piecey pixie
The best accessory for a perfect pixie haircut is a great bang! Choppy layers are snipped all around the crown down to the nape and the brow-skimming bangs. Smooth varying lengths with a ceramic flat iron, and use a dab of pomade to put the razored edges into place.
HAIR: L SALON & COLOR GROUP, SAN MATEO, CA; PHOTO: GLOBAL HAIR & FASHION GROUP.
forward style
Drawn attention to your sultry eyes and opt for blunt bangs. The cut is all about clean lines from the forehead all the way back to the nape. Use a small curling iron to ensure sleek strands fall softly to the brow line. Apply a spritz of hairspray to hold bangs in place.
HAIR: PAUL FALLTRICK HAIRDRESSING, UNITED KINGDOM; PHOTO: GLOBAL HAIR & FASHION GROUP.
sexy sweep
Another version of the pixie style, this cropped coif features long layers atop the crown and sideswept fringe in front. Blow-dry tresses with a round brush, guiding bangs to one side. Secure frizzies by flat-ironing fringe for a sleek silhouette.
HAIR: HAIR STYLING EFE, HAMBURG, GERMANY; PHOTO: GLOBAL HAIR & FASHION GROUP.
celebrity style
ALLISON IRAHETA had a rockin’ style when she first appeared on American Idol last year. The singer paired a radiant red hue with wispy layers and razored side bangs. It’s all about the eyes for Allison, as her lengthy bangs skim her lush, long lashes.
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What are some of the ways to stop bangs from thinning using a flat iron?
Hi, Lushaunda!
When you use a flat iron, it’s like ironing a shirt. Wrinkles create texture in the fabric and ironing the fabric removes the wrinkles and creates a tame, flat look. What you might be feeling is that “flat” look when you use a flat iron. Have you thought of straightening the bang area with just a brush and using a flat-iron on the rest of your hair? This way, you create the look you want in the areas you want without sacrificing volume, lift or shape in the bang area. Also, be sure you are working with thermal styling products as well as volumizing products if you feel you need more volume or fullness in the bang area.
Im geting my hair done in the next few days and iv played around with alot of styles from pixie Short to shoulder length Bobs. My hair is realy Thin and Straight and sometimes realy oily even when showering everyday i can never find a hair style that helps with Volume i even try expensive shampoos and conditioners along with the volumizing styling gels. do you have any suggestions or ideas to help me with this decision
Thanks
Hi, Shiloh!
Thank you for writing. Try to be sure to use a dime size amount of shampoo and conditioner each time you wash your hair. Using too much product, especially every day, will make your hair more oily than usual. For volume, try applying a dab of mousse, then blow-dry your hair (about 50 percent) upside down. Finish blow-drying using a round brush to shape your bob under, giving your mane a boost from root to tip! Look out for more tricks in our next issue!
i want to get some side bangs but the ones i like my mom tells me that they look awful on me, or they start to irritate me cuz they are always in my eyes. i don’t know what to do. any advice?
Danielle:
We’ll check our experts and be back to you in a week or so!
Hi, Danielle!
Side bangs are a great choice for bangs, because they would swoop over to the side—unlike regular bangs, which definitely could get in your eyes and irritate you. Side bangs are cut where they are shorter on one side and longer on the other. The shorter side helps to push the longer pieces out of the way, and that is the beauty of the side bang. For the best results, you need to work from where your hair naturally parts on the side. If you go beyond that, then there could be an issue of bangs falling into your eyes.
Hi i got my hair chemically straightened, in china and they cut my bangs straight across and my hair stylist here,in US cut some more hair for my bangs so its very thick ,i have very thin hair, and i dont know what to do with it.it looks really weird and it makes my bangs uncontrolable for some reason. Should i wait for it to grow out or should i do something with it?? Thank you in advance
i also was born with straight hair
Hi Wendy:
Talk to your stylist and let him/her know you are unhappy with how your hair looks and ask what can be done to help you transition into a new look. Creating a plan you can both follow will get you your desired results a lot quicker without a lot of hit-or-miss actions in between.
If your stylist isn’t on the same page as you, it may be time to investigate finding a new one. Ask friends and family for recommendations of who they like, then book a consultation appointment with any new stylist and talk about what your needs and wants are with your hair. Make sure you’re both in agreement before he/she even starts with a pair of scissors.
so i am getting my hair done next week and i want to do something drastic. i am thinking of going strawberry blonde but i have really dark brown hair. can i pull it off? also i want a straight bang but don’t know if it looks good on me. I am a ballet dancer and i want to keep some of my length to pull it back. any opinions?
Hi Onna:
Have you discussed any of this with your regular stylist or colorist? Your salon professionals are filled with tons of great ideas and most likely take regular classes and study up on trends to make sure they have the latest and greatest techniques.
Explain what you want and what you’re thinking about and we’re sure they can give you the best advice for your hair type, face shape and lifestyle.
We’re sure you’re going to look even more fabulous, Onna!
