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12 Tips for Styling Bangs to Maximize Volume and Minimize Frizz By Deven Hopp

Deven Hopp Deven Hopp is an experienced writer and editor with over five years of experience covering the beauty industry for sites like Byrdie and Makeup.com. She is currently the brand director for Versed Skincare. Byrdie's Editorial Guidelines Updated on February 25, 2025 05:07PM Reviewed by Sky Kim

Reviewed by Sky Kim Sky Kim is a hairstylist with over a decade of experience. She currently works at Serge Normant at John Frieda in New York City. About Byrdie's Beauty & Wellness Board Hairstylist

woman with curtain bangs taking selfie in sunlight — @hollyrhue / Instagram

We can all agree that bangs are a beauty statement. Whether you opt for side-swept bangs, curtain bangs, micro fringe, or a classic wispy look, they have the power to frame your face and elevate your look. While we love how bangs look– particularly on other people– styling them ourselves is another story. If you want your fringe to look its best, whether it's your first time trying out bangs or your hundredth, it's important to learn how to style them correctly. Although styling bangs may seem easy– there's not much hair, how hard can it be, right?– there's actually a bit of science that goes into it. Thankfully, there are just as many tips and tricks to make sure your hairstyling routine goes smoothly and can help you achieve the bangs of your dreams. To get the 411 on all things bangs, we tapped two professional hairstylists to share their fringe expertise. Keep reading for their tips and tricks.

Meet the Experts

Linda de Zeeuw is a master hairstylist with 20 years of professional experience. She is currently based in Amsterdam.
Stephanie Scuoppo is a master hairstylist at Warren Tricomi Salon in Greenwich, CT.

01 of 13

Attack Frizz In the Shower

One of the most common annoyances with bangs is frizz, so experts recommend that you attack the problem before it appears. How do you do this, you ask? By starting your bangs routine in the shower– use a shampoo and conditioner duo that tames flyaways. and We love Love Beauty and Planet's Smooth and Serene Shampoo and Conditioner.

02 of 13

Blow-Dry Your Bangs Immediately Post-Shower

For those looking to have sleek bangs, be sure to blow out your fringe while your hair is still very wet, fresh from the shower. Your bangs dry faster than you think, and the moment they start to air-dry, they’ve already begun to set into their natural shape. The sooner you start styling, the better your results will be.

Byrdie Tip

If you don't have a blow dryer or you're traveling without yours, take your wet fringe and comb it straight. Then, gently wrap a scarf around your head so the fringe can air-dry without the cowlicks curling up.

03 of 13

Enhance Curly Bangs With Styling Products

If you have curly hair and want to maintain your natural pattern versus straightening it, Connecticut-based hair stylist, Stephanie Scuoppo, says to apply a lightweight curl cream from root to end while your hair is still damp. "Then, twist each curl around your finger," she adds, as this will help set your curl pattern into place as it air dries.

04 of 13

Master This Blowdrying Technique

A small round boar-bristle brush is the gold standard for styling bangs because the tightly packed bristles grab every hair, allowing you to use the right amount of tension. Once you’ve got the proper brush and a powerful hair dryer (with the concentrator nozzle attached), you need to master this bang blow-drying technique.

Hold your hair dryer over your head, facing the nozzle down toward your forehead, then brush your bangs from side to side until they're dry. This takes care of any cowlicks and ensures your bangs fall straight. Finish by rolling the ends under. "You may also use large velcro or hot rollers to straighten and remove frizz from bangs," suggests Scuoppo. She says to leave the rollers in until the hair cools, then, adds a few spritzes of a flexible hairspray.

05 of 13

Invest In a Mini Flat Iron

To tame frizz and seal the shape, smooth your bangs with a flat iron. Start on one side of your face and take vertical sections all the way across. The best way to do this is with a slim flat iron that can get all the way up to the root. "For people with curtain bangs, a thick flat iron is an easy tool to create that perfect swing to the sides," says Linda de Zeeuw, a hairstylist in Amsterdam. "Make sure you direct the hair towards the face before you curl the ends to the sides."

06 of 13

Reduce Static By Reducing Heat

Scuoppo says heat can cause static and flyaways, so if you're experiencing an overabundance of either, try to avoid heat-styling tools. But we know it's not that easy, especially when talking bangs, in which case, it's a good idea to reduce your heat settings to minimize damage. "If using a flat iron, use small sections and go quickly over hair, ensuring that the flat iron remains no higher than 380 degrees," she suggests. Then, to keep bangs in place, use an anti-frizz styling product, like Fekkai's Brilliant Gloss Multi-Tasker Perfecting Crème.

07 of 13

Keep Bangs Clean

Even if you’ve adopted a less stringent schedule for washing your hair, make an exception for your bangs. The simple truth is that they get greasy fairly quickly, so wash them more often than you would the rest of your hair. Alternatively, keep a mini dry shampoo on hand for on-the-go touch-ups, such as The Rootist's Clarify Dry Shampoo Powder, which comes with its own convenient brush for application. If you have a little more time on your hands, Scuoppo says to apply dry shampoo at the roots and then blow dry it into the hair with a round brush on medium heat.

08 of 13

Give Your Fringe a Bit of Volume

A hint of volume gives bangs and your overall hairstyle a certain je ne sais quoi, and it's so easy to achieve. Dry shampoo, besides being useful in preventing your bangs from becoming oily, is also an excellent tool for giving your fringe a subtle boost. You don’t need a lot, but a quick spritz before you head out the door will prevent midday, oil-induced separation or flatness. We recommend Klorane's cult-favorite Dry Shampoo with Oat Milk.

09 of 13

Scale Back on Hairstyling Products

When it comes to styling product and your bangs, less is more. You can use whatever product you would normally use, but apply it to your hair first, then use only what is left on your hands for your bangs. Any more, and you’ll wind up with greasy fringe by noon.

10 of 13

Use the Right Product for Your Hair Type

You may be able to get away with using no product, but most need a little something to keep rogue bends and stray pieces in place. If you have fine hair, use a styling cream like Living Proof’s No Frizz Smooth Styling Cream. For thick or coarser textures, try something with slightly more hold like Oribe’s Gel Serum.

11 of 13

Let Your Skincare Absorb Before Unleashing Your Bangs

We would never advise you to skip moisturizer, but you do need to be very mindful of the products you use on your forehead as bangs will inevitably transfer your hair's natural oils to it. So, keep your bangs off your face until your products have fully absorbed, which can take up to 10 minutes. To be safe, blot your forehead with blotting paper before releasing your bangs, just in case. Headbands are bangs' best friend in this instance, too.

12 of 13

Take Extra Care of Acne-Prone Skin

"For those with acne-prone skin and bangs, certain hair products can exacerbate the condition," says Scuoppo. People with this skin type should definitely apply the less-is-more mindset when it comes to their haircare products to prevent ingredient transfer, especially on the forehead. Consider integrating AHAs and BHAs into your routine to keep your pores clear of buildup to prevent breakouts.

13 of 13

Don't Touch Your Bangs

We've mentioned that bangs get oily faster than the rest of your hair because they sit on your forehead. Another way to avoid greasy-looking fringe is to avoid touching your bangs and hair in general– this habit will only leave you with unhappy strands. While it's tempting to touch and adjust your bangs into perfect placement, the oils from your hands can also make bangs look greasy, and will likely leave them looking worse than when you first started fussing with them.

Key Takeaways

Style your bangs as soon as possible—ideally, as soon as you get out of the shower, since they dry quicker than the rest of your hair.
Turn down the temp on your heat tools to prevent static and flyaways.
Even if you don't wash your hair everyday, make it a habit to wash your bangs daily.