| Bangs - The Straight Scoop |
| Karen Marie Shelton |
| Revised 12/12/07 - Original Publication Date:
03/01/1997 |
Introduction
 |
|
Geena Davis - 3/03/06 |
|
DailyCeleb.com
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reserved. |
There is
nothing worse than having bangs that "do their own"
thing by forming fat waves, crazy curls or wings.
I know better than anyone since I have naturally wavy
hair.
Before I
learned how to deal with straightening my bangs I
struggled with taping them to my forehead and every
trying to set them on big rollers to iron out the waves.
Eventually I got the hang of it and now I always have
wave-free bangs.
Of course
there are lot of other bang problems can I can think of
ranging from when they are unevenly cut, too short or
limp.
While it is
always a great idea to address all the known bang
problems in the universe, the goal of this article is to
discuss getting bangs straight.
If you have
naturally curly or wavy hair it doesn't mean that you
have to forego bangs. To the contrary. It
just means that you have to plan for perfection.
Oscar and Golden Globe winner Geena Davis has naturally
curly hair. This does not prevent her from wearing
bangs on a regular basis. She loves side swept
bangs (as shown above) that enhance her beautiful eyes
and facial features.
Start With A Good Cut
The first
part of the perfectly straight bang equation is getting
a great cut from your hairdresser. Yes of course
you can try
cutting your own bangs yourself but if you have
heavily textured hair (natural curls, waves or combo) or
cowlicks and swirls, I would recommend that you entrust
your challenging forehead hair to a hair expert.
Maybe you can get some good tips from your hairdresser
about how to maintain your bangs long term, but
initially start with a professional trim.
For curly
and/or wavy hair it is important to remember that the
bangs must be cut long enough to allow for curl and wave
shrinkage. This is true for the entire hairstyle
but even more true for the bang area. Remember
that hair does shrink, even more so when the texture is
naturally curly or wavy.
If bang hair
decides to ultimately curl or wave it can make the bang
area look out of kilter.
Once you decide whether you are opting for blunt bangs,
baby bangs, side-swept bangs or some other variation,
you are on your way to styling them straight.
If you have natural cowlicks, be sure to explain this to
your hairdresser so that they can maneuver their
scissors properly to try and weigh down the swirls with
top hair. If that is not possible, don't display
there are more tricks to come.
Styling Bangs For Stick Straight Results
The first
part of the perfectly straight bang equation is getting
a great cut from your hairdresser. Yes of course
you can try cutting your own bangs yourself but if you
have heavily textured hair (natural curls, waves or
combo) or cowlicks and swirls, I would recommend that
you entrust your challenging forehead hair to a hair
expert. Maybe you can get some good tips from your
hairdresser about how to maintain your bangs long term,
but initially start with a professional trim.
Complete the
following steps:
1. Shampoo
Appropriately
Wash
your hair with your normal product designed for your
hair type, texture, current condition or other
conditions. If your hair is chemically treated,
damaged or excessively dry, select a product to address
these conditions. If you prefer, use a dilution or
conditioner only method of washing.
(Shampoo
products to try:
Phyto - Phytojoba Hydrating
Shampoo,
PHYTO - Dry Hair System,
Phyto -
PhytoBrush Shampoo,
Paves Professional - FLAWless
No Sulfates Allowed Repairing Shine Shampoo
For Dry Hair)
2. Conditioning Treatments
Rinse
shampoo products completely from your strands. If
your hair is fine or thin, apply a diluted version of a
rinse-out conditioner to your bang area. If your
hair is medium to thick in texture, you may either apply
a diluted rinse-out conditioner or go with a full
strength formulation.
3. Rinse Well
Rinse
all leave-in conditioners from your hair. Make
sure that no product remains which can make hair limp or
flat.
4. Cool/Cold Water Blast
Whether you rinse your entire head with cool/cold water
or not, try to do so for your bang area which will help
to close the cuticle and seal the conditioning
properties. It also helps to build in shine.
5. Towel Blot
Once
you have completed your final rinse, blot hair with a
water absorbent towel.
6. Bang
Product Cocktail
Once
you have towel blotted completely, apply an appropriate
hair product cocktail that might consist of a
light leave-in conditioner and detangler and/or a
straightening balm or
defrisant product.
(Anti-Frizz
Product to try:
Rene Furterer - Control Emulsion Anti-Frizz)
7.
Separate Bang Strands
Blow
dry the bang area first before working on the rest of
the hair. Use a wide tooth comb to separate the bang
hair into 1 1/2 to 2 inch sections. Starting at the
roots, use fingers to pull band strands straight.
Direct blow dryer air down the hair shaft from the roots
to the ends of the bang.
If desired use a small
boar's head
flat paddle or
natural round brush
brush to help straighten. For extra volume at the
roots, apply a
volume enhancing styling product before you begin to
blow dry.
8. Continue Until Finished
Working from side to side of the bang area, continue to
blow dry until the bangs are 100% dry.
9. To The Finish Line
Once
bangs are completely dry and stick straight, blow dry
the rest of your hair. Apply a
light hairspray to the bangs and the rest of the
hair. Use only a small amount of styling products
on the bang area which may tend to easily attract oil
and grease.
If you
decide you wish to add a slight shine to your bang area,
add a dab of
Rene Furterer's Spray Gloss
or Robert Hallowell's
Love That Shine Drops
to the palms of your hands. Rub it in well and
then lightly swipe the palms of your hands over the top
of your bang area. Remember that gloss products
can attract dirt and oil if too much is used. So
only use a teeny tiny amount.
Other Bang Straightening Tips
Bangs cut to
enhance your face shape and in harmony with your hair's
type, texture and condition, can be wonderful.
However, there can be drawbacks in other areas.
If you wish
to accentuate your eyes, wear bangs that are cut just to
the brow line which will draw instant attention to your
peepers.
Super thick
bangs that are too long may accentuate your note which
may or may not be a good thing.
Summary
Nothing is worse than bangs that take flight and land
with wings, flips, dips, massive curls, frizz or similar
bang nightmares. To get stick straight bangs that
look sleek and elegant, start with a great hair cut, the
right styling products, a blow dry and some practice.
You will get the straight scoop in no time. |