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Since the dawn of haircuts, commitment-phobes have avoided bangs for fear of the grow-out process. But learning how to style grown-out bangs isn’t as daunting as you might think. In fact, you might even find that you love your in-between look more than your original fringe—or the cut you’re hoping to transition into.
“With the right cut, styling, and a little patience, growing out bangs can actually look chic rather than awkward,” says Eddie Parra, celebrity stylist at Benjamin salon in New York City. “The key is making them look styled, not avoided.”
One thing you probably shouldn’t do—even if you've pulled off a few successful maintenance trims on your own bangs—is attempt to trim your bangs into a transitional style without experience. “Taking matters into your own hands could set you back months in the grow-out process,” says professional hairstylist Molly Burke. “Stick with a pro for this meticulous work.”
If you’re over your current fringe, you’ve come to the right place. Keep reading for the experts’ best tips for styling grown-out bangs, plus the best haircut inspiration for every phase and texture.
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How to style grown-out bangs, according to pro stylists
Bangs may have an reputation as an impulsive choice, but ideally, you should consider your future grow-out process when deciding on a style. If you’re committed to the look indefinitely, go right ahead with that thick, blunt fringe. But if you’ll want your hair out of your face by summertime, you might want to choose a lesser commitment.
“A full fringe can take anywhere from 6 to 12 months to completely grow out,” Burke says, noting that hair grows about a half inch per month on average. “A side or curtain bang can typically grow out in four to six months.”
If you’re only fringe-curious, Parra agrees that curtain bangs are the way to go. “Since they are already longer on the sides and softly parted in the middle, they naturally blend into face-framing layers as they grow,” he says.
Most bangs demand targeted daily styling, which can lead to product buildup and heat damage that slows down the grow-out process. That’s why it’s especially important to keep up with your maintenance trims.
“Trimming your bangs at least every eight weeks can keep you looking fresh while tackling the grow-out,” Burke says. “I love using a razor for this detail work, or smaller shears for more control and delicate cuts.”
In addition to keeping your hair healthy, regular touch-ups also allow your stylist to edit the shape of your bangs to suit every phase. Gradually eliminating harsh lines is critical to making your bangs appear intentional at every length, Parra says.
Parra notes that “reaching a fully blendable, chin-length face frame” generally takes to six to nine months, though texture plays a role too: “Curly or wavy hair may feel like it takes longer due to shrinkage, while straight hair tends to show length sooner.” On the other hand, Parra says that thicker or textured hair can generally handle more shaping and styling while growing out whereas “fine hair may need lighter layering.”
Parting your bangs differently can feel like an instant growth hack. “One of my favorite techniques during the grow-out phase is switching to a middle part and styling the bangs like curtain bangs,” Parra says. “This creates balance and helps them fall away from the face.”
A bad hair day can feel exponentially more frustrating when you’re trying to grow out bangs, but timing can make a huge difference. “To have your fringe at its best, blow out your wet bangs before you do anything else to your hair,” Burke advises. “Once they’re dried and still warm, set your bangs with noncrease padded flat pins and a spritz of hairspray. Then finish your blowout.” She notes that the hair around the hairline is the finest and most delicate, and it dries the fastest—so locking in your style early is critical.
When styling overgrown bangs, Parra recommends blow-drying with a round or flat brush, directing the hair away from the face. “This trains the hair to fall outward instead of straight down,” he says. Depending on your style of bangs, he notes that you can add a soft outward bend with a flatiron once dry.
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Your usual roster of hair products might not cut it for coaxing out your bangs. “Product choice depends on hair texture, but the staples are a finishing cream or a lightweight styling cream for softness and control and a light-hold hairspray to keep shape without stiffness,” Parra says. If you’re dealing with frizz, he recommends a blow-dry lotion or smoothing serum. And as a general rule: “You want enough hold to control movement, but not so much that the bangs feel heavy or greasy.”
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If you’re hot styling, Burke recommends applying the Davines Melu Heat Shield liberally on damp hair. Curly, wavy, or textured bangs can benefit from a few drops of oil (Burke’s favorite is Davines’ Oi Oil) before the final blowout. And for on-the-go touch-ups, hairspray is your friend. “A few sprays 8 to 10 inches from your hair will keep your bangs out of your face, and keep you from going insane,” she says.
Sometimes no amount of styling compares to the satisfaction of holding your hair out of your face. Treat yourself to some cute barrettes, clips, and headbands—or brush up on your safe slick-back skills—to keep your bangs out of sight and out of mind.
For a more discreet approach, try Burke’s pro bobby pin tip: “Instead of sliding a bobbie pin in flat, weave the pin through the hair as you slide it in. It’s magic! You barely see the pin.”
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Best haircuts and styles for growing out bangs
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Cascading layers “help the bangs melt into the rest of the haircut instead of sitting separately,” Parra says. Burke agrees: “A longer ’90s cut with deep angles carved into the front can always support a bang grow out smashingly.”
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Both experts praise curtain bangs as an in-between style to support your grow-out. “Transitioning blunt bangs into curtain bangs early makes the grow-out look intentional,” Parra says.
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“A shag is always a great option for a bolder change when growing your bangs out,” Burke says. This style embraces messy texture, especially around the root and face, so your midlength bangs will look right at home.
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“Texture and movement prevent the bangs from looking heavy or awkward as they grow,” Parra says, which is especially true of the feathered lob. This cut ditches heavy length for bouncy movement and reaches full face-framing potential.
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Most of us execute this style organically every time our hair is down. With the right products, though, it can easily look intentional and sculpted. Use some styling balm or pomade to slick your hangs behind the ears (and out of your face) once they reach cheekbone length, Parra says.
Grace McCarty is the associate beauty editor at Glamour.
