6 Tips for Keeping Your Bangs in Perfect Shape

Getting bangs is a bold decision. Whether you opt for choppy bangs, baby bangs, or classic blunt bangs across your forehead, styling is often required to keep them looking neat and salon-fresh. Even after heat styling and applying hair products, a common challenge with bangs is preventing them from separating.

Reasons Behind Bangs Separating

As Michelle Cleveland, hairstylist and owner of Hair Addict Salon, explains, bangs parting in the middle can happen for several reasons.

The first reason is a natural cowlick at the hairline. "Another cause for parted bangs is insufficient weight," she notes. "If the bangs aren't cut deep enough, they’ll be too light and will separate more easily." For this reason, she strongly recommends visiting a professional for cutting and trimming your bangs.

Another factor contributing to bangs separating is overly soft hair that lacks the necessary texture to hold them in place. Fortunately, keeping your bangs intact isn’t a challenge you can’t overcome. With the right styling techniques, your bangs can stay looking flawless. Here are expert tips on how to style your bangs to prevent them from separating.

1. Cleanse Your Face

A common yet often overlooked reason bangs separate throughout the day is the oils on your face, says Jennifer Korab, a hairstylist and educator for Pureology. Prior to styling your bangs, make sure to follow your skincare routine to remove any excess oils that might be interfering with your hairstyle.

2. Apply Mousse to Prepare Your Hair

After cleansing your face, Lovette Candice, a celebrity hairstylist, recommends applying mousse to damp hair. "Start with damp hair, apply a small amount of mousse to the bangs, and then blow-dry using a brush," she suggests.

This technique helps guide the hair to lay flat across your forehead, allowing it to set perfectly once dry. She advises using Joico Joi Whip Firm Hold Design Foam, which provides strong hold and a gorgeous shine.

3. Choose the Right Brushes for Blow-Drying

For even bangs across the forehead, it’s recommended to use a large, round brush when blow-drying. "Blow-dry the bangs with a round brush while they're still damp to give them more volume and shape," advises Korab.

Another technique comes from Liz Vaccariello, former editor-in-chief of Mytour, who uses a flat brush before switching to a round brush. She brushes the bangs from left to right, keeping the blow dryer directed at them. As someone who’s had bangs (and a cowlick) for years, she swears by this method as one of her go-to tips.

After blow-drying your bangs from left to right, Candice suggests using a large round brush to lift them upwards, creating volume and bounce. Then, direct the blow-dryer downwards towards your face to avoid over-curling. Pro tip: Always make sure your bangs are damp before blow-drying, as this helps them hold their shape. "Even if you don’t wash your hair, dampen it and re-blow-dry," advises Korab.

4. Choose the Right Hairspray

As Cleveland mentioned earlier, soft or fine hair textures can lead to separated bangs. She recommends using a texturizing spray to help keep bangs together. Frizz is another culprit that can cause bangs to part, so if you're prone to frizz, consider using an anti-humidity spray like AG Hair Smooth Frizzproof Argan Anti-Humidity Finishing Spray.

"Anti-frizz oils can be too heavy and greasy, causing the hair to split," says Korab. "Instead, opt for an anti-humidity spray, which is a lighter alternative that helps prevent frizz."

5. Use Dry Shampoo

Styling your bangs at home is just the beginning. The real challenge lies in keeping them in place all day long. Both Candice and Korab agree that dry shampoo is the ultimate solution to maintaining your bangs.

"When oil builds up in the hair, it can cause splits and create a middle part in your bangs," says Korab. Keep a dry shampoo, like OUAI Super Dry Shampoo, on hand to combat this.

6. Protect Your Bangs with a Baseball Cap

Finally, Vaccariello shares one of her top tips: shield your bangs from the elements by wearing a baseball cap. Heat, humidity, rain, and even a strong wind can create frizz, which leads to separation.

To keep your bangs secure and protected, she recommends sweeping them to one side and tucking them under the edge of the cap's brim. When you're ready to remove the cap, simply run your fingers through your bangs to smooth them back into place.

With these tips, you'll be able to keep your bangs looking flawless throughout the day.