Who knew posting one little picture on instagram with Clara would start a tell-me-more-about-the-bangs frenzy? You guys are a curious bunch, demanding a post about my hair. Haha. There were even conspiracy theories that they weren’t real and I was pulling a Kim K on you guys by flipping my ponytail and faking them. Hilarious! But they are in fact real. Can’t say the same thing about my chest (just kidding). I just got off the sofa on Saturday afternoon, walked into the bathroom and cut them, came back out and sat on the sofa, and waited for John and Clara to notice. They seemed not to mind them (in fact John said they made me look “young and hot” so I’ll take it) and they do very conveniently cover my forehead wrinkles. So… score!
Because I cut them in the bathroom mirror all by myself, they’re definitely not perfect, but they seem to pass as actual bangs in real life, as opposed to looking like a child who took the kitchen scissors to her head. And since many (many) of you guys demanded a tutorial, here she blows.
I guess we should call this the sister post to the how-I-cut-John’s-hair post that I shared here. It’s pretty straightforward so quite honestly the most awkward part was getting these photos taken. Gah, I’m terrible at posing for John. So it went something like this:
John: click, click, click, “Do you need anything else?”
Me: “Ahh, this is stupid. Nevermind! We’re done.”
John: “What? I only took three photos? You sure?”
Me: “Ok, what about one like this? Ahh, too close. Back up! back up! Maybe we need to buy a lens to make my face artfully blurry.”
John: “Um… ok. So we’re done?”
As for the actual tutorial, it goes like this:
All I did was pull the hair in front that I thought should be bangs (which made a soft curved shape at the crown) forward and then I pulled the rest of my hair back into a ponytail to keep it out of the way. My hair might look ambiguously wet/dry in the picture above, but it’s fully dry.
Which leads us to step 2…
I looked up a few pictures on google of people with blunt bangs just to notice where they stopped. The ones I liked most sort of grazed the eyelashes (good thing I looked since my first instinct would have been to cut them above my eyebrows- eeks!). Then I cut them dry while looking in the mirror with the part of hair that I sectioned out just flopping in front of my face. Cutting them dry is key for me since wet hair can look heavier and longer and then dry and shrink up, thereby ruining your life. Well, that’s a little dramatic, but it can definitely pull a fast one on you, so dry hair seems to work best for ending up with bangs at the actual intended length.
Then I dipped my head into the sink to get my bangs all wet and used a blow-dryer to blow them dry in front of my face. This was helpful because after I dried them a few long stragglers stuck out and I snipped them straight across for a more blunt look. I have a ridiculous cowlick, so I’m trying not to be a crazy about how they fall. Although in this instagram picture there was a funny comb-over effect going on since a few from the other side of my head danced over to that side (hence those few guesses that this was a bang hoax I guess, haha).
Thanks to the aforementioned cowlick, sometimes I pull them apart like this. Just if it’s humid and they’re being wonky. Sorry about this bad self portrait, I was past the point of embarrassment after posing for John, seeing the pictures he took, deleting them in horror, and telling him to back out of the room slowly while whispering “it’s not your fault this is just so awkwaaaard.”
I can still pin them all back with two tiny bobby pins and rock my regular old pony (which I did last night for the Austin signing since it was crazy rainy and my hair + humidity = Frizz-fest 2013). So I guess I get three looks from this little snip-fest: 1) blunt bangs, 2)parted bangs, and 3) no bangs at all thanks to Mrs Bobby and her friend Pins.
Anyway, I hope this quick little tutorial helps someone out there save some money on a bang trim or something. Or just gives you all a good laugh at how uncomfortable capturing these photos actually was for me. It might sound crazy but I’m used to taking pictures of the house, not my mug. So it took me right back to high school yearbook photos and I was all clammy and weird about it. Seriously I didn’t know where to look, how to smile, it was a mess. Anyone else tackling some DIY haircuts at home? Or rocking some freshly shorn bangs? Tell $herdog all about it.
Stephanie Nelson says
Bangs are great on you! Have you had them before? They bring out your big blue eyes! :)
Are the signings tonight and tomorrow like Austin? Where you have to buy the book to have it signed? It is hot in Florida right now! Hope you enjoy it!
YoungHouseLove says
I had more wispy bangs a few times but this is my first time with heavy blunt ones. As for the signings tonight and tomorrow, each store has a different policy so if they say to call them to RSVP, I definitely would to see what they require/recommend. So excited to be in hot Florida!!
xo
s
Lindsey @ arkadian belle woods says
WHOA! Hot Mama! Sherdawg these bangs are all you! They look so perfect with your face! I wish I could pull it off!
