Which Bang Suits You Best? 9 Types Of Fringe For Every Length, Texture & Face Shape

Under that umbrella, there's no shortage of bang archetypes to play around with. Below, we've collected nine of the most common, and experts weigh in on how to style them best: 

Also called "micro-bangs," these bangs stop super short, no longer than the center of the forehead. They're typically cut blunt, sometimes with choppy ends for some separation. They're a little bit harder to manage if your hair has some texture (read: To set the short hairs, product is your friend), but for those willing to put in the work, the maintenance is well worth it.

Ah, the traditional chop of childhood, where the bang spans the entire width of the forehead. Although, the blunt bang sees a major upgrade come adulthood: "These are bold and can vary in lengths from above the brow to right above the lash line," says celebrity hairstylist and Biolage brand ambassador Sunnie Brook.

For what it's worth, you can achieve virtually any type of bang, no matter your hair texture. But curly bangs do deserve their own moment, as they require a slightly different cut. Curly bangs usually vary in length, ranging from a few shorter springs below your brows to a one-length trim. No matter which style you go for, the pros typically snip them a bit longer to account for shrinkage.

Also called "wispy bangs," "choppy bangs," or "Birkin bangs" (courtesy of the enviously effortless Jane Birkin), these are cut similarly to blunt bangs, but the stylist will point-cut vertically into the ends to achieve that feathery fringe. That's why they're perfect for "those wanting a statement, but with softness," Brook suggests. These bangs typically extend a bit longer than the average blunt fringe, usually ending at the eyelashes.

The '70s-inspired fringe is making a major comeback. These bangs start short at the center of the eyebrows, growing longer toward the edges of the face, just like a set of drapes. "They graze the eyebrows, frame the forehead, yet open up the face, accentuating the eyes and cheekbones," says hairstylist Marcus Francis, an ambassador for hair-care brand Better Natured. The longer bits blend in quite well with the sides of your hair, which, as Brook notes, results in a more forgiving grow-out phase. 

"For the uncommitted testing the waters of Bang Land," Brook quips. "Short enough to get the vibe but long enough to still easily tuck away and hide." We repeat: perfect for those itching for some sort of bang without going for a full-on chop. The shortest layers tend to sit below the eyes, then make their way around the hollows of the cheekbones, Brook explains. 

Let your braids frame the face by making the outward pieces a bit longer (say, to the pupils), then snipping them shorter as you move to the center of your forehead (with the shortest braids reaching the arch of the eyebrows). If you don't feel like cutting your braids at all, you can always just tuck a few long strands into loops—all the fun; none of the scary permanence. 

The only caveat: These bangs are asymmetrical, so you have to choose which side you want to part your hair and stick to it—hence, side bangs. If you're constantly flipping your part (to create volume or for general hair health reasons), you might want to second-guess the side-swept style.

OK, granted, these are pretty similar to blunt bangs. But rather than extending across the forehead horizontally, arched bangs lay in a slightly—you guessed it—arched shape, following the curves of the face. 

As with determining the right haircut for your face shape, the general rule is this: Shapes with sharp angles fare best with softer, wispier bangs, and shapes with rounder features should add some face-framing definition. The guidance isn't so set in stone—you can of course get whatever chop you please—but if you're wondering which bang archetype fits yours best, here's what the stylists say:

Again, these are just the most common types of bangs—there are plenty of others to play around with, so find whatever style that works for you! They'll also look a bit different on everyone—depending on your hair texture and curl pattern—so be sure to speak with a stylist before going full-fringe. And there you have it: Fringe fear, begone.