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Original poster

Fringe - bad idea?

38 replies

WinterAndRoughWeather · 30/08/2020 03:15

I haven’t had a fringe since I was about eight, but on a whim today I thought I might have one cut.

Is this a terrible idea? I reasoned that if I don’t like it I can grow it out again.

I have a long face and have lost weight this year which has emphasised it, so I think I can carry off a fairly substantial fringe. My hair is a messy, just below chin length bob, and will stay that way otherwise.

Thoughts? Regrets?

OP posts:
pguppgdown · 30/08/2020 03:24

sounds great: go for it

ElizabethMainwaring · 30/08/2020 03:26

Hi. I think we need a picture in order to give our thoughts. Can you post one?

morefun · 30/08/2020 03:28

Yes, a fringe with a longer face can work well. Could go a bit side swept if unsure

Spiderbaby8 · 30/08/2020 05:04

I did find the grow out process really annoying, but it will grow out eventually if you don't like it so might be worth a try. I liked mine ok at the time but probably wouldn't do it again.

youvegottobekidding · 30/08/2020 07:30

I’ve been thinking of doing the same lately, only to hide some lines on my forehead & I can’t afford Botox!

However, my face is very round & I have chubby cheeks and it’s taken me the best part of 2 - 3 years to grow my fringe out so I’m really reluctant to do it. I suppose when the lines on the forehead get worse i’ll have no choice!

Original poster
WinterAndRoughWeather · 30/08/2020 08:35

Oh I don’t know about a picture, I’m extremely famous and it would be terribly outing.

Okay that’s only half true.

Good point about the lines - I’ve been pretty lucky not to have any to speak of so far, but I am starting to see a worrying permanence about my frown line.

I do remember how annoying it was to grow out my fringe when I was a kid, so that is a consideration.

OP posts:
PETRONELLAS · 30/08/2020 08:38

I’m so fringe averse it’s like they’re a rude word tattooed on your face. Isn’t the maintenance awful - getting it to lay right, keeping the length nice. And omg growing it out.
Disclaimer: still scarred from my fringe that started at the back of my head.

Ihopeyourcakeisshit · 30/08/2020 08:41

I had a fringe cut in after many years of fringelessness, I think it makes me look a bit younger. Also cheaper than botox if you are at that age.

Dozer · 30/08/2020 08:46

Upkeep is expensive, unless you do it yourself. took me ages to grow out, 6 months of hair looking odd, had hair cut shorter to help.

allfalldown47 · 30/08/2020 08:54

I took the plunge about a year ago, best hair decision ever!
I cut it myself, it's very thick & blunt, I think wispy half fringes just look greasy, so I knew I wanted a 'proper' fringe.

It can be high maintenance but I rarely wear my hair down and it looks great in a messy bun or high ponytail now, which is so much easier to do every morning.
I actually wash just my fringe most mornings and just run the straighteners through it so it looks perfect!

The biggest bonus is I look so much younger with it, people look shocked when I say how old I am now, so that's a nice bonus Grin

wannabebump · 30/08/2020 09:11

If your hair is straight (or almost straight), I'd say yes go for it. If your hair is wavy or curly then non- it's too much high maintenance

Bella2020 · 30/08/2020 09:22

I've got quite a long face. I've always had a wispy fringe but, post-lockdown, I decided to go a bit more substantial. I love it; it hides the lines on my forehead and also the fact that my eyebrows are becoming sparser by the day!

I just trim it myself as and when I need to. I really do think it helps me look younger.

alicewasahorse · 30/08/2020 09:46

Try using a FaceApp where you can upload a photo and then change hair style, colour, fringe etc. Will give you a better idea of what it'll look like

funtimefrank · 30/08/2020 10:29

I had one last year on a whim. It was ok - made me look really different and younger but my husband and kids hated it.

What I hated was the hair on my face. It made me feel hot and a bit claustrophobic (yes I am odd).

Grew out fairly painlessly but my hair grows very quickly.

Borderstotheleftofme · 30/08/2020 11:50

I have had a fringe a few times but I get frustrated as they hide eyebrows if thick (one of my best features!) but thin, wispy fringes get greasy and nasty looking in no time.
Plus the trimming is a real ball ache and they are a pain to grow out.
But then again, I have a wrinkly forehead which I’m self conscious about which a fringe obviously covers.
I think they do make women look younger.
I’m conflicted.

haba · 30/08/2020 11:51

I've been wondering about cutting one in too. I have a v square jawline though so worried about how harsh a blunt fringe would be. I haven't had a fringe since I was six, when I had a short pageboy cut.

Hardbackwriter · 30/08/2020 11:53

I was very nervous before getting my fringe cut in but I love it and it's been much lower maintenance than I expected. I look back at old photos of me and wonder why I didn't notice that my hair looked rubbish without one.

ForeverRedSkinhead · 30/08/2020 11:53

I agree with pps regarding hair type. If your hair is pin straight and sits beautifully without heat then go for it. If it's wavy , don't do it!

Hardbackwriter · 30/08/2020 11:54

My hair is wavy/curly by the way! I do end up quickly straightening the fringe about half the time but that takes literally seconds.

YouStupidBoy · 30/08/2020 12:07

I have a thick, blunt fringe and love it; I have hair that is neither wavy nor straight and do have to style my fringe, but it doesn't take too long. For sport (daily) or days where I don't want to style my hair as much I just wear a hairband. The rest of my hair is a very short, blunt bob.

Original poster
WinterAndRoughWeather · 30/08/2020 20:12

Some good thoughts here, thanks everyone.

My hair is pretty straight. It’s fine, so it waves a little bit, but only because there’s no weight to it. A fringe would stay straight.

I would go for a brow-covering length, but not quite over the eyes (I remember finding that really annoying when I grew my old fringe out). Sadly I over-plucked my brows in the 90s and they’ve never grown back thick, so I don’t have to worry about hiding them as they’re nothing to show off about.

I definitely want a chunky, substantial fringe, nothing wispy. I do agree that fringes make you look younger, and at 38 I’m starting to feel the need of it. I’d never do Botox or anything like that, and I don’t dye my hair anymore (only a few greys so far though), so a fringe will have to do.

I think I’m going to let my hair grow for another couple of months then go to the hairdresser for a good cut, including fringe. Hooray.

OP posts:
LunaNorth · 30/08/2020 20:16

I’ve had a fringe my whole life (apart from the pixie-cut years).

Love them. Fresh, flattering, interesting, French-girl hair, hide wrinkles and scruffy eyebrows on cba days.

Trifle66 · 30/08/2020 20:34

Go for it! I got one in January of this year. At in my 50's
. I always thought I would not suit one as I have a large nose. But I'm so glad I did. It gave me a new lease of life. I'm getting loads of compliments. I love my new look. If you do get one make sure to blow dry your fringe first.

CharlottesComplicatedWeb · 30/08/2020 20:53

Yep, do it. It’ll grow 😊

gypsywater · 30/08/2020 20:55

Depends where the length of your face is. If its forehead, fringe can be fab. If its chin or mid face, fringes just emphasise the length.