Bangs can completely transform a hairstyle and freshen up your look.
They draw attention to your eyes and can soften facial features.
Short hairstyles with bangs are a great option if you want to make a statement but don’t want to commit to super long locks.
There are many different types of bangs that complement different face shapes and hair textures.
Today let’s look at top 13 stunning short hairstyles with bangs to give you inspiration for your next big chop or trim.
Blunt Bangs
One of the most popular types of bangs are blunt bangs.
As the name suggests, blunt bangs are cut straight across at a 90 degree angle.
They create a bold look that exudes confidence.
Blunt bangs pair best with straight, sleek hair as any waves or curls can make them appear uneven.
They look great with bob hairstyles or pixie cuts.
Blunt bangs work well with oval, square, and heart shaped faces.
To get the look: Ask your stylist for bangs cut straight across your forehead just above your eyebrows.
They shouldn’t be cut too short or too long.
The ideal length is around brow level.
Use a flat iron to get them perfectly straight and smooth.
Apply smoothing serum to finish off the look.
Part your blunt bangs in the middle for symmetry or swept off to one side for an edgy vibe.
Curtain Bangs
For a softer effect, try curtain bangs.
As the name implies, curtain bangs gently drape across your forehead like curtains framing your face.
They are cut longer in the middle and tapered at the sides.
Curtain bangs are versatile and flattering on most face shapes.
They are especially great at softening strong jawlines.
Curtain bangs work best on wavy or curly hair textures.
When styled with curls, they create a romantic, tousled effect.
To get the look: Ask your stylist for bangs that are longer in the center and gradually angle down shorter towards the temples.
The longest point should hit just past your eyebrows.
Let your curtain bangs air dry naturally and define the waves with a curling iron or finger coils.
Add volume at the roots with a spritz of sea salt spray.
Part them off center for an asymmetrical look.
Short Choppy Bangs
For a cool, edgy style, choppy bangs are the way to go.
Choppy bangs are cut very short and ragged, with uneven wispy layers.
They create a lot of texture and attitude.
Choppy bangs look great with pixies, lobs, or other short cuts.
They work best on naturally straight hair.
Styling products like wax, gel, or pomade are needed to bring out the chopped texture.
Choppy bangs flatter heart-shaped faces and soften square jawlines.
To get the look: Show your stylist inspiration photos of choppy bangs with short, jagged layers cut around brow level.
Use your fingers to messily tousle and separate the bangs.
Work some styling product in for separation and hold.
Choppy bangs can be swept to one side or parted in the unseen sections under longer layers.
Let them air dry for maximum texture.
Side-Swept Bangs
Side-swept bangs are a versatile option that can be worn with any hair length.
As the name suggests, side-swept bangs are angled across your forehead from one side rather than cut blunt.
They create an alluring, swooping effect.
Side-swept bangs are a great way to add softness and femininity to a short pixie or bob.
They flatter oval and heart-shaped faces.
Focusing the volume to one side helps disguise a wide forehead or square jawline.
To get the look: When getting a haircut, ask your stylist for longer bangs swept dramatically off to one side.
The bangs should gradually decrease in length from the longest point next to your eye down to brow level.
Use a round brush while blow drying to sweep the bangs off to the side and add volume.
Curl just the bangs area to help hold the side-swept shape.
Add a touch of styling cream, wax, or pomade.
Part the rest of your hair on the opposite side.
Wispy Bangs
Nothing says effortless chic like soft wispy bangs.
Wispy bangs are airy, loose, and free-spirited.
They are cut slightly longer and textured with subtle layers.
The result is a lighter fringe that appears breezy and flirty.
Wispy bangs are perfect for fine, thin hair as they create fullness up front.
They look amazing with shoulder-length lobs or short pixie cuts.
Wispy bangs suit oval, heart, and diamond face shapes beautifully.
To get the look: Show your stylist inspiration photos demonstrating the lightweight, layered texture you want for your wispy bangs.
Ask for the bangs to be cut longer throughout with subtle graduation from shortest at the temples to longer in the middle.
Use a natural bristle round brush while blow drying to flip the ends out for volume.
Finish with a spritz of dry texture spray or sea salt spray, scrunching lightly.
Part your wispy bangs off center for a whimsical look.
Full Bangs
In contrast to wispy, full bangs are cut blunt and heavy across the entire forehead.
This creates a bold fringe that makes a dramatic statement.
Full bangs work best on thick hair textures and help thin out coarse or unruly hair.
They lend a striking touch to short haircuts like lobs, bobs, and pixies.
Full bangs look great with oval and heart shaped faces.
They also balance out longer face shapes.
To get the look: Show your stylist photos of thick, blunt fringe bangs you wish to emulate.
The bangs should create a continuous line across your forehead just above the brows.
For maximum fullness, cut them no longer than brow length.
Blow dry the heavy bangs forward using a paddle brush.
Blast them with hot air to flatten and smoothen.
Part full bangs down the middle for a retro 60’s look or sweep them to one side.
Bardot Bangs
Bardot bangs channel serious French girl vibes.
Named after bombshell Brigitte Bardot, the iconic style features an eyebrow-grazing curved fringe.
The bangs are cut longest at the center and dramatically taper shorter towards the temples.
Bardot bangs project an air of effortless sophistication.
