Shadow Bangs Are the Coolest Way To Wear Fringe This Fall

Here's what you need to know.

Has anyone in the history of the world been cooler than Jane Birkin? That's a trick question, obviously. She's the one and only. Of all the time-tested style wisdom that Birkin bestowed upon us, there are a few morsels that always seem to be en vogue: her iconic, exclusive bag and also-iconic, more-attainable bangs. While the bag has never had (and likely will never need) an update, a new hairstyle has been coined for those who live in the late British actress's shadow—literally.

Birkin's signature bangs—characterized by their sharp disconnect from the rest of your hair, no framing or feathering—are one of the most perfect "undone" hairstyles of all time. Now, the sweet fringe is going sultry with one of this fall's biggest hair trends: the "shadow bang." Keep reading to discover the shadow bang, plus learn how to wear it yourself with expert tips.

Meet the Expert

• Tom Smith is a celebrity hairstylist and Creative Director at Evo Hair.

• Briana Cisneros is a hair stylist and Wella Professionals North America Brand Ambassador.

What Are Shadow Bangs?

"Birkin bangs are inspired by Jane Birkin in the 60’s. Shadow bangs are just a slightly softer wispier version of them," says hairstylist Briana Cisneros. "Essentially, they are a small bang section that creates a narrower opening, cutting less hair but serving up a statement and can really frame the face beautifully."

While Tom Smith, Creative Director at Evo Hair, wasn't expecting a full fringe to be back in style this soon, the shadow bang trend proved him wrong. "So much of what we've seen recently has been longer sweeping bangs," the trend forecaster shared in a recent Instagram video. "Katie Holmes has been seen recently wearing really long, kind of Birkin style bangs, but longer, hiding the eyes. [That's] how it becomes a shadow bang."

According to Smith, your Birkin bangs transform into shadow bangs when they grow out a bit. Still, you might want to cut them that way to begin with. "Shadow bangs still have that straight angle and corner, but it's long and eyelash skimming and that tends to be a little more sultry. A little more sexy," he shared.

How to Get the Look

Smith's first tip when headed to your hair appointment? Decide exactly how long your shadow bangs should be to best suit your needs.

"Shadow bangs are characterized by their long, brow or lash-skimming length which is cut in a horizontal line and slightly curves down on the sides," the stylist tells Byrdie. "Bangs can feel as though they grow out very quickly, so decide with your stylist how long you should leave them based on how often you’re able to re-trim them."

If it works for you to pop in for a bang cut every two to three weeks, slightly choppy, lash-length bangs will be absolutely fine. But if you’re planning to go a month or longer between trim appointments, go for a length just below the eyebrows. According to Smith, this will insure you get more wear time out of the look.

"Avoid exposing the brows or cutting the length any shorter as then the style turns more into a Birkin style bang which has more of a subtle sweetness rather than the sultryness of the shadow bangs," he adds. "The choppier the cutting line is, the more practical the longer bang length is as it moves around your brow bone. If it’s very blunt it can require a little more styling to keep it looking sharp."

How to Style Shadow Bangs

Styling bangs often comes with a learning curve because for most, you don't just wake up with perfect, effortless-looking fringe. "The key to styling them is making sure that any cowlicks or growth patterns are dealt with first while the hair is still wet. If you have curls, these bangs can look super cute, too," Cisneros notes.

"I would set the curls forward with your favorite curl cream. And if you have wavy or straight hair texture, I like to prep the hair with Wella Professionals EIMI Ocean Spritz. Then, using a medium sized round brush, I direct the hair up straight up and curl under to add volume and bend."

This motion may take some trial and error to master if you've never done it before. "Then dry the longer sides pulling the hair towards the face while curling the round brush away from the face," she says. Cisneros likes to finish by spritzing the bangs with a light hold hairspray—she recommends Wella Professionals' EIMI Stay Firm Workable Finishing Hairspray.

Frequently Asked Questions

What hair type works best with shadow bangs?

Shadow bangs are known for their undone, sexy look. They work especially well for those with straight or wavy hair. Cisneros notes they also look really good on those with curly hair. If you have thick hair, ask your stylist for wispy shadow bangs—this will help remove bulk while keeping the face-framing element of the look.

Read the original article on Byrdie.