Bangs are one of the most universally popular hair trends going, and they're also one of the easiest to mess up. Wearing bangs is a trend that has cycled in and out of style for decades.

Statement bangs have been rocked by celebrities and style icons including Bettie Page in the 1950s, Jane Birkin in the 1960s, Debbie Harry in the 1970s, and Michelle Pheiffer in the 1980s. Today you'll see celebs like Reese Witherspoon, Kate Moss, Liv Tyler, Katie Holmes and supermodels Tyra Banks, Naomi Campbell, and Heidi Klum all sporting bangs.

Bang Styles

While universally popular, the same style of bangs will not necessarily look good on every woman; different versions of bangs can be cut to adapt the look to be complimentary to different face shapes and hair textures. Fringe, brow-skimming bangs, sideswept bangs, and blunt bangs are some of the options for you if you're considering making the bang commitment.

How Deep Should Bangs Be Cut?

In order to get the best bang look for you – and to ensure a healthy-looking, bold statement bang – you've got to commit to cutting at least two inches back into your hairline.

Bangs for Small Foreheads

If you have a small forehead – one of about two inches from brow to hairline – you're best suited to a very strong, heavy, deep bang which starts back four or five inches back from your hairline. These high impact bangs will create the illusion of a more proportionate forehead and create a more balanced looking face.

Bangs for Medium Foreheads

A medium forehead measures about four inches from brow to hairline. If you've got a four-inch forehead you have the most options of bang styles.

Bangs for Large Foreheads

If you have a large forehead – generally defined as a forehead that is greater than four inches between your eyebrows and hairline – you should opt for a sideswept fringe. The sideswept bang is flattering on pretty much every face shape, conceals the large expanse of your forehead and tricks the eye into thinking that your forehead is not quite so vast.

Bangs for Textured Hair

Women with curly or wavy hair may wish to use a blow dryer or flattening iron to get a smoothe, blunt bang - if that's the desired look. But even women with straight hair may have to use a heated styling tool like a blow dryer, flattening iron, or large barrel curling iron to achieve the same crisp look.

Wavy- or curly-haired women may also opt to go au naturel with a non-straight bang. Because curly hair tends to curl recoil - depending on the length and weight of hair, and the size of the curl – cutting bangs can be tricky and easily result in too-short hair. For this reason, smany women with curly hair tend to wear longer or sideswept bangs.

Maintaining Bangs

Bangs require a lot of upkeep; they need to be trimmed regularly, and often require, pinning, gelling, flattening, and straightening in order to be maintained. Crisp, blunt bangs should be trimmed by a professional to keep their solid, high impact look. Longer, sideswept, and choppy bangs or fringe can go longer between trim sessions, but also benefit from a professional's shears.

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