How to Hide Short Bangs

Co-authored by Shun Pittman

Last Updated: May 26, 2024 References

If you're hoping to hide your short bangs from view, there are lots of simple methods you can use to achieve your desired look. You can try different braiding styles and updos to obscure your bangs completely or use bobby pins to create stylish looks. If you want to wear your hair down, you can slick your bangs back or sweep them to the side. For a quick and easy solution, try hiding your bangs with a headband or head scarf!

Method 1

Method 1 of 4:

Braiding Your Bangs and Creating Updos

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1
Part your hair down the middle before braiding your bangs to each side. Use a comb to brush out your hair and create a center part, including your bangs. Braid the left side of your bangs down to the left side of your face, and braid the right side of your bangs down to the right. Use small hair ties or a bobby pin to clip the braids, holding them in place.^{[1]
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- Make sure you braid the same length on each side. If you braid the left bangs down to your ear, braid the right bangs to your ear as well.
2
Braid your bangs along your forehead to elegantly hide them from view. Start at one side of your bangs and begin braiding them across your forehead, pulling in more hair as you go. Since your bangs are short, you’ll need to braid them tightly so the strands stay in place.^{[2]
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- Pin the braids back using bobby pins or other clips to keep them in place against your head.
- Braid your hair all the way to your ears before pinning it.
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3
Create a twist braid to style your bangs quickly. Start at one end of your bangs and split the first section into two strands. Twist the two strands by crossing one over the other. Pull up the next section of your bangs, separating them into two strands so they can be combined with the other two before crossing one over the other. Keep going along your bangs, twisting them until you come to your ear.^{[3]
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- Pin the twisted bangs to the side using a bobby pin or other hair clip.
4
Gather the rest of your hair into a bun or ponytail for a quick updo. Once you've braided your short bangs, pull the rest of your hair together using a hair tie. Create a bun or ponytail to get your hair off of your neck and make your new hairstyle even more elegant.^{[4]
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- Make a messy bun or a sleek bun depending on your preference.

Method 2

Method 2 of 4:

Hiding Bangs When Wearing Your Hair Down

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1
Use hair gel to slick your bangs back. Pick out a hair gel and squeeze a dime-sized amount onto your bangs. Comb the hair gel onto your bangs, slicking your bangs back tightly against the top of your head or loosely to the sides, depending on the look you want.^{[5]
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Shun Pittman
Master Cosmetologist, Global Salon Educator & Author

Expert Interview. 14 April 2021.}^{[6]
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- Use a quick spray of hairspray to lock your bangs into place, if desired.
- Purchase hair gel from your local big box store or beauty store.
2
Create a side-sweep to hide your bangs under a longer strand of hair. Choose which direction you want your hair to sweep, parting it at one end of your bangs using a comb. Take a strand of hair starting at the part and sweep it forward and to the side using your comb so that it covers up your bangs. Pin the side-sweep using bobby pins so it stays in place.^{[7]
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- You may need to use several bobby pins to get your hair to remain swept to the side over your bangs.
3
Part your hair down the middle and slick your bangs to each side. Use a comb to brush out your hair before parting it in the center. Squeeze out a small amount of hair gel, and run the gel through your bangs using your fingers. Comb your bangs to each side of your head depending on where your part is so that they look parted just like the rest of your hair.^{[8]
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- Give the front of your hair some volume by combing them up and to the sides after they have gel in them.
4
Use a texturizing spray to hide your bangs in voluminous hair. Purchase a spray that adds texture to your hair, or opt for regular hairspray. Spray the front of your hair with the spray, and use a comb to tease out your bangs until they're full and intermingled with the rest of your hair.^{[9]
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- Set the look with a final spray of hairspray.

Method 3

Method 3 of 4:

Covering Your Bangs with Accessories

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Purchase a headband with teeth for a quick solution. You can find these at your local drugstore, beauty store, or big box store. Place the headband in front of your bangs, sliding it back against your head so your bangs are pulled back.^{[10]
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Shun Pittman
Master Cosmetologist, Global Salon Educator & Author

