How to Style Short Bangs

Co-authored by Angela Justice

Last Updated: October 26, 2024 References

To style short bangs, it's important to work with them when they're wet. Add a dab of product to them first if desired, and use a flat brush and blow dryer to create your look. Use a flat iron to straighten sections of your bangs that are unruly, and lock in your look using a lightweight hairspray if desired. Whether you have plenty of time to style your bangs or you need a quick fix, there are several options that will have your short bangs looking their best.

Method 1

Method 1 of 2:

Blow Drying and Flat Ironing Your Bangs

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1
Add a styling product to your bangs to help keep them in place. Use the product while your hair is still wet. Select a mousse or serum designed to hydrate your hair or prevent frizz. Use a dime-sized amount, rubbing it on your hands before working it through your bangs and the rest of your hair if desired.^{[1]
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- Avoid adding too much product to your bangs so they stay lightweight and easy to manipulate.
2
Blow dry your bangs as soon as you get out of the shower. If you shower or take a bath first thing in the morning, it’s important to prioritize your bangs as soon as you get out. It’s okay if the roots aren’t super wet, but you’ll want the rest of your bangs (especially the ends) to be thick with moisture.^{[2]
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- If you shower but your bangs dry quickly before you’re able to blow dry them, simply wet them with water again.
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3
Wet your bangs or use dry shampoo to style them when they’re dry. If you’re styling your bangs and they’re already dry, use water to wet them thoroughly first, either dipping your bangs under the faucet or using your hands to collect water and spread it on your bangs. As an alternative, spray dry shampoo onto your bangs to freshen up your hair and prepare it for a blow dry.^{[3]
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- The water can be any temperature, just make sure your bangs are soaked through with water for the best results.
- Purchase dry shampoo from your local big box store or grocery store.
4
Use a small flat brush with your hair dryer for the best results. Try to find a flat brush that has synthetic and natural bristles, making it perfect for styling bangs. Purchase a small flat brush from your local beauty or big box store.^{[4]
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- The synthetic and natural bristles help hold the hair in place more than a regular or large hairbrush.
- If you can’t use a small flat brush, a regular hairbrush will work as well.
5
Brush your bangs from one side to the other while following with the hair dryer. Use the flat brush to brush your bangs from left to right and right to left across your forehead, going back and forth in sweeping motions. Hold the hair dryer in the other hand, moving it in the same direction as the brush until your bangs are dry.^{[5]
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Expert Source

Noël Reid-Killings
Celebrity Hair Stylist

Expert Interview. 25 November 2020.}
- Always point your hair dryer in the direction that you’re brushing the hair. Avoid pointing the hair dryer upwards at your bangs or it will ruin your styling.
- This is called the wrap technique, and it gives you the best styled bangs by creating a natural bend and eliminating unwanted texture in your bangs.
- Set your bangs with a cool blast from your hair dryer so they last longer.
6
Use a flat iron if you want super straight bangs. If you want your bangs a little straighter, or you need to fix a few stray hairs, use a flat iron to straighten specific sections. Clamp the flat iron closed around the section of hair, pulling the iron down the strand of hair to straighten it.^{[7]
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- Use a heat protectant for your hair if you’re using a flat iron.
- Avoid holding the heat on one section of hair for more than 3 seconds at a time to avoid damage.
7
Apply a light hairspray if you want your bangs to have extra hold. Use a hairspray that’s designed to be a light layer, meaning it doesn’t make your hair crunchy or stiff. Spray your bangs for just a second or two using the hairspray to lock in the style and add some texture.^{[8]
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- Look for keywords like "light" or "flexible" on the can of hairspray when trying to pick one.

Method 2

Method 2 of 2:

Fixing Short Bangs Quickly

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1
Part your hair in the middle to easily pin your bangs off to each side.^{[9]
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Expert Source

Angela Justice
Master Hair Stylist

Expert Interview. 5 November 2021.} Create a center part using a comb and separate your bangs to the left and right. Simply clip each side back with the rest of your hair using a bobby pin, or twist each section using your fingers before clipping it back for a more styled look.^{[10]
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- Use embellished bobby pins or clips to customize your look.
2
Pull your bangs together in one clump to pin them on top of your head. Gather your bangs all together, pulling them straight up from your head. Twist them once to collect all the ends, and clip the clump back using bobby pins or another clip. You can clip them so they’re flat against the top of your head, or create a little pouf with them on top of your head.^{[11]
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3
Twirl your bangs off to one side for an elegant hairstyle. Start on one side of your bangs, collecting them and twisting them upwards into your head. As you go across your forehead, keep collecting sections of your bangs and twisting them until you reach the opposite ear. Use a bobby pin or other clip to clip the twisted bangs back.^{[12]
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- You may need to twist them rather tightly if your bangs are super short.
4
Use a headband to style your bangs. Use the headband to sweep your bangs back, completely hiding them from view for a super easy solution. Alternatively, place the headband around your head on top of your bangs, keeping them in place against your forehead. This creates more of a bohemian-style look.^{[13]
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Tips

To add more texture to your bangs, spritz them with a sea salt spray.

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Brush your bangs to one side once they're dry to make them look more full.

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Try to set aside at least 5 minutes each morning to styling your short bangs.

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