There’s nothing more transformative than a power fringe—but knowing how to style bangs is just as important as finding the right cut. “People are afraid of the commitment of bangs, but it really is just 10 minutes every morning,” insists Mark Townsend, the pro behind Dakota Johnson’s eternally obsessed-over fringe. “As long as you style your bangs, you’re set.” While, yes, Brigitte Bardot-esque wisps or a curtain of voluminous corkscrews are technically more maintenance, pros are unanimous in their belief that it’s a minimal amount of effort for maximum payoff.
“Bangs can truly transform a haircut and allow you to reveal a new side of yourself,” says Mara Roszak, who gave Anne Hathaway a Françoise Hardy-inspired side-swept fringe earlier this year. “What can feel like a quick and simple change is most often a major shift in the overall style. They can frame the face beautifully, highlighting the eyes and cheekbones.” For Vernon François, who recently supplied Amandla Stenberg with an ultra-blunt curtain of fringe, a set of bangs yields endless stylistic possibilities. “They are extremely versatile, from bold, statement-making, and dramatic, to upgrading your overall hairstyle without overpowering it, gentle and romantic,” he explains. Here, the trio of in-demand Hollywood hairstylists weigh in on how to style bangs, from drying techniques to the right products for artfully zhooshed fringe.