5 Secrets Behind Budge-Proof Korean Bangs

K-pop idols are known for their immovable bangs. Every strand of hair stays in the same position despite strong festival winds, hot stage lights, and intense dance moves. How do they achieve this hair miracle? Here are tips on keeping your Korean bangs looking fresh and flawless throughout the day.

Yes, any face shape can wear Korean bangs. You just have to choose a style that flatters your facial features best. For example, see-through Korean bangs like Park Bo Young’s flatter round faces. Those with longer face shapes, on the other hand, can try Wonyoung’sstraight-across fringe or Seulgi’schoppy bangs.

One of the challenges of having bangs is keeping the strands from clumping together as the day progresses. This can be challenging, but it’s not an impossible feat, as many K-pop idols have shown. With the right styling tips, you can have put-together fringe all day long.

Humidity gives way to forehead sweat, which makes your Korean bangs greasy. The main solution for this unpleasant situation is, of course, shampoo – though it’s not always practical mid-day. If you have a strict wash day schedule, you can just shampoo your bangs and leave the rest of your hair alone. For touch-ups, bring a mini dry shampoo in your bag for touch-ups, or use blotting papers to absorb sweat and shine.

When it’s hair wash day, moisturize your hair post-shampoo with Cream Silk Vitamin Boost Standout Straight Conditioner. It has 10x more vitamins to smooth out frizz and boost shine. If the ends look fried from coloring or intense styling, use Cream Silk Salon Expert Treatment Keratin Rebond Straight to help revive your damaged crown.

The secret to sleek Korean bangs is blowing it out immediately after showering. Start by blow-drying your hair straight with a flat brush to prevent tikwas. When your hair is 90% dry, use a round brush to add volume. Give them a final blast of cold air immediately to help set the shape.

Korean hairstylist Seo Yoon – who works closely with IU – recommends teasing your bangs after blow-drying your hair to add more volume. The added texture also helps create grip and give structure, which prevents your fringe from splitting down the middle.

Your instinct might tell you to douse your entire bangs with hairspray, but doing so can cause them to become stiff and crunchy. Instead, focus the application at the roots.

Dakyo, BLACKPINK’s hairstylist, reveals on Instagram that she usually uses hairspray only at the roots of the bangs. Then, she lets the hair dry with a fan or a blow dryer before finishing with another light spritz of hairspray at the roots. That way, the bangs can maintain their shape without feeling weighed down.

If you’re not a fan of hairspray, you can opt for clear mascara, which is like applying hair gel with a wand. To use it, run the mascara starting at the roots of your bangs, then gently run it midway through your strands a few times. Fix the shape of your fringe with your fingers or a comb if needed. Don’t forget about your baby hair and face-framing layers!

TikTok girlies swear by the “glue bangs” hack, which involves sticking the tips of the fringe to the forehead with eyelash glue. It sounds extreme but it’s highly effective, especially for those with wispy Korean bangs. However, you should skip this trend if you have sensitive or acne-prone skin since eyelash glue can be irritating and may lead to contact dermatitis.

Having Korean bangs means spending some 20 minutes in front of the mirror to style them. They may be high maintenance, but the payoff is truly worth the effort.