The fringe made a spectacular return on the trendiest hairstyles list last year - however, there were several months towards the end of the interval when we all thought the fringe craze was finally coming to a (quiet) end and would slowly die down. And then uber-style icon that is Kate Moss went and got herself a tousled, just-out-of-bed style fringe, with the instant result that the madness re-ignited almost overnight. Consequently, the fringe is one of the hottest hairstyle trends this year, and if you're considering getting one yourself, you've come to the right place for a small crash course in how to best choose a style that suits you.
The first thing you have to know is that the fringe-mania is mainly centered on three major types of fringes: the blunt-cut fringe, the Kate Moss hairdo and the pixie-style short fringe, with the mention that the third variety of fringe is basically borrowed form another one of this year's hot trends - the short cropped hair. However, we're all free to borrow, mix and match whatever suits us best. If you're looking for a safe choice, go with the fist one. The thick, blunt cut is achieved by bringing in hair from near either temple. A slightly more conservative, day-to-day option would be a softer, slightly jagged-cut fringe.
In any case, remember this: the length of the fringe makes all the difference, setting apart the Kate style and the regular blunt-cut: the Kate 'do means the fringe will not stop right above your eyebrows, but rather extend to a length that basically makes it hang in front of your eyes (check out the photos). Some people might find that annoying, but not Kate Moss - so you know the drill. If she can stand it...
The good news is that long fringes can be styled in many different ways, with or without a little help from your trusted friend, the round brush. Keep the fringe sleek, shiny and straight, or give it that tussled, just-woke-up-but-I-look-gorgeous feel by allowing it to fall naturally - and steer clear of the over-styled, over-worked look. Also, if you're going for the blunt, eyebrow-skimming fringe, make sure you get regular trims. Keep in mind that this season, the natural, home-styled look really works, but when it comes to fringe length, don't cut any corners.
Finally, another important point: not everyone can pull off a fringe, and by that I mean that a fringe doesn't suit every facial conformation. If you have an oval or heart-shaped face, rejoice - you can definitely book an appointment at the hairdresser's. The same goes for the girls with large foreheads - if cut correctly, a fringe can actually become you best friend forever, balancing your features and helping you achieve a trendy, edgy look. Round face or curly hair? Not so good news for you, I'm afraid: a fringe places a lot of emphasis on your jawline, and if you have a round face you really don't want that, so you might as well look for other options for the perfect hairstyle.