Bangs change the proportions of a face more than any other cut. They shorten the forehead, frame the eyes and add or remove width. Choosing bangs for face shape comes down to one idea: use the fringe to balance your widest or longest area. This guide gives rules with reasons for each shape, then covers forehead height, hair type and how to grow them out.
How bangs for face shape work
A fringe draws a horizontal line across the forehead, so it makes the face look shorter. Side-swept and curtain styles add diagonal lines, which make a face look narrower. Heavy blunt bangs add weight to the top of the face, and wispy bangs add very little. Keep those four effects in mind and the choices below are easy to follow. Not sure of your shape? Check with the free face shape detector.
Bangs for round face
A round face is about as wide as it is long, with soft edges. The goal is to add length and angles.
- Best: side-swept bangs and long curtain bangs. The diagonal line draws the eye along the face instead of across it.
- Also good: wispy bangs that part in the middle, which open the center of the forehead.
- Be careful with: short, blunt bangs, which cut the face into a block and make it look wider.
See side bangs and curtain bangs.
Bangs for oval face
An oval face is balanced, so almost any fringe works. The decision is about style and upkeep, not correction.
- Best: curtain, wispy, side-swept or blunt bangs, all of which sit well in this shape.
- Keep in mind: very heavy bangs can hide the balanced proportions, so choose a lighter one if you want to keep the forehead visible.
- Try: bottleneck bangs for a distinct look that frames the eyes.
See oval face shape and bottleneck bangs.
Bangs for long face
Long (oblong) faces have more length than width, and a long forehead is common.
- Best: full, blunt bangs and brow-length fringes. They shorten the face by covering part of the forehead.
- Also good: thick curtain bangs with volume at the sides to add width.
- Be careful with: micro bangs or no fringe with the hair pulled straight back, which adds length.
See blunt bangs and oblong face shape.
Bangs for square, heart and diamond faces
- Square: soft side-swept or wispy bangs that blur the straight forehead line and a strong jaw. Avoid very blunt bangs that echo the square outline.
- Heart: side-swept or curtain bangs, which reduce the width of a wide forehead and balance a narrow chin. See heart-shaped face.
- Diamond: wispy or curtain bangs that add width at the forehead, where a diamond face is narrow. See diamond face shape.
- Triangle: fuller bangs add width at the top to balance a wider jaw.
Check forehead height, hair type and cowlicks
Face shape is one filter. The others matter as much.
- High forehead: bangs cover it. A low forehead suits wispy or side-swept bangs that leave some skin showing.
- Fine hair: wispy or curtain bangs use less hair. Heavy blunt bangs can steal density from the rest of the cut.
- Curly hair: curly bangs need to be cut dry, and the curl will shorten them. See curly hair with bangs.
- Cowlick at the front: pick a side part or a longer fringe, since a short blunt fringe will not lie flat.
- Glasses: bangs that sit above the frames are easier to live with.
Growing bangs out
Bangs grow about half an inch a month. Curtain bangs grow out most easily because they blend into face-framing layers. Use clips or a headband for the awkward stage and ask your stylist to trim the middle section gradually.
Find your face shape first
The easiest way to pick bangs is to start from your actual face shape. Upload a selfie to the face shape detector, then try a few fringes on your own photo with the AI hairstyle changer.
Related reading: face shapes, what haircut should I get and women's haircuts.
FAQ
What bangs are best for a round face?
Side-swept bangs or long curtain bangs. The diagonal line adds length and breaks up the width.
What bangs suit an oval face?
Almost any type. Curtain, wispy, side-swept and blunt bangs all work, so choose by style and upkeep.
What bangs are best for a long face?
Full or blunt bangs at brow length, or thick curtain bangs, since they shorten the face.
Do bangs make your face look smaller?
They make the forehead look shorter and can make the face look smaller or rounder, depending on the style.
