Rock the Look: Chic Blunt Bangs

Long, face-framing fringe is in for spring and stars like Jennifer Hudson and Sandra Bullock are embracing the trend. As perpetual style chameleons, celebrities often go for bangs as a simple way to transform their look without a drastic change to their existing haircut. This bold statement look is dramatic, impactful and easy to achieve with a few scissor snips.

To Rock the Look, go for brow-grazing bangs that are slightly tapered at the corners. This way you can wear them down or sweep them to the side to quickly change up the style.

Celebrity hairstylist and Nexxus Creative Director Kevin Mancuso, who has worked with A-listers like Anne Hathaway, Abbie Cornish and Kristen Bell, offers his tips on how to style your bang look:

“Bangs are a great way to update your look without sacrificing length off your ends,” said Mancuso. “The addition of thick, blunt fringe immediately draws focus to your eyes and emphasizes your bone structure.”

PREP:
· Start by applying Nexxus Thermal Volume Volumizing Heat Protection Mousse directly to damp hair to create body and protect strands from the damaging effects of heat styling.
· Press mousse into hair from roots to ends for all-over volume and textured hold making sure to include the bang area.

STYLE:
· Pin bangs to the side and create a middle part. Then use a large round brush to blow dry the rest of your hair.
· Make sure bangs are still damp before styling. If they have dried a bit, mist them with water prior to blow drying. This will ensure there are no unwanted kinks in the bangs and also help set the style.
· Curl bangs over the round brush and blow dry on low, bending ends slightly under for a flattering, face-framing shape.
· Release the rest of hair from the hair tie.

FINISH:
· Place the round brush under the bangs and lightly mist hair with Nexxus Comb Thru Natural Design and Finishing Mist for flexible hold and glossy shine.
· Roll the brush slightly under as you remove it from the bangs to smooth hair.

Waves + Bangs

I love this picture of Tyra Banks sporting heavy bangs and waves. It is such a Spring 2011 Hair Trend! In order to recreate this look you can do it a few different ways, separate the bangs from the rest of your hair and blow dry it straight out. For the rest you can choose to use heat or do it without.

With Heat:

Use a curling iron or a round heat barrel, take small pieces of your hair and wrap it around the curling iron. The key is to take different sized pieces of hair and wrap them different ways around the curling iron barrel. Doing it like this will ensure that your waves look natural.

Without Heat:

Personally, bantu knot outs do not work on wet hair so I would have to start with dry hair and use a leave in spray to dampen the hair. Once the hair is damp I create little buns all over and once it's dry I remove the buns and waves are in place. Just like when I use use heat, I create different sized buns to create more natural looking waves.