The Queen of Curls answers your curly hair questions.
Dear Ouidad: Is it possible for someone with super curly hair to have decent bangs? I want long, side-swept bangs and I have really curly 3b hair. I haven’t seen anyone with my hair and bangs. I’m particularly curious about side-swept bangs because I’m not sure if it’s physically possible for natural curls to form a sweep.
A: It’s very difficult for tight curls to have bangs and I don’t recommend them because they usually require heat styling to keep them maintained.
This entry was posted on Wednesday, March 30th, 2011 at 10:55 am and is filed under Curly Hair (Type 3a). You can follow any comments to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can skip to the end and leave a comment. Pinging is currently not allowed.
March 31st, 2011 at 7:48 pm
Hi there,
I too have really curly hair– it is fine in texture though. I wanted “bangs” as well, and found a compromise. I did not cut bangs, but when my hair is wet, I will take a section of the front of my hair and pull it straight and across my forehead. I then take a bobby pin to hold it to one side until my hair dries. This works to loosen the curl to a mere wave and allow me to have some bang-like hair falling on my forehead. It requires no additional product or heat. Try it!
April 1st, 2011 at 3:20 pm
I have tighter curls and my hair is layered. I do a side part with the shorter layer so that it gives the illusion of bangs.
April 12th, 2011 at 6:52 pm
I have 4a hair and I cut my bangs. They are long enough still tuck them if needed. I either wet them in the morning and apply gel. with this method I usually do side bangs.
For front bangs I braid my bangs in two braids and roll the hair. in the morning i separate the curls until I have the look I want.
April 18th, 2011 at 5:18 pm
I have 3c curly hair and I have bangs. I think my hair looks better without them and the hair is kind of short so it sticks up sometimes, but a nice gel should be able to keep it under control if you do decide on bangs.
April 18th, 2011 at 8:09 pm
my curly hair type is 3b and i have side swept bangs, but my hair texture changed when my bangs are wet to a curly hair type 3a.
May 7th, 2011 at 2:39 pm
I disagree–you definitely CAN have bangs! I do, and I’m also a 3b. I mostly do side-swept, but I can do straight across on occasion, too, when they cooperate.
Either way, I keep the curls and don’t straighten them. I have the bangs layered a bit, so when they’re off to the side, they layer and frame my face better.
Also, using a small duck-bill clip (not the large, long ones) clipped at the bottom and off to the side while your hair is drying will keep your bangs sideswept.
I have pics on my website–www.christacannon.com–if you wanted to see. I don’t think I have any up there of bangs straight across, though.
May 7th, 2011 at 2:48 pm
I section my hair and use a round brush to blow dry my bangs. The rest air dries curly. What I don’t like, though, is that I end up with an odd looking half dry/half wet look. Any tips?
June 3rd, 2011 at 7:07 pm
I have 3a/b hair with side-swept bangs. I’ve had them for 5 years, and I get a lot of compliments on them. They’re really healthy looking even though I straighten them. They grow fast too. I think it makes for a great style on us curly girls.
June 20th, 2011 at 12:37 pm
You could also buy high quality clip on bangs. If they’re good enough quality, even real hair, and the right color, it’ll look like your own hair.
June 30th, 2011 at 9:26 am
the person who commented about when hair is wet bob i penning and letting it dry. this works. Just how if you want more ringlets twisting the hair in small sections like a rope then curl up around you finger hold then let go no friz perfect ringlet
August 3rd, 2011 at 1:46 pm
i have long 3a hair and i got bangs and there fabulous, you style them just like you do the rest of your hair.
August 11th, 2011 at 11:19 pm
i have 3b hair, and through accident, i actually have side bangs- most of the time i like them, except when they get too long and sometimes they stick up awkwardly. the main thing is to take extra care of them because they are easily damaged by keeping them hydrated and styled- when mine get frizzy i put them in pin curls to bring back their spring
April 20th, 2012 at 2:32 pm
I have super curly hair especially around my face. I do have bangs though and have for years without heat damage. I swipe downwards on my bangs in the morning with a thin flat iron. I also make sure that when my hair is air drying (I never blow dry) I comb them flat down my forehead to dry and add some gel or mousse also. They sort of dry in place already and only need a small touch up with the hot iron. Hope this helps
October 10th, 2012 at 11:18 pm
I think whether or not curly bangs will work for you depends on the thickness and texture of your curls. I have what each and every one of my stylists has referred to as an ‘overabundance’ of hair-it’s a combination of 3B and 3A depending on which part of my head we’re talking about (wild, WILD hair-Scandanavian Mom, Jamaican Dad). From what I know, curly bangs have always been a no-no. However, I have long and short layers AND bangs-CURLY bangs. Heavy curly bangs. And it’s awesome. I get compliments just on my hair on a daily basis-not an exaggeration. I never really thought it was a possibility just cause, you know, with hair this curly, bangs don’t seem logical… I do, however, have extremely soft, fine hair despite having a TON of it which I think could be an advantage where bangs are concerned. Definitely with oodelally3 on the not straightening them and having layers.
Only combing my hair in the shower and using Moroccan Oil are essential parts of my routine. Smoothing the oil through my hair with my fingers alone isn’t really an option because I have so much hair, so I do half oil/half water in a spray bottle and spritz it evenly over my hair, smoothing it at the ends… let air dry-blow dry with a diffuser if I’m in a hurry…
December 11th, 2012 at 3:11 pm
Odd answer considering I just looked at Ouidad’s website and one of the models featured in the tight curls section has bangs.
January 9th, 2013 at 7:08 pm
I have 3b hair in the front and I have side bangs sooo…..