Do all fringes suit all people? No. Not all fringes are created equal, but when you find that fringe that fits your face perfectly – it has the power to take on its own personality and bring something out in you that you didn’t even know you were hiding.
They can be subtle, bold, multi-coloured, shockingly short, to the side, full frontal, thick, wispy and beyond – the variety of the fringe could rival the stars in the sky if they tried. Especially when the same fringe cut on two different hair types will look nothing alike.
We asked Blue Salons Artistic Director, Jo, for her thoughts on the fringe for 2019.
“A fringe is a great way to completely transform your look and becomes a built in accessory changeable for any occasion or outfit”.
“The right fringe can frame a face accentuating the bits you want to highlight while disguising the bits you don’t, for example, an angular face shape can be softened with a feathered and layered fringe, while a blunt fringe will sharpen a rounder face”.
“Fringes will never go out of fashion and we’re going to be seeing a lot more of them in 2019 thanks to the influx of celebrities instantly sharing their shorter cuts on social media lately. People such as Emma Watson, Taylor Swift and Cara Delevingne are all big influencers in the fringe styles we’re being asked for at the moment.”
Picking the right fringe that won’t leave you feeling like it’s wearing you, can be a daunting task. But with a little bit of research and some daring – you’ll be the one wearing the fringe with plenty of attitude to boot.
While we had her, we asked Jo all the questions we could think of about fringes to help you find the answers you need for your quest for the perfect fringe.
How does a fringe transform a look so dramatically?
A fringe casts one of the strongest impacts because it determines how much of the face is covered up or exposed. Changing how much of the face you can see can appear to change the structure of the face shape which is how one person can look so different just with a new fringe.
How many types of fringe are there?
When we talk about fringes there are certain names that cuts fall into but when take into account the different aspects such as the hair type, the volume, the length, the colour, and the direction, the differing combinations result in an incredible variety of fringes.
Micro fringe: Cut between 1cm-2 inches from the hairline, it’s perfect on short pixie styles but has been known to accentuate the form of the face.
Short fringe: Not as short as the micro fringe but still very short and straight. Audrey Hepburn made it popular. Quite a ‘wow’ factor fringe, they tend to widen the face shape. One for the brave.
Centre-parted fringes: Also known as ‘curtains’, these are an iconic and timeless look.
Side fringe: Starting from a side parting, this fringe usually only covers one half of the forehead. It’s longer than a full fringe and is flattering to all face shapes.
Full fringe: A fringe that is combed straight down and is cut vertically across.
Wispy full fringe: The same as a full fringe, but thinner. Perfect for those wanting less commitment and styling.
Blunt full fringe: A sharp cut, these fringes are often thick and heavy, adding definition to a face.
Rounded fringe: Similar to the full fringe, this has an added rounded feel and is longer on the sides where it meets the rest of the hair.
What type of fringe goes well with what face shape?
Generalising is quite a difficult and tricky thing to do when it comes to fringes and face shapes due to the multitude of other factors to consider, such as, the size of the forehead, nostrils and eyes, shape of the mouth and even personality type. But there are a few guides you can follow to help get you started:
Oval face shapes: Try starting with a thinner fringe, so you can style it to the side or clip it back occasionally.
Round face shapes: Give a side fringe a go, it will give the illusion of a longer face and the asymmetry will add definition to your cheekbones.
Heart face shapes: Longer fringes and fuller fringes that skim the eyebrows, or a side fringe work best for heart-shaped faces.
Square face shapes: A full, feathered fringe will suit a squarer face but nothing too blunt as it’s likely to accentuate any harsh angles.
Why should I not get a fringe?
Whether or not you opt for a fringe depends completely on you and your lifestyle. A fringe is a commitment. They need time for styling, restyling after taking on a life of its own as soon as you’ve walked out the door, trimming more often, and if you don’t like hair going in your eyes then you’re going to get bored and frustrated with your new fringe pretty quickly.
The fringe you have in your mind may also not be the fringe that you see when you look in the mirror. If you have swirls and curls in your fringe section, a poker straight blunt cut isn’t going to be a great choice for you, so the best advice I can give is to really think about whether or not a fringe will fit in with your lifestyle.
Why should I get a fringe?
The right cut can correct the shape of the face and minimise or emphasise certain facial features like the nose or eyes. A new fringe can update your look without the need to drastically cut the rest of your hair and can even bring out a new part of your personality if you dare to let it.
How do I look after my fringe?
Always sort your fringe out first after washing your hair. It naturally dries quicker so before it has time to set awkwardly, blow-dry it straight away. Learn the ‘fringe wash’, wash just the fringe more often as this part of your hair will get greasier before the rest of your hair does, and opt for dry shampooing between washes to avoid over-washing the fringe. Pop in to your salon for regular fringe trims too to keep it looking on-point, most places will do this for you for free. We do free fringe trims for our regular guests.
How do I grow out my fringe?
The best way to grow out a fringe is to begin by making it into either a centre-parted fringe or side fringe – just make sure you get regular trims to keep it flattering.
If you have decided that a fringe is what is missing from your life or you would like some fringe advice, you can book in with us at Blue Hairdressing by calling 01428 607555 or by booking online here.
Jo and the Blue Team x