Even though bangs are great, how they turn out doesn’t just depend on who cuts your hair (whether it’s you yourself or your trust stylist… if they’re even open during the Covid-19 pandemic). Some people naturally wear bangs better than others.

You have to take into account your natural hair texture, the shape of your face, as well all the small and minute details that make you, well, you. From your build and your body language to what style of clothes you wear on a daily basis. Lost and confused? Talk to a hairstylist whom you trust completely before committing to snipping off your fringe.

Oprah Magazine writes that you should be honest with yourself about why you want bangs: whether you actually want a fringe cut or if you simply want a change. If it’s the latter, you can always go for something that suits you better instead of going for a quarter-bowl-cut.

Bangs aren’t a one-and-done type of thing, however. They need a minimum amount of upkeep. Just like any other hairstyle. Shocker, we know! That means using quality shampoos and conditioners, as well as any additional materials like oils for your particular hairstyle. You know your hair best, so go for everything that you know works in keeping your hair healthy and you looking gorgeous.

Whatever length you decide to go for, bangs need to be trimmed around every two to three weeks. If you let them grow too long, soon enough you won’t be able to see anything around you (unless that’s what you’re aiming for because of how difficult the last year has been) or your hair will start curling weirdly at the ends. As someone whose sideburns start curling in a really, really bizarre way whenever they end up too long or I wash my hair, I feel this pain.

Oprah Magazine suggests that you don’t cut your hair yourself. I feel like we’ve all done this at least once, though, especially during the pandemic (from buzzcuts and trims to bangs and ‘I’m-never-leaving-the-house-again’). Dove celeb stylist Mark Townsend told Oprah Mag that it’s very noticeable when bangs are uneven because they’re right above your face. So they need a professional’s touch.

However, if you’re not afraid of experimenting a tad and you’ve got the self-confidence of a star, go for it! But in that case, if you plan on cutting your hair and trimming your bangs quite often, it’s probably not a bad idea to invest in some quality tools. Why settle for a pair of rusty and wobbly kitchen scissors when you can get something ideally suited for cutting hair? We know, we know, it’s the skill, not the tool that’s important, but why make it harder for yourself to look beautiful?

Townsend explained to Oprah Mag that most bangs work well with an oval face shape. However, if you’ve got a square or an oblong face shape, you might want to opt for A-shaped bangs or longer layers, according to the professional. Meanwhile, choppy bangs are the jack-of-all-trades and suit pretty much anyone and everyone.