HIGHLIGHTS

Ever needed a quick bang trim but don’t want to schedule a hair appointment for such a small procedure? Sure you have! If you have bangs, you know that those little puppies require regular maintenance that doesn’t necessarily coincide with the rest of your hair’s schedule. Don’t worry, though!

I’ve had bangs for over eight years now, and while they’ve varied in style and frame, they’ve definitely been a staple in my hairstyles. I just like the way bangs look with my face structure (I’m 100% Polish and thus have a heart-shaped face), and I think they add a little splash of style and flair to my hair. But obviously, to keep them at the right shape and length, I have to make sure they’re regularly trimmed. Instead of making a hair appointment (and paying money!!) for such a simple task, I’ve undertaken the process of trimming my own bangs. And you know what? It’s super easy, inexpensive and best of all, with these simple tricks, they look amazing!

For side-swept bangs, pull all of your bangs forward over your eyes. Then, angle them in the opposite direction as the one in which you part your hair (so if your bangs sit on the right side of your face, pull them to the left). You’ll need thin hair-trimming scissors to make the perfect cut, so once you have those, trim away. I usually cut straight across my bangs-since I pull them off to the side, they’re already angled; thus, making a cut straight across the pulled-to-the-side-bangs won’t change the shape.

To get straight-across bangs that lie flat on your forehead, make sure all the hair is even across the crown of your head, and pull it down over your eyes. Gently cut straight across, without pulling your hair to one side or angling it. So simple!

A few points to remember:
-make absolute sure your hair is dry! When bangs are wet, we tend to cut them to the length at which we want them; however, once hair dries and gets some body, the bangs always end up being shorter. So make sure they’re dry and you’ll get the perfect length!
-to get a perfectly even trim, I use a strip of tape and lay it across my bang “boundary”-that is, the length at which I want it. The tape sticks to hair and provides a rule of sorts that makes sure you get the cut right where you want it!
-never, ever try to engage in this process without a mirror. You will NOT get it right. Go slowly, and make sure that your steady hand is following the exact path you want to your bangs to follow.

Doing quick trims on your bangs can actually be easy and free; just make sure you’re careful, totally focused and in possession of the right tools (don’t worry, this broke college student easily afforded a pair of shearing scissors for hair!). I’ll admit, I’ve perfected the art of bang-trimming to the point where I recently started trimming the tips of my hair to take care of split ends and save some money! Tips on that will come later, but for now, just try your bangs. And as always, remember that if you have a slip-up, hair does grow back! Rock your style and you’re sure to shine.

Harry Potter actress Emma Watson (for those you living under a rock for the past decade, she plays Harry’s brainy yet brave sidekick, Hermione Granger) was spotted last weekend sporting a very un-Hermione, extremely short pixie cut. Think “girl from the new iPhone commercial” short. Celebrity and fashion bloggers were immediately covering this new switch, and the result is in: Watson’s pixie ‘do is definitely a winner. Not only does she have the bone structure to pull off a short look like this, but she’s got the swagger and the high-fashion confidence that allows her to rock any cut and color we’ve seen on the young actress since she hit the big screen.

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Emma’s new look isn’t just about a short cut, though. True, rumors are swirling that she chopped her locks in order to show director David Fincher that she’s seriously considering a role in his upcoming flick, The Girl With the Dragon Tattoo (based on the book by the same title). Whatever Watson’s reasons are, though, she’s really started something fresh and new in a world dominated by long hair as a security blanket behind which many women are hiding. Let’s be honest, long hair isn’t easier to style or maintain, and it’s not a “no-fuss” look that many women say they’re looking for when they plop down into the hair stylist’s chair. In fact, having had both long and short hair, I can tell you which one is a lot less of a burden–and cheaper. I mean, hello, do you know how much more shampoo and conditioner we go through with longer hair?!? So yeah, shorter hair is definitely easier to upkeep and style. But more than that, short hair shows off a kind of confidence that long hair tends to hide. Emma Watson’s hair isn’t just shorter–it’s REALLY short, exposing every contour and facet of her facial and shoulder structure. Most women, who aren’t too happy with their bone or face structure, tend to use longer hair to hide behind and cover up, say, ears that they were teased about in second grade or a cheekbone structure that doesn’t rival that of celebs they see on the red carpet.

But thankfully, mega-celebs like Emma Watson, Hayden Panettiere and Selma Blair have started somewhat of a hair revolution, showing that short hair can be sexy and exudes a lot more confidence than locks that cover one’s face. They are really showing that taking risks with hairstyles can be a fresh, fun approach to tackling new challenges, and in Watson’s case, can really get positive feedback from an industry that generally conforms to one standardized ideal of “beauty.”

And I’m jealous, really, because all I can think about now is how much earlier Emma Watson gets to start her day while the rest of us spend upwards of 30 minutes drying and styling our long locks every single day of our lives.

A recent online article by cosmopolitan.com revealed that the new hot look is long, flowing locks. So, for women who’ve adopted a short and sassy ‘do, hair extensions are the obvious way to get that long hairdo. For the most part, hair extensions are easy to maintain, natural looking and can be styled as simply as real hair.
However…

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…it’s entirely possible to have a total “oopsie” moment and completely destroy your look and style. Exhibit A: our beloved Britney Spears who, after taking a razor to her head in 2007, has sported extensions ever since her hair began to grow out a little. For the most part, Brit has maintained her hairstyles and kept her extensions looking natural. But this photo clearly shows that a little too much wear and tear has been placed on her hair, and she had a slip-up in the regular maintenance and care that’s required of extensions. Since they’re placed in hair and not attached to one’s head like normal hair, constant stress on extensions can lead to some…well, just take a look at BritBrit’s Kodak moment above.

On the other hand…

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…Ashley Greene knows how to do extensions right. First, they’re neatly hidden and blend in too well with the rest of her hair–so well, in fact, that I wasn’t even aware Ashley had extensions! She definitely exemplifies regular hair care and extension maintenance, as well as a natural hairstyle that compliments her nicely. If you’re going to do extensions, this is definitely how you want to do them. Remember, when it comes to hair, it’s all about having a natural and healthy look. Extensions are just that: an extension of your hair. So, colors that don’t match your hair color or completely noticeable extensions aren’t going to get that natural look that you’re going for. And as always, changing your hairstyle is all about making yourself happy and feeling comfortable and bold in your own skin; so if longer hair is the change you want to make, extensions are a great way to get the new, fun look you’re going for!