Why Zendaya, Dakota Johnson and More Are Busting Out The Baby Bangs

Move over, curtain bangs—there's a new celebrity-loved fringe trend in town. Well, OK, that might be a bit of hairstyle hyperbole. It's not actually new, but after several years of long, coquettish curtain-esque fringe à la Sabrina Carpenter dominating the convo, we've noticed a shift in how stars are snipping (or clipping) their bangs. (Re)enter the baby bang, which is experiencing an exciting red carpet resurgence. Stars like Florence Pugh, Ayo Edebiri, Zendaya, Zoë Kravitz, and Dakota Johnson have all experimented with the fringe style, for periods both long and, well, short.

Much like the return to bold lip color, the baby bang trend could be a sign of the trend pendulum swinging back to higher-maintenance or more statement-making glam. We've been all about low-key, minimal and “effortless” hair and makeup in the past half-decade, so it's only natural that the next phase would be something more effortful and impactful—like, say, short bangs that bare the brow and a significant portion of forehead real estate.

“I think people are wearing baby bangs right now as a reaction to the ‘lived-in’ trend,” says Austin-based celebrity hairstylist Charles Love. “Baby bangs make a statement and if you’re using a clip-in to create a look, it’s totally noncommittal—so why not?”

Franck Izquierdo, co-founder of IGK, agrees. “For a few years everything was about the lazy-girl or lived-in look: long layers, curtain bangs, hair that looks like you didn't try,” he says. “Baby bangs are the opposite. It's a move from low-maintenance to intentional, where people want their hair to have a point of view again.”

But what actually is a baby bang, and how does it differ from the ultra-short micro bang? As Love explains, a baby bang is typically cut one to two inches above the brow, with the texture giving it “more specific personality.” Baby bangs can be blunt, wispy, choppy, piecey, or a combination of any and all—whatever works with your hair texture and face shape. Though the two terms are often used interchangeably, think of micro bangs as fringe cut close to the hairline with a rougher, more defined punky texture, says Love.

Shorter fringe has a “pow” factor that ups the drama, which is why they're such a mainstay on the red carpet. “They create an immediate disruption. You can take a beautiful, classic haircut, introduce a short fringe, and suddenly it has an entirely different energy,” says Adam Federico, hairstylist and vice president of creative development at R+Co. “There’s something both innocent and rebellious about them.” Federico calls the baby bang trend “a return to intentional haircutting with less reliance on styling and more emphasis on the actual shape—that beautiful intersection of precision, individuality, and rebellion."

It's a role they've held proudly for decades. Audrey Hepburn's short '50s fringe—which plays a pivotal role in her movie Roman Holiday—helped bring the baby bang to the mainstream, notes Antoinette Beenders, hairstylist and senior vice president of global artistry at Aveda. Izquierdo cites Bettie Page as another pioneer of the baby bang trend, with her vixenish fringe that still spawns tons of rockabilly copycats today. The shorter style also popped up during the mod ’60s, the punk ’80s, and the cool-grunge '90s. “For me, baby bangs coming back is a good sign,” Izquierdo says. “It means people are ready to have fun with hair again.”

Obviously celebrities wear lots of wigs and hair pieces, so many of them don't fully take the plunge and actually cut baby bangs, but that's all part of the impactful nature of this short, funky fringe. Clip-in bangs give you the opportunity to change up your look for a night out (or a regular-degular Tuesday) with a little strategic pinning. “It's the fastest way to change your whole look without touching the rest of your hair,” Izquierdo shares. “One small piece and suddenly the face reads totally different: more fashion, more editorial. And with clip-ins, there's zero commitment. You get the drama for one night and take it out the next morning.” Beenders likes the juxtaposition of a classic, polished updo with slightly imperfect short bangs, similar to Pugh's look at a recent Jaguar event.

Clip-ins are a great way to play and experiment, but if you're into the short fringe look and want to make it a more permanent part of your aesthetic, Beenders suggests placing your hand horizontally over your forehead and moving it up and down to see which length looks best on you; she notes that baby bangs have an elongating effect to the face, which might be another reason they're so popular.

Jennifer Lawrence and Dakota Johnson's fringe, which is a teeny bit longer than what one might consider a typical baby bang, could be a good beginner-friendly option for anyone experiencing a bit of fringe-related cold feet. Izquierdo calls them “the bridge between a classic fringe and a baby bang” with a “cool, slightly French, '60s feeling” that is a little easier to style, not to mention sweep to the side when you need a break from your bangs. “If you're curious about baby bangs but nervous, start [with that longer length]. You can always go shorter next time.” Maintain your short bangs with regular trims; Federico recommends every three to four weeks, “because a few millimeters really change everything with a bang this short.”

Baby bangs can do a lot of heavy lifting with your hairstyle, even if you're not walking the red carpet at this premiere or that awards show. “Baby bangs are a statement of courage and bravery,” says Love. “They say ‘Look me in the eyes. I am here.’”

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