The French Use This Equation to Determine If You Should Get Bangs

By Laura Solla

September 19, 2024

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On my last trip to Paris, I noticed that many of the city’s most stylish residents were sporting flattering curtain fringes. Some had long, straight manes, à la Jane Birkin or Françoise Hardy; others had shorter, layered hair, like Catherine Deneuve or Brigitte Bardot, but they all shared one thing in common—bangs, and that of the curtain variety.

A classic fringe that reflects the effortless French style, it’s no wonder that it is also one of the most requested haircuts at the city’s salons. There’s a reason it’s so popular—it’s flattering on most face shapes, easy to style, and low maintenance too.

What types of face shapes work best with bangs?

In Franche, hairstylists use this rule about which types of faces are best suited to fringes. Oval faces can get away with almost anything, but other tips can help you determine whether a fringe is right for you, regardless of face shape. One of the best-known tricks, which has recently gained popularity on TikTok, relies on taking a good look at your face and jotting down some numbers:

1. First, measure the height of your forehead with your fingers, one on top of the other. If your forehead is three fingers high, write down a 1. Four fingers, a 2, and if you can fit five fingers, then a 3.
2. Next, determine which part of your face is widest. If it’s your forehead, write down a 1; your cheeks, a 2; and if it’s your chin, a 3.
3. Finally, check whether the distance between your eyebrows is larger or smaller than the width of one of your eyes. If it’s larger, write down 1, if smaller, 2.

After those three steps, you’ll have a three-digit number. Here’s what they mean:

• If the number for your face is 111, 121, 221, or 231, a fringe might not be for you.
• If your sequence of numbers is 222, 321, 312, 212, or 322, a fringe could work with your face.
• If your number is 131, 112, 122, 132, 232, 311, 331, or 332, a curtain fringe is perfect for you.

What haircuts work well with bangs?

As mentioned, the curtain fringe is probably the most flattering of styles, plus it’s an easy way to make the face look more youthful. Super versatile, it looks great with loose hair and when it’s pulled up into ponytails and other up-dos. However, a layered cut works best with curtain bangs, because when you combine them you quickly notice movement, body, and volume, no matter its length or texture. If you have fine hair, long layers add volume; with thick hair, inner or “invisible” layers help bring that same volume under control. A layePopular Hairstyles | Trending hairstyles | Short hairstyles | Long hairstyles | Curly hairstyles | Braided hairstyles | Bob haircut | Pixie cut ideas | Easy hairstyles | Natural hairstyles | Summer hairstyles | Fall hairstyles | Wedding hairstyles | Prom hairstyles | Celebrity hairstyles | Retro hairstyles | Layered haircut | Shag haircut | Haircuts for round faces | Haircuts for oval faces | Haircuts for square faces | Short hairstyles | Long hairstyles | Curly hairstyles | Braided hairstyles | Bob haircut | Pixie cut ideas | Easy hairstyles | Natural hairstyles | Summer hairstyles | Fall hairstyles | Wedding hairstyles | Prom hairstyles | Celebrity hairstyles | Retro hairstyles | Layered haircut | Shag haircut | Haircuts for round faces | Haircuts for oval faces | Haircuts for square faces | Popular Hairstyles | Trending hairstyles |