The side bang trend is going to be stuck around for a while, which is good because they have a very broad appeal. I can’t even remember how many times a client was skeptical about getting bangs, and I recommended side bangs and they did a complete turnaround. Not in a strange or overly dramatic sense, but everything just seemed more appropriate. I remember a client about two years ago who had an extremely annoying middle part that had been growing out for months. I added a gentle side bang and she seemed to become a little emotional. I didn’t take off a ton, maybe two inches of the hair on the floor, but that one little cut seemed to change her self image completely.
Most people don’t understand that side bangs are not just one singular idea. Side bangs can be thick and blunt, or they can be thin and wispy to the point where they barely touch your cheekbone. Each performs a completely different function to your face. Some of these styles will be very high maintenance, while others will be so low maintenance that you can seriously forget about them until your next haircut. I have played around with pretty much every possible variation on side bangs, and what I have ultimately come to is that the side bangs that work the best are the ones that feel like they have always been there. So I will be taking you through a series of different styles and providing my reviews on each one.
#1: Modern Silver Bob with Stylish Side Bangs
I really like this one! The silver is a perfect match with the cut and they complement each other well. The bob sits at just the right medium length where it frames without hiding too much and the side bangs create this nice asymmetry that draws your eye right to hers. The texture is on the finer side which actually works in its favor here because it keeps everything feeling soft and not heavy. I’m think if you go this route be prepared to see your stylist a fair amount because once those bangs start growing out past where they’re supposed to be, the whole shape shifts!
#2 Soft Layered Waves with Side Bangs
It seems like she may have just rolled out of bed and left her hair as is, but there’s actually some effort that went into this cut. A lot of the work done is thanks to the layers and waves, and the side-swept bangs that aren’t too extreme and help soften the look around the forehead and temples. This is great for playing down any angles you want to. If your hair has any natural waves, this cut is really good, but you may need to put some effort in to round brush it so that the bangs sit how you want.
#3 Textured Curly Cut with Soft Side Bangs
I really like this curly cut! These curls look like they can bounce and do their thing and not form the triangle shape that nobody wants. The side bangs look soft enough to blend in with the rest of the pattern instead of sticking out, which is honestly the hardest part of cutting bangs on curly hair. If you’re thinking about this, get mentally ready to spend money on a good curl cream because it definitely won’t clump up like that on its own. The cut is totally worth it, it’s the style that gets people asking who does your hair.
#4 Chic Layered Cut with Side Bangs
I love this! The layers are perfect and give movement without losing any length. The side bangs are spot on! They are the perfect weight to not be too wispy or too thick. Honestly a very wise decision because you won’t wake up and regret this. Just a suggestion though, bangs at this length can reach that annoying stage where they are just in your eyes which is super frustrating. So be sure to book an appointment for your next trim!
#5 Modern Soft Layers with Side Bangs
Fine hair can be difficult, because you want movement, but don’t want to get rid of any volume. This cut manages that. The layers aren’t choppy, and the side bangs hit right on the cheekbone, giving the whole look a cohesiveness, without appearing rigid. The texture is light and silky which looks fresh and healthy. Honestly, if makes sense, this is a good “I want to do something, but I don’t want to do everything” cut.
#6 Beautifully Layered Cut with Flattering Side Bangs
I love the way the highlights are placed because they give dimension to the layers of hair so it looks really full even when the hair is hanging down. The side bangs are really face framing, starting at the part, and swooping down in a really nice contour. It is smart to have the layers start at the chin, it opens the face up, and puts more hair at the ends instead of it looking thin. For those who like to avoid the salon for color every six weeks, the way color is placed allows the highlights to grow out really well.
#7 Elegant Soft Waves with Side Bangs
The only word I can use to describe this is pretty. Your waves look so loose and natural, and I love how they sit at shoulder length (which I believe to be the most flattering length for everyone). The side bangs soften the look without drawing too much attention. It’s that type of hair that looks great whether you’re just doing errands, or going to dinner, or whatever. The only comment that I have is that with really fine hair, and this type of wave, it usually needs a little bit of help. I really don’t think it would fall too flat by the afternoon if you just used a light texturizing spray.
