Blunt bangs, characterized by their straight-across cut just above or at the eyebrows, first gained widespread popularity in the ‘60s and ‘70s. With a timeless, retro flair, blunt bangs were bold, edgy and youthful, emphasizing sharp lines that framed the face in a dramatic way.
The look was then revived in the 2000s and 2010s by icons like Beyoncé and Rihanna, who both sported variations of the blunt bang, bringing them back into mainstream fashion. Time evolved the look of course, as some bangs were softer while others retained their hard-edged look. But while blunt bangs seemingly got ushered out as a fashion sin, it seems like the trend could be back on the horizon.
Here’s everything to know about the resurgence of blunt bangs, plus advice from a professional stylist on how to rock them yourself.
The Fall of Blunt Bangs
Though blunt bangs held strong through the 2010s, their popularity gradually began to wane. The beauty trends shifted toward more natural, less defined styles. Women began wearing side-swept or wispy bangs as opposed to heavy and straight-across variety. These softer, more relaxed bangs fit into the broader trend of deconstructed beauty, where messiness was kind of the vibe. Beyond that, blunt bangs require more maintenance to keep them looking vibrant, which may have turned some people off. The practicalities of keeping them styled, especially in humid climates, led to the demise in their reign.
Blunt Bangs Are Back
As every trend does, it looks like blunt bangs are coming back around. This time, it’s not about recreating the exact look from decades ago, but rather, reinterpreting it with a fresh twist. Rather than the ultra-sleek look, blunt bangs now have some texture or slight layering to give them a more effortless, modern vibe. Keeping them longer or allowing them to fall slightly past the brow is also a thing, helping to soften the overall look and make it more adaptable to different face shapes.
A Stylist’s Take on Blunt Bangs
Melissa the Hair Witch, the reiki-certified stylist focused on healing hair and self-care, offered 21Ninety an even deeper dive into why blunt bangs may be making their comeback and how to execute them yourself.
21NINETY: First things first— are blunt bangs coming back?
MELISSA: YES! When it comes to hair, anything that was ever cool at one point will be cool again, even the most unexpected looks. More and more of my clients have been wanting to make a statement with blunt bangs,
21N: So why do blunt bangs get the hate that they get?
M: We are coming off of the trend of everything being blended and natural “clean girl” vibes (blended, natural-looking color and wispy, romantic curtain bangs) and now we’re moving more into “cool girl” territory with more funky and bold style choices (chunky fun color and blunt bangs). I think this reflects how a lot of us women feel in today’s world. Whether we’re intentional about it or not, our look says a lot about where we are mentally. Some want to move forward and focus less on the male gaze, while others want to be quiet and conform. A woman being BOLD? Powerful? Have a look that seems more harsh? Of course it will get hate.
21N: Yes! De-centering the male gaze! As Black women, is there any advice you can give for how to properly execute blunt bangs?
M: Where most people go wrong is that they have the bangs parted too wide. Unless you’re going for a more edgy look, they shouldn’t go too far past the tail of your eyebrow. As far as length, start with the goal being just below the eyebrow. You can always go shorter, but the length really defines the look! For my natural girls, always cut bangs on dry hair. Those curls will shrink up and have a mind of their own. A lot of different curl types can look super cute with a blunt bang, just start long!
21N: Are there any blunt bang style icons we should look to?
M: I love when Zendaya rocks the curly OR straight blunt bang. Megan Thee Stallion has shown how they can look sexy no matter if it’s paired with a short bob or hair down to your waist. Keke Palmer is the perfect person to look up to see how much the length and width of the bang can make such a huge difference in the result. Literally… search “Keke Palmer Blunt Bang” and you can see where it’s gone wrong, but also when it’s done perfectly right!
21N: What’s your advice on deciphering whether or not blunt bangs are for you?
M: This really has to do with your lifestyle and how much time you’re willing to put into your hair. If it’s on your natural hair, you have to be aware of the grow-out. This isn’t something that will blend together as it grow, you gotta keep up with trimming. Same with styling, you have to keep up with either keeping it nice and straight or making sure each curl falls into place. Be aware of wind, sweat, etc.
21N: Is there a specific head shape they’re more suited for?
M: If you ask most stylists they will say to avoid blunt bangs if you have a round face, and that it’s most suited for a rectangular, oval or heart-shaped face. But since you’re asking me: I think it’s all about having confidence. I think anyone who wants them can pull them off with the correct styling and length. You can rock anything and make it look amazing if YOU love it.
21N: Any advice for Black women scared to venture into bang territory in general?
M: It’s all about representation. Look up women with your face shape, your style, your overall vibe and see how it looks on them. I will say: it’s nearly impossible to look basic with blunt bangs. Also: you can find fake clip-on bangs to try before you commit! These are also perfect if you like to switch up your look.
This article has been edited and condensed for length and clarity.