Five Things To Consider Before Fringing It

by BR Kellie

Facebook memories can be both a blessing and a curse. Reminding us of the good times, and the bad... such as that time I decided getting a fringe would be a fantastic idea, despite having fringed it before and regretted it. You see, on some people fringes look fabulous, doing everything from softening features to creating an edgy style. On me? Well, what few wisps I end up with quickly turn into a bedraggled but frizzy mess. And yet, every decade or so I decide to throw caution to the wind only to spend the next six months berating myself while growing my fringe out.

So how can one be sure that a fringe is right for them? Or that it should be avoided completely? Read on...

Research

There are so many styles of fringe out there - curtain, baby, side-swept, blunt, curly, arched, wispy... I could go on, but we'd be here for some time.

The point is, it's very easy to find a style of fringe you like and just go with it, but that can end up in a fringe-fail. You need to do your research. If you find a look you like, analyse it. Google will quickly tell you if your hair type and your face shape will suit that style... or not.

Be Honest With Yourself

At the age of ten I got my first Kellie-chosen fringe (as opposed to the ones my mum thrust upon me as a youngster). It was a blunt cut and I was convinced I would look like Cleopatra. Reader, I did not.

While we now have access to the internet for fringe inspo, just because we like a look on a model, actress, TikTok superstar or long-dead historical figure, it doesn't mean it'll look the same on us. As above, be honest with yourself about the look you're lusting after. If your gut's telling you no and your starry-eyed self is saying yes, listen to your gut. Trust me, it knows.

Trust Your Stylist

You've done the research, been honest with yourself and you're ready for the chop. Present your findings to your stylist... then listen to them. These people are trained hair ninjas who want their clients to walk out feeling fabulous, so if they suggest a variation, don't dismiss it. If they kindly explain that your hair is so fine you'll look like you've a combover on your forehead and that another style of fringe is better... do not defy them. (Or you can, it's your hair, but consider yourself warned.) 

Maintenance

Fringes are not like long or layered hair. You can't simply toss them up in a bun or ponytail on a bad hair day and call it good. They require work. Sometimes that means blowdrying or straightening your hair every day. Other times it means having to get creative when it's all kinky and frizzy and refuses to obey your hair style whims. That can look like pinning your fringe back, twisting it away from your face or attempting to French braid it into the rest of your hair. If you're a curly headed lass wanting to embrace the curly fringe trend, then you're going to need to pop hair product in it, because it's a fine line between cute curls and out of control. You'll also need to commit to regular trims... oh, and possibly more regular hair washing, as oily foreheads can create lank locks.

Growing It Out

If after getting the cugt you find the maintenance of a fringe too much you're left with the growing it out option. This can be painful, depending on the cut. You may have to employ intricate hairstyles and bobby pins galore, while dealing with the odd straight-up bad hair day when nothing works and you just have to live with a mop of hair that won't do as its told.

Last Thoughts...

While dreaming of living your best fringe life is all well and good, if the maintenance or the potential pain of growing it out sounds too much like hard work, then I would give serious consideration to saying farewell to the fringe idea. After seeing that Facebook memory, I can confirm that I well and truly have, and it might well be one of the best beauty decisions I've ever made. 

So, are you a fan of the fringe? How did you choose your style? Or have you had a fringe fail so bad you'll not be hanging with the bangs again? Get chatting below!