Who knew posting one little picture on instagram with Clara would start a tell-me-more-about-the-bangs frenzy? You guys are a curious bunch, demanding a post about my hair. Haha. There were even conspiracy theories that they weren’t real and I was pulling a Kim K on you guys by flipping my ponytail and faking them. Hilarious! But they are in fact real. Can’t say the same thing about my chest (just kidding). I just got off the sofa on Saturday afternoon, walked into the bathroom and cut them, came back out and sat on the sofa, and waited for John and Clara to notice. They seemed not to mind them (in fact John said they made me look “young and hot” so I’ll take it) and they do very conveniently cover my forehead wrinkles. So… score!
Because I cut them in the bathroom mirror all by myself, they’re definitely not perfect, but they seem to pass as actual bangs in real life, as opposed to looking like a child who took the kitchen scissors to her head. And since many (many) of you guys demanded a tutorial, here she blows.
I guess we should call this the sister post to the how-I-cut-John’s-hair post that I shared here. It’s pretty straightforward so quite honestly the most awkward part was getting these photos taken. Gah, I’m terrible at posing for John. So it went something like this:
John: click, click, click, “Do you need anything else?”
Me: “Ahh, this is stupid. Nevermind! We’re done.”
John: “What? I only took three photos? You sure?”
Me: “Ok, what about one like this? Ahh, too close. Back up! back up! Maybe we need to buy a lens to make my face artfully blurry.”
John: “Um… ok. So we’re done?”
As for the actual tutorial, it goes like this:
All I did was pull the hair in front that I thought should be bangs (which made a soft curved shape at the crown) forward and then I pulled the rest of my hair back into a ponytail to keep it out of the way. My hair might look ambiguously wet/dry in the picture above, but it’s fully dry.
Which leads us to step 2…
I looked up a few pictures on google of people with blunt bangs just to notice where they stopped. The ones I liked most sort of grazed the eyelashes (good thing I looked since my first instinct would have been to cut them above my eyebrows- eeks!). Then I cut them dry while looking in the mirror with the part of hair that I sectioned out just flopping in front of my face. Cutting them dry is key for me since wet hair can look heavier and longer and then dry and shrink up, thereby ruining your life. Well, that’s a little dramatic, but it can definitely pull a fast one on you, so dry hair seems to work best for ending up with bangs at the actual intended length.
Then I dipped my head into the sink to get my bangs all wet and used a blow-dryer to blow them dry in front of my face. This was helpful because after I dried them a few long stragglers stuck out and I snipped them straight across for a more blunt look. I have a ridiculous cowlick, so I’m trying not to be a crazy about how they fall. Although in this instagram picture there was a funny comb-over effect going on since a few from the other side of my head danced over to that side (hence those few guesses that this was a bang hoax I guess, haha).
Thanks to the aforementioned cowlick, sometimes I pull them apart like this. Just if it’s humid and they’re being wonky. Sorry about this bad self portrait, I was past the point of embarrassment after posing for John, seeing the pictures he took, deleting them in horror, and telling him to back out of the room slowly while whispering “it’s not your fault this is just so awkwaaaard.”
I can still pin them all back with two tiny bobby pins and rock my regular old pony (which I did last night for the Austin signing since it was crazy rainy and my hair + humidity = Frizz-fest 2013). So I guess I get three looks from this little snip-fest: 1) blunt bangs, 2)parted bangs, and 3) no bangs at all thanks to Mrs Bobby and her friend Pins.
Anyway, I hope this quick little tutorial helps someone out there save some money on a bang trim or something. Or just gives you all a good laugh at how uncomfortable capturing these photos actually was for me. It might sound crazy but I’m used to taking pictures of the house, not my mug. So it took me right back to high school yearbook photos and I was all clammy and weird about it. Seriously I didn’t know where to look, how to smile, it was a mess. Anyone else tackling some DIY haircuts at home? Or rocking some freshly shorn bangs? Tell $herdog all about it.
Paula says
I did something similar a couple of years ago – I had a glass of wine, decided I wanted bangs, googled some bang-cutting tutorials, and then did it. Now if my husband comes home from work and thinks something looks “different” about me he will always say “did you have wine and then cut your hair again?”