#8 Elegant Silver Bob with Side Bangs
This is another silver bob. However, this one is slightly different. This one is a bit more polished and a bit more intentional. The layering is pretty subtle. It’s almost to an extent where you wouldn’t notice it until the hair shifts, and then you see there’s some structure beneath the surface. What works well about this style is its sleekness. The hair is smooth and sits really nicely, which to me suggests she has either very cooperative hair, or an excellent flat iron. In terms of styling, this is pretty low-maintenance because the cut does the majority of the work for you.
#9 Chic Curly Bob with Subtle Lavender Highlights
The lavender highlights… its a feeling. Fashion colors like this done subtly can look really pretty. Like with natural curls, rather than taking over all of them. That’s what this is, enough color to double take, but not enough where it looks like a costume. The curly bob shape is good, the length gives enough weight to the curls to behave but not so they stretch out. If you’re thinking of this just know that lavender fades fast. Really fast. So you’ll either need to be okay with it being temporary or stock up on color depositing conditioner.
#10 Playful Curly Cut with Flattering Side Bangs
You can tell just how much control there is in the styling of the hair. There is an effortless quality to the style and you can tell that it was designed to look this way. I think this cut is perfect. The bangs don’t stick out at all, they look great and become part of the overall shape which is what I like best about curly bangs. The way the cut looks is that it has been designed to work with the curl pattern of the hair, which is going to look a lot better than other cuts that were designed to look the opposite. If this is what your hair looks like naturally, you are extremely lucky and should find a stylist who can cut curls dry.
#11 Elegant Silver Bob with Subtle Side Bangs
I admire the practical nature of this bob and how clean it looks. The chin-grazing length is sharp yet not too severe, and the side bangs are so understated that they’re almost more of a long face-framing piece than a bang. This is great because it contributes to an overall sleek look. The silver tone is stunning against her complexion. I think if you’re after a style that looks high maintenance in a good way, then this is a great option. You will probably want to spend a minute or two with a brush to keep everything smooth and sitting in the right place, but it will definitely be worth it.
#12 Wavy Layered Cut with Flattering Side Bangs
This gives off the easy-going vibe of a French girl that people always ask for, but struggle to describe. A lot of that is due to the texture here. The waves aren’t too perfect, and the side bangs being piece-y in the best way makes it feel so lived in. If your hair is fine, I promise the cut will give you way more visual fullness than you’d expect. With this, I’d recommend subtle highlights too, just to give the layers a little something extra to reflect the light.
#13 Layered Textured Cut with Side Bangs
This haircut also works for everyday looks, plus you can style it however you want, a quick blow dry or air dry looks good air dry, either way works! The layers help with flow and movement, as well as the side bangs which are a good cheekbone framing and flattering, plus no fussing with the bangs. I appreciate the approachableness, this feels good, not editorial. If your hair is a medium density with even a slight wave, this will style itself most days.
#14 Modern Textured Pixie with Subtle Side Bangs
I like doing pixie cuts as a good vs bad one can look drastically different, and this one is good. The side bangs are soft and wispy which keeps it feminine, and the top texture adds personality while not looking messy. This is a cut that really shows off your bone structure, so if you have great cheekbones or a nice jaw, a pixie like this will accentuate that. The trade off is that you’ll need to come in for a trim every four to five weeks, because once a pixie starts growing out it goes from looking intentional to awkward really fast.
#15 Modern Silvery Bob with Flattering Side Bangs
The silver bob trend is really growing on me, and I think it shows how we are beginning to accept grey and silver tones. This bob sits perfectly below the jawline, which is a really flattering length for most. The bangs are soft enough to avoid creating a harsh line across the forehead. The maintenance of the hair matters; Sometimes the health of the hair matters more than the cut. You can have the best shaped haircut in the world, but if the hair isn’t healthy, it won’t look as good as you want it to.
#16 Stylish Textured Pixie Cut with Side Bangs
This pixie cut is a tad longer than the other which gives you a bit more versatility when it comes to styling. These side bangs are super fun and can fall any which way, that casual look really suits the right person. I think this length of pixie is a good start if you are nervous about going shorter, there is enough hair left over to tuck behind the ear or even pin it back if you have an odd hair day. Also keep in mind that longer pixies will still need to be cut more regularly to keep that ‘clean’ look.
