30% OFF ALL SCISSORS -- USE CODE ARC24

MONTHLY FINANCING AVAILABLE MONTHLY FINANCING AVAILABLE

4 Tips For Achieving a Soft, Barely-There Fringe

4 Tips For Achieving a Soft, Barely-There Fringe

Want to give clients a little face-framing without the commitment of a full-blown bang? Barely-there fringe (like it’s sister, the curtain bang!) is the perfect way to create movement and softness without all the maintenance. To get the deets on this summer-friendly fringe, we had ARC™ Scissors Artist Chris Jones (@chrisjones_hair) share his tips for achieving this look. 

ARC Scissors

Consultation Always

Make sure you have a heart-to-heart with the client about their decision to get bangs. Is it just for fun? Are they emotional? Talk about how long and what kind of vibe they are going for to help determine the length. This is also a great time to check if the client has any cowlicks. Don’t worry if they do, we have a tip for that, but you have to keep scrolling!

Cutting a soft fringe

Overdirect For Natural Graduation

Start by parting the client’s hair down the middle or where they wear it normally. Then, take a small section and overdirect it straight out from the center of the head. Use this as a guide for the rest of the fringe, creating a natural short to long graduated look.

How to cut a soft fringe

Use A Sharp Scissor and Subtle Technique

To cut fringe, Chris likes to the use a subtle open and close motion with the axis of the shear. “I feel like I have more control over the amount of weight and length being removed, as opposed to a slide cutting technique,” Chris explains. This cutting technique also protects the cuticle and integrity of the hair, Chris adds. Since you’re cutting with the sharpest part of the scissor, it’s really important that the shears aren’t dull. For this cut, Chris used the 6″ PARAGON II scissors by ARC™ Scissors.

paragon IIARC™ PARAGON II

Finished look with a soft, barely-there fringe

Keep Cowlicks In Their Natural State

If a client has cowlicks in the front, it doesn’t mean they have to avoid fringe. Chris suggests going easy on the blow dry and cutting the fringe with the cowlick in its natural state. “If you manipulate the cowlick in the front too much when blow drying, the fringe will be much shorter than when the client styles their own hair,” Chris explains.

Scissors Used 

ARC™ PARAGON II

Paragon II 6" Shears