Whether it’s how to remove fake tan like a pro or apply false lashes with ease, According To A Millennial brings you expert advice, direct from the coolest beauty millennials.
The first time I got a fringe, I didn’t ask for it. I was a teenager, deep in my poker-straight side-fringe stage, and the hairdresser had, for some inexplicable reason, cut my sweeping style into a straight line across my forehead.
I obviously cried: I have a squarish face that was not designed for blunt lines, and I was desperate for my hair to go back to the way it was before.
Fortunately, the second time I got a fringe, there wasn’t a tear in sight. This time, I’d done my research, came armed with a dedicated Pinterest board and put my trust in the best hairdressing hands I could find: Luke Castillo, co-founder of Sixx hair studio in Bristol and curly hair specialist at The Hair Bros in London.
Fringes are everywhere right now. Thanks to fashion’s Seventies revival, they’ve trickled down from the runways to the red carpets and onto our Instagram feeds.
And, this time, curly-haired girls are leading the charge: Yara Shahidi, Zendaya, Rihanna, Natasha Lyonne, Solange… I was not short on inspiration, and I was ready to follow suit.
I’d come to the realisation that it wasn’t that I didn’t suit a fringe – I just didn’t suit a straight fringe. After 15 years, I’d eventually learned that curly hair suits my face shape best, and there was a textured fringe out there for me.
About 30 seconds after I’d briefed Luke, he’d already trimmed a few shoulder-length tendrils to just below my eyebrows – “There’s no going back now,” he told me. And, looking in the mirror, I knew that this time, I didn’t want to go back.
My curly fringe was the perfect refresh: a subtle shift to onlookers that was hugely transformational for me. Low-maintenance, super flattering and easy to incorporate into up-dos (because your hair strands are kept longer than with a straight fringe), it’s a great way to shake up your curly hair.
This is how I went about getting mine…
Step 1: Do your research
First up, find your inspiration. I looked for people with a similar curl pattern to mine and noted how their fringe sat across their face.
From my endless scrolling and consultation with Luke, I realised I wanted a fringe made up of wispy tendrils to flatter my face shape. I also knew I wanted a longer length – I needed the practicality of being able to tie my hair up or braid the fringe back with ease.
Step 2: Ask: will a curly fringe suit me?
I’ll hand things back to Luke for this one: “There are fringe styles that will suit your face shape and hair texture best, but if there’s something you’re set on and you’re able to maintain it, just have fun with your hair.”
He has a point – don’t just pick a fringe because an article tells you to. Go for the vibe that suits your personality and lifestyle best.
Luke adds: “We can be so linear and structured when it comes to hair. Make sure you have a stylist that’s going to be honest. Together, you can come to a happy medium between what you love and what will work for you.”
And my tip, as someone who’s taken the plunge: dip your toe into the fringey waters by faking it at home first.
Take the front section of your hair and twist it until there’s about 3 inches of curls left. Then, pin that twist on top of your head and arrange the tendrils in a kind of fringe – it’ll take a little imagination, and maybe a carefully-placed headband over the twist, but doing this helped me to work out the style I wanted and gave me the confidence to book a salon appointment.
Step 3: Trust the process
So, you’ve picked your style, discussed it with your hairdresser, and you’re in the salon chair… now there’s only one thing for it. Close your eyes (having a pair of scissors snip near your lashes is not the one) and get the chop.
A good hairdresser will cut it a little long to begin with, to make sure you’re happy with the length. They might even cut it dry. That’s the key to a low-maintenance fringe: it has to work with your natural curl pattern, otherwise you’ll forever be playing around with it and it’ll take you an age to get ready in the morning.
Step 4: Style it out
The curly-haired angels out there already know that product is your hair’s best friend. And your fringe is no exception.
“It’s important to know your product regime,” says Luke. “Using gels is a great way to maintain weight to your fringe, as well as add definition and hold.”
I particularly love gel hybrid formulas, which provide added moisture with just one product (so no product build-up).
Imbue Curl Empowering Crème Gel, £6.99, LookFantastic offers all the smoothing benefits of a cream with the definition of a gel, while Miracle Coily Gelled Oil, £18, It’s a 10 offers supreme shine and all-day hold.
I like my fringe to sit fairly uniform, so I curl a few strands around my fingers, let it air dry and… that’s it.
I sometimes use a hairdryer on a low heat setting if I’m in a rush – a diffuser works well here, so you don’t blast your hair and disturb the curl pattern. And always, always use a heat protector to avoid damaging those gentle tendrils: Davines Love Curl Primer, £18, Cult Beauty, is the perfect moisturising formula.
But don’t overthink the styling. It’s important to work with your hair’s natural texture. Luke adds: “Like your hair, your fringe is going to be completely different every day so don’t be so structured into thinking you have to re-style your fringe every day. It might just look best in its most natural state.”
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Step 5: Keep it in check
When you don’t wash your hair every day, learning when and how to re-style your fringe is key. As fringes are shorter than the rest of your hair, they’re more prone to frizz and flyaways. Plus, the extra styling can lead to breakage if you’re not careful. So I’d recommend giving your fringe a little TLC in between wash days.
Every evening, wrap your hair to protect it while you sleep: Kitsch Satin Lined Jersey Sleep Beanie, £19.50, Cult Beauty will keep your fringe from fluffing up in the night.
Come morning, should you need to detangle, spritz with a little leave-in conditioner (such as Pattern Hydrating Mist, £18, Boots) and, if flyaways are an issue, add a teeny tiny touch of oil – Lee Stafford Coco Loco with Agave Shine Oil, £7.99, Boots, is light enough to use near the roots.
Even if you’re really putting off wash day, don’t even think about dry shampoo. Instead, turn to Sam McKnight’s ingenious Lazy Girl Biodegradable Hair Cleanse Cloths, £17, Space NK – they’re basically face wipes for your hair.
Simply wipe over your fringe, paying attention to the roots, for an instant refresh and you’re good to go.
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