Wednesday, January 28, 2015

Having a Fringe: Tips and Tricks



I've had a straight cut fringe, or 'bangs', for the most part of my life. I'd consider it my signature style and I feel completely odd on occasions when it must be pinned back or has temporarily grown out. Though I'm not at all in any way, shape or form a hair expert I thought I'd share with you all some of the tips and tricks I've picked up over the years in regards to maintaining a fringe. Some of these may be completely obvious to those of you that too have a fringe but if you are new to them, or thinking about getting one, I hope you find something helpful!



Terry Cloth Bands

I find these to be an utmost necessity for having a fringe. I'm sure all of you who have one have experienced an occasion in which you are trying to wash your face, shower, moisturize or apply your makeup and your fringe just completely gets in the way to suffer the wrath of hot water and oily products. Alice bands can work but if your fringe if quite short tendrils of hair can fall out and prove to be disruptive. I find terry cloth bands work well as they are wide, ensuring greater security, and the material is perfect for absorbing chance splashes of water. I myself use an elasticized cloth band over one with velcro for maximum security of my fringe and the fact that the velcro ones can often cause discomfort by clinging to stray hairs. 

Dry Shampoo

Let's face it. Sometimes we are just in too much of a rush to wash our hair and I would never recommend washing your fringe on its own! Dry shampoo is a life saver for hair, especially fringes. Give a quick spritz, fluff up your hair and then brush it out. Voila! I find that a soft bristled brush works best for this. I always keep a can of dry shampoo on my bathroom shelf and take it with me when travelling. Some brands are even available in handy travel sized cans. I find it particularly handy for hot and humid summer days. 

Rest

Some days I think it is good to just give your fringe a bit of a break, especially during hot weather. Oils from your forehead can make your fringe quite oily and it's not the best look or feeling. It will also give your forehead a break, espcially if you have problem skin. Alice bands are perfect for this and many cute 'dos can be styled around them. I find that toothed bands work best, with better grip to prevent stray hairs from falling loose. Bobby pins can also work for longer fringes. 



Flathead Hairdryer Attachment

On days when my hair is not as tame as I'd like it to be after a wash, when damp and combed, I like to give my fringe a blast with my hairdryer's 'flat head' attachment. This attachment concentrates the airflow onto a specific area of your hair, enabling a greater amount of control when styling. I blast it directly down from the root the to ends on a warm setting with medium strength, straightening the hair out into place and creating a nice shine. I then go over it with a quick cool setting to set it and then let the rest of my hair dry naturally. This method can also be helpful to tame some cow's licks. 

Rolling

A good trick to do when your fringe is getting just that little bit longer in between trims is to roll it. This is done when styling your hair for a day or night out. Soft bristled roller brushes work best for this. On dry hair, lift the brush up under your fringe to the root and roll it away from you through the hair. While doing this, blast your hair with a hairdryer on a warm setting with medium strength. Gently brush it out. The results should be a nice and bouncy, slightly shorter fringe.

Trimming

I have been trimming my own fringe for years now. Some people are against the idea of trimming your own fringe as if it were taboo but I say do what you feel comfortable with. If you are happy to get it done on a regular basis at a salon, fabulous! But know that you can do it on your own at home with the right equipment and by adhering to certain instructions, saving time and money. Let me say, never, never use nail or safety scissors when cutting your own hair. Always use a pair of hair cutting shears. These can be bought from various salons or beauty stores. A good tutorial you can watch to learn how to trim your fringe properly can be found here.  


Do you have any of your own tips or tricks when it comes to fringes?
I'd love to hear of them!

28 comments:

  1. Love this! I always trim my bangs when they're wet, because it helps me get a really nice blunt, straight line. Also, it's okay if some days they won't straighten perfectly even! You will probably be the only person to notice <3

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    1. Thanks, and you are probably most certainly right - I can be my own worst critic and my poor fringe doesn't need to suffer my constant wrath haha! And nice tip, I'll definitely by remembering that one!

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  2. I used to have a fringe when I was a child but I let it grow out when I was about 8 or 9 as it just irritated me. Due to my naturally curly hair it would just flick up all over the place!

    I find that pinning my side fringe up and out of the way when I'm at home stops it getting greasy before my hair is due to be washed. It's not even a proper side fringe, it's just the way my hair is parted!

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    1. Oh that must have been frustrating, it is so annoying when a fringe gets everywhere, but lucky you for having natural curls! My hair just refuses to hold curls. You hair is just lovely and yes, that helps mine from getting greasy so quick as well!

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  3. I'm in a constant conflict wether i should grow my bangs out or not. I really like them but they're just so much work :(

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    1. They are a lot of work aren't they? I always feel like that when my fringe gets to the point of cutting, such a decision!