YoungHouseLove says
Hahaha!
xo,
s
Jasmine Loague says
Absolutely adorable! I love them and you did a really good job. Bangs definitely work for you.
Claire says
You look amazing! You have such gorgeous eyes and this really shines the spotlight on them. Nice trimming job! :)
Emily O. says
I just got bangs two weeks ago but feel mine are too thin compared to your thick gorgeous fringe. I am taking your picture back to my stylist for a redo! Thanks for posting!
John says
Nice, matches your sister Zooey Deschanel.
Krystal says
I’ve never cut my own hair, but I cut my husband and son’s all the time. We do it once a month, and they both look fabulous. They like theirs short, though, so I just throw the 2 guard on for the hubs and the 3 for my son, and we roll on through the haircut. Your bangs do look super cute, girlie! I’m loving them!
maggie says
What nail polish are you wearing?
YoungHouseLove says
It’s by Zoya. Maybe it’s called Rehke or something?
xo,
s
Roo @ NiceGirlNotes says
Eyyyyyy sexy laydayyyyy….!
Alicia says
Oddly enough, I did this same exact thing on Saturday morning! I’d gotten my hair cut the day before and had wimped out on asking the stylist to give me bangs, so Saturday morning, as my husband and I were getting dressed and ready to go to a bar mitzvah three hours from home, I just chopped bangs, walked out of the bathroom, got dressed in my fancy clothes and headed out. I’ve been told that I look young, that I look like Zoey Deschanel/Carly Rae Jepsen, that my face looks totally different, etc. And I love the bangs! Yours look awesome too!
Jamie says
You know you’re gorgeous, right? Welcome to the wonderful world of bangs!
Catherine says
You look great! keep the bangs for sure. My sister-in-law cuts her own hair and it always looks great. Good job :)
Leanna says
In the pic for step 2 you SO look like a young Liv Tyler circa “That Thing You Do” – and great earrings, too!
Erin says
I love your bangs I was curious when I saw the instagram. I commend your bravery. I haven’t tried bangs…curly hair…seems like trouble. But every now and then I cut all my long hair off just to mix it up. Well I go to a professional not that brave. Did you give the John and Clara any warning?!? any hints?
ps I don’t believe you had any wrinkles to hide.
YoungHouseLove says
No warning, I just hopped up and did it. I like surprises :)
xo,
s
Amanda D says
You look super cute with bangs! I’ve had bangs for a few years now, and am actually trying to grow mine back out. It’s an annoying process and almost every day I want to cut them back off again- but I’ve managed to control myself so far. :)
Christie says
LOVE the bangs! I think you should name them Josie. It just seems fitting.
Also, you totally look like Amanda Peete’s celebrity doppleganger. (So excited to finally have a reason to use the term doppleganger.) :-)
YoungHouseLove says
Haha I used to hear that before Rachel McAdams and Emilia Clarke. It’s coming back around. Ha!
xo,
s
Lindsay @ Me, Ed and Pea says
You look SO cute with bangs!!
Laura C says
Nice! I’ve been cutting my own hair for about 5 years, now, but my hair is super-short, so it’s really easy (one-finger length all the way around). Definitely a huge $$ saver, too – at my length, I need a haircut at least every 4 weeks and each haircut was about $80 including tips (damn NYC prices)…that’s a lot of cash!!
Crystal says
Oh my goodness, I can totally relate!! Anytime someone asks me to take a picture of a new haircut I have or a new piece of clothing/ jewelry and it requires my husband to take the pictures, it is the most awkward event in the world. I want to look all cute and everything, but feel so incredibly stupid posing for him…which seems ridiculous since we are married, been together for 10 years and have a baby!! He snaps a few quick shots and hands the camera over and says “we good?”…I inevitably look at the shots, am completely horrified, delete them, tell him we are done and then proceed to try again snapping self portraits in the mirror. So pathetic…he always tells me he will take more and try to get it but at that point I am so over the whole situation! haha I am glad I am not the only one that goes through this anxiety!! LoL I LOVE the bangs btw, very cute!
