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When you think of summer hairstyles, what comes to mind? You might think of Pamela Anderson's iconic blonde waves and defined layers. And while bangs aren't exactly known as a summer-friendly style — unless you enjoy fringe stuck to your forehead after a sweaty commute — leave it to TikTok to find a hack. So if you're craving bangs that can stand up to heat, chin bangs are here for the assist.
This summery style puts the likes of curtain bangs to shame, shifting your hair into a puddle of waves. What it looks like: tendrils that are cut to frame the length of your face and stop just below your chin. The pieces are then curled or coiled per your request and the rest is history. While there are many ways to wear fringe, we think this might be our new favorite, and many celebrities seem to agree, too — Dakota Johnson and Camila Cabello have both repped the look.
- Peter Thomsen, a hairstylist and global Dyson styling ambassador and educator based in Australia.
- Shane Craig, a hairstylist based in Coeur D'Alene, Idaho.
- Sara Briscoe, a hairstylist and educator at Roca Verde hair studio in Brisbane, Australia.
What are "chin bangs"?
That popularity is unsurprising to Peter Thomsen, a hairstylist based in Australia. "The cut frames the face so well and allows you to add character and personality no matter what length," he says. "And whether your hair is curly, smooth, or wavy, these bangs are all about shape and creating balance."
Who should ask for chin bangs?
Some good news: Stylists say that chin bangs work on nearly every type of face shape. "This trend is a safe segue into bangs if you're feeling scared to take the plunge," says Sara Briscoe, a hairstylist at Roca Verde hair studio in Brisbane, Australia. She adds that the look is transitional in nature, which makes it a good starting point for other types of bang styles.
Since the cut only requires those lengthier side pieces and allows your forehead to breathe (unlike more straight-across looks), Briscoe says that it's easy to work with and switch up when you want to. "The bangs are easy to get into a ponytail or bun if you're not feeling them," she explains. "It's super beautiful and has a touch of Bardot."
How do you cut chin bangs?
If you ask Shane Craig, a hairstylist who works in Coeur D'Alene, Idaho, for chin bangs, he'll start by moving your hair around with his hands in order to find the length that best suits your face shape. "After we decide to keep the bangs around chin length, I usually comb all the hair that could potentially become bangs around to try and find a natural split and part," he says. Finding a part that perfectly frames your face ultimately keeps the hair from falling out of place on the style is dried.
Craig then cuts strands from shortest to longest. "With chin-length bangs for hair of any texture, I'll add in some light tapering, which can give your hair movement," he says. That tapering accounts for the sort of dramatic '90s supermodel vibes you get with this look. Be sure to ask your stylist for "texture and definition" before they take out the scissors.
How are chin bangs different from layers?
At this point the cynics among us might be wondering: so what's the difference between chin bangs, which frame the face by nature, and good, old fashioned layers? Briscoe says that the latter is meant to look cohesive, with multiple layers married together to create seamless tapering and an all-over look. "Chin bangs are typically thicker and more disconnected than layers," she explains. "It's designed to basically look as though you have grown out a curtain bang."
Thomsen describes the trend as "layers, without having layers." Both styles tend to remove weight from the full head of hair. But unlike chin bangs, layers graduate from smaller framing pieces up top to a longer cut on the bottom, with a less visible transition that happens between each section. Chin length bangs are meant to be longer in the front, making them a bit top heavy. The remaining length of hair transitions into neighboring strands, melding with the untouched hair for a smoother look.
How do you style chin bangs?
The best way to set yourself up for success: style your chin bangs while they're wet. No matter if you're using heat tools or air-drying your fringe, Craig explains that the style looks best if everything is combed up front toward the nose while the hair is damp. "If you get out of the shower and keep your hair pulled back tight, it will start to dry funny and will be harder to get into place," he adds.
Once you've brushed bangs to the front, Craig recommends sectioning things off so the whole process is easier to manage. Then, it's all about giving those sections some '90s-style volume. "Using your hands or a brush, start blow drying the entire bang section towards your cheeks, going back and forth from cheek to cheek," he says. "From there, you want to begin working the hair out towards your chin and nose."
Craig uses a round brush in tandem with a hair-dryer to amp up volume. We love the Best of Beauty-winning Conair Hairbrush Advisory Frizzy Hair Blow-Dry Porcupine Round Brush and Drybar Reserve Blow-Dryer to do the trick.
As for air-drying, Craig reminds us to just shake it out. "Comb everything forward toward your nose, then give it a little shake so your hair can find a natural parting," he explains. "As soon as that's done, take the ends of your hair and tuck them behind your ear and let it set."
It seems that no matter the style, texture, or face shape, chin length fringe is an equal opportunity venture. It's definitely chic and creates loads of bouncy volume for those Baywatch-approved slow-mo beach babe vibes. I can picture it now: an ice-cold margarita in your hair, and the wind blowing in your newly-found fringe. Now that's the life.
Get more hair intel:
- How to Grow Out a Pixie Cut Without the Awkward Stage
- 37 Hair Trends We're Totally Vibing With This Season
- The Hime Cut Is All Over TikTok
And now, watch our how-to video for getting a shag haircut:
