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This Is The Timeless Haircut Trend We Need Forever

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"Should I get bangs?" It's a common musing, made even more widespread by the fact that every hair type, texture, and length can rock the style — and there's no shortage of fringe inspiration out there to envy. And while any haircut is worth mulling over, once you get the bangs bug, it's hard to shake.

Bangs can be risky — there's the grow-out process and additional styling techniques one needs to consider — but does any cut deliver as big of a punch with minimal change? Perhaps that's why bangs come in every density, length, and style imaginable. In fact, out of all the haircuts we could imagine, the leap for fringe definitely medals in risky hair transformations. Either you hate the look or fall madly in love, depending on your hair mood.

Which brings us to our point: To get bangs right, you should do more than ask your coworkers what they think — you need pictures. Anyone can google images of bangs, but taking a look at fringes past, and what's to come, can be more helpful. From choppy to flapper-inspired to blunt to middle-parted, bangs aren’t just a big decision, they’re a staple in hair history. If you don’t believe us, just take a look ahead.

To help you get the full picture, we're going way back — starting with late-1920s trendsetter Louise Brooks — and all the way up to today's Instagram queen Selena Gomez's latest fringe. Every look proves to live on through decades of beauty evolutions. So here’s to you, incredibly difficult haircut to decide on, because we love you, even when we aren’t sure about the commitment.

Louise Brooks

Known to break norms in Hollywood, the actress made the bob-and-bangs look iconic in the late '20s. And today? Her raven 'do and dramatic cut are still fringe #goals to the max.

Photo: Eugene Robert Richee/John Kobal Foundation/Getty Images.

Bettie Page

Her pinup photos dominated the '50s, and her thick baby bangs are still a staple for a retro aesthetic today.

Photo: Michael Ochs Archives/Getty Images.

Natalie Wood

Wood brought us wispy bangs back in the late '50s that are perfectly suited for today's lived-in side of the haircut spectrum. Later, in the '60s, she traded in the piece-y look for glam, side-swept fringe. (Evolution on point.)

Photo: arl Leaf/Michael Ochs Archives/Getty Images.

Brigitte Bardot

While the star was known for her beehive in the '50s and '60s, the accompanying center-parted, undone bangs were just as memorable.

Photo: REPORTERS ASSOCIES/Gamma-Rapho/Getty Images.

Audrey Hepburn

Never give up a good thing: Through all the characters Hepburn played in her career, the iconic short bangs remained a staple for her look.

Photo: Silver Screen Collection/Getty Images.

Elizabeth Taylor As Cleopatra

Although this famous "cut" was a raven-black wig, the bangs were so interesting that we still love them. This 'do was inches away from being a bowl cut, but with the beads and glossy sheen, it was camera perfection.

Photo: Universal History Archive/UIG via Getty Images.

Mia Farrow

There's a reason Farrow in Rosemary's Baby is still the reference point for the pixie cut — it was unapologetically short, and the fringe was choppy perfection. Win-win.

Photo: Ron Galella, Ltd./WireImage.

Jane Birkin

She’s the namesake for the famous Hermès handbag, but we admire her chic, French-girl fringe even more.

Photo: ARALDO CROLLALANZA/REX/Shutterstock.

Claudia Lennear

Anyone looking for rockstar bangs would love this long, thick, and haphazardly parted style. The soul singer nailed it back in 1970.

Photo: Michael Ochs Archives/Getty Images.

Jean Shrimpton

Shrimpton, one of the world’s first supermodels in the '60s, had bangs, so we’re not surprised the hairstyle blew up around the same time.

Photo: Terry O'Neill/Hulton Archive/Getty Images.

Goldie Hawn

It’s impressive when a hairstyle works so well that you keep it over the span of decades. Hawn's long, blown-out bangs have stood the test of time — and still look great.

Photo: Ron Galella/WireImage.

Stevie Nicks

Her raspy voice and rebellious attitude may be the most alluring parts of Ms. Nicks, but we also adore the full-blown '70s vibe she’s rocked for years now.

Photo: Fin Costello/Redferns/Getty Images.

Farrah Fawcett

Long live feathered bangs! Fawcett made her signature look appear effortless and gave wind-blown bangs the stage they deserved.

Photo: Bettmann/Getty Images.

Joan Jett

Rockstars like Jett were all about party in the back and messy bangs in the front. The undone, piece-y shag is still on-trend — even decades later.

