If you’ve ever wondered ‘should I get a fringe?’ but you’re eternally worried that it might involve too much upkeep, wispy bangs make a strong case for starting with something a bit softer.

Lighter and easier to work with than a traditional full fringe, wispy bangs sit somewhere between barely-there face-framing layers and classic bangs, making them one of the easiest ways tor refresh your hair without a dramatic change. It’s an option that doesn’t just look cool but is also super low maintenance and very much lazy-girl approved.

The wispy fringe is also one of the most adaptable styles to try: whether it’s worn slightly parted, straight across the forehead or left to air dry for an undone, more casual feel, wispy bangs offer an easy, subtle way to change the shape of your haircut while still remaining wearable day-to-day – especially if you’re trying a fringe for the first time.

What are wispy bangs?

Sometimes referred to as ‘see-through bangs’ or ‘Korean air bangs’ – wispy bangs have been popular for years in South Korea, and like all good Korean beauty trends, they’re steadily growing in popularity here in the west thanks to the soft, effortless finish.

“Wispy bangs are a softer, more playful bang cut to loosely accentuate the eye and temple areas,” explains Rogerio Cavalcante, owner and hairstylist at the Second Floor Salon. “Whether they are ‘micro’ wispy, or longer in length, there is less hair cut than a full fringe, so you can still see the forehead peeking through.” Essentially, they have movement and more of an “airy” texture to them.

Rogerio also notes that wispy bangs are a great choice for anyone unsure if they want a full fringe, as they allows clients to test the look and try different styling techniques. You’ve definitely seen the style before: stars like Jenna Ortega, Selena Gomez, Camila Cabello, Zoë Kravitz, and Suki Waterhouse have all worn wispy bangs lately.

Where did wispy bangs originate?

The fringe style is especially popular among K-pop stars like Blackpink’s Jennie, Jisoo, Lisa, Rosé, Squid Game actor Jung Ho-Yeon, and model Lee Sung-Kyung, which makes sense: The wispy bangs trend started in South Korea and became popularised by those looking to achieve an effortless, youthful look with an elegant feel.