Cut Your Own Bangs

How to trim your fringe like a pro

When cut correctly, a little eye-grazing fringe is  the perfect accessory for hiding a high forehead or calling attention to big, beautiful eyes. Before you cut your own bangs, make sure you have a pair of sharp scissors that are meant for cutting hair. Try on hairstyles with bangs in our virtual hairstyle studio.

Bear in mind that bangs shrink when dry, so if you cut them wet you could take off more than you bargained for. Always err on the side of caution, leaving a little more length than you originally desired. If your bangs are very curly and you plan to wear them straight, you will want to flat iron them before you start snipping. If your hair has a natural wave, let it be so you can see exactly how the bangs will fall.

Determine which part of your hair will become your bangs by parting the hair with a comb, then pin back the rest. Point cut your bangs with scissors facing upward at a 45 or 90 degree angle. This is the best way to achieve a straight line (ironically, it's nearly impossible to achieve a straight line by cutting straight across). Bangs should neither be too thin or too thick. To prevent the latter, cut layers into your bangs by pulling small pieces taught between your fingers and razoring bits of hair to lighten the look. --Stephanie Simons

TRY ON BANGS WITHOUT THE COMMITMENT BY UPLOADING A PHOTO TO TAAZ