Photo: The LIFE Picture Collection/Getty Images.

Debbie Harry

Harry is known for her lived-in look, and this textured lob and long fringe are still gaining traction today. See: Taylor Swift on the cover of Vogue.

Photo: Gus Stewart/Redferns.

Michelle Pfeiffer

While the '80s most notably gave us larger-than-life hair and perms galore, Pfeiffer’s soft waves, curled ends, and smooth bangs were a change of pace that looked mature, not teenybopper-cool.

Photo: Ron Galella/WireImage.

Sarah Jessica Parker

Before SJP went full Met Gala goddess, she was just like us with her nostalgic teen styles. For example, her Girls Just Want to Have Fun curled fringe.

Photo: New World Pictures/Getty Images.

Christina Applegate

Experimentation is always good when it comes to your hair, and Applegate can do no wrong but we're not upset that these hairspray-ed bangs have evolved into something, err, softer.

Photo: Terry O'Neill/Hulton Archive/Getty Images.

Shannen Doherty

The show 90210 was the hot spot for transitional '80s-to-'90s looks, but the best part was Doherty’s ever-present raven-black fringe.

Photo: Ron Galella/WireImage.

Jennifer Aniston

No shock here: "The Rachel" cut will live on in beauty (and TV) history. And while they're a bit long to be considered proper bangs, these choppy layers get a shoutout as legendary face-framers nonetheless.

Photo: NBC/NBCU Photo Bank/Getty Images.

Uma Thurman As Mia Wallace

Ignoring the blatant drug abuse in Pulp Fiction for a minute , Wallace's jet-black bob gave us major Louise Brooks flashbacks.

Photo: Moviestore/REX/Shutterstock.

Britney Spears

The pop princess had these eyebrow grazers long before any talk of python accessories, K-Fed, or Vegas residencies.

Photo: Jeff Kravitz/FilmMagic.

Lil’ Kim

We know, we know, the pasty is what had everyone talking when Lil' Kim stepped onto the 1999 VMAs red carpet, but we’re still obsessed with the wig and periwinkle bangs.

Photo: Ron Galella/WireImage.

Lisa "Left Eye" Lopes

Although her history-making career was sadly cut short, Lopes' "No Scrubs" look dominated the video for its intergalactic style. (Complete with blunt fringe we're still loving today, obviously.)

Photo: SGranitz/WireImage.

Sienna Miller

Who remembers Miller's long pixie from 2005? The grown-out style was a cool, 21st-century update on Farrow's '60s version.

Photo: L. Cohen/WireImage.

Katie Holmes

Sometimes bangs are stereotyped as a girl-next-door style, but we think Holmes stepped up her #adulting game when she got her thick fringe. Goodbye, Joey; hello, Hollywood stunner.

Photo: Kevin Winter/Getty Images.

Rihanna

This one's a bit more piece-y compared to Miller's cut, and selecting between the two looks is no easy feat for those after a long pixie with bangs. Side note: We wonder if Drake found Rihanna just as irresistible as we did when she donned these edgy bangs and punk cut.

Photo: Steve Granitz/WireImage.

Katy Perry

Before she told the world she kissed a girl, Perry was all about her dark fringe. Fun fact: She resurrects the look today with wigs.

Photo: Brian Ach/WireImage.

Lady Gaga

From eyebrow-grazing bangs to her memorable long, platinum look here, Gaga’s style has always been explosive.

Photo: Brian To/FilmMagic.

Mariah Carey

No, this moment isn't a sweet fantasy; it's sweet curly-bangs reality. Who thinks Carey should wear these curls again? (Us!)

Photo: Charley Gallay/WireImage.

Jennifer Lopez

It’s a challenge to pick the best J.Lo look, but her elegant bangs always win no matter what.

Photo: Jun Sato/ WireImage.

Kate Moss

The supermodel gave up her recognizable middle-part and opted for long, highlighted fringe to frame her face back in 2010.

Photo: Fred Duval/FilmMagic.

Kelly Osbourne

Lavender looks aren’t for the faint of heart, but Osbourne's blunt bangs can work with many looks.

Photo: Jon Kopaloff/FilmMagic.

Alexa Chung

The British It Girl who knows all about relaxed street style hasn’t changed her hair look in years. Why? It’s an easy-to-style 'do, and the bangs are pure rocker-cool.

Photo: Mike Marsland/WireImage.