I am getting my hair cut soon but I am not sure what I should do with it. Right now my hair goes past my shoulders about 5-inches and I have grown out side bangs. My layers start at my jar bone. Also I have dirty-blonde hair that during the summer it is more blonde and during the winter it gets darker. I think I want to keep the length since I play sports. Any ideas?
Also my hair dries wavy but I usually straighten it. (I dont like to blow dry it)
Jess:
Our w issue of Sophisticate’s Hairstyle Guide featuring Carrie Underwood on our cover features a great expert from Celebrity Stylist Robert Vetica’s book–Good To Great Hair. We showcase some nice variations for longer hair. Also have celebrity makeover section with a host of fantastic to-try ideas. Happy hair!
Hello Jess:
Sophisticates Hairstyle is definitely the place to turn to collect photos and inspiration for cut & color that may work for you.
To begin with, I suggest highlights/lowlights and dimensional color that will break up your “dirty blonde” hair. Relying on sun fading can create weaker strands and inconsistent color results that can often be hard to correct or match. It’s always best to be consistent with your color applications in the long run.
Since you play sports, I imagine that the occasional pony-tail is convenient so keeping a little length is probably a good idea. With longer than shoulder-length hair, layers that begin around the jaw-line can sometimes be too short. It just depends on what your overall length really is. You also want to have nice connection lines in your layering, so don’t start them too high up.
I agree with the idea of a side swept bang–and it sounds like you’re already well on your way for fabulous hair. Maintenance
will be your best friends with a good hair-care line that gives you year-round results. Let us know how you do.
Ok I am always get bored with my hair after 3-4 months after I change it. I don’t really want to cut my hair again. Any suggestions I can do to make a sutle by noticable change? If it helps my hair goes past my shoulders about 5 inches and layered starting at the ear.
Hi Alysha:
This is where fun styling tips and techniques come into play. There are round brushes, paddle brushes, curling irons, flat irons, hot rollers and the list goes on and on. My favorite thing in the world is to teach new styling techniques to help people “freshen” or change up their look. Add a little teasing, use hot rollers, change up your styling serums and you’ll have a brand new look every day.
Always pick up a copy of Sophisticate’s Hairstyle Guide where we give step-by-step how-to’s for so many different looks. Have some friends over for “Beauty Night” and exchange hair-tip secrets—you’ll be red-carpet ready in no time. Take a look at your current style inventory and make a check list. What do you have? What do you need? What would you like to learn to do? Ask your friends and your stylist for their advice!
i wanna get bangs but i’m not sure if it will look okay with my glasses, any sugestions?
Hi Marie:
Bangs and glasses–I vote yes. Be original, and celebrate your own ideas and individuality. Just be careful and don’t go too short or too blunt. Accidental whispies are fun, more care-free, and can be quite complimentary to the right set of specs.
Avoid harsh lines in your bangs, and ask for point-cutting techniques to soften the look of your bangs. Also, add a few highlights to break up the look. I’m sure this will be a great look. Please let us know what happens.
it turned out awesome, thanks so much for the advice!
I have naturally curly hair, like ringlet curly but my bangs area only waves. Can i have deep side-swept bangs or would that look funny??
Meghan:
We’re checking!
Hi Meghan:
One of my greatest tips is this: Since you have a curly hair type, most of the curl can show up in the back with just a soft wave pattern in the front. I love this style, which you can achieve with these steps…
1. Shampoo and condition as normal and towel dry.
2. Apply a style cream to the back and scrunch, then allow to air-dry.
3. Apply a style cream or straightening serum to the front, and blow-dry entire front section smooth, including the sides.
4. When front is dry, loosely blow back while scrunching for about 30 seconds. Shake loose and finger style.
This will give a soft, loose style that takes maybe 5 minutes to do.
I want side sweep bangs to the left but im not sure if bangs r the look 4 me. my hair is about 2in past my shoulders. i think my face is a diomond shape. I have med/fair skin and hazel eyes. I cant make up my mind what to do can u please help me?
Hi Lyndsey:
Bangs can be really exciting and completely change someone’s look for the better, but here is what you need to know. First, only use bangs if you have some length in your face. If your face is round of if you are small and broad, avoid bangs as they will make a person appear “horizontal” (heavier). Second, you need to have some distance between your hairline and your eyebrows. If your forehead is low, it can make your head look too flat and crowd your face.
However, if you fit the criteria, try the first time by not really cutting bands, but by having a “higher angle” cut around your face. It allows you to get the feeling of bangs but keeps them long enough that you can easily go back to longer hair. If you like them, they can be cut shorter very easily.
im getting my hair styled and cut in a couple of days and i would like bangs like ashley tisdale. can u suggest any other bangs like ashley’s ?
Hi Maddie:
Ashley Tisdale’s bangs are really a shorter version of a steep angle around the face. They are not cut straight across and are designed to move away from the face. They are highly flexible and very sexy. If you’re looking for a more “dramatic” look, you can keep the long hair and cut very straight-across blunt bangs! Very audacious but they can really bring attention to your eyes, especially if you have long hair. It puts a focal point into a long head of hair so it looks very hot and modern.