5 Products That Make Your Bangs Actually Manageable
By: Victoria Dawson Hoff
Sure, Jane Birkin makes her fringe look effortless. But the truth is that with great bangs comes great responsibility: blow-drying, styling, and often a set of products that’s completely separate from your regular hair-care regimen. But there’s no reason why low-maintenance gals should have to sit out this timeless style, so we hunted down the tools and formulas that save money, time, and effort—and still deliver amazing results.
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The Brush/Hair Dryer
For those of us who are not so skilled with a blow-dryer, this mash-up device is a godsend: Air comes out of the brush itself, eliminating the need to swap between blow dryer and round brush (and leaving one hand free for texting, sipping coffee, whatever). The ionic technology helps seal out frizz, and it’s also especially handy for those who’d like to keep the rest of their locks undisturbed by a blow dryer. Also note the soft bristles, which are essential when choosing a round brush for bangs—they’ll grab at every hair to ensure even drying, while the bristles on nylon brushes are generally spaced too far apart for such a small amount of hair. John Frieda Salon Shape Hot Air Brush, $40; Courtesy ulta.com
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The Revitalizing Dry Shampoo
Since your bangs are constantly pressed against your forehead, they’re much more prone to getting oily than the rest of your hair—which makes dry shampoo a must for an instant perk-up in between washes. This cult fave option is aluminum free (uncommon for most powders on the market), touts a cocktail of completely natural ingredients, and smells amazing. Amika Perk Up Dry Shampoo, $21; Courtesy birchbox.com
The Foolproof Trimming Tool
It’s like a level for your fringe! This handy tool holds your hair in place, separates strands, and acts as a straight-line guide for your scissors, removing all guesswork when you opt to trim at home. Bango Home Haircutting Kit, $27; Courtesy amazon.com
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The Texturizing Super-Goo
Is it a pomade? Is it a gel? Is it magic? Pretty much all of the above: This multitasking stuff adds texture and hold to strands, creating that perfect, piece-y French girl fringe. All this, and it’s somehow lightweight enough to create incredible bounce. See? Magic. Oribe Fiber Groom Elastic Texture Paste, $32; Courtesy oribe.com
The Ultimate Hands-Off Treatment
For those who deal with very thick locks and/or annoying frizz on a daily basis, a keratin treatment—just on your bangs—may be the way to go: A one-time process, which takes a few hours in the salon, banishes frizz and poofiness for up to two months, cutting way down on drying and styling time (and product). But since the chemicals in traditional treatments can be very tough on hair, Cezanne offers a less controversial, formaldehyde-free option. Our stylist at Butterfly Studio, which offers the treatment in New York, noted that while fine-haired ladies can opt to get the treatment just on their bangs, those with more textured locks should get it throughout (just ask your hairstylist to concentrate the treatment on your fringe for best results). Keep in mind that those seeking bouncy, round, Brigitte Bardot bangs will still need a little help from the blow-dryer. But if a piece-y, natural-looking, Lou Doillon fringe is more your jam? Wash, tousle, and go. Cezanne Formaldehyde-Free Keratin Smoothing Treatment, offered at select salons nationwide; Courtesy cezannehair.com
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