Birkin Bangs Are the French-Girl Haircut of the Moment

Jane Birkins Parisian, effortless aesthetic was the inspiration for an endless number of trends, from her famous wicker basket bags to to high-waisted jeans. But perhaps her most coveted look of all? Her signature wispy bangs. The popularity of Birkin bangs has ebbed and flowed over the years, but were certainly riding the wave right

Jane Birkin’s Parisian, effortless aesthetic was the inspiration for an endless number of trends, from her famous wicker basket bags to to high-waisted jeans. But perhaps her most coveted look of all? Her signature wispy bangs. The popularity of Birkin bangs has ebbed and flowed over the years, but we’re certainly riding the wave right now.

“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."

Another modern-day celeb that has given the Birkin bang a resurgence is Anne Hathaway, who brought them back while paying homage to her character in The Devil Wears Prada after her character gets her makeover. And in recent years, "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 variation of bangs 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 as Birkin's original fringe, the concept of having blunt, wispy ends remains. Another upside: "This technique leaves more texture and dimension around the face,” he says.

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."

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