The Gist
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Birkin bangs—originally made iconic by Jane Birkin—are back in fashion, thanks to celebrities like Dakota Johnson and general renewed interest in effortless, Parisian-inspired beauty.
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The look is defined by soft, wispy, slightly blunt bangs that can be tailored to different hair types, face shapes, and styling preferences.
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While they seem low-maintenance, Birkin bangs still require regular trims and light styling to keep their signature airy, face-framing effect.
In terms of style, Jane Birkin is most notably associated with the iconic Hermès bag that shares her surname, but her influence on fashion—and beauty—extends far beyond the luxury tote . She's practically the foremother of the quiet luxury trend, but if your budget doesn't account for high-ticket clothes and accessories, you can still translate her low-maintenance style with her signature haircut, now known as the Birkin bang.
This particular fringe bang , which is synonymous with Birkin's British-turned-Parisian aesthetic, is having another major moment, fueled by a mix of nostalgia and modern reinterpretation. "I believe the resurgence of this style of bangs has much to do with the world's obsession with Wednesday star Jenna Ortega, who rocks the look," says Castillo Bataille, hairstylist and Matrix brand ambassador. "Her character in the show and real life is a vibe and energy we all want to have."
Meet Our Expert
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Castillo Bataille , a celebrity hairstylist and Matrix brand ambassador
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Jae-Manuel Cardenas , senior stylist at Sally Hershberger NoMad
Ortega isn't the only A-list trend-setter that's experimenting with the blunt-yet-wispy look. Renditions of the Birkin bang have also been sported by stars like Anne Hathaway and Dakota Johnson, the latter of which has stuck to the look for quite some time. "Dakota Johnson has been the ultimate poster child for the Birkin bang, pairing them with her effortless style. For me, [that combo] is a chef's kiss," says Jae-Manuel Cardenas, senior stylist at Sally Hershberger NoMad.
Already convinced that you want to try out this Birkin bangs? Here's what you need to know.
What Are Birkin Bangs!
Jane's signature bangs style was "a short, blunt style that landed just above the brows with thinner ends," says Bataille. "My favorite thing about these bangs is that they require less hair than normal blunt bangs."
While the newer take isn't as short and pronounced as Birkin's original thick-to-fringe gradient, the concept of having blunt, wispy ends remains. Another upside: "This technique leaves more texture and dimension around the face," he says.
Birkin Bangs Today
While the original Birkin bang was all about a perfectly imperfect, brow-grazing fringe, modern-day renditions are a little more relaxed. Current takes on the style lean softer and longer, often skimming the lashes rather than sitting strictly above the brows. The bluntness is still there, but it's diffused with airy, feathered ends that feel less "done" and more lived-in.
What's driving the current revival is how adaptable the look has become. Instead of a one-size-fits-all cut, stylists are tailoring Birkin bangs to suit different face shapes, hair densities, and styling preferences. For some, that means a slightly parted fringe that blends into face-framing layers; for others, it's a fuller bang with just enough separation to keep it from feeling heavy.
Who Should Try Them
"This style works well with those that have thin, straight hair. That doesn't mean all other textures are out! These bangs can be cut into any texture. The final look will still give the same effect and vibe," says Bataille.
If you're getting bangs cut from scratch, it's always best to go a tad longer than you think you need to make sure the hair doesn't bounce up too much — then have your stylist cut more as needed.
What to Ask Your Stylist
As with any new hairstyle or cut, "it's best to bring in a photo reference of someone with a similar face shape and hair texture to yours wearing the style that you want," says Cardenas. "This helps make sure you and your hairstylist are on the same page."
Your stylist should know what to do from there, but when they're talking you through the process, you can "ask them to thin out the ends a bit. Also, ask not to open up the face too much," says Bataille. "The idea is to keep the bang area tight and flirty to the face — this bang style is a bit different from a normal blunt bang. The width of these bangs should stay fairly tight to the eyes and brows, and the ends should be thin and wispy."
How to Style Birkin Bangs
"Style these bangs with a round brush and a ping-pong size amount of Matrix Setter Mousse . The hold will keep these bangs in place with a natural, carefree finish," says Bataille.
It's also important to maintain the wispiness of the look as Jane did: "Make sure not your bangs aren't styled too round or 'bubbly' — you want them to be on the straighter side. Otherwise it would feel like a different bang," adds Cardenas.
To achieve that coveted piece-y style that characterizes the look, try Sally Hershberger 24K Superiority Complex Texturizing Paste . On days when your hair and face feel extra oily or you're skipping a wash, keep an oil-absorbing product handy like Living Proof Perfect hair Day Advanced Clean Dry Shampoo .
What Maintenance Is Like
Though Birkin bangs may look effortless, keep in mind that all bangs do require a bit of extra work to be styled daily to get them to look the way you want them to. However, the payoff is worth it: "Birkin bangs, when done correctly, can totally transform your face with the right shape," says Cardenas.
Maintenance will also include "a regular bang trim every few weeks to keep them at the perfect length," adds Cardenas. Luckily, when you're ready to grow them out, this style makes the process easy. "These bangs are cut using a smaller guideline with less weight at the ends, making them easier to grow out than other bang styles," says Bataille. "They simply blend back into the hair in the future."
Read the original article on InStyle
