Fringe Benefits: Celebrities With and Without Bangs

(Image credit: Getty Images)

published 21 August 2017

As anyone with bangs (or, you know, eyes) can tell you, adding some face-framing fringe can change an entire look. Just check out these celebrity transformations to see for yourself.

Kendall Jenner

Jenner's piece-y bangs were short-lived compared to her signature middle-part style, but we're really hoping she'll bring them back again for another round.

Emma Watson

It's no surprise that Emma Watson looks magical in all hair iterations: pixie cut, wispy bangs, pulled back, etc., etc.

Katy Perry

The bangs add a touch of Katy Perry whimsy, while the swept back look is peak modern elegance: She stills look glowingly gorgeous with and without.

Anne Hathaway

Further proof that Anne Hathaway is the ultimate hair chameleon: No one pulls off a side-swept pixie, a wavy lob, or a Devil Wears Prada-esque long hairstyle with the same ease.

Selena Gomez

Gomez only really flirted with blunt, eye-skimming bangs back in the day, but we're always a fan of her sleek, simple, fringe-free signature look.

Jessica Biel

Jessica Biel's blunt bangs nail the sleek, editorial vibe she's got going, while her open layers reveal her cheekbones-for-days.

Jennifer Lawrence

J.Law pulled off bangs AND a pixie cut like a pro, but if we're talking edgier looks, the face framing on this silvery lob is the real champ.

Chrissy Teigen

We're glad that Teigen took the straight fringe plunge, but we love the way her center-parted layers offset her face.

Gigi Hadid

Hadid's brief flirtation with bangs reminds us of her pal Taylor Swift's rocker-chic take on the look : teach us your ways 🙌.

Rachel McAdams

McAdams was blessed with the good genes to really rock a blunt fringe, but we love her in a summery lob, too.

Emma Stone

Stone's a true hair chameleon that could probably wear any cut or color on the planet: case in point.

Kim Kardashian

Kim K with bangs was a great style chapter in her life, but we're here for her slicked back, fringe-less look, too.

Sienna Miller

Doesn't take a historian to tell you that Sienna Miller looks like a Grecian goddess with or without wispy, French girl bangs.

Jennifer Lopez

Is it possible to kill it with every hair look? Because J.Lo seems to be doing just that.

Jessica Alba

Alba's bangs suit her well, but we think her blunt bob opens up her face so much more.

Kerry Washington

Side swept or full and bouncy with piece-y bangs? We give up on trying to decide which look we like best.

Beyoncé

Queen Bey can do/wear anything, but our favorite hair moments have been where she keeps it simple with face-framing layered waves.

Vanessa Hudgens

Get you a girl who can do both (bangs or no bangs)? Right this way...

Lily Collins

Hide THOSE brows? Under THOSE bangs? You've got to be kidding.

Dakota Johnson

Bangs seem to add even more glamour to Johnson's style, no?

Taylor Swift

Feathery and voluminous vs. straight and sleek. Win-win.

Rihanna

Long bangs, short babyhairs...whatever, she's perfect.

Reese Witherspoon

Real talk: Witherspoon pulls them both off.

Lea Michele

Michele somehow manages to make the growing-them-out phase look *so* not awkward. (Jealous.)

Zooey Deschanel

You'd be hard pressed to find photos of Deschanel without her trademark straight bangs, and when she finally swept them back, the internet lost its damn mind.

Samantha Leal is the Deputy Editor at Well+Good, where she spends most of her day thinking of new ideas across platforms, bringing on new writers, overseeing the day-to-day of the website, and working with the awesome team to produce the best stories and packages. Before W+G, she was the Senior Web Editor for Marie Claire and the Deputy Editor for Latina.com, with bylines all over the internet. Graduating from the Medill School of Journalism at Northwestern University with a minor in African history, she’s written everything from travel guides to political op-eds to wine explainers (currently enrolled in the WSET program) to celebrity profiles. Find her online pretty much everywhere @samanthajoleal.