The 7 Stages of Having Bangs
By Mi-Anne Chan & Megan Cahn
PHOTO: EVERETT COLLECTION / REX USA.
Oh bangs, where do we even begin… It all started early, when everyone on the playground had thick, straight-across fringe. As we grew up, it seemed only appropriate to grow you out (or grow out of you). If only we knew this was just the beginning of our emotional rollercoaster ride together. Every time we thought we were done — our hair long enough to tuck behind our ears once again — you came back, luring us in.
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There was the baby-bangs phase, the sleek side-swept moment, the ‘70s eye-grazing rocker girlfriend look, and the perfectly piece-y Alexa Chung thing. We curse you when you’re here (Why won’t you just fall right?!), and we yearn for you when you’re gone (Oh, Behati Prinsloo’s new bangs sure look good). It’s a love-hate relationship we’ve all experienced, and it goes a little something like this…
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COURTESY OF GIPHY.
Stage 1: All The It Girls Have Them, Why Not Me?
You’re inundated with images of cool-girl squad members Taylor Swift, Emma Stone, and Zooey Deschanel, who all have perfectly face-framing fringe — not a cowlicky strand in sight. You’re more than tempted to break out the scissors and Single White Female their look right there. If Emma can go from no bangs to bombshell bangs in a hot second, why can’t you?
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COURTESY OF GIPHY.
Stage 2: Looking For Reinforcement
You decide to consult your clique about your fringe desires, and they tell you to slowly step away from the scissors, directing you to your Facebook photos circa 2010.
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COURTESY OF GIPHY.
Stage 3: Who Needs Reinforcement?
That is, if you get a professional to cut them (you’ve learned your lesson). You book an appointment and show the stylist a pic of Alexa Chung, and you walk out of the salon with a confidence recharge. “Dayummmm, I look good,” you say as you catch your reflection in a store window walking down the street. Yep, you knew it: Bangs are exactly what you need.
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COURTESY OF GIPHY.
Stage 4: Bangs As Far As The Eye Can See
Okay, maybe you weren’t the only one inspired by Emma’s latest look — all of a sudden, bangs are everywhere. Even those girls who told you to steer clear of the style are now walking around with freshly cut fringe.
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COURTESY OF GIPHY.
Stage 5: You Remember Having Bangs Is A Lot Of Work
You realize that your fringe has a mind of its own — those bouncy first days are over, and you’re left with a floppy mess. Where’s that mini-straightener?
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COURTESY OF GIPHY.
Stage 6: You Start To Grow Them Out
Your bangs have become the bane of your existence. They’re sticky, they’re falling into your eyes, and they might even be making you break out. You buy $50 worth of hair clips and headbands, and swear you’ll grow them out again.
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COURTESY OF GIPHY.
Stage 7: They’re Baaack
Time goes by, and you’re feeling a little restless. You can’t really remember why you thought bangs weren’t good for you — they were always fun! Right? You see the latest celeb rendition, and get jealous. And they’re back. Oh bangs, why can’t I quit you…
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