Sarah C. @Home Sweet Scent says
I love the bangs! I recently tried those long side bangs, but I almost always push them back with a headband and throw my hair in a ponytail. I wish I was brave enough to chop em like you did!!
HeidiG. says
wozza! You look fantastic!!! Nice work Sherry! Love it, love it, love it (not that you need my approval :) )
Jill says
So beautiful!!! #shiningbrightlikeadiamond
Laurie says
Love the bangs. They look adorable. I really like the photo where you have them parted and I love the bun, too. And yes, I am always snipping away at my bangs. Usually I end up going too far, messing them up and then going to my hair stylist and blaming the mess on “someone else”….I am sure she is on to me but since she wants to keep me as a customer she never calls me on the fact that “someone else” is in fact me. As for photos? Fresh hell. I always do weird stuff with my hands when it is a full body shot and I think my smile always looks forced. Oddly enough, the best picture I have ever had taken is my driver’s license photo.
Taya says
Love the bangs and the tutorial! Wish I could do that but naturally curly hair does not agree! You look fabulous, darling!
Cristina S. says
Love them. Had them, hated it :/ but you make them look great! Can’t wait to meet you guys tonight in the gables (with my overdue-for-a-trim, not-shabby-like-sherry hair) :D
YoungHouseLove says
Wahoo! Can’t wait!
xo,
s
Ashley@AttemptsAtDomestication says
They are adorable! I love them! I’ve been waiting for this post to confirm the bang reality!
Ginny@ Goofy Monkeys says
Looks great! I have been so tempted on many occasions to do just what you did. Maybe I’ll finally actually pull the trigger!
sarah says
“Can’t say the same thing about my chest.” HAHAHA! The funny thing is that where I live (outside of the U.S.), fake chests almost seem like the norm. Weird!
YoungHouseLove says
Haha no way!
xo,
s
Kate says
Cute!! I nervously cut myself some long, sideswept bangs a couple weeks ago… I cut blunt bangs like yours right after my wedding, too! It always makes me nervous though, but my thought process and plan if action for my blunt bangs were very similar to yours… Well, minus searching out what I wanted. I just hopped into the bathroom and went for it!
Karyn says
So dang cute on you. I am a notorious bang self cutter and every time I do it I forget how tragic they look on me! Then I grow them out and see someone who’s bangs look adorable on them and the cycle begins again! If I get bangs in the next week….it’s on you Sherry Petersik:) (BTW…I hate when Eric takes my picture. Soooooo awkward!)
Stacey says
so glad the bangs are real and not a fake-out cuz you look FABULOUS!!! just before xmas i was itching for a change so i got blunt bangs, added some choppy layers and went back to being a redhead. i’m loving my new look and the bangs allow me to wear my hair up more often, which is a great time-saver.
Crystal @ 29 Rue House says
Okay I’m doing it….$herdog is super cute in her $herbangs. You look great!
Erin says
Love it! For me it was either bangs or botox so i went with the bangs. A much cheaper alternative for the time being!
So looking forward to meeting you in Fort Lauderdale tomorrow night!!!
Wendy says
Bangs or Botox is my plan for this year. Trying hard not to reflect too much on how my bangs looked like a sausage when I was in middle school or how they were a few inches too high,thanks to Aqua Net, in college.
I think yours are great and they make your earrings and eyes look even more amazing. Thanks for the inspiration.
Anele @ Success Along the Weigh says
Love it!!
I cut my Mr’s hair every 6 weeks or so. He’s pretty easy to do with clippers though back in the day, I cut with scissors. I had so much confidence in myself that he went to our rehearsal/dinner looking like a shaggy dog (I can only imagine what our families were thinking with his hair being that out of control) and when we got home, I cut his hair and it was perfectly coiffed for our big day. Note to others…NEVER do that!!
Luz says
You are so freaking brave!!!! they look great and really bring out your eyes! I always regret getting bangs, but then I seem to forget why and get them cut again a few months later. I guess I hope they’ll look better the next time, haha…
Jen@The Decor Scene says
LOVE the look. You are really rockin’ it!!! :)
Blair says
Those look amazing on you! Usually people who cut bangs like yours look a little silly, hate to say it, but you really ROCK them. Look great on your face and really play up your eyes.
