you'll be in and out of the salon in a few minutes with a very different look.
Brow-Framing Fringe
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@priyankachopra / Instagram
We love the way these brow-grazing bangs tie in with Priyanka Chopra Jonas's longer layers. "While wispy bangs are fresh and stylish, they do require regular shaping maintenance and daily styling efforts," Giaimo notes. The perk is that you look effortlessly edgy between trims.
Extended Lifespan
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@elizabetholsendaily / Instagram
If your wispy bangs are overdue for a trim, give them a little boost of volume to keep them lifted out of your eyes while still sporting that rock and roll vibe. Spritz some of Oribe's Dry Texturizing Spray at the roots before blow-drying, and use a small round brush or Mason Pearson to help morph them to your desired shape.
Sweeping Fringe
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@sukiwaterhouse / Instagram
"Cowlicks are another factor to take into consideration," says Giaimo. "Depending on where the cowlick is, wispy bangs may not lay properly on their own." Prothero agrees: "What this hairstyle really depends on is the density of hair and if the hair has any cowlicks or quirks in texture at the front hairline. These will factor in most in determining the length and the amount of thickness that is cut for the bangs," she says. Unless your cowlick is directly near the front of the hairline, you should be good to go. Even a smaller off-center cowlick, with a little daily styling, can offer a piecey, sweeping fringe.
Shag With Blended Bangs
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@jennychohair / Instagram
If you're into heavily layered haircuts, may we introduce: the shag. This cut works best on medium to thick density hair and nearly all textures. And while you don't have to have bangs for this cut, just one look at actress HoYeon Jung's 'do has us saying, "Why not?"
Long, Piecey Curls
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We love the way Zazie Beetz sports a light, wispy bang in her naturally curly texture, which may require an array of tools to achieve, according to Giaimo. "Regular shears can provide that baseline shape," she says, "but polishing the look off with a razor will help give that texture and movement to blend into the rest of the hair."
Feathered Fringe
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Dakota Johnson's finer hair isn't falling flat and lifeless thanks to these feathery soft bangs and face-framing wisps. Keeping a straight edge cut above the brow line will help give the illusion of fullness. "Also if you have natural curly to wavy hair, prepare to straighten your bangs to achieve this look," notes Prothero.
Bits 'n Bobs
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Light, wispy bangs are the best little bits to accompany your bob. Giaimo notes that this style can bring the hair a lot of volume around the face without a lot of daily effort required, especially on finer hair types.
Short Side Bangs
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Bangs don't need to be light and wispy all over to fit the criteria. These side bangs are a perfect example of how to gradually work your way into a fuller bang from the more approachable wispy look.
Face-Framing Fringe
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"The good news about wispy bangs is it works well with all hair types and textures and it’s easy to pull off," Prothero tells us. This face-framing fringe is seriously cool, and the light, wispy texture has everything to do with it. Plus, we love the way any updo can highlight the bangs as such a strong statement.
Soft, Wispy Layers
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Soft, wispy layers pair well with soft, wispy bangs. This note is specifically directed to all our thin and straight-haired friends. Adding layers with a feather razor can bring a lot of that desirable texture into the hair, and bring those bangs into a cohesively cool look.
Brow Length
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A common length for light, wispy bangs is to let them graze right at the brow line, parting their way around with ease. The stark contrast against longer lengths makes for a great statement bang. "This style works well with all face shapes. However, if you tend to break out easily and have a very oily t-zone or are prone to sweating, this can make the bangs very greasy and look stringy," comments Prothero. To combat greasy bangs, she recommends Davines This is a Texturizing Dust.
Curtain Bangs
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These curtain bangs are longer and wispier than the norm, but they're a great way to break things up and can ease into soft, face-framing layers effortlessly. "Any type of wispy bang," Giaimo says, "can dress up a simple ponytail or bun, creating a much softer look."
Piecey and Face-Framing
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These long, piecey bits frame Bella Hadid's face shape effortlessly. Face shape is another important consideration for any type of bangs, says Giaimo. "Heart and oval face shapes are excellent candidates for wispy bangs, in my opinion."
Center Part
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Even with a stubborn center parting that won't budge, wispy bangs are proven to look flattering. Rihanna complements her bang's lightweight movement with piecey, textured waves all around.
Coarser Cuts
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If you have a lot of hair that's thicker in density, ask your stylist to remove some of the weight from your bangs by cutting directly into them for that lighter, wispier look. This way, the bangs can get pushed around casually and you'll have the assurance that they aren't sitting too bulky all over.
