How To Maintain A Fringe In Isolation

Risky business.

The unfolding Coronavirus (COVID-19) situation means that we are all dealing with a lot of uncertainty and change to our day-to-day routine. At Gritty Pretty, we want to help you navigate through this time. We’ll be sharing self care advice and tips on how to look after your body and mental health. If there are any topics you want Gritty Pretty to cover, please send us a DM on Instagram.

Maintaining a fringe at the best of times is no easy feat, let alone when you’ve been stuck in isolation for the past six weeks. Without a hairdresser open in sight (this is starting to change now, thankfully) it’s likely that as the strands of your fringe have gotten longer, your temper has gotten shorter. After all, there is a fine line between optimal fringe-ness and that dreaded awkward stage.

But before you jump into the world of the YouTube fringe cutting tutorials (spoiler alert: they never work out), we thought we’d enlist the help of two hair gurus, Yoav Cohen of Cov Hair and Alex Fuchs of Fuchs Hair, to give you their tips and tricks for keeping your fringe in-check in isolation. 

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To Cut Or Not To Cut?

As tempting as it may be to immediately grab the kitchen scissors when your old friend le fringe is giving you trouble, it’s important to really think it through. We mean, like, buying your first home, think it through. Fuchs recommends avoiding cutting your hair all together however Cohen takes a more trusting approach.

“I would say whether or not to cut your fringe depends on the type of fringe it is and how long it is to start,” recommends Cohen. “Curtain and side swept fringes can easily be left to grow out, but shorter, straighter bangs may get in the way. If that is the case, give it a shot!”

Cohen doesn’t, however, recommend taking the decision to cut, lightly. Having the correct tools is essential to ensuring your fringe comes out more Jane Birkin and less disaster. According to Cohen, you will need:

• Hairdressing scissors
• Medium-spaced tooth comb
• Hair dryer with a nozzle
• Clips

Then, make sure you’re cutting the fringe on dry, clean hair that is styled as you wear it in your day-to-day life. If you wear it straightened, cut it straightened. If you wear it natural, cut it natural. It’s as simple as that.

Cohen’s biggest tip? Comb the hair downwards and hold firmly while you snip vertically with the tip of the scissors. This will create that natural, softer texture. Start by going little by little – you can always cut more off, but you cannot stick it back on.

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Style It Up

If cutting your fringe is looking a little intimidating (we don’t blame you), Fuchs recommends styling it daily to ensure it is looking its best – even if it is a little longer than usual.

“When it comes to styling fringes, one of the most important things to do is blow dry it first,” recommends Fuchs. “If you start controlling the hair from wet to dry, it will sit nicely for days.”

To do this, Fuchs recommends using a flat or paddle brush with a little bit of blow drying fluid (his favourite is the La Biosthetique Anti-Frizz Styling Balm) and then gliding the hair from one side to the other. “When you blow dry the hair from left to right, it helps it sit straight and flat against the forehead.”

Whether you let the rest of your hair dry naturally or continue to blow dry is up to you, but blow drying the fringe (at a minimum) will make your hair look polished and fresh. 

As Fuchs says: “If your fringe looks good, everything looks good.”

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Keep It Healthy

If all else fails and your fringe isn’t coping, just be sure to keep it healthy. This will make it easier for your hairdresser to manage and trim when you can go and see them. 

“Eat well, be happy and treat your hair like you would your skin,” says Cohen. “It’s important to invest in a high quality shampoo and conditioner. Some of my favourites come from Oribe, R+Co, Christophe Robin and Davines.”

Heat protection is also important when it comes to maintaining a healthy fringe as the shortness of the hairs can make it unruly if not properly tended to. Cohen recommends the Melu Hair Shield by Davines and the R+Co Mood Swing.

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Do you have tips and tricks for maintaining a fringe at home? Leave them in the comments below!

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