Bottleneck Bangs are 2022’s Soft, Sultry Fringe Trend

The mission: finding bangs that suit you during the biggest fringe craze in years. It’s no mean feat, and yet temptation to pick up the scissors is real*. Luckily, 2022 belongs to bottleneck bangs and they can be tailored to suit almost any face shape and hair type. Our International Creative Director, Andy Heasman, is […]

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The mission: finding bangs that suit you during the biggest fringe craze in years. It’s no mean feat, and yet temptation to pick up the scissors is real*.

Luckily, 2022 belongs to bottleneck bangs and they can be tailored to suit almost any face shape and hair type. Our International Creative Director, Andy Heasman, is here to divulge the details.

*Disclaimer: it won’t surprise you to hear that the team at Rush don’t recommend cutting your own hair. Find your closest Rush salon and discover a line-up of professional, luxury treatments.

What are bottleneck bangs?

Bottleneck bangs are somewhere between a full fringe and retro curtain bangs, with a grown-out finish. This sultry style is distinguishable by short, choppy strands in the middle of the forehead, which gradually extend out into an eye-skimming fringe.

The hype started with Margot Robbie’s look for British Vogue in August 2021 and are named to describe the way they oh-so-flatteringly frame the face. Narrow at the forehead like the neck of a bottle, curving around the cheeks and tapering out along the jawline.

While bottleneck bangs look especially striking with oval, square and heart-shaped faces, they can work on everyone; in the absence of a blunt line, the face is softened and eyes emphasized, while the length can be chosen to accentuate your bone structure without losing the effortless feel.

What to ask for at the hairdresser

A good hairdresser will know what you’re talking about as soon as you utter the words, ‘bottleneck bangs’, but there are a few ways to interpret this cut in terms of length, so taking photographs to your salon is the best way to ensure you leave happy.

Make your stylist aware how short you’re comfortable to go at your parting and discuss together where on your cheekbones your bangs should curve. If this is a brave move for you, why not start with something a little longer first, and see how you feel? Visit your stylist regularly to keep the look fresh.

Reality check: what are bottleneck bangs like to wear?

It’s hard to believe that a hairstyle trending among A-listers is pretty low maintenance, especially as fringes are famous for being hard work. But it’s true! Thanks to the choppy nature of the cut, your ‘do is unlikely to die a death as soon as you’re out in the elements.

Be warned though, any and all bangs can get greasy quickly, so if your hair is prone to oiliness, be sure to carry a trusty bottle of dry shampoo with you at all times. For very curly and coily hair types, it might require a bit of extra graft to dry your bangs in place and achieve the bottle silhouette.

Bottleneck bangs vs. curtain bangs

So, how are bottleneck bangs different from their retro older sister, curtain bangs? Well, they can definitely look similar, but bottleneck bangs tend to meet in the middle of the forehead thanks to the shorter pieces, and they often end longer, too.

Bottleneck bangs aren’t going anywhere for the moment, and they’re a great way to try out your first fringe without too much commitment. So, why not?  Opt for the chop, if you dare. 

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