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.
Jenny says
Haha! I totally thought it was a bang-hoax! SO CUTE. xox
Rachel says
I totally agree with the poster above. Bangs look gorgeous on you because they really accentuate your eyes. I have serious hair envy!!!
Liz (e.louise) says
The bangs look great!! Every once in a while, I’ll get brave and trim mine myself and I agree that it works best with a sharp pair of scissors and dry hair. I tend to wash/dry my bangs every day (more often than my usual hair routine), so I also spritz a little Bumble and Bumble styling lotion on them before drying. It seems to help in not drying out my scalp and it keeps my bangs in order throughout the day. Also, I love your tricks for wearing your bangs back when the weather is not cooperating. Happy Bangs styling :)
Robyn says
Can’t even handle the awesome!! Gorgeous girl, just gorgeous :)
Katie says
Completely adorable!!
Erin R. says
I love you with blunt bangs. So cute.
Linda says
adorable
LARY@ Inspiration Nook says
I did my own bangs last year too! I just went for it without looking back LOL Love your new look! Isn’t crazy how a simply cut can make you feel like you changed your whole look?
Frances says
I do all the family haircuts,to varying degrees of success. My bangs always look okay, and my middle child’s hair is that perfect blend of wavy and straight that lends itself so well to at-home cuts but my oldest daughter’s hair is pin straight so you can see every mistake. I will probably bite the bullet and take her to a salon next time. My son is two and so far it’s been easier to do at home but now he’s getting old enough where it matters more and I might take him to the barber or salon next time too.
And I think Kelley is totally right, you are a dead ringer for Lea Michele in these pics, which is a good thing in my book! Love it!
Katie says
Love it! You should do a link up so we can see how many follow suit. I know you have me thinking about it!
Clara L says
Hello sexy new fringe!
Love it! The old pinned-back bouffed fringe always used to remind me of Elaine in Seinfeld (not that there’s anything wrong with that!). Love this new fresh look!
Clara L says
(to explain, we call “bangs” a fringe here!)
Audrey says
I have had the impulse to cut (chop off!) my hair several times over the years, but the result was never like that! Looks good!
Steph says
The second I saw that picture on instagram, I decided I NEEDED bangs. They look SO cute! I have had the same haircut (it’s pretty standard, long layers, long side bangs, that’s it) for maybe 10 years? At least 10 years. That is ridiculous! I haven’t had blunt bangs since I was a kid, so I’m more than ready for a change. Oh, I’m also dying my hair blonde too. I have about 10 years worth of hair style changes to make up for! So basically thanks for the bang motivation!
Steph says
I have always cut in and trimmed my own fringe, and my hot tip for you is to cut ‘up’ not across. Just like you do when cutting John’s hair don’t point the scissors horizontally. It helps get a straighter line and less mistakes :)
Loving the look, just gorgeous!
YoungHouseLove says
Love all the tips guys!
xo,
s
Ash says
YOU. Are totes adorbs! Hope I get to see them in person later this month in Tacoma, woohoo!
Leslie says
SOOO wish I still lived in Coral Gables – you will LOVE Books & Books…it’s one of my favorite things in Miami. Do me a favor and try a Misha’s cupcake…they are to DIE for, and I think that Books & Books has them as a desert option in their cafe, but if not they’re all over Miami! And if you go to South Beach at all while you’re there…you absolutely MUST eat at the Big Pink! Have fun!
YoungHouseLove says
Thanks for the tips!
xo,
s
annie says
Because I only go to the hairdresser every three months, I’m forced to trim my own bangs in between, and I think I do a fine job. However, my hairdresser invariably asks me (accusingly) at my appointments if I’ve been trimming my own bangs, and I sheepishly fess up. Awkward! Yours are cute!
Jenna at Homeslice says
You look like Rachel from Glee with the blunt bangs- I really like them! Kudos for doing them yourself!
Heidi P. says
Glee. Yup. That’s you.
Jac says
So gorgeous! It suits you so much. I tried this s few years ago…but did not work with my face shape unfortunately. My budget haircuts are done by my nieces. It’s the 7-yr olds turn next….. They are so careful not much gets trimmed but its fun (my hair is long n wavy/curly so no one will notice anything uneven….I don’t straighten my hair much at all). :-) can’t stand paying for a haircut when it looks great after their pro styling….but their cut goes frizzarama the next day.
