To Bang or Not to Bang...

Did ya miss me?! Yesterday was kinda crazy and by the time I got home from work, I went straight to bed. I had some LATE, last minute appointments and my dog decided to go on unsupervised walk-about around the subdivision. Joy.
Anywho, today we are going to talk about BANGS. Or fringe, for all my non-American compadres.(Yes, this blog is an international hit. Someone in Germany has read my blog...once.) I like bangs, IF you get the correct bangs for your face shape/hair type. I'm telling you right now, bangs are work. They constantly need to be trimmed and if you aren't blessed with completely straight hair with ZERO callics, be prepared. Now that I have sufficiently scared you, we will begin!

The Cameron


No matter how short or long Cameron Diaz's hair is, she always seems to have some form of this "bang". I use the quotations her because these aren't exactly bangs but they aren't exactly just layers either. If you are thinking about bangs but are nervous, these are great to start out with. If your shortest piece falls near your eyes, you'll feel like your eyes really POP all of a sudden. Anything below there is really just face-framing layers, don't kid yourself. Super low maintenance, flattering for everyone, easy to grow-out if you change your mind.

The Reese

Oh my. If someone has brought a picture of Reese Witherspoon into me once (especially the second picture!) they have a hundred times. Everyone loves her and her bangs! I think they like the versatility. They can be worn straight down or to the side. Her bangs are more commitment because they will defiantly take sometime to grow out. These are great of you have a larger forehead you want to minimize but because you have the side option, girls with a slightly more petite forehead can pull them off too. Be mindful of any callics you might have to fight and the texture of your hair. If you have tight curls, maybe not a good idea. Unless your ready with the round brush, blow dryer and straightener everyday. Make sure you tell your stylist you want to be able to wear them both forward and to the side!!

The Zooey

Oh Zooey Deschanel. You are adorable. In fact when I get done with this post, I'm going to watch the latest episode of her show, New Girl. On Hulu. Back to the bangs, I'm really really liking straight across bangs! Before you head down to the beauty shop with a picture of her, please take in account the texture (just like with Reese's) of your hair, callics, and your personal style. i.e.- they way you dress and/or intend to style your hair. If your plan is to put a big 'ol curl in these bad boys and walk out the door in your Lee Riders with Skechers shape-ups. PLEASE refrain. Big NC, any day of the week. These should be worn straight, maybe a slight bend under or pinned back. The end. If you have a very round, full face you might not like these either. I'm not saying they wont look good. I'm just saying hypothetically, if your friend Ally convinces you (or really, just cuts as you scream I SAID SIDE BANGS!!!!!!) to get straight across bangs, you might feel like your face looks fat. Despite everyone telling you how much they LOVE them and how they bring out your eyes. Hypothetically.

I'm not saying these are the only bangs out there, but these three really represent the main categories bangs fall into, in my opinion. I hope you feel more informed about your fringe options!!

Thank you, come again!

Les

This Post was brought to you by:

-Lexie Grant. (YOU know why! haha)

-Dinner with Deanna-Banana @ The Crepery

-Zebra Popcorn

The Marilyn

I LOVE doing this style! In case you haven't noticed, I like lots of retro looks. And who doesn't want to look like Marilyn Monroe?! My sister from another mister, Deanna, was so kind as to come over and let me do her hair this evening. I love her, she the best. Now D's hair is almost too long for this. Its great for shorter to medium-ish hair (works with an A-line cut just fine!). I did it all the time before I shaved half of my hair off.

Here is what I started with...

The best part about this style is the volume! But with big hair come big prep-work. So I got out my Pureology Texture Twist (or any root boots you like!) and rubbed it into the crown at the root. The front bang-ish area is going to get special attention today so clip it away from the rest. Like so...

We are going to be using a round brush to get D's hair they way we want. Blow dry until the hair is about 80% dry and then start using the round brush. If you use it when the hair is dripping wet, you'll be drying all day and your arms will be ready to fall off. I know a lot of people don't round brush their hair (some say 'can't' but I don't believe in cant. Unless we are talking about me trying to wake board. Then can't is the proper thing to say), but don't be afraid! Its awkward at first but you'll get it. Believe me, I was round brushing my own hair LONG before cosmetology school. Round brush in sections. Wrap the hair around the brush...





Hit it with the blow dryer for a second and then pull the heat off. LEAVE THE BRUSH WHERE IT IS! We want the hair to cool for a sec while still wrapped around the brush. That way it stays nice and voluminous. Repeat this until you get to the front bang. Take the bangs down in diagonal sections and round brush them back and away from the face. Still using the wrap and cool method I just mentioned. Now you should look like this...



I mean, obviously not exactly like this but you get the picture. You could just go on about your day like this! Its a perfectly great blow out. BUT I want something with more va-voom!



First: A quick intermission whilst we eat dinner...
Crockpot chicken tacos and Spanish rice created by moi (I bribe hair models! hint hint).

Please extinguish all cigarettes and turn off all cell phones; The rest of the demonstration is about to begin...





Resection the hair, separating the bangs from the rest of the hair again. Now, I used a straightener for her curls, cus I got mad skillz like 'dat. But I recommend a curling iron, as big as your hair will go into. Take sections (like you round brushed) and starting from the ends curl the hair under up to the scalp. Let that cool and teasing sections as you go, repeat. When you get to the bang area, take diagonal sections...




Curl them back away from the face and pin the curl up (Look! It's Jacie!)...



That took me about 3 sections. I let them cool like that so they will last and have awesome volume. I then sprayed some Bb Shine on my hands and ran them through the rest of the curls. Then unpin the bangs and run your fingers through them. I teased them together and 'feathered' them back. Spray some hairspray and scrunch up your curls a little. Ta-dah!

(Deep in conversation w/Jacie)

This hair 'do screams Bombshell to me. You just want to run your fingers through it! Now pair this up with my Retro Makeup tutorial and you'll be looking like a little sex kitten for sure.


Thanks for letting me do your hair Deanna-Banana!





Muah!


Les

Hair Do's

• The bigger, the better!




• Pinning your curls RIGHT AFTER you pull them out of the curling iron is a great way to help them keep their shape




• You can also do this by setting the hair in hot rollers!

This Post was brought to you by:

-The liter of Pepsi D brought me! (Shes a Pepsi fiend like me!)

-The last piece of banana read Gooch made

-My new bracelet I got at Maurice's