The Anti-Fringe Trend Is Your Answer to Bangs Fatigue
Stunning on the Oscars red carpet this year, Demi Moore brought anti-fringe to the main stage. Her hairstylist, Dimitris Giannetos, noted that the look had its roots in a past style. “My reference was an iconic shoot Demi did for Vogue in the early 2000s, shot by Mario Testino,” he says. And just like these iconic “Oscar waves,” anti-fringe is experiencing a major comeback in 2025.
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What is anti-fringe?
“Anti-fringe is just that, having no fringe,” explains master stylist and Goldwell ambassador, Steven Picciano. “For several years, fringe was almost a stronger focus than the rest of the haircut. I have a lot of clients asking for more length in front so we’re allowing the fringe section to grow longer passed the chin without layering or movement. This gives the appearance of simplicity to your hairstyle and allows for tucking behind the ears.”
This style is also appealing for how it opens up the face.
“Anti-fringe is a hairstyle trend that moves away from traditional bangs, embracing styles that open up the face rather than covering the forehead,” explains celebrity hairstylist and creator of Kim Kimble Hair Collection by HairUWear, Kim Kimble. “It focuses on layers, face-framing pieces and sweeping or blended cuts that enhance natural features without the sharp definition of a fringe. This approach highlights facial structure while allowing for more versatility in styling.”
Who is the look for?
If you’re not sure if you’ll look as good with anti-fringe as Demi Moore does, you’re not alone. But you can get a pretty good idea by considering your face shape.
“Your face shape is key in cutting and styling hair to enhance your features,” Kimble explains. “Oval faces can pull off most styles, including longer, sweeping layers, while round faces benefit from elongated cuts that create the illusion of length and avoid excessive volume at the sides. Square faces are complemented by soft, feathery layers that balance strong jawlines, whereas heart-shaped faces look best with subtle layers that frame the jaw and cheekbones without adding too much width at the top.”
And if you’re a die-hard clean girl, anti-fringe could be your key to sleeker up-dos.
“This look appeals first to longer-haired clients, especially those who wear their hair up often,” Picciano says. “Creating sleek styles is much easier without fringe.”
Leaving Bangs Behind?
In a year packed with bobs and bangs, there has been no shortage of fringe-forward trends to jump on. But are we finally reaching bang fatigue?
“I think as time goes on clients crave something different,” Picciano says. “Just like with their overall length, clients will flow between having shape and letting it grow out, to asking for some shape again. The cycle of style is constantly turning but it may be nice for clients to have a little break from fringe.”
That said, bangs have been so heavily saturated in media that anti-fringe feels extra bold.
“After years of heavy bangs dominating, the shift toward anti-fringe feels fresh and modern,” Kimble notes. “People are embracing more natural, face-framing styles that work with their hair texture and facial structure rather than against it. This trend aligns with the growing movement toward effortless, undone beauty, giving hair more freedom while still maintaining a polished look.”
