Blunt Fringe: Ideas and How to Style
A Blunt Fringe May Be the Chic Detail Your Haircut Is Missing
As POPSUGAR editors, we independently select and write about stuff we love and think you'll like too. If you buy a product we have recommended, we may receive affiliate commission, which in turn supports our work.
Fringe: to get or not to get — that is the question. At one point or another, almost everyone considers making a dramatic hair change by way of some fringe, but there's a lot to consider before taking the plunge. Outside of general maintenance and the commitment, you also have quite a few different types to choose from. Popular varieties include wispy, curtain, and micro, but none of those compare to the ever-classic blunt fringe.
Blunt fringes occasionally get a bad reputation. The phrase often elicits flashbacks from primary-school picture day, when a fringe was almost always attached to a bad haircut (at-home bowl cut, anyone?). But you've come a long way since then — and fringes have, too. Now, this blunt fringe can accompany any number of trendy haircuts, from the bob to a shag, adding an element of personality and an oh-so-cool feel to the look.
Not totally convinced just yet? Below, a celebrity hairstylist shares everything you need to know about blunt fringes, including how to style them at home.
What Is a Blunt Fringe?
A Blunt fringe is just as it sounds: fringe that is typically cut straight across the forehead horizontally. This creates a sharp line from eye to eye. "[They] frame and contour the upper portion of the face," Justin Toves-Vincilione, hairstylist and Authentic Beauty Concept advocate, tells POPSUGAR. "With little to no texture, this trend is designed to provide depth to the forehead area and showcase the remaining features of the face."
The haircut works on all hair types. Straight, fine-to-medium-density hair works best with the style, needing little upkeep. "For wavy to curly hair, blunt bangs can be a very beautiful option, but would require more styling maintenance on a day-to-day basis."
How to Style a Blunt Fringe
Getting a fringe is only half the battle — then you have to learn to style it. If you've done your hair the same way for months (or even years), after a new haircut, it can feel like you need to relearn everything, from the way you blow-dry to the products you use. With fringes of all styles, many experts say there's a bit of a learning curve.
If you have naturally straight hair, styling your blunt fringe should be easy. In the morning, they may require some restyling with a blow dryer and spray bottle. "To keep the look fresh every day, try using a texture spray to maintain fullness and to absorb any excess oil that may build up overnight," Toves-Vincilione says. He recommends the Authentic Beauty Concept Airy Texture Spray (£26) or a dry shampoo. We like the Oribe Serene Scalp Dry Shampoo Powder (£45). "Use a round brush when blow-drying if you want to add a slight bend to your fringe."
Wavy and curly hair types can either wear their blunt fringe naturally or styled smooth. To style them naturally, Toves-Vincilione recommends using an air-dry or curl-shaping cream, like the Living Proof No Frizz Smooth Styling Cream (£36), then diffusing the fringe. "To style smooth, you'll need a blow dryer and a straightener," he says. "Apply a smoothing cream onto damp bangs, and begin to stretch out any natural wave, curl, or coil." Once your hair is completely dry, apply a heat protectant (like the Davines Melu Hair Shield Heat Protection (£29) and run a straightener over the fringe to straighten it.
Blunt-Fringe Hairstyle Inspiration
Keep scrolling for some of our favourite takes on the blunt-fringe style.
Straight Hair With a Blunt Fringe
Naomi Campbell often has a blunt fringe with extra long, stick-straight hair.
Bob With a Blunt Fringe
Blunt Fringe on Long Hair
Taylor Swift is the queen of blunt fringes, as you can see here, where she styled them with long, straight hair.
Bob With Blunt Fringe
Lob With Blunt Fringe
Bella Hadid briefly wore a blunt fringe with a lob haircut for a sleek and polished look.
Soft Blunt Fringe and Curly Hair
Zooey Deschanel is another big fan of the blunt fringe and often wears it with curly hair.
Straight Hair With Blunt Fringe
Gabrielle Union's debuted a blunt fringe at Paris Fashion Week in March 2023.
Wavy Hair With Blunt Fringe
Constance Wu is a great example of wavy hair with a smooth blunt fringe.
Short Hair With Blunt Fringe
Rumer Willis's blunt fringe pairs beautifully with her equally blunt bob.
Soft Blunt Fringe
Rosalia's soft blunt fringe belongs on your mood board ASAP.