Nicki Minaj

If we’re certain of one thing, it’s that Minaj has had one of the most memorable beauty transformations ever. Her many bang styles and colors always give us hair envy.

Photo: Frederick M. Brown/Getty Images.

Tyra Banks

We always enjoy Banks' hair changes, but these lash-grazing bangs are one of her best looks.

Photo: Steve Granitz/WireImage.

Reese Witherspoon

When you search for bangs on Pinterest, it's Witherspoon that dominates the results. Our favorite version? The wispy pieces here that flatter her face, and her blunt cut, perfectly.

Photo: George Pimentel/WireImage.

Beyoncé

Bey's baby bangs from 2014 pay homage to Bettie Page — and, wow, do we appreciate her modern take on the throwback look. Short bangs for the win, guys.

Photo: Neil P. Mockford/GC Images.

Krysten Ritter

It's so hard to keep baby bangs the same length every damn day. (These take weekly trims, people!) Ritter does just that, making sure her jet-black fringe is in photo-ready shape.

Photo: Taylor Hill/FilmMagic.

Emma Stone

Sharp and long or side-swept, whenever Stone grows out her fringe we always pray she brings it back.

Photo: Jon Kopaloff/FilmMagic.

Lauren Conrad

Before Conrad’s above-the-shoulder chop and red dye job, she had wispy bangs.

Photo: Alberto E. Rodriguez/Getty Images.

Kerry Washington

Washington’s lust-worthy style choices seem endless, but her eyelash-grazing bangs are particularly fierce AF.

Photo: Gregg DeGuire/WireImage.

Dolly Parton

Parton knows a thing or two about big hair — and how important fringe is to round out the look.

Photo: Tibrina Hobson/Getty Images.

Freja Beha Erichsen

Models with enviable fringe are a serious source of the bang envy many of us experience. A perfect example: Erichsen's off-duty set.

Photo: Darren Gerrish/WireImage.

Zendaya

Zendaya is a girl after our own hearts, and not simply because she likes to try new looks with wigs. What's better, they often come with bangs, including this blunt, bowl cut-inspired set.

Photo: Jon Kopaloff/FilmMagic.

Kate Middleton

When the Duchess of Cambridge makes a beauty change or reveals a cosmetic secret, our ears perk up. We can’t help ourselves — and her newer side-swept fringe is no exception.

Photo: Chris Jackson/WPA Pool /Getty Images.

Dakota Johnson

Johnson is one of the modern actresses who maintains her fringe from film to film, whether she’s donning her Anastasia dark locks or summer bronde.

Photo: Dave J Hogan/Dave J Hogan/Getty Images.

Florence Welch

Her voice induces goose bumps, but it's her consistent cut that we really adore about this redhead beauty. The bangs softly fall over her eyes, but never look messy.

Photo: Axelle/Bauer-Griffin/FilmMagic.

Mica Arganaraz

Shags are the new lobs, especially if you love to air-dry and want to embrace your natural spirals.

Photo: Marc Piasecki/Getty Images.

Zooey Deschanel

The actress owns her chunky, cool-girl bangs. We have a feeling this look isn’t dying anytime soon; in fact, we barely remember her pre-fringe.

Photo: Jason LaVeris/FilmMagic.

Penelope Cruz

Cruz has had many jaw-dropping looks during her career, but she has gone back to her Roman Holiday- inspired bangs a handful of times — most recently, this year — and we can’t get enough.

Photo: Carlos Alvarez/Getty Images.

Taylor Swift

Bangs were a big factor in T. Swift's evolution from curly country roots to pop-star power. And she’s had them for a while — paired with her old long locks and, finally, her Anna Wintour bob.

Photo: Steve Granitz/WireImage.

Naomi Campbell

We'd guess that Campbell knows everything when it comes to up-and-coming fashion trends, because duh — but her beauty looks are just as forward-thinking. Check out these eyelash-sweeping bangs from this year.

Photo: Dave Benett/Getty Images.

Hari Nef

She’s made her career while “meta-creating” herself (becoming a breakout star in the process), but we’re crossing our fingers she doesn’t change her dark and mysterious 'do.

Photo: Mike Pont/Patrick McMullan via Getty Images.

Selena Gomez

Since her Revival tour started, Gomez has been all about hair makeovers. The most recent featured choppy fringe and a honey hue.

Photo: Jun Sato/GC Images.

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