Big Bang Theory
This just in: The Beckham bob has officially lost its steam. Bangs are the new "It" 'do. Stylists all over town are turning away tear sheets of Victoria Beckham's short, sleek bob and convincing clients to go out with a bang, literally.
Belle Cheveux hair stylist, Shelley Hartzke, has only had a handful of clients request bangs but has persuaded about 10 to leave with them. "In Vegas everyone has that long-hair look. Bangs are a good way to make a change without the commitment," said Hartzke who's so taken with the hair trend she's sporting a set herself.
For proof of the tantalizing transformation bangs inspire, open a magazine or turn on the tube. Kate Moss, Heidi Klum, Mary J. Blige, Keira Knightley, Rihanna and most recently, Katie Holmes, have all chopped a fringed set of heavy bangs recently. On a recent episode of "Oprah" -- "Great American Haircut" -- the queen of daytime solicited five celebrity stylists to make over 100 hairstyles. A majority of the highlighted new styles featured a big bang.
"It's amazing how a change that little can make such a huge difference," said Stephanie Mora, Hartzke's client. The 24-year-old go-go dancer didn't always boast such enthusiasm about her new look. Although Hartzke warned her, shock overwhelmed Mora when the shears snipped her last long layer. "I remember looking in the mirror and not recognizing myself," she said of her month-old look. "It took a couple days to get used to it but now I wonder why I didn't do it sooner."
Hartzke has come to expect an initial "what did I just do?" reaction, but the end result justifies the temporary flinch.
Celebrity colorist Kim Vo prefers to take another route. "When in doubt, throw it out," he said. He estimates 30 percent of his clients have asked for a bang in recent weeks. Most of them also expressed hesitance. As an alternative, the Kim Vo Salon offers clip-in bangs. "They're not for everyday kind of stuff," Vo said. "They're for fun times"
According to Vo, a few celebrities who have had "fun" with the clip-in's include Katie Holmes, Janet Jackson and on-again off-again bang lover Tyra Banks. The Great Lengths hair clips cost $45 at the Kim Vo Salon at The Mirage.
For those uninterested in faking it, Hartzke's client Mora encourages them to take the plunge. "Honestly, you can't regret it," she insisted. "The world needs bangs!"
Contact fashion reporter Xazmin Garza at xgarza@reviewjournal.com or 702-383-0477.
a cut above
Getting the most bang out of your bang comes down to length. While some argue that they simply don't have the face or hair for bangs, Belle Cheveux hair stylist Shelley Hartzke begs to differ. "Most people can have bangs," she said. "It's more about a commitment to styling them." Hartzke follows a set of rules to let all hair and face types enjoy the bang trend. Here are a few celebrity examples that illustrate her reasoning.
Round Face: Christina Ricci has a round face, which calls for a longer bang to "elongate the face."
Narrow Face: Molly Sims' narrow face is counterbalanced with a short bang.
Long Forehead: With bangs that hit just above the brow, Tyra Banks' forehead doesn't appear so long.
Short Forehead: Someone with a short forehead, like Kristen Bell, just needs to start the bang further back on her head to get a good look.
growing pains
Growing bangs out is arguably the worst part about getting them. According to celebrity colorist Kim Vo and Belle Cheveux hair stylist Shelley Hartzke, it doesn't have to be as excruciating as women think. Take a look at the tips both offer for easing those growing pains.
Pin them down: "Invest in bobby pins," Hartzke said. They looked fabulous skimming your brow but not so much at the bridge of your nose. Clip them to the side with some charming hair pins and you've solved the problem.
Get creative: As Heidi Klum has demonstrated on "Project Runway," a bang can easily get revamped. She tends to pin down her front bangs at the crown of her head for a retro look.
Cut around the bang: Vo recommends accommodating the awkward length with a new shape. "Cut vertically to get a jagged look," he said. "Or cut into the sides a little so you can start to feather them."
