Posted Tuesday, February 14, 2012 by Samantha Wilson,

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Is it just me, or are bangs the new black? Even I, who has been too afraid to change up my look in years, hopped on the bang’wagon and got some fringe. While it may be scary to change up your look by cutting inches off your hair, bangs suit all face shapes and can drastically change your look in minutes. The only rule of thumb is to make sure you cut bangs that suit your face shape to enhance, rather than detract from that gorgeous face.

Round
Those with round faces look best with long, side-swept bangs. If you want to go shorter, just make sure your bangs graze your eyes. A longer, angled length that hits at nose level will elongate your features. Ask your stylist for eye grazing, side-swept bangs, or angled, face-framing pieces. Or better yet, bring a picture! When you wear your hair up, the pieces will fall around your face for the ultimate flattery. Look to Cameron Diaz for inspiration.

Heart
Heart shaped faces are accentuated most by thinner, wispy bangs. These bangs will help soften a more angular chin and draw attention to those sparkly peepers. Copy Reese Witherspoon’s ethereal look and wear them slightly to the side.

Square
Blunt, heavy bangs compliment a square face. Whether you wear your hair up or down, blunt bangs suit all of your features. Tell your stylist to cut blunt, straight-across bangs, and walk out of the salon feeling like a new you. Heidi Klum and Nicole Richie are perfect examples.

Oval
If your face is oval shaped, you’ve won the bang lottery: you will look great with any style of bangs. Blunt, side-swept, and wispy bangs all look feminine and flirty on those with an oval mug. Look through pictures and see what appeals to you. Or, try them all: start with long, side swept bangs, then go wispy, and end with blunt bangs. Say the name “Zooey Deschanel,” and your stylist will know what to do.

While there’s no doubt that your flirty fringe will look incredible, keep in mind that hair does grow about a half an inch every month, so if you don’t feel like yourself, it’s only a matter of time before they grow out!