If you haven't done so already, figure out your face shape. Not only will knowing your the shape of your face help you to determine where, exactly, you should part your hair, but it will also aid you in discovering your most compatible style of bangs (yes, really). Just as you should be considering your hair type, texture, and lifestyle when deciding which bangs are right for you, so too should you be factoring in your face shape. After all, it can make all the difference in whether a look is ultra-flattering or downright forgetful. So to help you out, we put together a guide to the 10 most popular styles of bangs and which face shapes they tend to suit best.
Keep scrolling to find the best bangs for your face shape.
Wispy
What It Is
Long, soft bangs that hit anywhere from the brows to the lashes.
How to Style
Leave the heaviest pieces on the sides so they don't mask your eyes. The center strands can be feathery, as a little forehead peeking through is ideal.
Best For
Square- and heart-shaped faces.
Side-Swept
What It Is
Layered, feathered bangs where the shortest pieces hit the arch of your eyebrows and the longest meet the outer corner of your eyes.
How to Style
Have your stylist cut your bangs on a steep, swooping, angle that blends into cheek-skimming layers. With its deep side part, a sloping asymmetrical fringe will make a short forehead appear stronger and more pronounced.
Best For
Heart- round-shaped faces; smaller foreheads.
Curtain
What It Is
A long, face-framing style that is super low maintenance.
How to Style
Part down the middle and brush each side away from the face (FYI: This may require some heat styling).
Best For
All face shapes, especially oval, round, and oblong.
Baby/Micro
What It Is
These teeny tiny bangs are edgy, statement making, and can elongate the face.
How to Style
Micro bangs are versatile and can be worn straight across or swept to the side, depending on the look you're going for.
Best For
Oval-, round-, and heart-shaped faces.
Layered Bangs
What It Is
The opposite of blunt bangs, this style features layers that can range from long and subtle to short and choppy. Layered bangs can work to soften sharper features, such as a strong jawline.
How to Style
A feathered look à la Jane Fonda is a super flattering way to to wear layered bangs.
Best For
Square- and heart-shaped faces.
Birkin Bangs
What It Is
Named after singer and actress Jane Birkin's signature fringe, this soft, feathery, style typically grazes the lashes.
How to Style
Be sure to have dry shampoo handy as you may need to retouch these bangs throughout the day to keep them looking fresh, especially if you've got fine hair.
Best For
All face shapes, especially square.
Curly
What It Is
Wavy to coily bangs that embrace your natural hair type and texture.
How to Style
Avoid shrinkage by using clips when blowdrying hair with a diffuser. On non-wash days, apply a curly hair product to revive bangs and define curls.
Best For
All face shapes.
Crescent Bangs
What It Is
An iteration of curtain bangs that follow a slight arch.
How to Style
Request that your stylist give you a graphic, curved shape that will flatter your bone structure. Crescent bangs are typically worn with a slight part down the middle and work well on both curly and straight hair types.
Best For
Round-, oval-, oblong-, and heart-shaped faces.
Blunt
What It Is
Bangs that are cut straight across without any layers or texture.
How to Style
If you don't have naturally straight strands, your blunt bangs may require some heat styling. As for the rest of your hair, consider applying a texturizing spray to create some balance in your look.
Best For
Oblong-shaped faces; smaller foreheads.
Bottleneck
What It Is
A low-maintenance style similar to curtain and crescent bangs but with a softer, choppier, texture.
How to Style
A lived-in, tousled look pairs well with this fringe. It can also be customized to any cut or style. For instance, when combined with long hair and a half-up, half-down 'do, as seen on Penelope Cruz, bottleneck bangs can really complement a round face.
Best For
All face shapes, especially round and oval.