How To Style Long Hair With A Fringe Like An Editor

As a beauty editor, I take the business of forecasting and reporting on hair trends very seriously. From French bobs and choppy pixie cuts to slicked-back updos and perfecting your fringe for medium-length tresses, investigating these stories often allow me to live vicariously through the hair adventures of others.

In real life, I fear I am nowhere as experimental. I've had the same dark, layered long hair since I was about 13 and - save for a long bob here and there - I've generally kept my lengths fairly consistent. It has its merits: I enjoy the versatility of long hair and how it can easily be styled up or down depending on the day. That said, it can feel quite staid after a while. Unlike a statement pixie crop or a blunt bob, my long hair remains neutral. Classic, but unremarkable.

Which is why my recent decision to add in a fringe was an absolute game-changer. My long hair still manages to be versatile, but the face-framing curtain bangs brought a more elevated, French-girl vibe to it. 'A fringe can beautifully frame the face,' agrees Mihaela Vatafu, director hairstylist at Taylor Taylor Salon, Shoreditch. 'It draws attention to the eyes or cheekbones while adding definition to a hairstyle. It’s a great way to change up a look without sacrificing length and can be styled in various ways to create casual, sophisticated, or dramatic effects.'

How to find the best fringe styles

My main advice before getting a fringe is to really be honest about how much you can maintain it, what your personal style is and how new you are to bangs. I prefer to do as minimal styling as possible, I gravitate towards the more romantic aesthetics of Brigitte Bardot and Sabrina Carpenter, and I'm not ready to commit to the full fringe which mean the curtain bangs were ideal.

Mihaela Vatafu's Guide to Fringes

Straight: A classic option that gives long hair a sleek, polished look.

Side-Swept: A softer, more versatile option that is easy to maintain.

Curtain: Flattering and low-maintenance, these frame the face beautifully.

Choppy: Adds texture and movement, blending well with long hair without feeling too heavy.

How to find the best fringe for your face shape

Like most things in beauty, hair choices shouldn't be prescriptive as it all depends on your personal preferences and what you feel happiest in. I've often thought my rounder cheeks and heart-shape bone structure wouldn't suit a fringe, but a consultation with a good hairstylist proved that it's really all about the way a fringe is cut - in my case, longer pieces to balance my features. For a little guidance, Vatafu shares her cheat sheet below.

Oval: Almost any fringe style works, from blunt to curtain bangs.

Round: Long side-swept or curtain bangs help elongate the face and create balance.

Square: Wispy or textured bangs soften strong angles, while a straight fringe adds boldness.

Long: Blunt bangs or shorter fringes help add volume across the forehead and balance proportions.

How to style a fringe for long-hair

I've found that a hot brush is the easiest and quickest way to add shape to my fringe. Depending on the style of your fringe, it can either be swept to the side, blow-dried straight or use a diffuser to enhance your curls. Because it's a relatively small amount of hair, it's easy to skip the hair prep but if you're using heat, always apply a heat protector before hand to ensure the strands stay healthy. For curls and coils, a nourishing curl cream is important to keep it in top form.

The best inspiration for fringe with long-hair