Looking in the mirror and wishing your bangs were shorter, chopper or angled?
You're in luck! Our friends at Refinery 29 gave an awesome lesson on DIY bang styling that makes the cut (pun intended).Okay, okay, we know our stylists are the best bang for our money when it comes to major cuts, but every gal needs some go-to beauty skills in her back pocket.
"If you are into self-snipping, make sure that cutting your bangs is far from the final touch of your look," said Shaun SureThing, lead stylist and co-owner of Seagull Salon in Manhattan. Shaun recommends setting aside 20 minutes, making sure not to raise your eyebrows or hold your hair in place. Why? Raised brows distort bang placement and pulling hair down makes it easier for it to pop up short.
Section the hair vertically or horizontally, taking small sections at a time. "Start from the middle and work your way out to get the most natural shape," Shaun said. Cut vertically in little snips, and never using more than 1/4 inch of the scissors.
Looking for a more broken-up look? Leave the whole section 1/2 to 3/4 of an inch longer than you want. Then, carefully crop 1/4 inch of the longest bits starting in the middle and working outward. For a choppier style, change up the angles of your snips from straight up to 45 degrees. You can also use chunking shears. "Grab hold of your bangs and with two good chops, you'll get insanely chopped bangs," he said.
For less drama, use thinning shears. "If your bang is too bulky, go in and very carefully take horizontal sections across your forehead," he said. Pulling the sections down one by one, cut 3/4 down. Repeat on the other sections, or just on the very ends depending on how wispy you want them. The more towards the middle you get, the thinner they will be.
Digging side bangs? Pull your hair to the side that's going to be shortest. Once you determine your desirable length, add 1/4 of an inch. Then, pull sections over to the same area and cut them to the same length.
And if you miss your mark, still bang it out with confidence! Tell us what bang you're trying in the comments section below!