Miley Cyrus is the poster girl for boundary-pushing haircuts. We’re talking shags, mullets, platinum blonde pixie cuts, and jellyfish cuts. It’s safe to say she’s tried it all, and it’s iconic every time. Her latest hair venture? Micro bangs.
Seen in New York City on April 21, Cyrus showed off her long, wavy shag with baby bangs and completed the retro-inspired look with a black fuzzy 2000s tank and oversized aviator sunglasses.
As the name implies, micro bangs are super-short fringe that sit much higher on the forehead than traditional bangs. They don’t usually come any further down than mid-forehead, and the texture can range from a blunt straight-across cut to a more wispy, edgy cut (Cyrus’s cut looks more like the latter).
This isn’t the first time we’ve seen Cyrus wearing micro bangs. Last month she debuted them at the Vanity Fair Oscar Party. For that look, she pulled her hair back into a slick ponytail and let her baby bangs take centre stage against an all-black monochrome outfit.
She’s also not the only celeb to lean into the daring style. The 1950s-era haircut has seen many iterations—namely, Audrey Hepburn’s classic micro bangs. Since then, stars like Olivia Rodrigo, Zendaya, Florence Pugh, and more have modernised the look and kept the trend alive with a shorter, choppier version.
Micro bangs like Hepburn’s “have an airier appearance: They are lighter and layered and texturised for weight removal,” Amy Abramite, creative director and stylist at Chicago’s Maxine Salon, previously told Glamour. If you like a more blunt bang, that’s a 2000s and 2010s look: “Thicker, longer, and solid,” says Abramite.
When you get to the salon, Abramite advises telling your stylist you’d like micro bangs: a choppy, “half-moon”-style bang, or “mini choppy bangs.” If you have an exact idea in mind of what you want, it may help to bring a picture with you so there’s no confusion or buyer’s remorse (à la Emily Ratajkowski).
If you’ve ever had bangs, you already know this: They’re high-maintenance, so prepare for lots of touch-ups. Most often, bangs should be trimmed every four to six weeks, and you can try cutting them at home if you prefer to DIY it.
Style your bangs with a hair dryer and brush after the shower (hair drying them flat will get the Miley Cyrus look), or opt for a hot air brush for a more voluminous, full style. No matter what tool you decide to use, make sure you apply heat-protectant first.
This article originally appeared on Glamour US.
With or without bangs, with or without waves, this haircut is what mid-lengths need for a change of scenery.
