The latest trends, techniques, and insider secrets—revealed.

Beyond the Fringe
Bangs were the story last year, but now fringe-free styles are ruling the red carpet. Here, how to grow out your bangs gracefully.
By Jenna Mahoney

Ashlee and Jessica had ’em. Britney too. Once a celebrity staple, face-framing fringe has officially gone the way of The Rachel. “Now it’s all about long waves and softer layers,” says Antonio Prieto, owner of the Antonio Prieto Salon in New York City. Heidi Klum, Keira Knightly, and Eva Longoria are just a few of the red-carpet regulars who have bid a fond farewell to their bangs in the past year. But unlike mere mortals, they, and many other stars, managed their transformations in a seemingly painless manner. (We can’t recall any weird French braid techniques, and they successfully avoided the backward baseball caps and bandannas.) Sure, you say, they’ve got world-class stylists at their beck and call. But guess what? So do we. And we convinced some of our experts to share their secrets for easing the growing pains so you can look chic, picture perfect, and—if need be—paparazzi ready.

Stick to Snipping
Admittedly, it’s a bit counterintuitive, but stylists recommend that you continue to get regular trims, even though you ultimately want to go in the opposite direction. According to Prieto, keeping up with your haircutting routine reduces that heavy “I’m growing out my hair” look. Tell your stylist to remove any bulkiness while preserving as much of the length as possible. “This will allow your bangs to grow out softly and easily blend with the rest of your layers,” Prieto explains. Brooklyn, New York, hairstylist Kris Kalasut agrees: “The best way to grow out your bangs is to take away the excess weight.” In addition, she notes, you should trim your fringe in the direction of your desired style. Another approach: Add face-framing layers, or raise your existing ones, to achieve better overall blending.     

Get Clipped
Remember those first public photos of Jennifer Garner a baseball game with her now-husband Ben Affleck? Jennifer had secured her Sidney Bristow bangs in a clip barrette—an effortless solution to the hard-to-handle in-between growth stage. To get the same look, “sweep your strands to the side, and secure with two interlocking bobby pins,” says Kalasut, who also recommends teardrop-shaped snap clips. Going out? Take a cue from Gwen Stefani, and glam up the technique by teasing your bangs a bit at the crown, then pulling them straight back and fastening them with a single bobby pin. If you’re not a Stefani-style risk taker, don’t worry. Follow the lead of Scarlett Johansson, who has mastered a more classic version of the look, Prieto suggests.

Be With the Band
Nicole Kidman, Hilary Duff, the models on the Lanvin spring runway, even Madonna have all been spotted sporting headbands. “A headband is a great tool if you want to pull your hair straight back and keep it off your face,” says Kalasut. Although the accessory was once reserved for elementary school girls, nowadays there are lots of options beyond butterfly, neon, and Hello Kitty styles. A sleek tortoiseshell headband looks chic for day, while a Swarovski-encrusted version is ideal for adding a little dazzle to an evening look. For a dose of old-Hollywood glamour, do what Paris Hilton and Lindsay Lohan have done: Use a wide cloth band or Pucci-esque scarf to camouflage flyaways and awkward growth.

Wax On
Attention, coarse and curly types: The gummy consistency of wax is great for smoothing bangs away from your face. Plus, the texture also allows you to shape and mold your curls. Lightly apply a dime-size dollop to your fringe with your fingers. But as Kalasut notes, “It’s important to really rub your fingers together to effectively work the formula into hair.” If you simply apply the product and forget to manipulate it, you won’t achieve your desired hold or style. “For straighter textures, hair spray is another option,” says Kalasut, adding that a light spritz or two should be enough to tame persistent and pesky flyaways.

Do the Sweep
Once your bangs start to graze your eyebrows, it’s time to brush them across your face. “Sideswept bangs are sexy, classic, and perfect for all face shapes,” says Prieto, whose celebrity clients include the beautifully banged Amanda Peet and Marisa Tomei. Kalasut agrees: “Too many people are afraid of a side part, but it’s universally flattering.” Sideswept bangs coupled with a side part frame the face and generally keep their style pretty easily, she adds. For serious staying power, Prieto recommends blow-drying your hair downward in the direction that you want it to lay. “When styling your hair, the most important thing to remember is to blow-dry your bangs first,” he says. “You’ll have more styling control when they’re still wet, and your desired look will last all day.”

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