They beautifully complement bob and lob haircuts.
Bardot bangs are ideal for heart shaped or oval faces with even features.
To get the look: Bring inspiration photos of Bardot and her signature bangs to show your stylist.
The longest fringe section in the middle should fall just above the eyebrows.
Angle the bangs diagonally down to chin level at the temples.
Use a large round brush while blow drying to shape the curve under at the edges.
Set with a retro bump at the roots for lift.
Finish with a spritz of lightweight hairspray.
Bettie Bangs
Classic Bettie bangs are short, thick, and bluntly cut straight across the brow.
They were popularized in the 40’s and 50’s by provocative pinup queen Bettie Page.
This heavy fringe is seriously eye-catching and demands attention.
Recreating this retro style works best on straight, dense hair.
The bold bangs pair well with shoulder length hair parted deeply off center.
They flatter square, oval, and heart shaped faces.
To get the look: Bring in reference photos of the iconic Bettie Page to show your stylist.
Request extremely thick bangs cut to be the same length from edge to edge.
The blunt fringe should hit right at the brow bone.
Blow dry them under to create a sharp line across the forehead.
Set in place with a firm hold hairspray.
For extra retro allure, create spit curls on the temples with setting lotion and a curling iron.
Curly Bangs
Ladies with naturally curly hair can rock bangs too!
Curly bangs are cut to match the curl pattern and texture of your hair.
When cut properly, curly bangs appear cohesive with the rest of your texture instead of looking like an out of place frizzy fringe.
Shorter chin or shoulder length curly styles are the ideal canvas to show off curly bangs.
They complement oval and heart shaped faces beautifully.
To get the look: Come to your cut with unconditioned curls in their natural state so your stylist can cut your bangs to match your curl pattern.
Request bangs that are longer than they appear when pulled taut to account for shrinkage.
Define curls in the bangs area with gel or creme when styling.
Let them air dry or diffuse gently.
Pinch and separate to encourage curl formation.
Part them slightly off center to prevent a solid wall of curls across your forehead.
Baby Bangs
Baby bangs are short, wispy fringe cut very high on the forehead.
Sitting right at the hairline, baby bangs are meant to appear soft and sweet, like a baby’s natural hair texture.
They create a playful, innocent vibe.
Baby bangs look adorable and youthful with chin or shoulder length cuts.
They work best on fine to medium hair textures.
Baby bangs suit oval, long, and heart shaped faces.
To get the look: Show your stylist inspiration photos of baby bangs barely sitting on the forehead, no more than an inch long at most.
They should be trimmed high at the very hairline.
Allow them extra length for shrinkage.
Style baby bangs piece-y and naturally imperfect.
Apply a tiny amount of styling creme scrunched in with fingers for light definition.
Part slightly off center.
The rest of the hair can be softly waved or crimped to enhance the baby doll look.
Short Shaggy Bangs
Shaggy bangs have an undone, relaxed vibe perfect for an edgy cool girl look.
Shaggy bangs are cut very short and textured with choppy layers.
The uneven fringe has an almost feathered effect.
Short shaggy bangs look amazing paired with a pixie cut.
They also vibe well with classic shag haircuts.
The shaggy fringe suits oval, long, and diamond face shapes.
To get the look: Show your stylist photos of choppy, ragged bangs with layers cut artfully uneven.
Ask for the bangs to be cut extremely short and textured.
The longest pieces should still be above brow level.
Use pomade, wax, or gel to separate and define the short layers.
Mess it up more with a spritz of sea salt spray to finish.
Let your shaggy bangs air dry for optimal texture.
Part them off center, sweeping them messily to one side.
See-Through Bangs
See-through bangs offer you the option of fringe without all the commitment.
Also known as airy or wispy bangs, this sparse style is cut very lightly and meant to be barely there.
See-through bangs create a soft, transparent veil across your forehead.
Longer face shapes benefit from the extra coverage.
See-through bangs work best on fine hair.
Any hair length pairs well with the lightweight fringe.
To get the look: Show your stylist inspiration photos of ultra-sheer, airy bangs.
Emphasize you want very thin, sparsely cut bangs rather than a heavy fringe.
The strands should be snipped to wispy lengths no longer than the brow bone.
Blow dry while sweeping them gently to one side with a paddle brush.
Use the cool setting to avoid volume.
Finish with a mist of shiny lightweight serum to smooth.
Part them off center for optimal translucency.
Thick Side Bangs
Thick side bangs are a bold, face-framing choice.
As the name suggests, the fringe is cut very full and only extends partway across the forehead.
The dense fringe is longer and tailored to sweep off dramatically to one side.
Thick side bangs make a striking statement and draw the eye.
They suit oval and diamond face shapes.
Bob haircuts and medium length shags are great canvases to show off thick side bangs.
To get the look: Bring inspiration photos of deep, thick side fringe to show your stylist.
Ask for triangular shaped bangs beginning wide across your forehead then tapering significantly towards the edges.
The longest sections should hit at cheekbone level.
Blow dry the heavy fringe sweeping everything sharply to one side.
Use a paddle brush and volumizing products to create height.
Part your hair on the opposite side from the bangs.
The right bangs can take your short hairstyle from simple to spectacular.
Consider your hair texture, face shape, and personal taste when selecting which short hairstyle with bangs is right for you.
