I’ve discussed the eternal bangs question here before: To be, or not to be? To cut, or not to cut?

You know which way I’ve landed the last couple of years. The bangs have stuck (sometimes awkwardly, to my forehead) for some time now. They can be a source of frustration—especially around summer, as it’s tempting to simply reach for the headbands and the bobbi pins—but I feel like I’ve found some favorite hair tools for sticking with the style.

For reference, I have hair that naturally dries slightly waavy. It’s prone to frizz and curling up in saltwater. This is what works for me. (Not all at once.)

Tools:
Dry Shampoo (Some tips.) // Living Proof Blowout. (My new favorite: I just use it to refresh my bangs with a hairdryer after air-drying my hair.) //  Thermal brush // Aveda Smooth Infusion (A desert-isle worthy pick.) // Barber Shears // Hairdryer  // Comb // And, not pictured, a hat (For after a swim.)

And here’s how to trim them up yourself (especially handy if you’re traveling a while) and keep them the right length. Of course, you should ask your stylist about free bang trims when you get your haircut. Most include them.

How to:
Pull your hair into a ponytail, leaving your bangs out. Take the hair in front and twist it in the middle of your forehead. Using barber shears, make vertical cuts (up and down) until you’ve taken off as much as you’d hoped to trim (about a quarter of an inch at a time, max). Comb the hair down. If there are any strays hanging too low, you can cut those bits across—but only those.

With these items I can usually finger-comb my hair dry after a day in the water and then just straighten out the bangs later.

What are some of your best tricks? 

P.S. Cutting your hair short (and growing it out). How to use dry shampoo. And celebrity inspiration.

[Photo of Charlotte Le Bon by Shayne Lavardiere]

 

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