Expert Interview. 14 April 2021.} Play around with how tightly or loosely you pull the headband against your head to hide your bangs most effectively.^{[11]
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- The teeth on the side of the headband will help hold your short bangs in place.
2
Wear a head scarf or similar headband to hide your bangs. Flip your hair over in front of you and wrap a head scarf around the back of your hair, pulling it up on top of your head. Tie the scarf so that it’s hiding your bangs from view, knotting it on the top of your head to keep your hair in place. You can also tie the head scarf around your head on top of your hair instead of under it and tie the scarf at your forehead.^{[12]
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- Stretchy thick headbands work well if you’re putting the headband over your hair around the top of your head.
3
Wrap your short bangs around a thin headband for a bohemian look. Place a thin stretchy headband around your head so it’s on top of your hair and covering your forehead, keeping your bangs in place. Take a small section of your bangs and wrap it around the headband going towards your head, tucking it in place under the headband strap. Keep going along your forehead, wrapping sections of your bangs around the headband until you reach the side of your head.^{[13]
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- You could also create a center part, parting your bangs in the center along with the rest of your hair. Then, wrap the bangs on the left side of the part to the left, and the ones on the right side to the right.
4
Use hair extensions to cover up your short bangs. Part your hair using a brush or comb and brush it out. Place a hair extension along your part, far enough away from the part that it's hidden from view. Keep adding hair extensions to the front of your hair by clipping them in until your bangs are completely covered up.^{[14]
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- Choose hair extensions that match the exact color of your hair.
- You can find hair extensions at your local beauty store or online.

Method 4

Method 4 of 4:

Using Bobby Pins or Barrettes

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1
Part your hair in the middle and pin your bangs off to each side. Brush out your hair and use a comb to part your bangs in the middle of your forehead. Use bobby pins to hold back each section, one pinned to the left and one to the right.^{[15]
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Shun Pittman
Master Cosmetologist, Global Salon Educator & Author

Expert Interview. 14 April 2021.}^{[16]
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- Use a mirror to create your center part.
- Use embellished bobby pins or clips to personalize your look.
2
Gather your bangs up in one clump to pin them flat against your head. Pull your bangs up towards the ceiling and twist them so that they’re all in one clump. Use a bobby pin to pin the bangs flat against the top of your head, creating a sleek look.^{[17]
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- Create a short pouf with the clump before pinning them back to add more volume to your hair.
3
Twist your short bangs up towards your head to create volume. Start at one end of your bangs and use your fingers to twist them inwards towards your head. Keep twisting new sections, going across your forehead until all of your bangs are twisted and pulled back against your head. Pin the twisted bangs in place with a bobby pin.^{[18]
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- If your bangs are still popping up as you twist them, try twisting them into a tighter strand.
4
Create a colorful pattern with bobby pins for an artsy look. Instead of just pinning back your bangs with one bobby pin, create a pattern out of the bobby pins for an embellished look. Use different colored bobby pins, pinning them in 'V' or 'X' shapes along your hair.^{[19]
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- For example, use navy blue, light blue, and white bobby pins to create 'V' shapes as you pin back your bangs, using 2 navy blue pins to form the first 'V', 2 light blue pins to create the second, and so on.
5
Use an embellished barrette to hold back your bangs. If you want to add personality to your hairstyle, pick out a barrette that's colorful or artfully designed. It might be covered in sparkles, be made of beads, or have your name on it. Pin back your bangs using the barrette to show off your own personal style.^{[20]
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- Find unique barrettes at your local jewelry and accessories store or at a big box store.

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Question

What do I do if I hate my bangs?

Shun Pittman
Master Cosmetologist, Global Salon Educator & Author
Shun Pittman is a Master Cosmetologist, Author, Owner, and Founder of Corps d’Elite Salon and Corps d’Elite Beauty. With over 25 years of international experience, she is dedicated to and specializes in providing luxury salon services to all hair types and textures and every skin tone and shade. Her services include hair conditioning treatments, cutting, coloring, styling, extensions, and makeup application. Shun has experience working with, coaching, training, and mentoring beauty professionals from multiple companies including L'Oréal, Wella, Matrix, Paul Mitchell, Redken, Big Sexy Hair, and Toni & Guy. She is also a host for national and local media outlets and her work has been featured in The Washingtonian, The Cheddar Network, and WJLA Good Morning Washington's Beauty and Fashion Police segments. Shun is the author of “50 Things Your Hairdresser Wants YOU to Know (and a few things we don’t...)".

Shun Pittman

Master Cosmetologist, Global Salon Educator & Author

Expert Answer

Try to hide your bangs in an updo with headbands, bobby pins, or styling products.

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Question

I got some short curtain bangs, and they look horrible, but they won’t hide. What should I do?

Community Answer

Use a flat iron to curl them back, similar to Farrah Fawcett, and when it's up, use plenty of gel and bobby pins to disguise them.

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