#17 Chic Textured Waves with Soft Side Bangs
The bangs blending with the layers looks really nice. It takes the style up from just a wavy cut to a more high-end look. The skill level required for this style is quite high and the effort is shown, Even If the style looks simple. To achieve that look, a sea salt spray would be the best bet, but only if the hair is damp. For hairstyles like this, it’s best to leave the waves in their natural state instead of looking overly polished like she spent a ton of time curling each piece with a curling iron.
#18 Elegant Natural Waves with Side Bangs
This haircut really matches the natural waves aesthetic. The length is just right to create fullness by having the waves stack up without having to do any teasing or backcombing. The side bangs are soft and unobtrusive; they sit next to her face in the most nice way possible. For hair that waves naturally, it’s really about getting a good haircut and letting it do its thing, maybe with some mousse scrunched in for hold.
#19 Chic Silver Bob with Flattering Side Bangs
This looks so modern and trendy! The silver really fits it and the cut is so nice and neat! Everything is spot on! Also, the bob with bangs that blend into the length is so well executed! The silver is really nice, but I’ll be honest, a color like that requires a lot of maintenance. Get ready for a lot of salon trips for toning! You’ll need purple shampoo at home to help with that too! The silver is stunning, but it requires commitment, and the shoulder length is perfect! It gives enough weight to hang nicely without looking heavy! Bobs that are too blunt on the end can look like they’re not doing it, and that’s a problem.
#20 Modern Effortless Waves with Side Bangs
The different colors in the hair is nice. The subtle tones help the hair create waves and give it depth instead of it just being one color everywhere. The side bangs are nice and not too posh, and they look nice when they sweep across the face and become one with the rest of the hair. I would say the hair is medium to long, and this is good because it gives you multiple options. You could wear the hair down like this, or pull it up and the bangs will still look good. It does take a bit of work to get the waves, but a curling iron is all you need to do this in a couple of minutes.
#21 Elegant Layered Cut with Soft Side Bangs
This haircut looks great, especially the highlights. They make the layers more defined and add dimension. Side bangs are good because they are softer and more natural. Nothing stiff looks better with the whole vibe of the haircut. Hair just below the shoulder is great length too. It is super versatile and really does work for almost everyone. With a haircut like this, you definitely want to stay on top of regular trims. Ideally every 6-8 weeks because of the layers growing out so the shape doesn’t get lost.
#22 Textured Silver Bob with Flattering Side Bangs
The bob seems to have some movement which suggests that it isn’t too stiff and is effortless. It’s the kind of bob that just makes you think her hair does that naturally, and it very well could. The silver is nice and the side bangs are youthful and soft instead of really harsh. If you’re finer hair and wanting to do a silver bob like this, you’re going to want a root volumizing powder otherwise it will get flat around the crown.
#23 Chic Angular Bob with Statement Side Bangs
This one is the most unusual of the styles and you can tell the stylist has some experience. Each cut is very deliberate. Here, the side bangs are much more noticeable than in previous styles. The bangs are longer, denser, and much more asymmetrical. The cut is very clean and shiny which enhances that effect. This is good for someone who likes a really precise look, but if you want to maintain it, you will have to get frequent trims. The effect is very soft, and if you don’t, it will just look like a bob that is growing out in a weird way.
#24 Stylish Voluminous Bob with Side Bangs
This is so pretty! The warm chestnut looks so good and the highlights are placed so perfectly right where the light would naturally hit, making it look more expensive. The bob has nice volume through the crown and the side bangs are soft, face framing, and not heavy. I think this is an easy look to achieve, it doesn’t take a lot of effort or a certain hair type to do. The color does a lot of the work and the shape is forgiving. If you do something like this, a lightweight mousse at the roots before blow drying would keep the volume.
#25 Soft Textured Waves with Gentle Side Bangs
For someone who wants to look nice but doesn’t want to spend a lot of time on their hair, this is the kind of haircut I would suggest. This is actually a compliment to the haircut because the style looks more time-consuming than it really is. The waves are soft which is also pretty easy to maintain, the side bangs are gentle and blend nicely into the layers, and the effect is just so effortless. It is always what I hope to achieve when I cut hair. If you have any natural texture at all it will work in your favor rather than against you. Some days the hair may look a bit more on the wavy side, while on other days it will look more straight, but either way it is going to look awesome.
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