40 Reasons Why Wispy Bangs Are the Non-Committal Refresh for Every Hair Type

From the tragic bowl cut bangs that were forced upon me as a child to the aggressively side-swept fringe I wore throughout my early 20s, I’ve tried all manner of bangs throughout my life. After much experimentation, I think I finally found my sweet spot with a full, brow-grazing set that’s become my signature look in recent years.

If you’re looking to make a change, but unsure of what you want to try next, might I suggest some new fringe? More than any other style, I think you get the most—pardon the pun—bang for your buck from them for far less commitment than a fresh chop or a change in color. Better yet, try wispy bangs, which can quickly refresh your hair in a few snips, as shown below in 40 different ways.

Update last year’s wolf cut with some light-as-air bangs.

Long live the lob, which looks especially chic with long, piecey fringe.

You can keep ‘em short and cropped to your forehead.

Or keep them longer, so they blend in seamlessly with your layers.

Long hair and curtain bangs = a pairing that will never go out of style.

If you have fine hair but a lot of it, consider bangs with a shoulder-grazing bob to boost volume throughout.

To get this look, ask your stylist to keep your bangs long and face-framing so they accentuate your cheekbones.

Keep the center of your feathered fringe shorter than the sides, which should be cut at a sloping angle.

Alternatively, you could keep your bangs on the straighter side with just a few wispier pieces on either side to connect them to the rest of your hair.

Here’s a happy medium between the last two bang styles.

Modern side bangs are lighter and softer at the ends, so the overall effect is less severe than our emo days of yore.

For our fine-haired friends out there, a choppy bob with wispy bangs can offer a sleek alternative to flat, weighed down styles.

Wispy bangs meet wispy layers to really amp up the volume of this blunt bob.

Though the cut itself is extremely choppy, it doesn’t read too harsh, thanks to the face-framing pieces that work harmoniously with the airy fringe in front.

Presenting: Barely-there bangs that add just a little something extra to glamorous waves.

Another day, another wolf cut, but with cute bangs that hit above the brows.

To keep thick bangs from looking too heavy, ask your stylist to cut them so that little bits of forehead can still peek through.

You can also just opt for a few, select strands over a full fringe.

Here’s proof that long, soft bangs pair extremely well with a cute bob.

Bonus points if you go full pink with this cut.

Add a hint of polish to casual beach waves with brow-grazing fringe.

So wispy they’re pretty much long layers (which means no awkward grow out phase).

This is a solid cut for anyone with thinner strands and a bit of edge.

Have stick-straight hair? You’re in the minority who could easily pull off these cool, jagged bangs.

On the other hand, if you have some bend to your hair, you could opt for soft, rounded bangs that complement your texture.

For those who aren’t ready to make the cut, this wispy look relies more on styling gel (and some patience) than a pair of scissors.

To go with your chic new hydro bob of course.

As our very own associate fashion commerce editor Stephanie Meraz described, “If curtain bangs and straight bangs were to marry and procreate, they’d get a bottleneck bang baby. The finished result mimics the shape of a bottleneck by focusing on a concentrated area in the middle that cascades into longer sections down the sides.”

It doesn’t get much more rock n’ roll than this.

Billie Eilish is probably bookmarking this for her next hair appointment.

A little Gwen Stefani “Don’t Speak” era for our Ska kids out there.

The tapered bangs go so well with the flipped out ends here.

Never thought I’d say this, but the bowl cut looks cute here.

Fact: A few face-framing wisps will add a nice touch to your curly updo.

Presenting: Bangs that are anything but boring.

Cut so fine, you barely see them.

Have your stylist snip into this style of bang to break them apart a bit.

Anyone else getting prom flashbacks from this look?

Bravo to this carefully cut pixie with wispy pieces blended throughout the hairline.

Aka the K-Pop idol special, which features longer pieces that fall just below the brow line and blend in at the sides.