GRACEFULLY GROW OUT YOUR BANGS
Chelle Neff, Owner of Urban Betty Salon
Last August I got engaged and one of the first thoughts that immediately came to my mind was “How will I do my hair for the wedding?” Groundbreaking world saving stuff here, I know. However, to most women planning a wedding this is an essential detail. I had just chopped my bangs to eyebrow length that summer and I needed them to be long again by next fall. Of course, I had a New York trip planned and engagement photos coming up soon, so I didn’t want to have annoying hair in my eyes during the trip or for professional photos. So let’s just say, I really started growing my bangs out 10 months prior to my wedding. Plenty of time right? Everyone knows the minute you watch a pot boil it seems to take forever. And that is just what it feels like right now with my hair.
I’m about 4 months away from the date of my wedding and my bangs have barely made it past my upper lip. My hair grows pretty fast and it will be fine for my updo, however I can’t help but wonder if the lovely side swoop I’m envisioning for my bangs will end up looking like a half mushroom cut by the end of the wedding. Oh well! First world problems.
The one thing I have learned during this last year is how to cope with the lovely grow out phase of bangs.
I can show you a couple tips and tricks that have worked for me and I’ll even attach pictures for you to see! Here are some of the nifty “hide your bangs” hairstyles that I have come up with during this process: (All done completely on my own)
The side braid.
Section your bangs from where you part you hair in a 2-inch section all the way to your ear. Clip the rest of the hair out of the way. French braid or corn row your hair halfway down that section. Criss cross two bobby pins on top of each other at the end of the braid. Unclip the other section of your hair and make sure it covers where you pinned the braid. This is a great look that can be worn dressy or casual.
The pin back.
This is exactly what it sounds like. Simply pull your section of bangs back and twist them. Pull them back underneath your main section of hair. I usually criss cross two bobby pins to keep them put.
Side bang pin back.
Wear a headband.
There are so many options here. And so many cute headbands out there. I recently bought a headband from American Apparel that had wire in it. Such a genius invention! Keeps the headband in place all day. Especially for those of us with smaller heads.
Ponytail Pompadour.
Take a mowhawk section on the top of your hair and tease it all very firmly at the roots. Next brush lightly through the teased section with a boar bristle brush. If you need to add a little hairspray to it so you can maintain control, go for it! Gather all your hair into a ponytail at any height you choose. Finish the look with a good dose of hairspray to keep the bangs back. My favorite hairspray is PureOlogy Strengthening Control. If you’ll be out for a while, pack a travel size spray to spritz any rogue hairs that want to come loose. This is a classic look. And it hides bangs beautifully!
