One of the most popular styles in South Korea is the air bang, also referred to as “see-through bangs” for their wispiness and the way they show glimpses of your forehead.
'Bangs' is a very American term, whereas everywhere else tends to use 'fringe'. That being said, you'll probably hear 'bangs' being used across the UK, and you can thank American YouTubers for that! But just remember that it means exactly the same thing.
All you have to do is divide your bangs into three different sections similar to the roller style—two on the side and your main fringe in the middle. You then take your hair straightener and curl it inward rather than the normal straightening motion to create soft, effortless bangs that lay perfectly on your forehead.
It involves taking a small amount off from the sides and the front with a razor — a very small amount until you get them as short as you'd like. Stahl loves that they're still long enough to tuck behind your ears. “If you're going to do this yourself at home, remember not to go past your ear section,” she says.
When asking your hairstylist for Korean curtain bangs, explain that you want fringe cut on an angle, starting right around the top of your cheekbone and then gradually getting longer at the end. The exact point where the fringe start can vary depending on your face shape and the specific look you're going for.
Wispy Korean air bangs skim most of your forehead, lending softness to your haircut that won't overwhelm your entire style. Contrarily, curtain bangs are parted down the middle and swept to the side of your face like drapes, gently framing your features.
Maintaining air bangs doesn't have to require much effort, but you should keep in mind that because they're a longer style of bangs, they'll require more frequent trimming if you want the look to stay.
This type of bangs is flattering for a round face shape when cut at eyebrow level. You can complement it with a short haircut to create a trendy, Korean-inspired short hairstyle.
Round Face: Regular Side Bangs
Cha Hong considers side bangs as the perfect bang style for round faces. "If you cover [an] area of your face with a side bang, your face may look relatively longer and slimmer," she explains.
That's right, if you're from a country that uses American English, like Canada and of course, America, the preferred and more commonly used term would be bangs. Anywhere else, like here in Australia, for example, then fringe should be your choice of word as it's the more commonly used term.
In a word, yes. "Fringes can soften facial features, and help conceal an aging forehead, so yes, in a way they can make you look younger," confirms stylist Barney Martin, hair director and owner of Barney Martin salons, NSW. The key is to pick the 'right' fringe for your face shape.
Square or heart-shaped faces look best with wispier, feathered fringe to add softness. Oblong face shapes are a perfect match for blunt-cut bangs. Round faces can get added dimension from side-swept or curtain bangs. Oval-shaped faces can pull off just about any type of bang.
A side-swept pixie haircut is the most popular Korean haircut.
Young Korean women are stepping out of their homes in hair rollers. They say they do it because it's practical as it keeps their bangs looking voluminous for longer. Experts say that it reflects how they prefer to focus on themselves, rather than please others.
Like any accessory, bangs should enhance your features, not overwhelm them. For long and narrow faces, "blunt fringe that hits below the brows will make your face look fuller," explains hairstylist and co-founder of R+Co, Garren. If your face is round or square, try bangs just above the brows, he says.
If You Have a Round Face: Round faces are identifiable by full, wide cheeks. For these face shapes, straight bangs are a big no-no, as they accentuate your face's fullness. But bangs can still look great with your face shape. Instead of straight bangs, go for thick, side-swept bangs that are cut at a strong angle.
Korean bangs: Curtain bangs
Curtain bangs typically go past the eyebrows and are usually cut at an angle. These Korean bangs are short in the middle and gradually get longer towards the ears. Plus, they can hide protruding cheekbones and make your face appear smaller.
Another downside to bangs is that they're not exactly a get-up-and-go hairstyle. Unfortunately, your flirty fringe will likely be subject to some serious bedhead and often require a little styling before you leave the house.
Do bangs flatter every face shape? “The most flattering bangs create an oval face shape,” says Townsend. So, if you naturally have an ovular face, you have a larger variety of bang styles to choose from. If your face is square or oblong, “You'll want to try A-shaped bangs or longer layers,” he says.
Some people say that bangs skillfully hide forehead wrinkles and make women look younger. Others claim it's better to open up the face, and bangs are not age-appropriate for seniors. The truth is somewhere in the middle: a fringe can upgrade your look if designed right or ruin it if cut improperly.
The five basic types of bangs is the asymmetric bang, side swept bang, versatile bang, shot textured bang, and the square bang.
Trendy feathered bangs consist of textured, flipped-out ends. You may choose to style it straight across or side-parted, offering you versatility. It has the power to change your look to a 180-degree transformation.