Frannie says
I did the same thing a day before I saw this on Instagram :) I needed a change. Yours are a bit heavier than mine, so I may need to pic up some scissors again. I have that same crazy cowlick on the same side!
Kathryn says
I’ve cut my own hair since I was 14 (now in my 30s). I’ve heard rumours that some women see going to the salon as a lovely bit of pampering, but for me the idea of having to sit trapped in a chair making small talk to a complete stranger that I have to pay at the end of it is my nightmare!
Jackie says
With the cowlick, it’s very important to cut them dry as the cowlick bounces back when dry. Also when you have them down all across, the cowlick still may cause a part. That won’t change ever. My hubby is finally rid of his cowlick, the hairline has receded enough :-)) looks awesome!!!
Tammy says
You look adorable! It took me years to grow out my bangs, and with seriously naturally curly hair I’m not in any hurry to go back, but maybe one day.
In other news, I just saw on another blog today that West Elm has a white ceramic inch worm! How long before you start Clara’s collection with it? http://www.westelm.com/products/ceramic-inch-worm-d492/?pkey=call-new&cm_src=all-new%7C%7CNoFacet-_-NoFacet-_–_-
YoungHouseLove says
Love it!!
xo,
s
Melanie says
Finally! I am not the only one to cut my bangs and to think, this is awesome, it hides my forehead wrinkles!
When I tell that to people however, they seem to want to see what is under the bangs… :-)
Joy says
Thanks for the tutorial! I’ve been thinking about getting bangs for so long and am afraid they wouldn’t look good because I, too, have a cowlick. But you make them look so good!
You are seriously gorgeous! You looked great before and I love this change as well.
Jenn says
Looks great!! I just got bangs for the first time ever about 2 months ago. I too had a cowlick but it just needs to be trained a few times washed and blow dry straight down they should be good to go!!
Michele says
Cuuuuute! I was definitely the victim of a wet bang trim in elementary school. My mom was the culprit, and the result was crazy high and severely crooked bangs. She never got near me with scissors again. :)
Jen D. says
WAAA! You guys are in my neck of the woods but we are all down for the count with the crud. So I will wish you well from afar, and if you get a hankering for Italian while you are there go hit up Spris.
Oh, and I love the new style. Bangs definitely suit you!
YoungHouseLove says
Aw thanks! Feel better soon!
xo,
s
Melissa Mitchell says
http://tinypic.com/r/34gkkux/6
See attached timeline of my bangs (hope you get as much of a kick out of it as I did)- they have gone through SEVERAL phases. When I initially reincarneted the bang look in my 20’s, I decided to try for the whole “wet cut” approach, which had to be “assisted” by a hair dresser and resulted in waaaaay too short of a set of bangs. Yikes.
I eventually figured out how to cut them correctly myself (damp- and I hold my bangs straight up, helps them blend easier, depending on how I want them to fall) and varied between wearing them to the side if they were longer, or going for the full-monty and cutting them straight across. They grow so fast, that within the year (aka now) they’re basically grown out. But I may get brave again…
Bangs are the ultimate in DIY in terms of putting a new look on the same ol’ ‘do! I sometimes get frustrated with keeping up with how fast they grow, but it just gives more opportunity for change! And I also did it for the forehead coverage (ha).
YoungHouseLove says
Hahaha!
xo,
s
Emma says
This look is so good for you! I really love that first photo…it’s so cute.
I tried cutting my bangs once…while they were wet. You really weren’t being overdramatic about the “ruining your life” part, haha!
gemma@thesweetestdigs says
Love them!! You look fab (as usual), Sherry. I have had blunt bangs and then side wispy bangs (when they grow out a bit) for the last couple of years and love them! Definitely adds some interest to the regular ponytail/bun situation.
I also recently went dark, which was a huge change – I had been blond for over 10 yrs!: http://thesweetestdigs.com/2012/11/20/when-to-hire-a-professional/
Jen says
I love bangs; yours look great!! I have a cowlick too, and my stylist taught me a great trick for taming my bangs. When you blow dry your bangs, use your fingers to brush them all the way to your left temple for about 10 seconds, and then use your fingers to brush them all the way to your right temple for about 10 seconds.Don;t hold them there, just brush them. Like running your fingers through your hair. Then they’ll fall straight. No more lumpy cowlick!
Nicole @ Liberty Belles says
I have to give you a lot of credit for giving yourself bangs. I don’t even have the guts to get them cut in a salon…I’m SO nervous I’ll hate them and be stuck with the task of growing them out immediately. Not quite ready for Nicole circa 7th grade again :)
Krystle Clark says
LOVE!!!! I too just braved the bangs front and I love them. something different and to me, makes me have a bit of sass that I didn’t feel I had before. Great job!! You’re much braver than me to do it yourself!
