Ever gaze upon a celebrity or friend and admire their long bangs cascading down their forehead? Waving long bangs can add style, volume, and a touch of mystique to your look. Here's a step-by-step guide to help you achieve those stunning, soft waves.
Before we dive in, remember that practice makes perfect. Don't worry if your bangs don't look like Gigi Hadid's on your first try. With patience and perseverance, you'll rock those wavy bangs in no time.
Preparing Your Bangs for Waving
Preparation is key to getting those perfect waves. Start by ensuring your bangs are clean and dry. Waves come out better on slightly damp hair, so give your bangs a gentle squeezing and blotting with a towel after washing.
Before you begin, apply a heat protectant spray to your bangs. This not only guards against heat damage but also helps you get better waves with less effort. If you're using a curling iron, apply a small amount of mousse or styling cream for added hold.
Gathering Your Tools
To wave long bangs, you'll need a few tools: a comb or a rat-tail comb, a curling iron or a heat protectant spray (if using a straightener), hair clips or Bobby pins, and any styling product mentioned earlier.
For curling, a 1-inch barrel seems to work best for long bangs. A smaller barrel creates tight waves, while a larger one creates loose, beachy waves. Choose a barrel size based on your desired wave. Also, ensure your curling iron has a heat setting suitable for your hair type.
Sectioning Your Bangs
Brush your bangs to remove any knots or tangles. Then, using your comb, part your bangs down the middle. Clip one side away; you'll work on the other side first. This sectioning step ensures you won't miss any bits and helps you create a symmetrical wave.
You might also want to decide if you want your waves to follow your hair's natural part or not. If you're rocking a side part, you might want to wave your bangs towards that side for a more cohesive look.
Waving Your Bangs
If you're using a curling iron, switch it on now and let it heat up. Remember to set it to an appropriate heat level for your hair type. If you're using a straightener for a more natural look, you can plug it in now as well.
For those who want to know the secret to getting loose, cascading waves, not tight, bouncy ones, here's a pro tip: Use a straightener instead of a curling iron. This method creates soft, subtle waves that look more natural and, importantly, last longer.
Curling Iron Method
Wrap a 1-inch section of your bangs around the barrel of the curling iron, starting about an inch down from your roots. Hold in place for 5-10 seconds, then release. Remember, the purpose here is to get soft waves, not tight curls.
For a more natural look, curl your bangs in alternating directions - curl some outwards, some inwards. Then, use your fingers to gently loosen the curls. Don't brush them out, as this can compromise the wave. Clip the curled section, then repeat on the rest of your bangs, working on the other side once the first is done.
Flat Iron Method
Using your straightener, take a 1-inch section of your bangs and clamp it about an inch down from your roots. Twist the straightener 180 degrees away from your face, then slide it down the length of your bangs, twisting as you go. This motion creates a wave while smoothing out any kinks.
Release the wave once you reach the ends. Repeat this process on the rest of your bangs, working on the other side once the first is done. Remember to use your fingers to gently loosen each wave, but don't brush them out.
Setting Your Waves
Once you've waved all your bangs, it's time to set them. Use hair clips or Bobby pins to pin up your waves, crosswise, Variant- or S-shaped, to cool down and set. If your hair is fine or straight, you might want to leave them like this for 10-15 minutes.
If you're using a styling product, this is the time to apply it. Use a small amount of mousse or styling cream, working it through your bangs with your fingers to avoid disturbing the waves. Keep your bangs pinned up while the product sets.
Finishing Touches
After your waves have cooled and your styling product has set, gently unclip your bangs. Use your fingers to gently tousle them, breaking up any curls that are too tight. Your long bangs should now be full of soft, beautiful waves.
To maintain your waves, avoid touching them or running your fingers through them. If your waves start to fall, use some hairspray to freshen them up. Or, if you prefer a more natural look, simply run your fingers through gently to tousle them up again.
Now that you know how to wave long bangs, go ahead and try it out. Don't forget to be patient and practice. Soon, you'll be flaunting your gorgeous waves everywhere you go. Happy styling!