How to Do Soft Bangs

Soft, side-swept bangs are easygoing and pretty.

Romantic and pretty, soft bangs frame the face without hard lines. They flatter and emphasize beautiful eyes and conceal a large forehead. If you love your long hair but want to try something new, cutting soft bangs lets you change up your style without committing to a short cut. An easy, soft sweep of bangs offers more versatility than heavy, blunt-cut bangs. Blunt bangs are dramatic, but soft bangs allow for more styling options. Fringy and light, you can sweep them back, push them to the side or set them in natural, easygoing curls.

Things You'll Need

• Comb
• Styling gel or cream
• Hairspray
• Texturizing cream or spray
• Curling iron
• Heat-protecting spray

Instructions

1. Start with the right haircut. Ask your hair stylist to give you a shattered or feathered bang line instead of blunt-cut bangs. He will cut into the bangs at an angle, so that the ends of the hair are jagged and softly textured.

2. Give your hair a low part for a soft side-swept style. Apply a small dab of styling gel or cream to your bangs and front hair, and work it in. Part your hair on the side -- about halfway between the top of your head and your ear. Sweep your bangs to the side, using your fingers to move the hair across your forehead. A spritz of hairspray will keep the bangs in place.

3. Style bangs with your fingers for a soft, textured look. Apply texturizing cream or spray to barely damp hair, and work it in. Gently tease your bangs with your fingers, lifting them at the roots and separating them loosely into pieces. For an edgy "bedhead" style, use more styling product and scrunch your hair into clumps, using your fingers to create an uneven texture.

4. Use a curling iron to create easy, wavy bangs. Spray dry hair with heat-protecting spray. Working from the ends of the hair, curl small sections around the iron. For maximum curl, wind the hair around the iron all the way to the roots. For subtle curl, wrap only the ends around the iron. After curling all your bang hair, gently run your fingers through the curls and arrange them. If desired, curl the rest of your hair in the same manner. Spritz with hairspray to give the style staying power.

Tips & Warnings

• If you have blunt-cut bangs, use a curling iron and a side-swept style to soften the look as much as possible.

• Use a light hand with styling product, or your bangs may start to look stiff or dirty rather than soft.

References

• The Professional's Illustrated Guide to Haircare & Hairstyles; Nicky Pope
• InStyle: Our 7 Favorite Summer Haircuts
• Glamour: It's Official: I Am Obsessed with Angelina Jolie's Bangs

Resources

• InStyle: 9 New Ways to Wear a Ponytail