If you’ve ever wondered “should I get bangs” but you’re afraid the style might be too much work, I have good news. Wispy bangs don’t just look cool; they’re super low-maintenance, easy to style, and very much lazy-girl approved.
“See through or ‘wispy’ bangs are a softer, more playful bang cut to loosely accentuate the eye and temple areas,” Rogerio Cavalcante, owner and hairstylist at NYC’s the Second Floor Salon, tells Glamour. “Whether they are ‘micro’ wispy, or longer in length, there is less hair cut than a full fringe, so you can still see the forehead peeking through.” Essentially, they have movement and and more of an “airy” texture to them.
Cavalcante also notes that wispy bangs are a great choice for anyone unsure if they want full fringe, as it allows clients to test the look and try different styling techniques.
You’ve definitely seen the style before. Stars like Jenna Ortega, Selena Gomez, Camila Cabello, Zoë Kravitz, Kaia Gerber, and Suki Waterhouse have all worn wispy bangs lately.
It’s especially popular amongst K-pop stars like Blackpink’s Jennie, Jisoo, Lisa, and Rosé, Squid Game actor Jung Ho-Yeon, and model Lee Sung-Kyung, which makes sense: the wispy bangs trend started in South Korea.
As for why the look is trending now? As New York City hairstylist Dan Williams points out, K-pop stars clearly set the trend in motion. But he also notes that they’re the perfect beginner bang.
“Wispy bangs are fabulous and much more dainty than your traditional bang, and are therefore great gateway into the world of bangs without the harsh commitment to a lot of bang density,” he explains, adding that while they don’t provide as much forehead coverage, they’re also much easier to style due to their light nature. “So be sure to set them with spray on those windy days!”
Wispy bangs are also comfortable to wear, no matter the season. “Wispy bangs are great for anytime of year, as they’re not as dense as a full-bang so they won’t drive you crazy in the heat,” Williams continues. Case in point: Camila Cabello recently wore a wet-look version of wispy bangs in the Miami heat.
Jenna Spino, hairstylist at Chicago’s Maxine Salon, also sees wispy bangs as an ideal bang option for warm weather. “Wispy bangs are great for summer because they are a more carefree bang and not so heavy on your forehead,” she says. “They also air-dry well which is ideal for summer.” And for anyone feeling lazy.
There are so many ways to wear them, too. “Wispy bangs are easier to style, especially for frizz prone hair types,” Cavalcante explains. “They can be slicked back with product or a cute accessory or headband or you can smooth them and position them with a styling gel and finishing oil.”
Wispy bangs length can vastly vary too, as they look equally chic super short à la Hepburn bang, straight across, parted into curtain bangs, and even grown out, meaning the upkeep is genuinely minimal. They’re also super versatile and can be worn with most face shapes. “Wispy bangs usually work well with square, heart, and oval face shapes,” says Spino. “The texture softens jawlines and can even elongate longer faces.”
