If you’re stuck in isolation and struggling to get to your local hair salon for a proper hair overhaul, cutting yourself a fringe at home is the simplest way to freshen up your look (and keep those pesky split ends at bay, of course).
From the classic to the micro, fringes are as versatile as they are stylish and the right option can complement your look and frame your face. If you’re looking for a quick and flattering fix, the sweeping fringe is the ideal option.
The sweeping fringe first made its appearance on the runway in Milan where Kendall Jenner’s temporary clip-in fringe caught our attention at the Versace show (you can even order one to your front door if you’re up for experimenting). Then the perennially chic Kate Middleton debuted her new sweeping fringe on a royal tour of Dublin with her husband, Prince William.
As Kate proved, the sweeping fringe is much more subtle than a blunt cut fringe and can easily be obtained by feathering the front and parting your hair down the middle to let the hair elegantly frame each side of the face.
Ross Williams, senior stylist at SALON64, agrees. “The sweeping fringe is universal for a lot of face shapes, it can soften features, enhance styles and add personality to a haircut, short, medium or long length there’s a side swept fringe for everyone,” he said.
Jay Birmingham, Celebrity Hairdresser and Owner of Jay Birmingham Hair, advises assessing your face shape before reaching for the scissors. “Getting a fringe is an instant style statement and can easily update any look – it’s a way to accessorise but for hair,” he said.
“Before you go for the chop, work out what length it should be. Oval faces can also get away with wearing side-swept fringes, whereas I always avoid recommending these fringes to heart-shapes faces as they have a balancing effect and draw attention towards the eyes and heart-shapes faces can be slightly top heavy.”
Noted.
He also says we should take into consideration our hair’s natural texture and length, explaining: “Those with thicker, longer hair will be well suited for a blunt fringe, whereas those with thinner hair should consider the wispy or side swept fringe, as they will be a lot easier to manage. A side-swept fringe is lower maintenance than a full blunt fringe as you won’t need as many fringe trims, and is more versatile as it can be put back in to a middle parting should you get bored of a side fringe.
“It also requires less commitment and is easier to grow out so perhaps try this first before taking the plunge and opting for a full fringe.”
In lieu of a trip to the salon anytime soon, we’ll be following Kate Middleton’s lead and reaching for the scissors.
You might want to stock up on the dry shampoo, as well as invest in some styling tools that will fix up your fringe in a flash. We’ve rounded up all the fringe hacks you need to know, as well as some major celebrity fringe inspo to inspire your new ‘do.
