Fringe benefits

Deciding whether a fringe is for you can be difficult. Done well it can spice up your style and even whisk away the years.

I asked mane man Michael Charalambous at London’s Nyumba, who cuts, arguably, the most talked about one in the UK - Claudia Winkleman’s - for some guidelines.

“Firstly, consider your face shape and, of course, the texture of your hair,” says Michael. “For instance, if you have curly hair, you need to keep it slightly longer as it will bounce up when it is dried. Blunt fringes tend to work better with thicker hair.”

Round face  

“Fringes should be cut using the middle of the eyebrow as a guideline” says Michael.  He suggests having one that is not too heavy and keeping it angular so that it will make your face appear slimmer and appear more oval. 

Oval face

Everybody aspires to have this face shape as it is deemed to be the perfect face to wear any style. “You can wear them short or long,” says Michael. “If your face is on the long side, a straight, blunt fringe can make it appear shorter.”

Square face

“Avoid blunt, heavy fringes,” advises Michael. “Instead go for a side fringe, usually above the eyebrows, with jagged edges which will soften the face and make it appear longer.”

Heart face

You generally have a wide forehead and pointed chin. “Use the corner of your eyes as a guideline when cutting the fringe,” says Michael. “A feathered fringe skimming the eyebrows and swept to the side will help balance your face.”

Rules can always be broken and a good stylist will know exactly what will suit you and your hair.  Michael said for my combination oval and square shape, a longish side fringe is the best option.

So, before you take the plunge always have a couple of consultations. Never be tempted to cut it yourself. Growing one out can be a nightmare!

By Daralyn Danns