It seems like it happens to every woman at some point in their life. One day, you might wake up wanting a change; perhaps you’ve seen too many social media posts claiming that bangs will frame your face and give you a French chic vibe, or maybe you’re experiencing a breakup or another difficult time, and getting bangs feels like a cry for help. Either way, we’ve all been there, and we all know what a huge risk getting bangs is. It’s a decision that will alter your life for the next 12 months minimum, and you don’t really know if it’s a good or a bad one until it’s too late.
Bangs can really change a person’s appearance. If you’re lucky, you’ll look awesome and feel like you’ve completely reinvented your look. The downside is that you can completely ruin a good haircut with a few snips. But when they work—they work. And who can prove it better than celebrities who completely reinvented themselves overnight by getting bangs. Let’s take a look, shall we?
Dakota Johnson
If there were a Bangs Hall of Fame, Dakota Johnson would be featured there front and centre. Before she adopted her now-iconic thick fringe, she was just another pretty actress in Hollywood. Beautiful—but not instantly recognizable. Then she got bangs, and suddenly her face was everywhere.
Apparently she’s got quite a strong cowlick, so styling her bangs takes a lot of patience with a roundbrush and starting with sopping wet hair is non-negotiable. Yet it seems like Dakota’s stylist has mastered that art, because her bangs look effortlessly perfect every time. That French art film cool-girl vibe? That’s all thanks to bangs, baby.
Zooey Deschanel
You could argue Zooey Deschanel invented the concept of “bangs as a personality trait.” Take them away, and she becomes practically unrecognizable — as the internet discovered during her 2013 Met Gala appearance sans fringe.
Zooey once joked that even her forehead is pale from years of bang coverage. And honestly? We believe her. She’s been a “bangs girl” since childhood, and she’s not letting go anytime soon. They’re whimsical, retro, and charming—just like her. In a world of shifting trends, Zooey’s bangs are the most consistent thing since the New Girl theme song.
Katy Perry
Katy Perry might be over her bags now, but back in the day her pin up style bangs in electric blue were a full-blown cultural moment. We’re talking blunt, Bettie Page-inspired perfection. During her California Gurls phase, those bangs were basically pop royalty in themselves.
Katy must’ve known they were a very recognisable look, because it got to the point where she burned her blue wig in 2013 to signify the end of that chapter of her life. Very dramatic, but also kinda iconic, right? These days she goes back and forth with her bangs but sticks to black hair.
Kim Kardashian
Kim is mostly known for her signature sleek, middle-part, glossy, and bang-free look. But when she changes up her hair, it becomes front-page news. And Kim has tried out quite a few fringes over the years. Most of them were probably clip-ins, but the instant transformation effect was there nonetheless. Kim, however, says that every time she tries bangs, she regrets it almost immediately. What do you think?
Lily Collins
When Lily Collins debuted her fringe in season 3 of Emily in Paris many thought it was a cry for help. It makes sense, since her character in the show cut those bangs herself when she’s going through a moment of crisis. But while the internet has collectively proclaimed them to be “trauma bangs,” the reality behind that chop couldn’t be further from the truth.
Lily says she just wanted a fresh new change. Her bangs were cut by a professional and turned out pretty flawless. They really do add a bit of that French chic to her look, and we love the flirty yet sophisticated energy they give off.