ON THE FRINGE

Many women have a love-hate relationship with bangs, but for some, a full fringe becomes a way of life. Two women explain the perks you may not realize—and why you’ll likely never see their foreheads again.

BY ANDREA KARR

Dressing smart is made easy this season with European-designed, high quality fashion that inspires confidence from Olsen. Look and feel your best with these top picks and trends from Lynn Spence, Style & Fashion Expert.

“Fall doesn’t mean you have to dress in dark colours. Mix neutral shades with bold, rich hues, like breton blue, for a modern look.” “From suede and knits to graphic prints, this Fall is all about texture. Mix and match different fabrics in a monochromatic colour palette to make the combination of textiles truly shine.”

“This Fall the trends can be summed up in two words: effortless chic. Look for pieces that are both comfortable and figure flattering. The key is always finding pieces with the perfect fit.”

Photo: Andreas Trauttmansdorff

“Grey is the standout neutral of the season. Wear grey head to toe or as a base neutral with bold accent colours.”

“The flair is in the details. Mix feminine prints with edgy accents, like leather panels or zippers in unexpected places, for a look that’s effortlessly chic.”

GET CELEBRITY HAIR INSPO AT canadianliving.com/bangson.

Mosha Lundström Halbert, fashion director at Footwear News/Women’s Wear Daily

henever a celebritydebuts new bangs, the Internet explodes with before-and-W after pictures and “dramatic transformation” headlines. It happens regularly because bangs are always in style and they’re an easy way to alter your look.

For some women, their first fringe turns into a lifelong accessory. Canadianborn Mosha Lundström Halbert, 29, fashion director at Footwear News/

Women’s Wear Daily, has worn blunt bangs since childhood. “It’s the first thing people notice about me,” she says.

“My mom [fashion designer Linda

Lundström] is Swedish and Icelandic.

Blond hair with bangs is a natural

Scandinavian look.”

By contrast, Jennifer Thompson, 44, says her signature ’do came later in life, when she tried a bob with bangs at 35, and it instantly felt right. “This hairstyle identifies me to the point that new friends don’t even recognize me when I have my hair pulled back in old photos,” says the president of Toronto-based JT & Company, a marketing and PR firm.

There are many things that both women love about a fringe, such as its ability to draw attention to the eyes and cheekbones while offsetting less desirable features such as an irregular hairline and forehead creases. Some say bangs are even better than Botox. For Mosha, they don’t just minimize the appearance of wrinkles—“they push pause on the aging clock, because they create consistency.”

A fringe can also make any hairstyle look polished. “It’s my ultimate beauty trick,” says Mosha. “I just blow-dry my bangs and slick the rest of my hair into a low chignon. It looks like I’m perfectly coiffed even though I’m not.” Jennifer feels her bangs add the finishing touch, just like a “great pair of heels or a dynamite handbag.” For that reason, both women plan on a long-term relationship with bangs.

Of course, most fringes need to be trimmed every two to three weeks, and they require a certain amount of styling skill. Plus, they’re prone to greasiness and (for some!) mid-parting. See “Fringe Benefits” (right) for pro tips that will help you love your bangs.

Women with round faces can have bangs! They will actually de-emphasize the shape.

The most universally flattering and modern length for a blunt bang is between the eyebrows and the lash line.

Jennifer Thompson, president of JT & Company

Bangs are easiest to manage for women who have straight hair of medium thickness.

Kristjan Hayden, creative director of Aveda Canada

Fringe Benefits Kristjan Hayden, creative director of Aveda Canada, has some bang-on answers:

Start with very wet bangs. Using a paddle brush with mixed bristles, brush and blow-dry your fringe in one direction across your forehead, then brush in the opposite direction. Continue this process until your bangs are completely dry.

fringe? Dry shampoo and thickening sprays are fine if necessary. Avoid heavy conditioners and styling cream, as they can add weight.

After blow-drying, spritz with a firmhold hairspray.

Dust your face with translucent powder. You can also gently back-comb the underside of your bangs to lift them ever so slightly off your forehead.