Intricate hairstyling has existed in every culture since nearly time immemorial, but did you know that the modern updo as we know it today really took off in the 18th century? Slate magazine reports that you can essentially draw a line between the elaborate styles worn by wealthy women of the 1700s and the modern updos we see at weddings, red carpets, and a variety of other special occasions. But these days, the trend has added another element: adding bangs to a celebrity updo can take even the most classic bun or chignon to a whole new look, adding texture and movement while framing the face.
Just as celebrity styles are incredibly diverse, so are the types of updos and bangs available. Curly, straight, wavy, or cropped bangs, they look equally beautiful on all hairstyles and can be incorporated into traditional formal updos as well as casual looks. Bangs sometimes have a (perhaps unfair) reputation for being difficult to manage, but they can be a seamless addition to your favorite ponytail, bun, or braided style.
Read on for a roundup of celebrity updos with bangs to get inspired and find your next haircut.
Salma Hayek
Curtain bangs are beloved for their versatility and as a more subtle alternative to the classic blunt set: At the Oscars, Hayek’s own curtain bangs hung down from her high, looped bun, framing her face and adding extra depth to her smoky eye makeup.
Regina King
There’s nothing boring about King’s ponytail, especially when her stunning natural texture shines through. Her curled bangs make her classic ponytail so unique, detailed, and exciting.
Dakota Johnson
Don’t feel like your bangs have to be perfectly coiffed for the biggest events, and neither does your updo: As Johnson demonstrates, a well-crafted, tousled structure can make an otherwise neat look feel sexy and a little edgy.
Olivia Wilde
Pairing any type of braid with bold bangs, like Wylde’s big bubble braid and thick, straight bangs, makes any type of braid look even more intricate. On their own, both elements are eye-catching, but together they’re always going to stand out.
Rihanna
Showing up to the Met Gala with a special hairstyle might be the best sign of anything, and that sign is doubly so when it’s one that Rihanna debuted. In 2015, she opted for a towering, tressed bun that was sleek and polished, save for a single strand purposefully left on top.
Eva Longoria
Bangs can come in a variety of lengths, but if you go longer, they’ll make for an easy, loose-fitting bang. Longoria uses short, chin-length bangs that frame her face to make her fluffy ponytail look even more casual and glamorous.
Helen Mirren
You can’t go wrong with a classic style. To complement her perfectly coiffed chignon, Mirren added plenty of bangs and avoided long strands around her temples. Her goal seemed to be sophisticated elegance, which she achieved effortlessly.
Gemma Chan
Are you excited to know that side bangs are making a major comeback this year? It’s hard not to be when a spokesperson like Chan is showing off how chic they are. She paired them with a mid-length ponytail and parted about two-thirds of her hair to one side.
Cardi B
A dramatic dress deserves an equally exciting look. At the latest Marc Jacobs show, Cardi B accentuated the texture of her fluffy, voluminous outfit by fashioning her hair into a high, strategically messy bun with long bangs swept underneath. She must have loved the look, because she kept her bangs in place for a long time to come.
Taylor Swift
Cottagecore’s go-to recipe? Braids and bangs, easy. Swift’s braided updo might not feel as rustic and elaborate if it weren’t for her trademark wavy bangs.
