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Back in my Tumblr days, I spent a lot of time looking at pictures of women with bangs. It was the early 2010s and it seemed like every fashion and beauty icon being blogged and reblogged had perfect bangs: Jane Birkin. Françoise Hardy. Alexa Chung. And, of course, Brigitte Bardot.
While I have very complicated (negative) feelings about the woman herself, you can’t deny that Bardot’s signature bangs sparked a movement we’re still feeling today. Her 1960s bangs were so iconic that they spawned an entire fringe style named after them. You can walk into a salon and ask for Bardot bangs and your stylist is going to know exactly what you mean. They can transform your entire look in just a few snips, and they look perfect with summer sundresses and gingham print bikinis.
Ahead, learn more about the Bardot bang trend and how to customize and style them this summer.
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The Trend
The Bardot bangs may not have originated with the actor herself, but she did make them famous during her ’60s heyday. Bardot bangs are defined by their length and soft, undone shape. Typically, the bangs are cut to skim the brows and can be full and thick or slightly wispier like a curtain bang, ending at an angle. Editorial hairstylist Heggy Gonzalez explains them as a “a curtain bang that is slightly shorter and fuller with a concave (arch) shape.” They can be worn straight across your forehead or parted to the sides, so they work well for a variety of hair lengths and types. The longer length makes them wave and curl-friendly, and the grow-out period is less of a pain than shorter styles.
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Today, Sabrina Carpenter can claim some of the credit for the resurgence of the Bardot bang. Her long, brow-skimming curtain bangs have become as unforgettable as “Espresso,” and salons are flooded with requests for a similar look. Influencer Matilda Djerf has worn a truly enviable set of Bardot fringe in the past, and Selena Gomez, Anne Hathaway, Lana Del Rey, and Dakota Johnson have dabbled in Bardot bang territory too.
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There’s a reason the Bardot bang never really goes out of style. It’s effortlessly alluring and kittenish but also practical for bang experts and newbies. If you don’t love them, you can just brush them away or pin them up, unlike a short Bettie Page retro bang. “I love the style so much because it’s a fringe that can fit on a lot of different types of hair, textures, hair types, and facial shapes because it can be customized in so many different ways,” says Gonzalez. “I love them with a ponytail, an updo, or even just a classic blowout. They give you a lot of versatility.”
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How to Get the Look
Ready to channel your inner French girl cavorting on the Champs-Elysée or the French Riviera? There’s a Bardot fringe style for every face shape and hair type, though the style shines best on medium to thick hair due to the full cut of the bang. Gonzalez advises that when you’re considering making the chop, look at what she calls your “forehead real estate.” If you have a shorter forehead, your bangs may need to be shorter, which makes the Bardot look more difficult to replicate. If you have a cowlick or different growth patterns around your hairline, this could make bangs more difficult to style, so keep that in mind too. And unless you have experience cutting hair, please don’t pick up the kitchen scissors in an attempt to give yourself a Bardot look. (Speaking from experience here!)
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Bangs do require more hair care maintenance, but it doesn’t have to be a pain. “It can be a blessing or a curse,” says Gonzalez. She recommends touching them up every four to six weeks, but many stylists offer quick bang trim services; ask yours how they handle bang maintenance before you make the chop.
To style, Gonzalez recommends styling them immediately when you get out of the shower, as they can be more “difficult to shape” if you let them air dry, especially if you have a specific hairline growth pattern that needs a little redirection. She advises using a comb and half round brush to style while blowdrying, sometimes pairing it with a root control product like Aveda’s Volumizing Tonic not for volume, but for grip and hold—especially if it’s going to be humid. Finer hair types should use a full round brush or Velcro roller to set the shape. A curling iron can be handy to add oomph or a little curl at the ends a la Ms. Carpenter or Bardot. Très jolie!
