40 Reasons Why Wispy Bangs Are the Non-Committal Refresh for Every Hair Type
From the tragic bowl cut bangs that were forced upon me as a child to the aggressively side-swept fringe I wore throughout my early 20s, I’ve tried all manner of bangs throughout my life. After much experimentation, I think I finally found my sweet spot with a full, brow-grazing set that’s become my signature look in recent years.
If you’re looking to make a change, but unsure of what you want to try next, might I suggest some new fringe? More than any other style, I think you get the most—pardon the pun—bang for your buck from them for far less commitment than a fresh chop or a change in color. Better yet, try wispy bangs, which can quickly refresh your hair in a few snips, as shown below in 40 different ways.
How to Style Bangs, According to a Beauty Editor Who's Had Them for 15 Years
1. Wispy Bangs with Wolf Cut
Update last year’s wolf cut with some light-as-air bangs.
2. Wispy Bangs with Lob
Long live the lob, which looks especially chic with long, piecey fringe.
3. Wispy Micro Bangs
You can keep ‘em short and cropped to your forehead.
4. Wispy Long Bangs
Or keep them longer, so they blend in seamlessly with your layers.
5. Wispy Curtain Bangs
Long hair and curtain bangs = a pairing that will never go out of style.
6. Wispy Volume Bangs
If you have fine hair but a lot of it, consider bangs with a shoulder-grazing bob to boost volume throughout.
7. Wispy Layered Bangs
To get this look, ask your stylist to keep your bangs long and face-framing so they accentuate your cheekbones.
8. Wispy Round Bangs
Keep the center of your feathered fringe shorter than the sides, which should be cut at a sloping angle.
9. Wispy Bangs with Curls
Alternatively, you could keep your bangs on the straighter side with just a few wispier pieces on either side to connect them to the rest of your hair.
10. Wispy All-Around
Here’s a happy medium between the last two bang styles.
11. Wispy Side Bangs
Modern side bangs are lighter and softer at the ends, so the overall effect is less severe than our emo days of yore.
12. Wispy Chop
For our fine-haired friends out there, a choppy bob with wispy bangs can offer a sleek alternative to flat, weighed down styles.
13. Wispy Bangs with Blunt Bob
Wispy bangs meet wispy layers to really amp up the volume of this blunt bob.
14. Wispy Shag
Though the cut itself is extremely choppy, it doesn’t read too harsh, thanks to the face-framing pieces that work harmoniously with the airy fringe in front.
15. See-Through Side Bangs
Presenting: Barely-there bangs that add just a little something extra to glamorous waves.
16. Wispy Wolf Cut
Another day, another wolf cut, but with cute bangs that hit above the brows.
17. Wispy Full Bangs
To keep thick bangs from looking too heavy, ask your stylist to cut them so that little bits of forehead can still peek through.
18. Wispy Face-Framing Bangs
You can also just opt for a few, select strands over a full fringe.
19. Wispy Bangs with Bob
Here’s proof that long, soft bangs pair extremely well with a cute bob.
20. Wispy Angled Bangs
Bonus points if you go full pink with this cut.
21. Wispy Blunt Bangs
Add a hint of polish to casual beach waves with brow-grazing fringe.
22. Wispy Blended Bangs
So wispy they’re pretty much long layers (which means no awkward grow out phase).
23. Wispy Rockstar Bangs
This is a solid cut for anyone with thinner strands and a bit of edge.
24. Wispy Jagged Bangs
Have stick-straight hair? You’re in the minority who could easily pull off these cool, jagged bangs.
25. Wispy Round Bangs
On the other hand, if you have some bend to your hair, you could opt for soft, rounded bangs that complement your texture.
26. Wispy Tendrils
For those who aren’t ready to make the cut, this wispy look relies more on styling gel (and some patience) than a pair of scissors.
27. Wispy and Wet
To go with your chic new hydro bob of course.
28. Wispy Bottleneck Bangs
As our very own associate fashion commerce editor Stephanie Meraz described, “If curtain bangs and straight bangs were to marry and procreate, they’d get a bottleneck bang baby. The finished result mimics the shape of a bottleneck by focusing on a concentrated area in the middle that cascades into longer sections down the sides.”
29. Wispy and Blunt
It doesn’t get much more rock n’ roll than this.
30. Wispy Two-Toned Bangs
Billie Eilish is probably bookmarking this for her next hair appointment.
31. Wispy Punk Bangs
A little Gwen Stefani “Don’t Speak” era for our Ska kids out there.
32. Wispy Tapered Bangs
The tapered bangs go so well with the flipped out ends here.
33.Wispy Bowl Cut
Never thought I’d say this, but the bowl cut looks cute here.
34. Wispy Curls
Fact: A few face-framing wisps will add a nice touch to your curly updo.
35. Wispy Pieces
Presenting: Bangs that are anything but boring.
36. Barely-There Bangs
Cut so fine, you barely see them.
37. Wispy Baby Bangs
Have your stylist snip into this style of bang to break them apart a bit.
38. Wispy Y2K Bangs
Anyone else getting prom flashbacks from this look?
39. Wispy Pixie
Bravo to this carefully cut pixie with wispy pieces blended throughout the hairline.
40. Wispy Air Bangs
Aka the K-Pop idol special, which features longer pieces that fall just below the brow line and blend in at the sides.
