bangs

If you've ever tried to grow out your bangs (or your hairstyle for that matter), then you'll know it can truly be a pain. But there's an easier way to get through the long, often awkward process.

"To grow out fringe, work with your stylist to thin it out," explains Jen McGann, the director of cosmetology at Tricoci University of Beauty Culture. "Really texturize it and take some of the perimeter weight out on the bottom." This technique will help remove bulk, allowing you to use a texturizing or smoothing product to help sweep the bangs to the side. Then, once they begin to grow out further, simply part the bangs, allowing them to grow around your face. See? Growing out your fringe isn't so bad, after all.

Need a new way to make your fringe look even hotter for any nighttime occasion? Steal these bun-styling ideas from the likes of Bella Heathcote, Krysten Ritter, and Lea Michele, then. The bun is quickly becoming a go-to red-carpet updo because it can be polished and neat (like Bella's chignon) or a little messy (as with Krysten's high-on-top ballet bun). But one way to really stand out with this style is to try a braided version similar to Lea's, which turns a simple knot into something more complex and bohemian chic. Need more inspiration? Watch our step-by-step tutorial to getting a similar braided bun seen on Charlize Theron, and add a touch of fringe for a modern appeal.

There's a saying amongst hairstylists that goes something like this: "Don't come b*tching if you cut your hair in the kitchen." And as tempting as it is to snip just a tad off annoyingly long fringe, sometimes the at-home results are less-than-perfect. (As many hairstylists can attest.) So what can be done if you went a little too scissor happy? Read on for tips on setting your bangs right.

Yes, bangs elevate your Spring hair hotness level to the umpteenth degree, but are you paying the price with unwanted forehead blemishes? Hairline acne (street name "pomade acne") can be caused by the constant contact between hair and skin, which deposits debris from your styling products onto your face. Sure, your bangs are the perfect cover-up, but clear skin is the better choice. Get tips for keeping your skin clear underneath the fringe when you read more.

When it comes to haircuts, one of the main goals is to choose a style that complements your bone structure, and when it comes to bangs, a similar approach rings true. "There are so many styles of bangs: short, over the eyebrows; long under the eyebrows; blunt; layered; tapered around the face; and asymmetric," explains Lavette Slater, The View's key hairstylist. But if you have a small forehead, for instance, full-on bangs can tend to hide your mug. If that's the case, Slater recommends parted or layered fringe feathered off of the face. Check out the rest of tips for getting the best bangs for your particular face shape when you keep reading.