Bangs have long occupied a curious space in the beauty sphere. Equal parts transformative and polarising, they have been cast in media as everything from a desperate cry for help to a life-changing hair evolution. Despite their divisive reputation, one thing’s for certain: fringe season is here. From Greta Lee’s short and sleek fringe to Clairo’s “broken bangs”, the once daunting haircut has reclaimed its spot as the season’s defining hair statement.
View this post on Instagram
Naturally, the temptation to reach for the scissors has never been stronger. But in Singapore, bangs come with their own set of challenges. Within hours of stepping outside, soaring humidity can transform once-fluffy, perfectly set bangs into a limp, piecey mess.
Few understand this better than professional make-up and hairstylist Alison Tay. As a devoted wearer of bangs, Tay has spent years navigating Singapore’s unforgiving climate. “Any fringe will be affected by heat, humidity and sweat,” she remarks. But surprisingly, what has helped her is going even shorter. “Because baby bangs are shorter and lighter than traditional fringes, they tend to dry faster and are less likely to stick heavily to the forehead,” Tay explains.
While a traditional fringe sits around or below the brow level, Tay says baby bangs land somewhere between the extremely short micro and longer curtain bangs—typically above the eyebrows. “They can be soft, blunt, textured or wispy and often give off a vintage-inspired style,” she adds.
Could baby bangs be the most climate-proof way to wear a fringe yet? Ahead, Tay shares her insights alongside her foolproof routine that will keep them fresh and perky all summer long.
The fringe benefits of baby bangs
For Tay, baby bangs have proven to be the most pragmatic fringe option. “As someone who wears baby bangs, I find them surprisingly practical in Singapore’s climate,” she says. While they do puff up or curl slightly upon skin contact throughout the day, Tay finds that baby bangs are still the easiest fringe style to manage overall. “A quick morning touch-up and a little dry shampoo usually keep them looking fresh,” she adds.
View this post on Instagram
Despite their forehead-exposing appearance, Tay finds that baby bangs can work on a myriad of face shapes and hair textures when customised properly. According to Tay, the shorter length of baby bangs also reveals more of the face, drawing attention to the eyes and brows, amongst other facial features.
The bedhead dilemma
Let’s be honest—waking up with bangs is never a pleasant experience. With the way they crease and jut out, bangs practically have a life of their own. Thankfully, a quick spritz of water can tame even the wildest fringe. For Tay, daily washing of bangs is perfectly acceptable, especially in sunny Singapore. “Because the fringe is constantly exposed to oil and sweat from the forehead, keeping them clean helps maintain their shape, volume and overall appearance,” she explains.
After washing, Tay typically blow-dries her fringe downwards so that it doesn’t puff up too much when drying. Next, she goes in with a flat iron to shape her bangs. If you prefer not to use a flat iron, creaseless clips will be your best friends. Put them in while the hair is cooling down to lock in volume and direction. To protect your bangs from humidity, add a touch of anti-frizz and anti-humidity spray. This reduces frizz and keeps them from puffing up by forming a moisture-resistant barrier around each hair strand. Once your fringe is in place, seal it in with some lightweight hairspray with flexible hold.
The great divide (and what to do when it happens)
In Singapore’s heat and humidity, Tay says the biggest challenges are oiliness, loss of volume and frizz. When bangs get weighed down by sweat and oil from contact with the forehead, they can go limp and separate after some time. This is where oil-absorbing products that control humidity without weighing the hair down come in.
To tackle greasy roots, spritz some dry shampoo to absorb excess oil and refresh the hair. Tay says the key is using dry shampoos with a lightweight formula and volume-boosting properties that don’t leave a white residue. “If products leave the hair feeling stiff or powdery, it’s usually too heavy for the fringe area,” she adds.
View this post on Instagram
Don’t forget to mattify your forehead by using oil blotting papers. They’re a warm weather essential for keeping your fringe fresh.
The big bang maintenance
Perhaps the biggest surprise with bangs isn’t styling them—it’s keeping up with the maintenance. “Baby bangs grow surprisingly fast. Since they’re so short, even a few weeks of growth can completely change how they look,” says Tay.
To maintain its signature shape, Tay recommends trimming your fringe every one to two weeks. Ultimately, a lighter touch goes a long way in Singapore’s hot and humid weather. “Less product is often more when it comes to styling baby bangs,” she advises. Overloading them with products can weigh them down, while a minimal approach helps retain movement and shape.
