Since we were quite throwback-happy this year—braids, the blunt bob, the shag—it probably comes as no surprise that this ’90s hairstyle has found a renewed place in the hearts of many. Make no mistake, it’s still not the best look for everyone (as no one trend is perfectly universal), so we’re going to try to deconstruct it for the curious yet still very afraid (i.e. me).
The Micro Fringe: Let’s Discuss This
1. It’s kinda scary… but in a good way
Think about the tiny panic attack you get when getting regular bangs… now triple that. Forget about maybe sweeping your bangs off to the side, or clipping them up when you’re having an off day (or sweating it out in the gym). There is ZERO of that leeway with a micro fringe—it’s all or nothing, which is, you know, kinda awesome. It doesn’t care if you’re feeling especially puffy, or oily, or just-not-in-a-bang-wearing-mood; you must face facts, as they’re literally front and center. It’s kind of like having a high-maintenance cat, but on your face: It just begs to be noticed, with absolutely no regard for your feelings. Which brings us to my next point…
2. It’s not for the faint of heart.
Confidence is required. A lot of it. To make up for maybe not having a perfectly symmetrical, oval- or longer-shaped face that can pull of a micro fringe without a hitch. Or maybe for actually having the cheek to bring something back that you thought was perfectly happy living in your 1990s yearbook picture. Either way, it’s not a look that sits well with everyone, as not everyone can pull off having their forehead bisected in half and still have it work for daily life. I must say, a lot of fans of the look though have managed to integrate the micro fringe and its nuances pretty seamlessly: Covered via a fabric headband at the gym, worked to the hilt at the club, and ruffled à la French ingénue in between. It’s challenging to work around if you’re a bang conservative and are used to a bang-conservative lifestyle (acknowledged, but not shouted from the rooftops), but for those who have the guts to go where angels fear to tread… you do you, boo.
3. It takes twice as long to grow out.
Every girl who’s contemplated getting bangs (a.k.a. every girl, full stop) has had that fear, right at the artist’s chair, that she might regret the look and just cry for two months till it grows out. And with a micro fringe, there’s just no escaping it—if you get cold feet or sick of the look a few weeks in, you have no choice but to wait-it-out, achingly, painstakingly, like a long-suffering sailor’s wife. And since some of us can’t deal with that drama, this is also why a lot of women opt for clip-on bangs as a compromise—they get to try out the look sans commitment, because although hair grows out, it only grows around six inches a year, so that means you’re left with a semblance of a fringe for the next year and a half of your life. Like, till August 2017. Just saying.
4. But it’s life-changing.
We’ve had friends who’ve taken the micro fringe route with #NoRegrets, saying that it’s the total look upgrade they’ve wanted all year. It’s undeniably directional and refreshes your facial shape like no other—you will appear different to other people, as well as to yourself even, for sure. More than that, the micro fringe is a statement too: that you’re not afraid to commit or to look different from the pack, that your hair is no one else’s business but yours and that you dress up just for you. That I think is the best part of getting this gamechanger of a hair look—it’s less about a trend than it is about having a totally original mindset, enough to make the rest of us look twice. So yes, I’ve actually graduated to a “maybe,” and maybe that’s good enough for now.
Will a Micro Fringe Suit My Face Shape?
Long or oval faces
If you’re lucky enough to have either a long face shape or an oval one, you’ll be glad to know that a micro fringe suits you best.
Round faces
As long as you opt for a messy, short fringe type, you’ll be fine! Make sure there’s a curvature to your cut, as this will help balance out your round facial features.
Square faces
If you’ve got a square face shape, short bangs might not be the best option for you as they tend to make your face look longer. A way you can work around this is to try side-swept micro bangs.
Diamond face shapes
You can try this cut if you go for a get a style that is curved, as it will help balance out your lovely cheekbones.
Heart shape
If you want to make the most of your strong jawline, this bold bang style is all you need to match it and show it off. Just don’t get it cut too short! Looking to make the cut? Check out our hottest bang trends for more inspiration.
