How to Use Clip‐In Bangs

Co-authored by Ashley Adams

Last Updated: June 21, 2020 References

Clip-in bangs are a good option for those who have trouble choosing just one hairstyle. You can try out clip-in bangs if you adore the look but fear they would make you resemble an embarrassing yearbook photo from middle school. Clip-in bangs are also an easy option for achieving a red carpet look for one night only. No matter what your reason is, clip-in bangs can make you look resemble a beautiful 1970s vixen if you choose the right bangs, apply them correctly, and style them in a way that says “I woke up like this.”

Method 1

Method 1 of 3:

Choosing Clip in Bangs

1
Choose blunt bangs for a narrow face. Straight-across bangs may bring back nightmares of bad childhood haircuts, but that isn’t an issue with clip-in bangs! Just about anyone can rock blunt bangs, but they work especially well on narrow faces. Look for blunt bangs that fall just above your eyebrows to widen your features.^{[1]
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- If you can’t find blunt bangs that fall on or just above your eyebrows, you can take a chance and cut them to the right length. At least you don’t have to go through the awkward growing out process if you mess them up!
2
Wear layered bangs for a wider face shape. Long and layered or textured bangs are a solid choice for someone with a wider face. Look for layered bangs that have sides that fall to your striking cheekbones. This type of bangs will accentuate your already lovely features and make them appear narrower. Consider this contouring without the effort of actually using makeup.^{[2]
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3
Match your hair color with the bangs. Finding the right color bangs is a really important part of creating the (very convincing) illusion that you’ve grown them overnight. Typically, bangs come in about eleven shades. Yeah, that may not seem like a lot, but you should be able to find a close match—unless you have an unusual or unnatural hair color. ^{[3]
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- If your bangs are made of human hair, you could dye them to match your current hair color. Purple bangs would make purple hair look even more magical.
- It’s also an option to dye your hair to match your bangs if you think you will be wearing them often. For instance, if you’ve always dreamed of being a blonde, but aren’t sure you could work it, buy blonde bangs. Hold them up your face and learn if it’s a total mistake before making the jump.
4
Choose the right bangs for your hair texture. Not everyone, of course, has the same hair texture, so you need to consider what type of bangs would best match the texture of your hair. Soft and wispy bangs are the perfect choice for curly hair because they wouldn’t take away from your natural, bouncing curls. Arched or mini bangs are a great choice for those with straight hair because it gives you an easy-to-achieve look for hair that can often be hard to style.^{[4]
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5
Decide between real or synthetic hair. It won’t make-or-break your look if you choose one over the other. Human and synthetic hair both have their advantages and disadvantages. Weigh all of your options before you decide which one to go with and make a purchase.
- Real hair is usually easier to style, can be used with heated styling tools, and looks more natural. However, it’s typically more expensive and needs to be styled often.
- Synthetic hair is usually more affordable and will remain styled for a longer period of time, but it also has a tendency to look a little shiny and fake.^{[5]
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Method 2

Method 2 of 3:

Applying Clip in Bangs

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Part your hair down the center. Use a comb to part your hair down the center. Don’t worry if you usually hate that kind of part—bangs will totally transform the look. Clip-in bangs look the best this way, but the center part has a purpose. The center part keeps your hair out of the way (easy fix for annoying hair in the face!) and allows the bangs to lay flat against your head.^{[6]
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2
Apply a dry shampoo. This step isn’t absolutely necessary, but it definitely does help. Spray your hair with a dry shampoo or holding spray. This will help the bangs be more secure when it comes time to attach them to your hair. Then, spray the dry shampoo directly on the bangs. New clip-in bangs can sometimes appear unnaturally shiny, so the dry shampoo dulls them just enough to appear natural. ^{[7]
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- Don’t worry about buying dry shampoo if you don’t have it. You’ll look just as awesome without the help of it.
- Look for a good-smelling dry shampoo so you don’t have to hold your nose as you spray.
3
Place the bangs near the crown of your head. Applying the bangs too far back on your head or too close to your hairline can ruin the illusion, even if you chose the right bangs. You may feel like Goldilocks as you play around trying to figure out what is “just right” for you. About one inch (2.5 cm) back from your hairline is a good spot to place the bangs.^{[8]
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- One inch back is recommended, but really, you should just use your judgment to see what make you immediately want to snap a selfie to show them off.
4
Clip in the bangs. Make sure that you feel fierce and confident with the look of the bangs before securing them. First, secure the fastener in the middle of the bangs to your hair. Then, secure the clips on each side of your head. Do a little dance to make sure that they won’t be coming off anytime soon.^{[9]
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- Cover the clips with your hair so that they don’t show and expose your stylish secret to the world.

Method 3

Method 3 of 3:

Styling Clip in Bangs

1
Cut the bangs if necessary. You may find that the bangs are a little bit longer than desired, like if they cover your eyes and you can’t see. But, that doesn’t mean they are useless. You can give them a quick trim to make them your preferred length. Gather your confidence, and use a pair of shears, or scissors made for cutting hair. Trim the bangs vertically instead of horizontally so that they maintain a natural texture.^{[10]
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- Ask a stylist or someone knowledgeable about cutting hair to help you if you don’t trust your hair cutting skills.
2
Style with your fingers or a brush. The may look a little flat when you first secure them. Imagine a light breeze is blowing and run your fingers through your bangs. This will give you a slightly tousled look. You can also use a brush to gently smooth them out for a sleek and sexy look. ^{[11]
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3
Use a styling tool on the bangs. If your bangs are still looking unnatural, you can use styling tools to fix that problem. For extra volume, use a curling iron. Use a straightener to smooth out the bangs, especially the bulge that may appear at the top of your bangs. ^{[12]
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- If your bangs are synthetic, use a low heat setting to prevent the synthetic hair from melting.
4
Wash your bangs regularly. How often you wash the bangs depends on how much you wear them. You may want to wash them once a week or once a month. Basically, if you wouldn’t go out in public with your hair looking that dirty or messy, it’s time to give them some love.^{[13]
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5
Condition the clip-in bangs. Typically, you wash your hair first and condition afterward. It’s the same with clip-in bangs. It’s good to check the instructions that came with your bangs first, but you should be able to use your regular conditioner. Keep your bangs soft and shining so that they’re ready to be clipped in at a moment’s notice.^{[14]
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Warnings

Be sure that the clips and attachment point aren’t showing before leaving home in your clip-in bangs. Don’t worry if they do show at some point. Keep an honest friend with you that would say “you may want to fix your bangs.”

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