Somewhere along the way, bangs have become the rock ’n’ roll haircut of choice. Of course, the singers who most firmly cemented bangs as an intrinsic element of the rock-chick hairstyle were Chrissie Hynde, who first stepped onstage with eye-obscuring fringe in the late ’70s, and Debbie Harry, whose mussed-up, DIY-looking CBGBs-heyday haircut is still being copied by everyone from Courtney Love to Drew Barrymore. Indeed, bangs have become the go-to style for celebs looking for edge: Rihanna, Jennifer Lopez, and Nicole ¬Richie among them. That’s one element of bangs’ allure. Another is that they’re playfully sex-kitteny. “I love soft, flirty, lash-level bangs,” Fiona says. “I call them ‘man-catchers.’ ” (On the flip side, I’ve found they can also hide a multitude of sins, including wrinkles, acne, and unkempt eyebrows.)Can anyone wear bangs? Most hairstylists agree that where there’s a will, there’s a way. “Your hairdresser needs to look at the shape of your face and determine what type is best for you,” says stylist Oscar Blandi. “They can really bring out your eyes and cheekbones. But you have to be careful. For example, if you have a round face, blunt bangs cut straight across the forehead can widen your cheeks and make you look like you have meatballs in your mouth.” As a general rule, long, side-swept bangs will downplay a broad face, while an above-the-eyebrows fringe will add length to your features. Whether you wear bangs sleek and retro-sweet like Katy Perry or roughed up à la Mosshart, the right product is key. “Bangs look cool when they’re slightly piecey,” says Blandi, who likes to use an antifrizz serum and his Jasmine Oil Shine Spray. “But you want to keep them soft, not stiff, so whatever your product, you shouldn’t use very much of Elle
