Julia Roberts Just Got Bangs — Should You?

Move over, middle part: Julia Roberts just stepped out with a fresh new do, and she has people buzzing over her fabulous fringe. The 55-year-old Academy Award winner, who is Chopard’s global ambassador, was all smiles earlier this week in Geneva, at an event for the Swiss luxury watch company, where she debuted her new bangs and long, wavy locks in her signature red hue.

“I think she looks sexy and fresh,” says Peggy Ioakim, celebrity hair artist at Karma by Erwin Gomez in Washington, D.C. “This is a youthful, edgy look for her.”

Think bangs are for schoolgirls only? Roberts is proof to the contrary. “Bangs can work for anybody,” says Ioakim. The key is knowing several factors, including your face shape and hair type, she says.   

“Back in the day, it used to be that when you got older, you wore your hair short,” says Ioakim. “Now, there’s no age that determines a style. I like to think we have evolved. … There are no more rules when it comes to hair and age,” she says. “You wear your hair the way that makes you feel your best, most confident self.”

How to tell if bangs are right for you:

1. Face shape

Certain face shapes can pull off this type of bang better than others, but there are bangs to suit all shapes of faces. “When you know what face shape you are, you can figure out which type of bang works for you,” says Ioakim. Square- or heart-shaped faces pull off Roberts’ wispy, feathered fringe style, while round faces can benefit from side-swept or curtain bangs. Got an oval face? You’re in luck, as most any bang type will work.

2. Hair texture

“The hair texture also determines what type of bang works best for your face,” says Ioakim. Medium to thick hair works best if you want to copy Roberts’ fringe-style layered bangs, she says, while finer textured hair would work best with more of a long, side-swoop bang.

Roberts sans bangs at the January 2023 Critics Choice Awards.

Steve Granitz/FilmMagic

3. Work with your stylist

“It’s always helpful when clients bring me pictures of the look they are trying to achieve,” says Ioakim. “That way we can discuss what may and may not work for their face shape and hair texture and figure out what type of bang would work best.” Important to note: Ioakim does not recommend cutting bangs yourself. “Do not try this at home!” she says.

4. Different ways to style

Sure, they look fabulous on the red carpet, as Roberts has proven, but bangs can be dressed up or down. “This is such a versatile style,” says Ioakim. “What’s fun about this look is it can be worn with your hair down, or it also can work great with a high pony.”

And if you find your bangs are no longer bangin’, not to worry: “The best part,” says Ioakim: “The bangs will always grow out.”