#PandemicBangs #CoronavirusBangs

We have entered the brave new world of social distancing, and, let’s face it, some of us are all a little bored — and thinking about bangs.

Like something out of a Shakespearian play, this could end as a comedy, tragedy or somewhere in between for your hair.

Just remember, decisions made while in a bored state of mind are usually not a good place to start.

People you are video meeting with are bound eventually to notice you are wearing a bag over your head.

In an effort to help you avoid desperate scenarios, let’s start with some simple questions:

• Before the pandemic isolation protocols were put into place did you want bangs?
• Before you saw all the cute hashtags involving bangs on social media, did you want bangs?
• Have you had bangs before?
• If you have, why do you not have them still?
• Are you prepared for the pains of growing out bangs?

If the answer to any of the above is no, then please put the scissors down and step away.

You can always pick them back up again once you have thought things through.

Bangs might seem like a cute and fun idea but if you mess this up and hate them, it could be months (and maybe more) of annoyingly growing them back out.

Bobby pins and barrettes will be in your hair for several months to come. The most painfully obnoxious thing about growing out bangs is the halfway point. They are too long to really style much, and not long enough to pull back hence the bobby pins and Barretts.

For tips and tricks on growing them out see this blog post here and I promise there will be no “I told you so.” No judgments here ever!

If you’re prepared and are making this decision from an informed place then, by all means, let’s cut us some bangs.

Twist and cut is a great place to start

I am seeing big ole chunky bangs all over the socials. The whole twist and cut thing has been popular.

“Twist and cut” is still, in my opinion, a great place to start, however, don’t be going for giant thick bangs just yet.

Please start with what I like to call the “sliver bangs”: think of them as training wheels or starter bangs.

There are lots of Youtube tutorials that show how to do the twist and cut technique. Check out this educational video for professional stylists. If you want side-swept bangs be sure to watch till the end.

Tip: when you watch the videos take just one-fourth of the amount of the parting that most show you to do.

Take a section just above the corner of the eyes. about a half to one inch deep into the hairline.

By taking this much thinner section of hair you end up with a “sliver bang”. That thin section is easy to style and wear down.

But if you decide you don’t want to wear bangs, after all, they will brush up and into the rest of your hair, put a bit of product such as a thickening powder, dry shampoo or even just a bit of hairspray to give the hair a bit of “grip”.  Sweep the bangs up and into the rest of your hair and they won’t fall down.

You can then grow them out fairly easily if you decide bangs are not for you.

Small scissors are best for self-cutting bangs

Use some small scissors, such as the ones you use for your eyebrows, or pick up some beard trimming scissors.

Stay away from larger scissors, like your wrapping paper or kitchen shears.

Smaller sized scissors force you to take smaller cuts.

Once you have done the twist and cut technique, go back and comb the hair straight down and using the point of the small scissors cut into the ends breaking them up and softening the line.

This is called “point cutting”. There several great tutorials on Youtube, such as the one below:

• Hold your bangs between two fingers
• Hold your scissors straight up and down
• Point/chip cut into the edge of the bangs
• use just the tip/point of the scissors to cut.
• do not cut at angles just straight into the hair
• Do this a little at a time until you like the look.

If after a few weeks of the “sliver bangs” you decide you really like them, then go back in and cut yourself some thicker bangs. A little patience here can save you a whole lot of aggravation and growing pains later.