Kiss Kiss, Bang Bang.

Byline: Chris McMillan

The most frequent request I get these days is for bangs of all types--and I love them. Bangs are so sexy and provocative--when they're long and swoopy, they twitch off the tips of your eyelashes, and when your bangs are straight across, your eyes look more intense because they have a frame around them. They look different on everyone; depending on the length and thickness, you can change your look entirely.

When your bangs are straight across, your eyes look more intense.

Long and Blunt

I cut long, straight bangs--the most popular style right now--on Penelope Cruz and Camilla Belle. The trick is to make sure the bangs aren't too thick, or they'll overwhelm your face. Hair is denser in the middle of the hairline and thinner at the sides, so be sure your hairdresser doesn't cut the middle of the bangs too thick. These bangs work on all hair types, but if your hair is wavy, you'll have to blow-dry your bangs so they lie flat.

STYLING Spritz your bangs with water, comb them flat, and blow-dry them with a nozzle attachment pointing straight down. Use your fingers to pull the bangs straight. If you have very curly hair, use a small, round, natural-bristle brush to pull them taut.

MAINTENANCE Almost every stylist will give you a free bang trim every few weeks, but if you need to snip them, use sharp scissors and cut them when they're dry and straight. Brush them toward the middle of your face into a point and hold them together, but don't twist them. Then cut at the bridge of your nose, which will make them slightly longer at the temples and look balanced. Since you're pulling them taut, they'll bounce back up a half inch when you release them. If you want them shorter, go to your stylist.