Long hair can be either a wonder to behold or a tangled nightmare. There are two camps you can fall into once your hair gets to be a certain length: either you feel like a mermaid with gentle waves cascading down your back, or you feel like Rapunzel losing a brush in your mane at least twice a day. And I am sure every girl has had that moment in elementary school where you are sitting in your desk and as you move to stand up your hair gets caught in one of those awful silver circles that attached the chair to the desk. Once you experienced that level of pain it was hard to not want to go chop off all of your hair.
But there are so many things that you can do with long hair before you decide simply to chop it all off out of the necessity of convenience. There are two styles I am going to talk about in particular that have seen a recent resurgence this year. The first being long hair with bangs, the second being a similar variation with the addition of layers. So before you decide just to buzz all your hair off, give these styles a chance and you may decide having your long hair isn’t so bad afterall.
Long hair and bangs…
Before you do anything on your bangs, you must first identify your face shape as many bang styles are not flattering for all face shapes. When in doubt, I refer to the Ogle School’s advice on the best bang styles for different face shapes:
If You Have a Round Face: Round faces are identifiable by full, wide cheeks. For these face shapes, straight bangs are a big no-no, as they accentuate your face’s fullness. But bangs can still look great with your face shape. Instead of straight bangs, go for thick, side-swept bangs that are cut at a strong angle.
If You Have an Oval Face: This face shape is defined by a rounded jawline and a forehead that’s slightly wider than the chin. If you have this face shape, you’re one of the lucky ones who can pull off any style of bangs. Your face shape is the most versatile, so experiment with shorties or a longer fringe to match the style you seek.
If You Have a Square Face: Square faces are identified by an equal width and height, as well as a defined jawline. For these face shapes, don’t go short with your bangs because they’ll pull your face downwards. Instead, go for long, heavy bangs that hit mid-eyebrow to just below the eyebrow. You can style them as a straight fringe, try pushing them to one side or even part them down the middle.
If You Have a Long Face and/or High Forehead: This face shape is similar to the oval-shaped, but the forehead, cheeks and jawline are all the same width. To complement this face shape, don’t get baby bangs because they will further elongate your face. Instead go for longer bangs that softly get longer at the sides. If you’re feeling adventurous, make it choppy!
If You Have a Heart-Shaped Face: If you have a wider forehead and a pointed jaw with a small chin, then your face is heart-shaped. In this case, avoid full-fringe bangs because they will accentuate your wide forehead. Instead, go for layered side bangs to draw attention to your eyes and the middle of your face. Make sure the cut angle goes from the eyebrow to the top of the cheekbones.
For more info on the best hairstyles for your face shape, click here
Long hair, bangs and layers…
Long layered hairstyles with bangs are now in great demand. Why? Everyone wants a flattering hairstyle that is also trendy, effortless-looking and still convenient. When you wish to show off your beautiful long locks, try a layered haircut. Layers make long hair more manageable and eliminate the irritating factor of longer strands getting in the way or falling into your face every now and then. If you also want to rock your long hair without a single pin, get some straight-cut or layered bangs.
Much of layering is going to have to be decided upon in a discussion with you and your stylist. Go in with a few ideas and even reference pictures to show your stylist and together you may come up with a style you hadn’t even thought of.
What are your favorite ways to style long hair?