Gina says
Nice! Now if you will please provide earring info on those adorable studs you have in, my curiosity will be satiated!
YoungHouseLove says
Someone found the etsy link and shared it back in the comments :)
xo,
s
Jamie says
Now you’ve got me thinking…I haven’t worn bangs since I was 9 years old, my hair is long and super straight and just parts in the middle, and the most I do to it is put it in a bun. But maybe I could pull off something more dramatic? The bangs look fantastic on you.
Andrea says
I want bangs but I’m too chicken!
Tara says
Your new bangs really bring out your eyes. Love them!! I have bangs…they hide my forehead wrinkles (which you don’t have). But as you age you can think of bangs as the poor woman’s botox.
Melody says
I’m always trimming my bangs, but reading this post leads me to believe that being a bit more methodical (as you were)works best!
jillian says
Your bangs look amazing – great job cutting them! Can’t wait to see them when you come to Atlanta :D
Gabriella @ Our Life In Action says
OMG!!! I totally thought those were “fake bangs”. You look georgeous as always! :-D
Sayward says
TOTALLY young and hot. I toy with cutting bangs all the time – I’d totally just do my own too. But I have the Tyra Banks fivehead and my hair is naturally fine and curly. To get them chunky enough they’d have to start WAY back. And I’d have to straighten them like nine times a day. I’m excited for you and your bangability! (wait…)
Cassidy says
Love the bangs! You look so cute!!
Michelle Kersey says
You’re so adorable it’s insane. I’ve only had bangs in 1997…. And I guess in 2006ish when I went suuuuuper short all over. I go the none commitment route now and do faux bangs by pining some sideswept goodness and using a bobby pin to secure it under my hair so the rest blends in. Looks really cute when I feel like having them ;)
Andrea L says
Being someone who has curly hair and once had someone cut my hair wet (this was when I was young and naive and didnt know to stop them) you are not being dramatic. Your life can be ruined by cutting your hair wet. Just ask my 13 year old self and that hideous picture which still haunts me.
julie s says
I love the bangs! I found that when I first got my bangs cut that mine would also separate where I had previously parted my hair when I didn’t have bangs. It seemed to work itself out after several months!
julie s says
I also meant to say that in addition to hiding wrinkles, bangs also allow for some laziness in the eyebrow grooming department!
J+H @ Beyond The Stoop says
looks great! bangs are so awesome because you’re right, you can always pin them back and keep them outta-yo-face when you want them to be outta-yo-face.
Ashley Keller says
You look like Rachel McAdams…. and shes gorgeous! ;)
Erica says
I like your hair in a bun. Even better than the ponytail.Definitely rock that more.
The bangs look great
I have a crazy cowlick. When I blowdry my bangs I use a brush and keep pulling the hair in the opposite direction of the cowlick . My bangs always sit right after that.
Lizzie says
I love the bangs!!!
I didn’t read through all of the comments, so I don’t know if this has been said…. But I have crazy cowlicks too and the best way to get my bangs to behave all day (barring rain) is to blow dry them on low while brushing them piece by piece across one side of your forehead until they are all one direction then do the same thing the opposite way. It kind of confuses your hair to do whatever you want in the end even if it means laying straight down on your forehead. I hope that description makes Any sense!
Erika m says
I love the bangs…not that you didn’t look great before but I agree that it does make you look younger and since you prefer a ponytail I think it gives your face some shape and defines your eyes while your hair is up.
Allison says
The bangs look great!! So stylish :)
And I, like about 100 others, LOVE the earrings. Now that I just found/bought them, I’ll share with everyone else! The Etsy shop is JewelofaGirl and the earrings are called “Delicate simple everyday alhambra ivory clover earrings.” Good luck!
Katie says
I LOVE your bangs and I am SUPER jealous. My husband has always liked bangs, but insists that they look better on brunettes with shiny hair (aka YOU not me). I have what used to be curly and now is just frizzy and big hair, but I would kill for some rockin’ bangs like yours. Way to go!
Christina P (NS) says
Gorgeous – they totally suit you!
Amanda says
I’ve been dying to cut some bags lately and you’re totally inspiring me. My husband may come home to a whole new look tonight! :) I worry about bangs on me, though, because I feel like they’d always end up a greasy mess – the humidity here in Texas isn’t exactly bang-friendly in the summers.
I loooove how they look on you! You definitely were meant for bangs!
Krystal says
This brings me back to middle school when my best friend asked me to give her bangs (I had already cut a few of my other friends’ hair before doing so). I went to take the first snip and she flinched, resulting in me cutting off almost all her hair on the left side. It was tragic. For her. I laughed hysterically.
