The most popular fringe requests, explained by a Melbourne hairdresser
image via @beccsnow_haircreative / instagram
words by lara daly
Bangin’ bangs.
I’m sure most of us have experimented with cutting a fringe before. Perhaps yours was break-up induced, or maybe you took to the scissors after seeing Dakota Johnson in Materialists (guilty). Maybe you’re still fringe-curious and need some courage before you commit. Well, you’ve come to the right place.
If you’re going to take hair advice from anyone, Melbourne hairdresser Becc Snow would be a very safe bet. As a creative hair artist and the founder of Collingwood’s Alchemy salon, she’s a master in many aspects of hair, including the art of fringe-cutting.
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A quick scroll through Becc’s Instagram is all you need to find the perfect ‘save for later’ reference, with everything from blunt micro-fringes to voluminous curtain bangs to wispy, curl-friendly fringes. Here, Becc shares how to find the right style to suit your hair type and maintenance level, and importantly, how to ask for the fringe you want at the salon.
What’s the most requested fringe shape for you at the moment?
I would say a shag/curtain-bang hybrid. People want the swoopy, luscious Sabrina Carpenter fringe, without the commitment of cutting that much hair in shorter. I love it, I think it suits most hair types and can be designed to fit any face shape. It’s a great way to change up your look without too much change, kinda same same but different.
What’s the best low-maintenance, beginner-friendly fringe?
My go-to would be something light and wispy, it’s a shape that can easily be grown out or blended back into the rest of the hair if it turns out that a fringe isn’t for you. It also will blend in seamlessly as it grows out and doesn’t require a lot of styling or trimming to keep it looking good.
What fringe styles suit naturally curly hair?
Generally, most fringe shapes will work with curly hair, it just requires a different approach and a little more styling. It really depends on your curl type and hair texture, and overall condition. If someone has curly hair and wants to try a fringe I would recommend seeing a stylist with experience working with curly hair for the best result.
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What should people consider before cutting a fringe?
Probably whether you like having hair in your face and [whether you] can imagine styling it fairly often. Also, whether you have the right hairline or hair density for the style of fringe you want to cut in – all things your hairdresser can assist you with!
What hair types suit a micro-fringe best?
Most hair types can suit a micro-fringe, with a micro-fringe it’s probably more about having the right face shape or designing the fringe to work with your face shape rather than hair type.
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Should your hairdresser offer free fringe trims?
This is something we have debated and discussed in our salon recently, we do currently offer a free fringe trim but only for our regular and longer-term clients. We’re happy to offer a complimentary trim, however it can impact our booking flow so we try to avoid too many of them.
What is your favourite fringe to cut?
I love cutting in a short, shaggy bang with my razor. With the right hair texture, it has a soft kink to it and sits really beautifully with a diffuse or air dry.
Do you have any styling tips for when you wake up in the morning and your fringe is not fringing?
I would suggest washing your fringe each morning in the sink, as a freshly washed and blowdried fringe will always sit better. It also doubles as a bit of a hair hack for making your hair look freshly washed and styled when you’ve also styled the bang!
I also recommend blowdrying [your fringe] from side to side to stop any weird partings – it almost confuses the hair and doesn’t let it settle into its usual split or parting.
How to ask for the fringe you want
If you’ve been inspired by a certain celebrity’s fringe (haven’t we all), Becc breaks down the salon language so you can feel confident you’re asking your hairdresser for the right style:
Dakota Johnson
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Ask for: “Medium density full fringe with no layering, softened edge and blended into the sides.”
Sophia Roe
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Ask for: “Heavy disconnected micro-bang.”
Daisy Edgar Jones
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Ask for: “Light curtain and full fringe hybrid, softly layered and shaped around the face.”
Suki Waterhouse
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Ask for: “Textured shaggy full fringe. This reference is on fine textured hair.”
Jenna Ortiga
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Ask for: “Mini side-fringe, shapes into the sides – no layering and blunt cut to give the illusion of fullness.”
Natasha Lyonne
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Ask for: “The fringe is very blended into the rest of the haircut, which suggests it’s a shag cut. Ask for lots of layering in the fringe!”
Pamela Anderson
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Ask for: “Choppy baby bang, light density with a fuller edge.”
For more on fringe styles to suit your face shape, try this.
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