Fringe Benefits: Riccardo Maggiore's Tips For Trimming Your Bangs

There are only a few things I don't like about having curly hair, and at the top of the list is not being able to pull off bangs. I love them, and have always felt serious hair envy toward those who have perfect, eyebrow-skimming fringe (Zoey Deschanel, Rachel Bilson, and Nicole Richie: I'm looking at you). If you're lucky enough to be able to rock the bangs, here are some tips from NYC stylist Riccardo Maggiore for how to maintain your 'do at home:

Nicole Richie

Zoey Deschanel

1) Get the right scissors

Scissors you have lying around the house are most likely too big and the blade too thick to cut bangs. The wrong scissors can easily cause you to make a mistake. I suggest going to your local drug store or beauty supply store to pick up some mini shears. Having the correct scissors will allow for more precision and control.

2) Cut hair dry

Wash your hair and dry it thoroughly prior to cutting bangs. If you cut hair when it’s wet, you may accidentally cut too much, as wet hair deceptively looks longer.

3) Don’t pull

Avoid pulling your hair down while cutting. The extra tension will make the hair seem longer, so when you release the bangs they will be much shorter than expected.

4) Be mindful of your cutting technique

I suggest taking a sharp hair scissor, positioning hair below the brow and cutting vertically in little choppy pieces, slowly chipping away from one side of the face to the other. Don’t try to cut your bangs straight across, since it’s almost impossible to keep a perfectly straight line.

5) Take your time

Stop and evaluate your cut; thinking carefully whether or not you need to cut more hair. It’s better to take your time and be mindful not to cut off too much at once.