Andrea says
I whip my bangs back and forth I whip my bangs back and forth. Ha it’s what popped into my head, You look great I totally want bangs but I’m freaked out haven’t had bangs since the early 90s hello any body remember those bangs a la full house girls. lol
YoungHouseLove says
Hahahaha!
xo,
s
Briel K. says
Love the bangs! I am so tempted to have bangs again but not sure yet. I just cut a lot of my hair off a few weeks ago but I’m bored with it! Almost all back to my natural color (I’ve been dying it for over 10 years) but I find myself missing having red hair too. I can’t win! haha
Amanda says
It was so amazing seeing you guys in person yesterday in Austin!!! By the way, Beautiful Bangs! I never doubted for a second they were fake. lol I was the unbelievably nervous girl who gave y’all the library catalog card. I realized that I don’t think I explained the gift very well, due to my mile-a-minute speech, so I emailed you at your youngsters email account. It has all the details about it. Thanks!
YoungHouseLove says
Aw, we loved it so much! It was awesome to meet you Amanda!
xo
s
Shauna says
You look great with bangs! I have a really horrible 8th grade picture with bangs and thats what I think about every time I am tempted. I just recently got my hair cut and asked for side bangs which I love but unfortunately there was a miscommunication and I ended up with thick THICK bangs from way back on my head that go above my eyebrows! YIKES! They make me feel like Im in 8th grade again and I hate them so Im hoping they grow back soon! The bobby pin doesn’t work as well for me since they are so short! :(
JAcky says
Hey! I recently had bangs cut (but in Australia we call it a ‘fringe’!) and I have ringlet curls and a massive cowlick.
But I get them perfectly straight all day every day by following this tutorial by an Aussie author/beauty editor: http://www.mamamia.com.au/style/the-zoe-foster-fringe-theory/
Basically it takes about 3 minutes – coat your bangs with hair mousse, blowdry straight with a round brush, then straighten (although you can probably skip the straightening step if you don’t have curls) (I also sometimes coat with hairspray because I spend most of the day outside in the wind)! The mousse helps set the hair straight and eliminate frizz :) good luck!
JAcky says
Also, you look fantastic :)
YoungHouseLove says
Great tips!
xo
s
kathy says
THAT is the most courageous move I’ve ever seen! ha! You look GREAT in bangs and, as someone said earlier, they really bring out your eyes! Talk about DIY!
Mindy says
This seriously makes me want to walk in my bathroom and chop some more bangs on me. I wish I had your thick hair! If that was the case, there would be no debate on whether or not to do it. You look fabulous!
Cecily B says
They look fabulous! I had bangs for all my life. One year ago I started to grow them out. They’re finally manageable – the same length as the rest of my hair, but seeing yours makes me want to cut mine again!
Nicole says
They suit you. You look really pretty in these pics (that is not supposed to make it sound like you don’t usually, but I’m not typically focused as much on how cute you are as your new backspash, etc) and love your make up in these pics too.
Momcat says
Okay I haven’t had time to read all the posts, but I’m sure RACHEL THE HAIRDRESSER wants to know…… where’s the cape?!!
Nice bangs, I love them on you. Very young & fresh!!
YoungHouseLove says
Hahah! The cape is awesome for John haircuts! I just leaned over the sink for this trim-job.
xo
s
Sarah Atteberry says
They look great!! I wondered if they were real on instagram- but I’m glad that they are :) An easy way I do to trim my bangs in between cuts is to hold the scissors vertically and snip upwards trimming the very ends (on dry hair like you said that is combed forward…).
Angela says
Don’t you just love, how your readers will go wild over aaanything! I was also one, who happened upon the Instagram pic & immediately needed to know, “are they real”, “are you hamming it up with your ponytail”, “is that you or your Mum” ??? So a big grin came over my face to see today’s post. I’m so glad I’m not the only curious/crazy reader. Then I smiled wider once everyone started asking about those earrings. I noticed them too while going through the post & I think I’ve seen them on Pinterest actually. Hilarious where this little DIY diary blog takes you guys. Hope your tour is going well, it sounds exhausting!
