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Home • News

Hot Hair: Bold, Beautiful Bangs

Red lipstick, Chanel No. 5, Blair Underwood...some things never go out of style. Bangs are one of those things! It's easy to see why--not only do they look good on every face shape, a forehead fringe is a chic compliment to any haircut, from an Estelle-esque pixie to Naomi Campbell's super-long strands. Here, our favorite be-banged celebs.
By Essence · Updated October 29, 2020
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01
Clean Sweep

Monica arrived at the 2012 Billboard Music Awards wearing a swooping bang paired with a braided updo.

Bold, Beautiful Bangs
02
Full Force Glam

Tia Mowry showed off her new ’do, a long, wavy hairstyle with blunt cut bangs, at the Biggest Baby Shower Ever in New York.

Hot Hair: Bold, Beautiful Bangs
03
Tressed to Impress

Jill Scott appeared on the red carpet of the NAACP Image Awards in a loose, eyebrow-grazing fringe.

Bold, Beautiful Bangs
04
Going for the Gold

At the Bravo Upfront Event, NeNe Leakes flaunted bright gold side-swept bangs.

Bold, Beautiful Bangs
05
Fit for a Queen

While attending the 2012 Outstanding Mother Awards, Gayle King added a touch of sizzle to her flipped bob with bold bangs and golden highlights.

Bold, Beautiful Bangs
06
Flipping Out

Erica Campbell loves pulling tress switcheroos, and this asymmetrical bob with a lush bang is one of her top looks.

Bold, Beautiful Bangs
07
Beautiful Bob

At The New York Times’ “TimesTalks” Chat Series, Viola did a dramatic sweep of her choppy bangs for an easy and fresh update to her bob.

Bold, Beautiful Bangs
08
Winning Streak

Jennifer arrived on the set of 106 and Park in super long locks paired with fun, face-framing bangs and subtle streaks.

Hot Hair: Bold, Beautiful Bangs
09
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A visit to the ESSENCE office in NYC.

Bold, Beautiful Bangs
10
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The Micahjesse.com Five Year Anniversary Celebration at Canoe Studios in NYC.

Why: Diaz would make even Rapunzel jealous of her super long, bone straight strands.

Bold, Beautiful Bangs
11
Short and Sassy

At the White House Correspondents’ Weekend in Washington, D.C., Kerry Washington sported a chic shoulder-length ’do with choppy bangs and soft brown highlights.

Bold, Beautiful Bangs
12
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The Think Like A Man screening at the AMC Empire 25 theater in NYC.

Why: Olivia’s multi-colored streaks and two-toned layers make for a fierce and fabulous look.

Bold, Beautiful Bangs
13
Signature Style

Naomi Campbell sported her signature bangs-and-blowout at the Michael Jackson: THE IMMORTAL World Tour show by Cirque du Soleil.

Bold, Beautiful Bangs
14
Flirty Fringe

Naomi Campbell’s signature bangs-and-blowout ’do has jump-started a zillion new trends. So easy breezy chic!

Bold, Beautiful Bangs
15
Super Bowl

Estelle’s full fringe adds texture and dimension to her retro bowl cut. So chic.

Hot Hair: Bold, Beautiful Bangs
16
Retro Chic

With her sleek, jet black locks and wispy, eyebrow-length bangs — Katerina Graham looks like a modern-day Louise Brooks.

Hot Hair: Bold, Beautiful Bangs
17
Fierce Flapper

Viola Davis rocked a seriously chic flapper bob at Elle’s Women in Hollywood Tribute.

Hot Hair: Bold, Beautiful Bangs
18
Wild Streaks

TV host Shaun Robinson paired her frosted, flippy strands with heavy bangs for a perfectly sexy look.

Hot Hair: Bold, Beautiful Bangs
19
So Very Kerry

Bangs are always a chic compliment to any haircut, especially side-sweeping ones paired with lush curls, á la Kerry Washington.

Hot Hair: Bold, Beautiful Bangs
20
Pretty Platinum

Out and about near Rockefeller Center in New York City, Keri Hilson sported a razor sharp, platinum bob with full bangs. Hot!

Hot Hair: Bold, Beautiful Bangs
21
Curly Top

Jill Scott blossoms in this retro, Diana-meets-Chaka style. How cute are her curly bangs?

Bold, Beautiful Bangs
22
Mod Mod Mod Mod World

Angela Simmons’ heavy bangs and long, thick blowout give her ’do a deliciously mod vibe.

Hot Hair: Bold, Beautiful Bangs
23
So Very Kerry

Bangs are a chic compliment to any haircut, from long layers a’la Kerry Washington to an Estelle-esque pixie. Here, our favorite be-banged celebs.

Bold, Beautiful Bangs
24
Brighten Up

Eve brightens up her bangs with amber and honey highlights.

Hot Hair: Bold, Beautiful Bangs
25
Pin-up Pretty

Nicki Minaj’s full, blunt bangs give her long, platinum strands a retro pin-up feel.

Bold, Beautiful Bangs
26
Have a Heart

At the Vanity Fair Oscar Party, Serena Williams sported just-above-the-brow bangs that perfectly flattered her heart-shaped face.

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27
Casual Corner

Racing from show to show backstage at New York Fashion Week, Chanel Iman sported a messy bun and tousled, casual chic bangs.

Bold, Beautiful Bangs
28
Thoroughly Modern

Rashida Jones puts a modern spin on her short bangs by sweeping them to one side with a fine-tooth comb.

Hot Hair: Bold, Beautiful Bangs
29
Fierce Fringe

Naomi Campbell adds designer sunglasses to her signature bangs-and-blowout ’do. So easy breezy chic!

Bold, Beautiful Bangs
30
Bang Bang

Keisha Whitaker’s slightly feathered, grown-out bangs give her ’do a casually chic look.

Bold, Beautiful Bangs
31
Oh Boy

Estelle’s full fringe adds texture and dimension to her layered boy cut.

Bold, Beautiful Bangs
32
Mod Cute

With her long, heavy bangs and sleek blowout, Tyra Banks works the ’60s mod look to perfection.

Bold, Beautiful Bangs
33
Curly Cue

Jennifer Hudson’s bouncy curls get a dose of sophistication from her eyebrow-length, perfectly trimmed bangs.

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34
So Bangin’

Veronica Webb’s short, above-the-brow bangs give her face a wide-eyed, youthful appearance.

Bold, Beautiful Bangs
35
Feline Fatale

Shaun Robinson’s glossy, side-swooping fringe gives her long, layered tresses a sex kitteny vibe. Raowrr!

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36
Chic Chanteuse

Fantasia puts a modern spin on the retro bowl cut with her thick, full bang and face-framing tendrils.

Bold, Beautiful Bangs
37
Blonde Ambition

Beyoncé parts her long, blonde bangs on the side for a soft, sexy look that compliments her blowout.

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38
On the Same Page

Lisa Raye’s Bettie Page-style bangs give her tresses a vampy, pin-up girl sexiness.

Bold, Beautiful Bangs
39
She Bangs

Keri Hilson’s asymmetric fringe is both edgy and flirty—we love this cut!

Hot Hair: Bold, Beautiful Bangs
40
Just Like Honey

When Ciara experimented with honey-hued hair, she also tried long, Marianne Faithfull-esque bangs— such a sexy look for CiCi!

Bold, Beautiful Bangs
41
Curly Cues

Bangs don’t always have to be stick-straight! Mariah Carey’s spiral fringe is adorable with her masses of ringlets.

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42
Sleek Strands

With her low pony and glossy, flat-ironed bangs, Jada Pinkett Smith’s hair is sleek and chic.

Bold, Beautiful Bangs