These Bangs Look Great With Any Haircut

Dakota Johnson
Photo: Steve Granitz/WireImage

Fact: Getting bangs is scary. It doesn't matter if you show your stylist a dozen pictures or wear clip-ins for a day, you never really know what they're going to look like until after your hair is chopped off.

The truth is, while all bang types look amazing, there are some styles that are more foolproof than others. Curtain bangs are a great starter bang because they're longer and grow out seamlessly, however wispy bangs are universal, complementing any haircut or length.

"From shaggy and layered to one length, wispy bangs can transform any cut," says Dhiran Mistry, a stylist at David Mallett Salon New York. "Especially if the hair is really fine because they add shape to the front without layering the hair too much."

Wispy bangs also play well with a number of hair types, from straight to curly. However, if your hair is super thick and prone to frizz, they may be difficult to keep in place so your stylist might recommend an alterative style.

As for what wispy bangs look like, think Alexa Chung's bedhead lob, Dakota Johnson's face-framing fringe, and French actress and fashion designer Jeanne Damas, the poster girl for effortlessly hair.

It turns out that wispy bangs should actually be easy to style. "If you have to work hard to have a style or look, the more damage that will probably occur," says Mistry. "Hair should complement you and make your life easier, not more difficult."

With that in mind, keep scrolling for all the wispy bang inspiration you need before booking that salon appointment.

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01 of 08

Alexa Chung

Alexa Chung
Taylor Hill/Getty Images

Alexa Chung's bedhead lob and wispy bangs nails two big hair trends at once.

02 of 08

Dakota Johnson

Dakota Johnson
Steve Granitz/Getty Images

When it comes to bangs, Dakota Johnson's hair always tops the list. At the 2019 Golden Globe Awards, she styled her fringe in a soft center part. This small tweak keeps the focus on the pieces framing her face.

03 of 08

Jeanne Damas

Jeanne Damas
Stephane Cardinale - Corbis/Getty Images

Jeanne Damas is a textbook example of effortless French girl hair, a look that for many involves, well, some styling. Her wispy bangs and two tendrils make the classic bun look so much cooler.

04 of 08

Jessica Biel

Jessica Biel
Gary Gershoff/Getty Images

When you're styling wispy bangs, Mistry suggests spritzing them with a salt spray, like the one from David Mallett, for texture. To keep your bangs piece-y, "I'd avoid using a brush and if you want them a little more stuck together, a little pomade or hairspray will help."

05 of 08

Jennifer Lopez

Jennifer Lopez
chrisappleton1/Instagram

Jennifer Lopez's center-parted wispy bangs look amazing when your hair is worn up in a high ponytail or down in loose waves.

06 of 08

Constance Wu

Constance Wu
John Shearer/Getty Images

It doesn't matter if you go blunt or thin with your bangs, but a little bit of forehead peaking through is what makes them wispy.

07 of 08

Elizabeth Olsen

Elizabeth Olsen
Jon Kopaloff/Getty Images

Celebrity hairstylist Mark Townsend softened up Elizabeth Olsen's long, blunt cut with a fresh set of thin, tapered bangs and few short, face-framing layers.

08 of 08

Halle Berry

Halle Berry
Randy Shropshire/Getty Images

Wispy bangs aren't just transformative when you wear your hair down. Case in point: Halle Berry accessorized her topknot with piece-y, face-framing fringe.

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