STYLE YA NYWELE YENYE KUKUPA MUONEKANO CHINI YA UMRI WAKO!

Michelle Obama
Kerry Washington

Youthful look: Helen Mirren proves a fringe can defy your years

 Rihanna

But what are the rules for getting the chop?
‘A fringe is perfect if you want a quick update, as it changes your look completely,’ says Michael Lendon, creative director at the Aveda Institute. ‘It disguises forehead wrinkles, makes you look groomed, and by wearing one you’re making a statement.
‘It is undeniably tricky to get right however. Bear in mind your face shape, hair texture and the type of fringe you’d like — from side-swept to blocky. If you get it wrong, it can take months to grow out.’
So if you’re keen to follow the ‘First Fringe’, here’s our fail-safe guide to getting it right 

FIND YOUR FACE SHAPE

Your cut should aim to make your face look more oval, as this shape is scientifically shown as being rated the most attractive,’ says Lendon.

‘If you have a round face, you’ll suit a fringe that can be swept to the side. If you’d prefer a straighter cut, ask your stylist to feather it at the edges — more length around the temples makes features seem less broad.

‘Avoid a heavy fringe, as this can make your face appear too wide and emphasise big cheeks. Women with long faces can wear most types of fringes, but a wider style that goes back to the middle of your ears will open up your face.

‘High foreheads can be disguised by a fringe that skims the eyebrows. Stay away from cropped, high fringes, as they expose the length in your face and can make it appear stretched.

‘Heart-shaped faces can get away with almost anything. Draw attention to your cheekbones with a wide fringe. If you believe your eyes are your best feature, have a lash-skimming fringe to emphasise them.

‘Try a Sixties-style middle parting if you want to make your face look more open — and if you want to make a statement, then brave a short fringe of the type worn by Audrey Hepburn.

‘Those with square jaws should avoid a sharp, angular cut and go for a choppy soft style to draw the focus away from a prominent jaw line. You need a big fringe that’s long and layered to balance out your features.’

FINE OR FRIZZY?

Fringes can still work for frizzy, fine or even slightly curly hair. ‘Fine, soft curls can create a lovely frame for your face — try a long, side-swept style that sits at cheekbone level,’ says Lendon.

‘Unfortunately the style doesn’t work with coarser curls, as the hair springs up without weight to pull it down. If you have really tight, bouncy curls, ask your hairdresser to create long layers around the front of the face, which can be styled to the side to give a face-framing effect.

‘Fine fringes can look greasy, as they absorb the skin’s oil. This hair type will need to be washed every day (if you don’t have the time, a quick spritz of dry shampoo can give you an extra 24 hours).’

But what about frizz?

‘If your hair is fluffy but you want it to be sleek, run a dab of mousse through it while it’s wet, before blasting it with your hairdryer from the top of your head,’ says Lendon. ‘Use your fingers to smooth your hair down.’

If you have Afro hair like Michelle Obama, fringes can be high maintenance. Tight curls won’t lie straight on your forehead.

‘The easiest way to get straight hair is to have it chemically relaxed, then a fringe will be easy to style,’ says Aveda’s afro specialist Beverley Baptiste. ‘Moisturise it with a few drops of oil-based serum before bed and wrap in a scarf to keep your fringe in place at night. In the morning, comb it flat and your fringe is ready to go.

‘Alternatively, get your hair texturised (a milder chemical relaxer that loosens the natural curl and prevents frizz). When you blow-dry your hair straight it will stay that way, though you must avoid getting it wet in the rain or sweaty at the gym.

‘If you’re desperate for a fringe, but don’t want drying chemicals in your hair, you could get a weave (either fake or real hair pieces threaded into the hair’s roots). It will take up to seven hours to get the pieces sewn in, but results can last for three months.’

ACT YOUR AGE

 ‘A fringe is better than Botox, as it covers a lined forehead and disguises crows’ feet around the eyes without the risk of a frozen face,’ says Lendon. ‘For older women it’s the most flattering hairstyle there is.

‘A brow-length fringe is the most anti-ageing because it’s playful and versatile — you can easily sweep it to one side to soften the angles of your face.

‘Don’t go for anything that’s too short because it exposes frown lines. Wispy styles are dated and can make you look older.’

Bear in mind your eyebrows. They must be groomed, as this hairstyle really draws attention to them. If yours are sparse, pencil them in or get them professionally tinted and threaded.

BE COLOUR CONFIDENT

‘When wearing hair that falls around the face, your colour must be considered,’ says Lendon. ‘Warm colours with hints of gold, red and chestnut complement golden skin tones, while cooler black, ash blonde and silver can perfectly offset pale skin tones.’

To find out your skin tone, look at the veins in your arm under natural light. If they appear blue, you are cool-toned, while if they look green you are warm-toned.

MAINTENANCE REALLY MATTERS

‘Hair grows 1cm every four weeks, so bear in mind you’ll need a fringe cut often,’ says Lendon.
‘Many salons offer free trims to keep fringes in tip-top condition — taking off a few millimetres can make all the difference.’

Whatever you do, don’t be tempted to do it yourself.

Blow-dry your fringe every day. ‘Hold the dryer above your head and direct the air down,’ says Lendon. ‘Use a flat brush, as it’s easier to control than a round one.’

A spritz of dry shampoo will not only stop fringes looking greasy, but it gives the look more body and makes styling easier. Spray from a distance of 20cm so the product disperses over the fringe and doesn’t look powdery. Deliver in short, sharp bursts then brush.

‘Finally, for a smooth finish, use straighteners on a cool setting,’ says Lendon. ‘The trick is to put a slight curve into the fringe so it follows the shape of your forehead.’

OR TRY A WINGE!

If you’re still wondering whether a fringe will work for you, fake it with a ‘winge’ — the term for a clip-on fringe wig.

‘Clip-on fringes are great,’ says Lendon. ‘Wearing one removes the shock factor of taking the plunge, as it shows you what you’ll look like with a real fringe.

‘If you’re planning to wear your winge on a night out, invest in one that matches your colour perfectly, otherwise it will look unconvincing.’

The best on the market costs £30 from hershesons.com. Take it into your hairdresser, who can trim and style it so it suits you exactly.