A Guide to Styling Wispy Bangs for All Hair Textures

Ever got the urge to get wispy bangs when looking at pictures of Dakota Johnson? It’s hard not to fall in love with her trademark airy fringe. The style is surprisingly versatile and flattering on just about everyone, so it’s no surprise it remains one of the hottest haircuts around.

The thing about wispy bangs is they rarely look all tousled and sexy straight out of bed. Effortless hair takes effort. Lucky for you, these tips will help make at-home fringe styling more of a breeze, whatever your hair texture.

To maintain your bangs, you need to recruit a lineup of tools and products that work well on your hair texture and give you endless styling possibilities.

Blow dryer, heat protectant, and dry shampoo make up the trifecta for bang-ing hair. The last one is for breaking up pieces sticking together and giving your fringe a refresh. But why stop with these three? Add a texturizing spray for an extra boost of volume at the top or TRESemmé Keratin Smooth Shine Serum to tame frizz and fix flyaways. If your hair is naturally wavy or curly, stock up on curl-defining cream to enhance those gorgeous spirals.

Heat-drying your hair can do serious harm, but it’s not always the big bad wolf it’s made out to be. According to research from Yonsei University in South Korea, blow-drying doesn’t swell and weigh down the hair cortex quite like air-drying does, as long as you use a low to medium temperature and heat protectant. In other words, it’s okay to blow dry your bangs when needed.

When your wispy bangs seem to have a mind of their own, take a round brush and a hair dryer. Hold the dryer over the bangs and brush them from left to right. This technique helps flatten out a stubborn cowlick and create face-framing curtains with that coveted swoopy effect. For curly bangs, use a diffuser attachment and finger-coil the strands.

If you prefer to air-dry, know that there’s an art to it that can change how your hair turns out. First, squeeze out as much water as you can with a microfiber towel. Avoid rubbing your hair back and forth as the friction can cause damage. Next, split your bangs in the middle, twist each section away from the face, and tuck them behind your ears with hair clips. Release when dry and style with your fingers.

Regular trims are crucial to preventing split ends. Snipping your fringe once every month keeps them at the perfect length and shape. Schedule your trims in advance so you can stay on top of maintenance unless you plan to grow out those bangs.

Signs of damage can be more obvious with bangs since they’re front and center on your forehead. Aside from monthly trims, give your strands some TLC with Vitakeratin Treatment Brazilian Straight. It hydrates your hair and makes it more manageable after one wash, thanks to its mix of vitamin B3, salon-quality keratin, and Brazilian nut oil.

Maintaining long hair with wispy bangs in the summer is a real struggle. Seriously, the combination of humidity, sweat, and grease from your skin can make you dread stepping outside. One easy way to beat the heat is by wiping your forehead with tissues (or blotting papers if you have ‘em). Doing so can help keep your bangs from getting sticky. Powder up if your skin gets too oily.

What if your wispy bangs fall flat and separate into chunky pieces? Dampen them with water and revive them with a hair roller. Those with textured hair can spray some curl refresher (a hybrid of dry shampoo and leave-in conditioner) to breathe life back into their limp bangs.

Whether you have straight or curly hair, wispy bangs are a major commitment. That said, they’re fun to try and can make you feel like a brand-new person. If you’re ready to give it a go, talk to your hairdresser and study the styling tips above for the best results.