Lori says
You have inspired me! I have done this in the past too and always liked the result (until they start bugging me and I grow them out again).
But I have to say, you have mighty purdy eyes, lady! Gorge!
Sam M. | Atkinson Drive says
LOVE them! They’re ADORBS!!!
Courtney says
Love them! Normally, I’m not a fan of bangs, but they look good on you. I was at the Austin event last night…nice to see your real bangs after all those hair-related questions you got asked! :)
Sara says
Cute bangs! In case you want to try another super easy technique, check out this video I saw the other day on youtube: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2fNzQgNwoxE&list=UUcZ2nCUn7vSlMfY5PoH982Q&index=11
YoungHouseLove says
Thanks!
xo
s
Cindy says
seriously. how can anyone look so perfectly cute?? the bang up look is most definitely your look. you look simply fabulous dahling.
Kiki says
You look amazing! And I love that you Petersiks truly DIY everything. Cutting bangs (even adding more to mine) always makes my palms sweaty but I love them and yours! Can’t wait to seem them (and you!) in more photos!
Megan Spittler says
Absolutely hilarious that you posted this tonight, I just got home from an $18 bangs trim!! They look great on you! I just took the plunge and got bangs last month- an adjustment but I’m loving them.
Whitney says
LOVE them! I agree with John, you do look young and I will say pretty :) I wish my curly hair could have bangs! (Off topic… we’re watching Ted, and I keep saying “She looks like Sherry! Sort of sounds like her too!” (About Mila Kunis)
Casey says
I have very similar bangs! I didn’t do the initial chop, but I do trim them myself. I recommend holding the scissors vertically for trimming, instead of cutting straight across. If you screw up the blunt straight-across, it’s more noticeable. If you hold vertically and make lots of little chops, it’s much more forgiving. You can still get the blunt look, it just takes a little longer.
Casey says
Oh and… I have to dry my bangs right away after showering while they are still sopping wet, or re-wet them before drying. Then I brush them from side to side while also waving the hairdryer from side to side, to get them stick-straight and all going in the same direction.
If I ever let them air dry, they look like crap. Some days I just blow dry my bangs (takes 1 minute) and let the rest of my long hair air dry!
YoungHouseLove says
Great tip!
xo
s
Bianca says
I have to say that I went crazy went I saw your instagram pic!! I normally restrain myself from commenting on your posts because there are always so many i feel like i get lost in the shuffle (lol) but i cant help myself today! You are always gorgeous but the bangs make you a certified hottie!! Dont ever get rid of them! whenever I get bangs i flatiron them for a few days and sometimes use a headscarf to ‘train’ them into place so maybe that will help with your cowlick. Have fun on tour!!
Heidi P. says
So cute and so mod. :D
3 style * 1 cut = awesome
Erin says
You look great with bangs and I love the blunt cut. I always thought Mrs. Bower looked good with bangs too. One tip for making your bangs thinner… use a lateral motion… hold your two fingers out like scissors and grasp all of your bangs in them laterally (i hope this makes sense). Then take your scissors vertically and start cutting vertical snips into the first half inch of your bang length. You can play with a slight angle-snip and many vertical snips. This will make your cut look professional.
Kristen Sutton says
So cute!!! Now to google those adorable earrings…
Kal says
Heck yes!! They look amazing :) They make your eyes pop like crazy. Welcome to the bang club :)
Kate says
So clever and purrr-etty :)
Nicole says
This came at the perfect time! I’ve been putting off getting my hair done as it’s mainly the overgrown bangs that are driving me nuts. I might just have to try trimming them myself tonight.
Katharine says
LOVE the bangs — you wear them well! My question is this: do you ever find them sort of naturally falling back into they way your hair laid before, or do they just kinda stay where they’re supposed to stay?
YoungHouseLove says
Oh yes when I sleep they go crazy, so every morning I either decide to “do them” or pin them back.
xo
s
Diane says
Ok, $herdog for the win!!! You were telling the truth about cutting your bangs, & I was one of the doubters. You had me going with that pony tail flip! But it was all in good fun, & I’m glad to have the mystery/debate solved! :) Now excuse me while I go to the bathroom to cut my bangs . . .
Jennifer F says
Girl, you have such great thick hair! Jealous! You look great with bangs!