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  4. I had dry shampoo for ages before I really knew what to do with it, I didn't seem to be able to get on with it on my whole head and it didn't occur to me to just use it on my fringe. Now I use it everyday (I have an especially oily forehead) and it's been a life changer! I can't imagine how I even coped before it.

    I never trust the hairdresser to cut my fringe, they always get it wrong unless I specifically take in a photograph, they just don't seem to understand the shape I prefer and insist on making it too blunt instead of fluffy. Although I am awful in that I trim my hair with my dressmaking shears, I really should invest in proper hairdressing shears, it's not like their terribly expensive!

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    1. Ah I was the same! It never seemed to work for me on my whole head but after figuring out that I could just use it on my fringe it was a miracle! It's an awful feeling when you pick up a bottle that's ran out!

      I can too relate with hairdressers as well. The last dresser that cut my fringe put layers into the sides - they are still growing out after two years. Taking in a photograph is my go to thing as well when I do go. I wouldn't worry so much, I've cut my hair with nail scissors in the past haha!

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  5. I would like a fringe soon... perhaps in a wig version §

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  6. Love this post! I totally concur with the dry shampoo, it's a life saver! When I first cut my bangs years ago, I didn't know the stuff existed, and I have a very oily forehead so embarrassingly enough, I would wash just my bangs about twice day. I always cut it myself too, It grows so quick that I can't justify going to the salon for just a fringe trim every two weeks!

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    1. Thank you and yay for dry shampoo! I didn't know either and to be honest, I used to try washing my fringe on its own too. I think we have both learnt from our experiences haha! And yes, it is so convenient being able to cut it yourself, right?

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  7. I adore my bangs, but sometimes they just honestly have a mind of their own. Even after seven years of having my current bangs, they still part very easily, always curl up on the sides (thanks, sleep), and they are the absolute worst during windy weather. By now, I’ve learned to comb them diagonally from both sides when they’re damp (I have no idea if there’s even a term for it, or if it makes any sense... but I comb my bangs in a way to avoid them from parting in the middle), and then blow dry them with a roller brush. I don't trust myself at all to cut them! I usually have my mom trim my bangs, but sometimes I'll go to my hairstylist since I finally found someone who knows how I like my hair to look!

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    1. Yes, the trials and terrors of having a fringe, yet we can't bare to let them grow out! I think I know what you mean, I do that too - good tip! And so glad you found a stylist that knows what you like!

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  8. the first few sentences you wrote describe me completely. i also feel strange without my fringe or 'bangs' as we say in the states. great tips, i do enjoy reading how other gals deal with this.

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    1. Glad you like the post! And yes, it's such an odd feeling!

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  9. I too feel weird without a fringe. Although I didnt have one since I was maybe 7 until I was 14, it's now something I never consider getting rid of (except particularly bad days in the height of humid Australian summer.) I've never used dry shampoo or a hair dryer to style it before though (I use a curling iron which is a pain when travelling) so i'm going to take some inspiration away from this post!

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    1. Isn't the humidity here the worst possible enemy of a fringe!? Sometimes I can't wait for winter just so my fringe can remain tame for a whole season. A curling iron is something I've never tried on my fringe, would you recommend it and how do you use it to style your fringe?

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  10. Great tips, I've been thinking of getting a fringe back but I'm still not sure I could pull it off! I've nominated you for the Liebster Blogger Award, hope you enjoy it! http://www.thewallflowerwardrobe.co.uk/2015/01/versatile-blogger-and-liebster-blogger.html
    Emma xo

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    1. I'm sure you could, it is a big decision though isn't it? And thank you so much for the nomination. I am uncertain whether I will be participating by creating my own post for the award but thanks so much all the same!

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  11. ooh i wish i could have a fringe!! i have far too thin hair and a big cowlick at the front so i have to have a side sweep fringe and stare longingly at girls with chunky lovely fringes and sigh...

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    1. That is a shame, it's awful wanting to do something to your hair but having it refuse. Mine is impossible to curl. But either way I think your hair is just gorgeous and always looks lovely!

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  12. They do, right? And thank you, glad that you like the post!

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  13. Such a cool post, love this style. ^^
    Lovely greets Ness

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  14. great tips... I can totally relate. Dry shampoo is seriously the best invention ever.... sometimes in the Summer you just can't escape oily finge. Ugh!
    xoxo
    Taylor

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  15. Why would you not recommend washing just your fringe?

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    1. Only because I wouldn't want other girls to experience the negative things I myself have encountered when I've done so in the past. If you can successfully wash your fringe on its own and it works for you, I applaud you and encourage it - I find it just too tricky!

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