Overdirected Side Bangs
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If you have commitment phobia, don't worry, we get it. Instead of cutting length to get this look, try overdirecting a few longer strands beside your side bangs to give your 'do a wispier, fashion-forward look.
Different Textures
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Light, wispy bangs have a softer feel to them than many of the heavier fringe options out there. One of the perks to this lighter look is how seamlessly different textures work together. If you want to wear your natural waves all over but want to smooth out your bangs, use a vented brush to push the hair from right to left at the roots while blow-drying. Make sure to tell your stylist how you plan to wear your bangs from day to day so they can cut with your needs in mind and offer any specific styling tips that'll benefit your desired outcome.
High-Brow Bangs
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Even shorter lengths can have that airy quality that qualifies them as lighter, wispier bangs. For thicker fringe, like Laura Harrier's (faux) bangs, ask your stylist to lighten things up at the center of your fringe. This allows you both to collaborate until you find a level of wispiness that best suits you.
Wet and Wavy
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Steve Granitz / FilmMagic / Getty
Wispy bands get a side of edge à la textured bob. If you have thick tresses, going shorter will help to remove some of your hair's weight and lend movement; however, it's important to incorporate long layers to help define your cut's shape. Wet-look styling will also keep hair from looking too "poufy."
Bouncy Curls
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David M. Benett / Getty
Nathalie Emmanuel's curls lend texture and interest to her fringe, and she looks darling. To get her bouncy bangs, it's important to keep curls moisturized. Try a styling product like Carol's Daughter Hair Milk Nourishing & Conditioning Styling Pudding.
Flipped Out
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Paul Archuleta / FilmMagic / Getty
The lovable Zooey Deschanel is pretty much the poster girl for bangs, and these wispy ones are at the top of our list. To keep thick hair from feeling too heavy, break up your bangs like Deschanel by separating strands post-blowout using a light styling cream.
Long and Straight
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Steve Granitz / FilmMagic / Getty
Long, straight hair pairs well with bangs of the same variety. To pull off wispy bangs, "Always have your bangs styled; meaning, this look isn’t a wash and go," emphasizes Prothero. "You’ll need to at least make sure the shape of the wispy bangs is to your liking via blow drying and styling. It doesn’t take very long to do but is a necessary step in maintaining the look," she says.
Mussy Curls
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Mike Marsland / WireImage / Getty
Forget the messy bun (okay, maybe not entirely), Sandra Oh makes a strong case for the messy ponytail. Her curly bangs and pulled-out, face-framing tendrils are what make this look visually effortless. The best part? It doesn't have to look perfect; the messier, the better.
Short and Choppy
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Wispy bangs don't have to be long, just look at Kat Graham as proof. She turned heads when she debuted this look at Cannes. With a sleek braid and choppy bangs, it's Sporty Spice meets modern-day Caesar.
Thick and Choppy
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Does Ciara ever have a bad hair day? The answer is a resounding "no." Just look at the way she upgrades the classic bob with loads of texture—bangs included. Not only does it create some edge, but it also frames her heart-shaped face perfectly. To keep your fringe looking fresh, "Wispy bangs need to be maintained by getting them cut every two and a half to three weeks," advises Prothero.
Stylized Wisps
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@lacyredway / Instagram
Forget the Superman curl. We want Tessa Thompson's stylized wispy bangs to take their rightful place in superhero stardom.
Curly Tendrils
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@rose_bertram / Instagram
Curls just want to have fun, right, Rose Bertram? Her beautiful blonde ringlets are full of body and bounce from root to tip, making this look a must-have for curly-haired girls. Try air-drying this style or using a diffuser to keep coils healthy and defined.
Wispy Waves
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@marcusrfrancis / Instagram
A shoulder-length cut is universally flattering, whether you're Winona Ryder—or the rest of us. And if you have thin or thinning hair, the shorter length and wavy texture of this 'do is super flattering. Wispy bangs are also the ideal accompaniment since they don't require much density like, say, a thick fringe would.
Blunt and Separated
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@emilychengmakeup / Instagram
Pachinko's Minha Kim lets her bangs do the talking with this simple, yet statement-making 'do. To replicate, style hair into a simple ponytail and pull out a few strands at each temple. Then, blow-dry bangs using your fingers to create separation. Finish with a light-hold hairspray like R+Co Outerspace Flexible Hairspray.
