BellaOnline Forums Beauty and Self Hair Bang or not to bang

Check out this week's article, To bang or not to bang and let me know what you think.

Do you have bangs? What did you consider when you were trying to decide? WHat kind of bangs do you have? Do you have any regrets or horror stories?

I need some light wispy bangs to cover my wide, flat forehead. ugh. But my husband talked me into letting them grow out because he insists I look better without. Well, the other day, I couldn't stand it and I took scissors and gave myself some light bangs again. I feel better with them. Maybe it's a psychological thing.

My little girl once snipped off some of her bangs and cut them to her scalp. It was horrid and there was nothing I could do to hide or fix them. My mother ended up taking her to a salon where they gave her a short perm and she looked like Little Orphan Annie. She normally had silky straight hair. I was so glad when it grew out.

Great article!!!
I've always had a bang of some sort because I have a "widows peak" that I never liked.

Great article. I wish I'd read it before i went and got some really bad bangs. I was hoping for thick, heavy bangs, and got something horribly wispy and useless. It never occurred to me that there were different kinds of bangs and I simply said, "I think I want bangs."

I instantly used barrettes to pull back the hair every day. I am still trying to grow them out.

I didn't feel brave enough to tell the stylist it was not what I had in mind. I just paid her and left.

Diane, a widow's peak is lovely. Why don't you like it?

We need to learn as consumers that we must communicate with those who provide a service to us. As a cosmetologist, I need to ensure that we communicate so that you get what you envisioned.

Never be afraid to tell your stylist what you really want and if they don't repeat back to you clearly what you wish for. If they can't explain it to you, then DON"T let them cut it.

I can't seem to be honest with hair people. I feel like I will really hurt them if I say I don't love the cut/color.

It's weird how brave i am in some situations and such a wienie in others. ;-)

You gave me a great idea for my next piece about being honest with your stylist and communicating.


You need to communicate. We cannot satisfy you and provide you with the best experience if you aren't completely honest and communicate with us ;0)

How specifically do you say you do not like what they did? I just get awkward and weird. ;-)

You need to clearly communicate from the beginning what you expect the bangs to look like. They need to repeat back to you what you are looking for.

In this case, there was a miscommunication between the two of you.

You wanted a nice heavy blunt bang that went across the whole forehead. She (or he) gave you a thin wispy bang that did not accomplish what you were looking for.

When that happened, you needed to say something like "The bang does not look like what I had envisioned. Instead, I was looking for a thicker, heavier bang that went across my forehead and was blunt. This does not do that. THis is wispy and light and not a full bang. Is there anything I can do to make it look like I wanted, or is there a way for you to cut more to get what I wanted? If not, how do I care for this bang until I can get what I was really looking for?" If they do not answer you in a manner you are happy and satisfied with, then you need to ask to speak to a supervisor or manager. The stylist might not be able to understand what you are looking for and another set of eyes and ears may help. Never feel like you cannot get what you want or that you will hurt their feelings. A stylist should be able to take criticism. They should be willing to learn if it is not something they are comfortable with. A stylist should always be willing to learn and correct their actions. We are human and not perfect. NO matter what some may say, we DO make mistakes. I have. Just the other day I cut a womans bangs a little to short for her liking. I altered the cut a little and made her satisfied. She rebooked with me. If I wouldn't have taken the time to rectify and communicate again what she wanted and possibly changing what she thought she wanted, I would have lost a client. Instead, she remains my client and our relationship is not harmed.

Jilly, you need to have faith that no matter what, they will respect you because you spoke your mind and communicated exactly what you wanted. If you cannot, then you might not get what you want.

You are very right in all you say. Instead of slinking out of that salon, never to return because she psychically did not know what I wanted, I should have asked what crossed my mind when i looked in the mirror..."why can i see through these bangs?" lol

They never get wispy bangs on America's Next Top Model. But I guess she could not have known I wanted something cool and edgy.