Step aside, bobs. Fringe, bangs, forelocks – whatever you call those trending short pieces, there’s no denying they’re having a moment right now.

Whether you have longer, shorter or full fringes on your mood board, this is one of those haircut choices that needs to be personalised to your face shape, rather than just going with the trends. 

We’ve probably all experienced some fringe failures and regrets when it comes to this mini haircut in our adolescence, but we’re not prepared to make the same mistake twice. Taking into consideration the shape of your face is not only crucial in terms of how well it suits you, but it also turns out that fringes can even help contour when cut well.

If you’re ready to ditch the bronzer and contour sticks, here’s how you can use a haircut to emphasise your look.

What fringe will best suit me?

A fringe renaissance may be happening, but don’t rush for the scissors just yet. First, you need to work out which of the trending haircuts works for you.

“Birkin, bottleneck or curtain bangs and micro fringes, as well as various other brow and cheekbone skimming lengths, can be customised to frame the eyes with softly textured and choppy lengths,” explains hairstylist Tom Smith. 

He notes that there are a few factors to consider before you choose your fighter. “Consider the size of your forehead, whether you want to show off your eyebrows or cheekbones and ensure you’re willing to tweak them every morning – you’ll need to reset this area of your hair every day, so while it can be done quickly, it does require daily maintenance,” he explains.

Let’s not forget that you’ll probably have to wash your hair or reach for a dry shampoo more often, too, as the style sits right on the T-zone area.

If you’ve got a heart-shaped face like Sabrina Carpenter, a wispy, feathered fringe or curtain bangs work best as they’ll softly shape the face. Smith believes these softer trims are ideal if you’re not a regular at the hairdresser’s. “[They’re] great for those who want low commitments. These softer fringe/bang styles grow out gently and at angles, meaning they don’t require regular trimming,” he says.

If you’ve got a more oval shaped face, a blunter cut, like a full fringe, would be a match made in heaven. Just look at Bella Hadid or Cher’s famous full bangs as style inspiration. However, these styles will require you to be a bit more diligent when it comes to trimming to avoid it compromising your vision. 

Now that we’ve got that settled, here’s some major fringe hair inspiration for you to mull over before your next trim. 

Images: Getty