Fringe Benefits – Top Stylist Karine Jackson Tells Us How To Get It Right

The fringe is big news for hair in 2007, he we reveal how to get it right with essential tips from top London stylist, Karine Jackson.

1. Face Shape

Looking at your face shape is important. There’s a fringe to suit every face shape but make sure you get it right or you’ll hate it! It takes a few weeks to get used to a fringe as it can feel strange to have hair on your face. Give it at least 2 trims before you decide to grow it out again – most people find that once they’re used to it they love it.

Short and choppy: If you have a small face a short fringe will look great.
Short and straight: Great for a smaller face with smaller features.
Sweeping fringe: Good to soften a harsher face.
Long and textured: This is good to give round faces a more flattering shape.
The flick: Can widen a small face.
The big fringe: Amazingly, this can give you extra height!

2. Features

If you have a big forehead then a short fringe can make it look bigger. If your features are big, for example your nose, then a sweeping fringe can take away from this.

3. Maintenance

Regular fringe trims are important - every 3 weeks is about right. Fringes are great if they’re well looked after. They can quite easily look greasy if too long and unkempt if not. We offer our clients complimentary fringe trims in between hair cutting visits. This also ensures we don’t have to cut it too short just so it will last – beware of salons that do this!

4. Dealing With The “Cow-lick”

If you have a strong cow-lick there is no point trying to have a dead straight fringe.

If you have a gentle cow-lick, to style your fringe put a water-based gel on the roots of your fringe and rub the roots with your fingers. This ‘confuses’ the root area and the follicles don’t know what direction to lie in. Now blow-dry into your desired style aiming the hairdryer down the hair shaft - this will keep your fringe looking great all day.


5. Styling

To get a really straight fringe always aim the hairdryer down the hair shaft but don’t move the hair too much as this will create body.

If you want a flick, use a round brush and roll into the hair going backwards. Put the heat of the hair dryer on it, then let the round brush cool down a little before you take it out.

If you’re going to grow your fringe out, start by working it in with your style. If your hair is long, it’s good to blend the growing-out fringe with the sides by putting shape in the length at the front.

If your hair is short then it’s important to choose a style that takes the ‘growing-out’ fringe.

Don’t use a fringe to hide behind - this looks terrible! Use it to bring out your best features.

Karine Jackson Hair & Beauty is located at 24 Litchfield Street, Covent Garden, London WC2H 9NJ.

For more information, visit Karinejackson.co.uk.