How to Cut Choppy Bangs

Co-authored by Yan Kandkhorov

Last Updated: February 17, 2022

Choppy bangs are often paired with pixie cuts, but they also look great with other styles, including bobs. They are great for making short foreheads look longer, and round faces appear thinner.^{[1]
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Research source} While most stylists caution against cutting bangs at home, choppy bangs are an exception. Their texture and layers make them very forgiving.

Method 1

Method 1 of 2:

Cutting by Twisting

1
Start with dry hair. This method works the best with pixie cuts, which are already cut randomly to begin with. It is a great beginners method, or for those who are pressed for time.
- Tame flyaways and frizz with smoothing cream, hair oil, or a hair serum. This will help keep the hairs from shifting when you cut them.^{[2]
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  Research source}
2
Separate your bangs from the rest of your hair, if needed. Use the handle of a rat-tail comb to create two angled side parts. Have them span from the arch of one eyebrow to the arch of the other, and meet in a V about 2 inches (5.1 cm) behind your hairline.^{[3]
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Research source} Clip the rest of your hair out of the way or pull back into a ponytail.
- Skip this step if you already have bangs; you can use your existing bangs as a cutting guide.
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3
Cut your bangs down to make them more manageable. You should do this whether you are starting with or without bangs. Simply cut straight across your bangs (or sectioned-off hair) with a pair of hairdressing scissors until they are about nose or cheekbone length.
4
Pluck a strand of hair at random from your bangs and twist it. Twirl the strand between your fingers until it is a rope. Pinch it close to the ends, and keep it pointed straight down.^{[4]
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- The section should be between the thickness of a pencil and your finger.
- If you need to have some system to your cutting, grab a section from the center of your hairline.
5
Angle your scissors while cutting across the strand. Get out a pair of hairdressing scissors. Angle them down to the left or right by about 45 degrees. Open and close the scissors while moving across the strands, above your fingers. This combination of twisting and cutting at a downward angle will give you a nice, choppy texture.^{[5]
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Research source}
- Cut the strand so that it is just past your eyebrows, or even a little longer.
- Cut with the very tip of your scissors. Don't use more than ¹⁄₄ inch (0.64 cm).
6
Shake the strand out, then move onto the next. Keep plucking strands at random and cutting them until your bangs are roughly the same length across. If you want to make them more even, use a strand that’s already been cut as a guide by holding it next to an uncut strand.^{[6]
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Research source}
- If you want to work more systematically, work your way from center to the right, then center to the left.
7
Touch the bangs up, if needed. Take a close look at your bangs. If you notice any strands that are significantly longer than the rest, snip them down with your scissors. If you feel that your bangs are too long, you can trim them shorter using the same method.^{[7]
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Expert Source

Yan Kandkhorov
Professional Hair Stylist
Expert Interview. 28 January 2020.}

Method 2

Method 2 of 2:

Cutting at an Angle

1
Start with dry hair. This method works best for pixie cuts, but it is also great for other cuts, including bobs. It takes a little bit more time to do, but it will give you a more even cut.^{[8]
X
Expert Source

Yan Kandkhorov
Professional Hair Stylist
Expert Interview. 28 January 2020.}
- Alternatively, you can cut your bangs while they’re wet. Just remember to clean up any mistakes or inconsistencies once your hair is completely dry.
2
Separate your hair from your bangs, if needed. Create two angled side parts using the handle of a rat-tail comb. Start each one above the arch of your left and right eyebrow, and have them come to a point about 2 inches (5.1 cm) from your hairline. Pull the rest of your hair into a ponytail, or secure it with clips.^{[9]
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Research source}
- If you already have bangs, skip. You can use them as a cutting guide.
3
Comb and part your bangs down the center. Comb your bangs or sectioned-off hair straight first. If you notice any frizz or flyaways, tame them with some smoothing cream or oil. Finally, part your bangs or hair down the center.
- You'll be starting with the left side of your bangs. If you need to, secure the right side with a hair clip.
4
Pinch the left side of your bangs between your fingers. Make a V shape with your index and middle fingers. Close them against the entire left side of your bangs, then slide them don until they reach the top of your eyebrow.
- Pull the section away from your forehead by about 1 inch (2.5 cm).
- Your can keep your fingers straight and parallel to the floor, or you can angle them downward to create face-framing bangs.
5
Cut your hair using short, upward snips. Get out a pair of hairdressing scissors. Starting with the inside edge of the section (the one closest to the middle of your forehead), begin to cut your hair below your fingers. Angle the scissors up by about 45 degrees, and cut in short snips using the very tip of your scissors.
- If you are having trouble cutting at an angle, switch to a pair of thinning or chunking shears, and cut straight across, without angling.
6
Repeat the process for the other side of your bangs. Start on the side closest to the middle of your forehead, and work your way out to the outside edge. Pinch your hair between your fingers where you want to cut, and cut everything below them using little snips.
- If you angled your fingers in the previous step, be sure to angle them in the opposite direction.
7
Shake your bangs out, then touch them up, if needed. Gently shake and loosen your bangs with your fingers. Take a look at your bangs. If they are too long, trim them shorter using the same process.

Expert Q&A
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Question

Why do I always cut my bangs too short?

Yan Kandkhorov
Hair Stylist
Yan Kandkhorov is a Hair Stylist and Owner of K&S Salon, a hair salon based in New York City's Meatpacking District. Yan has over 20 years of experience in the hair industry, is best known for paving the way for iconic hair trends in the industry, and has operated his salon since 2017. His hair salon has been voted one of the Best Hair Salons in New York City in 2019 by Expertise. Yan and K&S Salon has collaborated with leading fashion magazines and celebrities such as Marie Clair USA, Lucy Magazine, and Resident Magazine.

Yan Kandkhorov

Hair Stylist

Expert Answer

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I think people tend to get too close to the bangs when they cut, meaning that they lean in super close to focus. That makes it really difficult to get a sense for how the bangs look in reference to the hair around it. Try cutting from a little further back next time.
Question

How do I prep my hair to cut the bangs?

Yan Kandkhorov
Hair Stylist
Yan Kandkhorov is a Hair Stylist and Owner of K&S Salon, a hair salon based in New York City's Meatpacking District. Yan has over 20 years of experience in the hair industry, is best known for paving the way for iconic hair trends in the industry, and has operated his salon since 2017. His hair salon has been voted one of the Best Hair Salons in New York City in 2019 by Expertise. Yan and K&S Salon has collaborated with leading fashion magazines and celebrities such as Marie Clair USA, Lucy Magazine, and Resident Magazine.

Yan Kandkhorov

Hair Stylist

Expert Answer

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Blow dry it thoroughly from above to prevent any loose strands of hair from sticking out. If there are any cowlicks or creases in your bangs, it's going to dramatically alter the quality of your look.
Question

Is my face good for bangs?

Gina Almona
Professional Hair Stylist
Gina Almona is the Owner of Blo It Out, a New York City-based hair salon. With over 20 years of beauty training experience, Gina's work has been featured in People Magazine, Time Out New York, and Queens Scene. She has been able to keep a fresh perspective in the industry by demonstrating and participating in trade shows and workshops like the International Beauty Show. She received her cosmetology training from the Long Island Beauty School, Astoria.

Gina Almona

Professional Hair Stylist

Expert Answer

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Well, that depends! Faces with elongated foreheads always should have a bang, as it will make the face look shorter. On the other hand, round faces don't really look good with bangs, as they make the face look too large.