Face Framing
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@maggieq / Instagram
There's more than one way to wear a topknot, but we are loving Maggie Q's version paired with fringe. Have your stylist cut your shortest layers at the chin and then pull these out after styling your hair into a high bun. The result is this perfectly face-framing look.
Blown Out
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@ella_purnell / Instagram
Ella Purnell's blunt, textured bob is cool and casual. Use a round brush, such as Moroccanoil Ceramic Round Brush, when blow-drying bangs to get them straight and volumized. As for the rest of your mane, spritz on some dry texturizing spray then simply tuck hair behind the ear for a neat finish.
'90s-Inspired
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Kevin Mazur / Getty
From her claw bangs to her double face-framing tendrils, Rowan Blanchard is giving us serious '90s vibes. To really take this look to the next level, top it off with your favorite hair accessory: headband, barrettes, or butterfly clips—but only if you dare.
Lightly Layered
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@lacyredway / Instagram
Demi Lovato's bold look draws attention to the face, with bangs playing a starring role. To style, work some pomade through bangs and muss them up a bit. Finish by spraying Fekkai Root Lift Volumizing Treatment on the top of your head to lengthen a round face.
Overgrown
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Carlos Alvarez / Getty
If you haven't gotten around to trimming your bangs or are growing them out, do like Charlotte Gainsbourg and let overgrown bangs work for your rock-star chic aesthetic. This look requires incorporating long layers and texture, but also attitude. Wear it with confidence.
Beachy Bangs
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Steve Granitz / FilmMagic / Getty
Kaley Cuoco could have worn her beachy waves without bangs but instead, she opts for wispy bangs that add maturity and versatility to her overall look.
Blunt Baby Bangs
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TAYLOR HILL / GETTY
Emma Watson's blunt baby bangs pair so well with her shaggy lob, making for the perfect hairstyle to complement her face.
Faux Fringe
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@lacyredway / Instagram
Love wispy bangs but not entirely ready to commit? Forgo the chop and let Teyana Taylor lead the way with curly topknots cascading over the forehead to create the appearance of fringe.
Lash Grazing
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Michael Tran / FilmMagic / Getty
Simple, yet stunning, wispy bangs can dress up even the most basic of updos. Case in point: Michelle Monaghan's high ponytail. The length, hitting just at her lashes, brings out her eyes—as would the right eyeshadow—but to maintain these bangs, frequent trimmings are a must, just FYI.
Above the Brow
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Getty
Lea Michele's bang and bob combo at the 2023 Met Gala was a classic and timeless look that paid homage to one of the star's idols: Barbra Streisand. Here, her wispy bangs are parted, with just a few pieces down the middle, skimming her eyebrows.
Natural Coils
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@kirinstagram / Instagram
Sometimes, bangs have a mind of their own. Tessa Thompson's natural coils go in every direction, making her wispy bangs that much more effortless with this style.
Blended Into Pixie
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Getty
Zoë Kravitz's micro baby bangs are blended into her cropped pixie for a seamless look. We love the jagged texture they add, too.
Romantic Reveries
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Steve Granitz / WireImage / Getty
Camila Cabello's wispy bangs are perfectly imperfect. A little messy at the top, her bangs blend into face-framing shorter pieces of hair, which match the loose French braid draped over her shoulder.
Graduated Fringe
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@jennychohair / Instagram
Jenna Ortega's fringed updo is what dreams are made of. The wispy bangs are not only side parted but elegantly graduated to blend with the 'do.
Wet-Look Wisps
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@lacyredway / Instagram
Straight from the runways and onto our mood boards, these artfully stylized bangs are everything. The style takes the term wet-look seriously, not settling for merely damp strands.
Iconic Flick
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@sabrinacarpenter / Instagram
What's the secret to Sabrina Carpenter's bombshell bangs? That ever-so-slight flick at the ends that gives added dimension to an otherwise rolled, blown-out bang.
Byrdie Tip
Apply a tiny bit of pomade or wax to the ends with your fingertips to accentuate the definition and provide long-lasting hold.
Spiky Styling
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@justinandersoncolor / Instagram
Spiky hairstyles are the very cornerstone of 90's hair. Hailey Bieber doubles up on the style with a spiky messy bun and spiked wispy bangs to match.
Gorgeous Grunge
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@anhcotran / Instagram
A bob and bang combo practically call for a chic, grungy look. This particular French bob looks even edgier courtesy of those textured, piecey bangs. Here, a combination of molding wax and texturizing cream were used for extra oomph.