We’re here today to discuss a very serious topic. Me and my bangs.
Okay, so this obviously is not a Very Important Post, but my bangs and I? We have had a long and tortured history. Or perhaps a love/hate relationship is more appropriate.
Our relationship began with your typical little girl bangs, then – like every gal in the late 80s – progressed to the train wreck knows as a teased “pouff.” I still shudder thinking about that.
In high school, I adopted long, blunt bangs that bore quite a resemblance to the fringe Shannen Doherty was sporting on “Beverly Hills, 90210.” Which was a total coincidence, of course. It wasn’t like I was obsessed with that show or anything (cough, cough).
My “Brenda bangs,” as I called them, stuck around all through college. I loved them in the winter and hated them in the summer, when – thanks to my naturally wavy hair – the humidity would wreak havoc on them. I remember having to tuck bobby pins in my jeans pockets when we’d go out dancing because if I got even a teensy bit sweaty, those bangs would betray me and start curling in an unflattering, unattractive way.
Sometimes I would start to grow them out, sometimes I wore them long and side swept. I even got them cut quite short with my ill-advised Michelle Williams circa “Dawson’s Creek” ‘do. But inevitably, like that first love you can’t ever quite get over, I would always go back. Over the years, I realized that my bangs were part of my identity, part of who I was.
Yet for the last two years I have been religiously growing them out. I’m still not quite sure why – maybe it’s to make a change, maybe it’s simply for convenience, now that I have two kids. But for the first time since I can remember, my bangs are down to my chin. It took a looooong time of awkward ‘dos, bobby pins, pomade and headbands to get to this point. It pretty much sucked. But I will admit it is such a freeing feeling to be able to pull my hair back into a ponytail with just an elastic – no Goody accessories necessary.
But I’m just not loving it.
For one thing, I cannot stand the feeling of my hair brushing against my cheek, so I am forever tucking my hair behind my ears. But when I wear my hair this way I feel like a soccer mom, so I usually either pin the front up (see my blog photo on the right) or wear it back in a ponytail or bun. When I had bangs, I felt (somewhat) trendier, even sexier. Now I feel mousy and plain.
Or am I just addicted to bangs?
My fellow bang addicts know what this see-saw relationship is like. The longer you have bangs, the harder it is to let them go. “I just can’t quit you.”
So here is my dilemma. I need a haircut. Desperately. Do I bite the bullet and get bangs? Am I going to regret not being able to pull my hair into an easy pony when we’re in Disney in April? Is it ridiculous to let a vacation determine a haircut?
Here are some of the styles I am coveting. What do you think? Bangs or no bangs?
Michele C. says
I love this post. I can’t decide whether to cut bangs back into my hair right now either. for many of the same reasons – I end up tucking it back all the time, I feel like they add life to a ‘do, etc. But then if I don’t like them after a bit I am stuck with that awful growing out process. *sigh* decisions, decisions…. (oh, and I LOVE Zooey’s bangs!).
Jane - MomGenerations.com says
Some people can just really pull off the bangs look, and you’re one of them! You look fabulous either way, of course, but I do love the photos of you with bangs! I great out my bangs in 8th grade, but about 10 years ago I was watching the movie Head Over Heels and loved Monica Potter’s bangs, so I, um… went to my bathroom and cut. my. own. bangs. Not the best idea. They didn’t look anything like Monica Potter’s. LOL
Jessica says
My sister cut her own bangs once too – it was a disaster π Ahh, decisions, decisions …
jen - keekoin says
i say you ROCK the bangs. you look good with them and those hairstyles you posted are gorgeous. GO FOR IT!
Jessica says
Thanks Jen!!! I’m THISCLOSE to pulling the trigger π
Heather @ Kraus House Mom says
I used to have the same problem. I would cut bangs, grow them out then have them cut again. I went years without “bangs”. Last Saturday I went and had some cut back (they are kind of long, but still visible). The way I feel about hair is, if you don’t like it, it grows back.
Jessica says
That what my husband keeps telling me π I might wait till after we go to Disney then go for it!
Joanna {Baby Gators Den} says
You look great with or without bangs! I’d say go for it!! Can’t wait to see the “after” pics π
Leah DeCesare says
You look great with bangs, too! It’s fun to go in and make a big change!
(I loved 90210, too!) π
Lynn says
Love the photos! You always look great – with or without bangs. But I vote for bangs: anything that makes you feel sexier is worth it. π (Now you’ve got me thinking about bangs!) Good luck!
Pary Moppins says
I am so with you on that love hate thing. Found you through Bloggy Moms.
Dollops of Diane says
I see bangs in your future! I did bangs when I was little up through high school. Bangs and my curly hair are not a good combo. I would never do bangs again but you looked great with them!