The last time I tried to grow my bangs out, I was in middle school. The feat proved nearly impossible – a combination of a low forehead, a widow’s peak, and thick hair I inherited from my mother’s side of the family made it so that my tresses would always fall into my face, obstructing my field of vision and causing me to bang my shins on many a coffee table. Now in adulthood, my best friend will often say to me, “I’m sure your styling techniques have improved at some point in the past decade, so why don’t you try growing out your bangs again?” I tell her that I just can’t be bothered, that I have better things to worry about than my hairstyle. This is a lie. In truth, my bangs have been something of a trademark – my gift, my curse, my raison d’être. I do not tell her this because then she’ll think I’m cuckoo, and I depend on her to let me know about all the cool parties.
Aside from those few failed attempts I had trying to grow it out, I’ve had my fringe for pretty much as long as I can remember. I wore them long and blunt as a little kid, side-swept at my senior prom, and bordering on Bettie-Page-short last summer. Every few months I’ll become extremely agitated at the way they are styled, and with a couple of snips I’ll make them jagged-er, or smoother, or whatever else suits my fancy at the moment. I do believe there still remain some stray locks of mine on the floors of the WORN offices from when my bangs weren’t staying in place during a photo shoot.
They do have their practical purposes, for what it’s worth. For one, having my forehead covered at all times helped hide those inevitable breakouts during the high school years. I feel better when I can convince myself that the difference in pennies I’ve saved in buying cover-up is totally on par with the cash dropped on headbands, gel, and bobby pins, all in vain attempts to keep my bangs from sticking straight up. Other benefits have also arisen: most recently, I had a guy approach me at a club, exclaiming, “your bangs are awesome! They’re so short and it looks like you can’t control them!” I didn’t know how to take that until he asked for my number (tragically, it didn’t work out, but at the very least it was a nice boost to my ever-growing ego). They’re also convenient to hide behind when I don’t feel like dealing with the rest of the world, a bit like Violet Parr from The Incredibles. I’m not the only Wornette with a fringe – in fact, I’m pretty sure those with currently outnumber those without. As you can see from those incredibly flattering pictures above, mine are probably due for a trim – but only a little one.
- Anna Fitz
I’m so glad I don’t have to decide what to do with bangs. Then again, I have absolutely NOTHING to decide with my hair, which can get boring. Great post, Anna.
Uh, I LOVE your bangs. I love how blunt and heavy they are. Actually, I love all bangs! Not only are they incredibly useful to keep hair out of your face and everything but in my eyes they also make a hairdo instantly more awesome and cool. I don’t know what that says about me… I used to love bangs but hate them on me because I have such a square head but once I got the guts to snip my hair and got over my insecurities I’ve never even thought about growing them out. Bangs bangs bangs! Fringe-y awesomeness!
sigh.
Welcome to my personal hell. I share the same features as you such as the low forehead and very thick hair. I’ve had bangs since I’m a kid and look absolutely ridiculous without. Like you I’ve tried all the different bang styles, and constantly on the search for a new style for them.
A few months ago I had a terribly tragic incident with a scissor happy stylist and I ended up with shorter than Bettie Page bangs. Luckily they grew out quickly.
Silly bangs, can’t live with them, can’t live without.
These are my favourite parts of this post:
1. “I have better things to worry about than my hairstyle. This is a lie.”
2. “jagged-er”
3. “…a nice boost to my ever-growing ego…”
My bangs are mostly utilitarian – a time saving way of dealing with what I feel is an unfortunate eyebrow situation. But I will admit, every once in a while I look in the mirror and feel like Chrissie Hynde – and that just rocks.
http://www.infoguixols.cat/cat/img2/Pretenders.jpeg
i have always had these same fringe worries! perhaps it is because it’s coming upon summer now, but I feel the need to brush them aside from my perspired forhead.
This makes me want hair that is all at one length which (with my long face) rather unattractive.
But, I suppose a good straight bang is a good way to hide my awkwardly growing hair and may give the illusion of a well kept hairdo.
Uber cute post Anna.
i’m in class and obviously quite distracted, sorry for the typos.
Ah, the fringe – most definitely a love/hate relationship!
“your bangs are awesome! They’re so short and it looks like you can’t control them!” hahaha
I have also been trying to rid myself of bangs lately because I am tired of styling them, but you better watch out my ma tells me that letting a thick fringe flop around your field of vision ruins your eyesight and throws off your equilibrium…