For some, bangs are a the natural step towards getting over a breakup. For others, like Jennifer Lawrence, they’re a siren call that signals the true start of fall.
Last September, J.Law debuted a blunt set of “Birkin bangs” (named after French style icon Jane Birkin), which she learned to style a variety of ways for the better part of a year. Like clockwork, however, she found a new way to fringe once the mood struck in Paris this September. On September 4, acclaimed celebrity hairstylist Chris Appleton shared the fresh set of “butterfly bangs” gave his newest A-list client, and we couldn’t be more obsessed with the soft, inspect-inspired cut.
If you thought Lawrence’s dimensional bronde hair color feels lived-in and effortless for fall, her butterfly bangs captured the same sweet spot between face-framing curtain bangs and a full-on French fringe. The wispy brow-skimming strands cover still cover the forehead while blending seamlessly into her tousled waves thanks to face-framing layers that fan out towards her cheekbones.
“The bangs get their name from taking the shape of butterfly wings,” Appleton told Glamour, before breaking down everything you need to know about the chic fall fringe you’re about to see everywhere.
What are butterfly bangs?
Consider the butterfly bang the wispy cross between Sabrina Carpenter’s curtain bangs and Jessica Day’s dense signature style. In one Instagram comment, Appleton described the bangs as “shorter and airy in the center, winging out at the cheekbones for lift and movement rather than a traditional fringe.”
The celebrity stylist and Color Wow creative directer went into a bit more detail for Glamour. “Butterfly bangs are a type of bang that fan out to frame your face,” Appleton says. “Unlike other popular bang cuts like curtain bangs or micro bangs, they feature lighter, wispy layers for extra volume. Layers towards the crown of the head are shorter and blend into longer layers as you move down.”
Are butterfly bangs universal?
While butterfly bangs can suit any face shape, Appleton suggests tailoring the density based on your specific features. “Light, wispy bangs can soften sharp, angular features,” he says, while noting that fuller bangs can add volume for those with round and oval-shaped faces.
Of course, they’re also not just for blondes. “The outward movement of the bangs also helps capture light, showcasing the depth of dark, fall colors,” Appleton says, suggesting Color WOW Dream Coat Supernatural Spray to add a “shiny, glass finish” to your style.
