Coping With Bangs That You Hate (Until They Finally Grow Out)

So the other day, I made the most ridiculous decision to give myself 'straight bangs', even though straight bangs are something that I've never liked on myself. I didn't exactly 'instantly regret it'. It took almost an hour to kick in, and now I can't stop brainstorming ways to make it work, to hide it, and to make it grow faster. My hair grows about an inch a month, so in a month I should be able to pass them off as cute side bangs, but for now, they look a little silly when pushed to the side, because they're cut a little too thick to be side bangs. Here are some of my survival tips that might help you, too!

1: Just Rock It!
No matter how silly you feel, and no matter how doubtful you are about people's sincerity when they say it's cute, and even if you think your face suddenly looks 'fatter', just rock it. You wanted this, so keep that in mind. Try to take as many flattering photos as you can (that will definitely make you feel better about the change), and experiment with all the cute hairstyles you wanted to try (I curled my bangs under pinup-style and did victory rolls. Tres fun). This will make it more fun, and in the end when it's all grown out, at least you'll be able to say you did all that and you finally got it all out of your system so that you'll never feel the urge to do it again!

2: Do The Twist!
Twist your bangs off to the side and bobby-pin them there! Voila! You have a forehead again!
(Something I dearly miss, and now I realize that I took my poor forehead for granted! Boo!)

3: Headbangin' Bands!
Wait, so are we going to a concert?! NO! I'm talking about headbands! Now's the time for some retail therapy, so you need to pamper yourself and go out and splurge (or not...) on some cute accessories to help you survive this hair tragedy (if it's really that bad..)! Use a bit of pomade to help slick it back, and then add the headband! No biggie!

4: Redo!
If it's really as bad as you think, go talk to a hairstylist and see if there's another more bearable style of bangs that you could live with, such as side bangs. If you don't want to do that, you could also opt for a wig.

5: Fake It 'Til You Make It!
This is also one that I've been doing. Try to pass them off as side bangs as best as you can. Mine
are just a touch above my brows, and they're a little thick, but if I style them carefully with some hairspray, I can pass them off as Audrey Hepburn-esque side bangs (although quite a bit longer).

6: Growing Tips
Twist the bangs together to the side tightly (but not to the point where it hurts) and put them in a small ponytail at night, because the pull of the tight ponytail will help it grow faster. You can also leave over the twist and just put it in a ponytail, although that might look a little silly.. but whatever! You're going to bed! Who's gonna see?! (Maybe just your teddy bear...or your mom or dad... or your husband.. oops!) I know this might seem weird, but dye your hair if you want. My hair always seems to grow almost a week or two after I dye it, and my roots start showing! (Don't do this just to make it grow, as you might end up damaging it instead if you don't know what you're doing!!! I cannot stress that enough!!!) Try using special strengthening shampoos and conditioners, and leave-in conditioning products. Try some hair treatments, the warm olive oil treatment.

I hope this gives you ladies (and maybe even a few gents) some hope! I'm off to play with hairstyles!