Blunt Bangs May Be the Chic Detail Your Haircut Is Missing

Bangs: to get or not to get — that is the question. At one point or another, almost everyone considers making a dramatic hair change by way of some fringe, but there's a lot to consider before taking the plunge. Outside of general maintenance and the commitment, you also have quite a few different types to choose from. Popular varieties include wispy, curtain, and micro, but none of those compare to the ever-classic blunt bangs.

Blunt bangs occasionally get a bad reputation. The phrase often elicits flashbacks from elementary-school picture day, when bangs were almost always attached to a bad haircut (at-home bowl cut, anyone?). But you've come a long way since then — and bangs have, too. Now, this blunt fringe can accompany any number of trendy haircuts, from the bob to a shag, adding an element of personality and an oh-so-cool feel to the look.

Not totally convinced just yet? Below, a celebrity hairstylist shares everything you need to know about blunt bangs, including how to style them at home.

Blunt bangs are just as they sound: fringe that is typically cut straight across the forehead horizontally. This creates a sharp line from eye to eye. "[They] frame and contour the upper portion of the face," Justin Toves-Vincilione, hairstylist and Authentic Beauty Concept advocate, tells POPSUGAR. "With little to no texture, this trend is designed to provide depth to the forehead area and showcase the remaining features of the face."

The haircut works on all hair types. Straight, fine-to-medium-density hair works best with the style, needing little upkeep. "For wavy to curly hair, blunt bangs can be a very beautiful option, but would require more styling maintenance on a day-to-day basis."

Getting bangs is only half the battle — then you have to learn to style them. If you've done your hair the same way for months (or even years), after a new haircut, it can feel like you need to relearn everything, from the way you blow-dry to the products you use. With bangs of all styles, many experts say there's a bit of a learning curve.

If you have naturally straight hair, styling your blunt bangs should be easy. In the morning, they may require some restyling with a blow dryer and spray bottle. "To keep the look fresh every day, try using a texture spray to maintain fullness and to absorb any excess oil that may build up overnight," Toves-Vincilione says. He recommends the Authentic Beauty Concept Airy Texture Spray ($28) or a dry shampoo. We like the Oribe Serene Scalp Dry Shampoo Powder ($46). "Use a round brush when blow-drying if you want to add a slight bend to your bangs."

Wavy and curly hair types can either wear their blunt bangs naturally or styled smooth. To style them naturally, Toves-Vincilione recommends using an air-dry or curl-shaping cream, like the Living Proof No Frizz Smooth Styling Cream ($18), then diffusing the fringe. "To style smooth, you'll need a blow dryer and a smoothing iron," he says. "Apply a smoothing cream onto damp bangs, and begin to stretch out any natural wave, curl, or coil." Once your hair is completely dry, apply a heat protectant (like the Davines Melu Hair Shield Heat Protection ($40)) and run a flat iron over the bangs to straighten them.

Keep scrolling for some of our favorite takes on the blunt-bangs style.