Julie says
Oh my goodness, $herdog, I read this post just before taking my shower. And, well, I am now sporting some bangs myself! It has been probably 12 years since I had bangs. LOL. I went through the panic stage, the love them stage, the panic stage, and am now in the I think I like them stage. The true test of if I love them will be seeing what my hubby thinks (and since he loves me and could care less what my hair looks like, I think we’ll settle on digging the new look).
Katie says
LOVE THEM!! they look great on you! really, very hot!
i’m in the process of growing mine out. b/c you need to trim them quite often or risk getting impaled in the eye my hair dresser taught me a little trick so i could do it myself…you did all her steps but the last she had me do is cut up into very ends of my bangs with the scissors held vertically…do it a wee bit and once you see what it does you can do more if you want. makes them not so perfect and gives them a bit of texture. just watch out b/c you’ll get tons of tiny hair bits in your eyes. (i would lean over the sink so my bangs fell forward and then just start snipping away until i liked it)
i use this same thing on my daughter’s bangs and my even the ends of my sons hair when i cut theirs.
Tracie says
What’s up, Amanda Peet? (You totally look like her now). I think the bangs really suit you. I lie to myself about how frizzy my hair can get and try them out every few years, but yours look great.
Lindsey says
LOVE! The bangs really suit you! I haven’t had bangs since I gave myself self a less-than-stellar haircut in our closet pantry when I was five (I blamed my brother, who was 3 at the time, and he actually took the blame! What a good brother :) ) I’ve wanted to try them out again some 20 years later, but I’ve been too nervous! Your post has given me a bit more confidence to go for it!
Diana says
You look great with blunt bangs! Do you think you will keep them for a long time? They are a pain to grow out :-).
I just got a big haircut last week! I have had hair that was inches below my shoulders for a long time, and I just had it all hacked off into a Ginnifer Goodwin-esque pixie and donated it to Locks of Love! I love it so much and it is so easy! But I went to a super awesome stylist for that one; attempting that at home would have been bad news bears.
YoungHouseLove says
Not sure how long they’ll last but since they’re easy to Pom back I’ll just do that whenever I grow them out :)
xo,
s
Katie says
oh, and b/c i do annoying so well…another trick i picked up to help with my cowlick after i blew them out with a flat brush i would then slide a wide cloth headband down on top of them to keep the cowlick in line. the headband along with the heat from the blow dryer did an amazingly good gob of keeping them straight…all day long.
Jenn Corazzo says
Love it! I recently did a whole bang up job as well! A few tips when cutting them- layer it up a bit. divide your bangs into two ‘rows’ and cut the top a smidge shorter so they curl under organically. Point the scissors up when you cut, it will give you a choppy look. Finally- you can grab all your bangs and twist them and cut straight, this will give you an even look that fades on the sides.
ALSO…I use bumble to bumble beach spray on mine everymorning, they never move! I made my own here since a bottle runs around $20 #cheapoforlife ! http://www.jennblogshere.com/2012/11/pouf-magic-dragon.html
YoungHouseLove says
Great tips everyone! Thanks for sharing!
xo,
s
Katherine Victoria says
So bold to cut bangs, but i LOVE them . You really pull it off Sherry – can’t wait to see more pics.
Caryn says
I’m panicking! Books & Books in Miami said that I have to buy my book to be signed there tonight, yet I got my book as a present months ago! Can I bring my own book in? (how many times can I type the word book??) p.s. love the bangs!
YoungHouseLove says
Every event has a different policy so if that’s their rule maybe get another one from them for us to sign and ebay or amazon your original one (we hear used ones in good shape go for almost as much as new ones). Or you can just come for the free talk (no need to buy anything for that). Hope it helps!
xo,
s
Kim @ Yellow Brick Home says
Yeah, BANGS!
I have bangs too (have had them on and off my whole life – sometimes side swept, sometimes super short and sometimes long and wispy), and last summer I went for the full blown Zooey D blunt bangs. I’m always surprised when girls stop me on the street/coffee shops/restaurants and say, “I would do anything for bangs like yours, but I just can’t do it…”
So, YAY for going for it!
Susanna says
It’s SO cute! I’ve been meaning to tell you that your tutorial on how you cut John’s hair gave me the courage to cut my own husband’s hair and it’s been going great! My hubby’s in the military so you can imagine how often he has to have his hair cut (plus it doesn’t help that his hair grows like WEEDS, weeds I tell you). So we’re saving some moolah! If I remember correctly, you say you trim your own hair? If so, could you please (pretty please) do a tutorial on it?? Thanks for all inspiration you provide!
YoungHouseLove says
I’ll have to take pics the next time I do!
xo,
s