Props to your bravery for cutting your own hair, too!
xo
Paige says
LOVE. LOVE. LOVE them!
Melissa says
I TOTALLY thought they were fake when I saw that pic!!!! They look SO good. From one bang-wearer to another, you look fabulous and your self-cutting skills are impressive!
Kerry says
Who knew you could get even cuter, Miss Sherry?
I, too, have a painful cowlick, and have tried bangs a million times (NOT an exaggeration) with only some life ruining. I’m in a bang-free period now and life is good.
Paloma says
You are brave. It took me weeks of watching youtube tutorials and one day of whirlwind DIY projects to get the nerve to DIY cutting my own bangs (I was high on DIY and let myself get carried away). Thankfully came out well. I have a cowlick too- they are the worst!
Chelsea says
These look ADORABLE. Seriously, I’m growing out an ill-advised pixie cut and you make me want to undo the past few months’ hard work (you know, because growing hair out is hard…?) and do blunt bangs. They’re so great on you!
Have fun tonight in Miami! I’m a native of the area and LOVE the Coral Gables Books & Books. One of the best spots in the area. The cafe in the shop is good (I hope it hasn’t since been bought by a Starbucks or something sad like that!), but if you’re looking for dinner in the area, there’s a great Italian place nearby, Bugatti.
YoungHouseLove says
Thanks for the tips!
xo,
s
Emma says
Love! You did a bang up job there Sherry! I especially like the pic of you with your hair up – awesome! You look like a classic 50s house wife from Mad Men or something – super fancy and polished! Go you.
Aly says
Two words. Rachel. Berry.
Suni says
Looks super fantastic, and I love it even more that John’s reaction was you look “young and hot” sounds like they passed the husband test. :)
Kate says
Oh my goodness, I love them! I have pretty similar hair to you, right down to the crazy cowlick in the front. I have a nutty widows peak. Now I want to cut bangs again. You are a bad influence!
Kate says
Oh, and I think you nailed it with the length. I think that is why I have never been satisfied with my bangs before – too short.
Melissa @ Renovations & Relationships says
I love them! I’ve realized recently that I’m in need of a hair cut and I tend to do it myself. You’ve inspired me to give bangs a go again – it’s been many years. With so many blog followers and compliments on your look I bet you’ll be responsible for starting a new bangs craze! :)
Amy K says
I recently had my bangs cut as well and I also have a mean ol’ cowlick. When my hairdresser cut my hair she kicked it’s butt so i asked her how she did conquered the cowlick and she revealed all:
1.Comb wet hair straight down
2.ALWAYS angle the blow dryer straight down and brush brush brush while blow drying. *Make sure the brush is above the bangs not under.
3.Straight iron in horizontal sections, ironing the hair closest to your forehead, then the hair on top. This way you can spread the straightened hair on top for coverage. Never tilt the iron up.
So, that sounds pretty common sense but it works everytime!
My biggest issue is my hair grows freakishly fast, so 3 weeks out I already need a trim. I will sometimes take a round brush and roll it underneath my bangs to give them volume(breaking rule 2)so I can, you know, drive and walk.
I love yours! They look great and give you that flash of supa-sassy pants! Enjoy!!
foobella designs says
Wow, Sherry. You look gorgeous. I mean, as others I’m sure reminded you, you were always gorgeous, but these bangs? You are rockin’ them.
John better hold on tight to you. ;)
Kate says
Are these your earrings? You mentioned Pinterest but not Etsy, so I’m not too sure.
http://www.etsy.com/listing/98385828/delicate-simple-everyday-alhambra-ivory?ref=v1_other_1
The interest in your bangs/clothes/fashion is too funny and makes me wonder whether you’ll have to turn into a fashion blogger of sorts and post a source list beneath your photos. If you can stop freaking out long enough to actually have a few pictures taken of you, that is ;)
YoungHouseLove says
Yes those are them I think! Love them!
xo,
s