After breaking up with a partner, many people decide to radically change their hairstyle. For example, cutting their bangs. For some, it is an impulsive step, for others – a way to symbolically start a new stage and regain a sense of control over their own lives.
Should you cut your bangs after breaking up with your partner?
Breakups are often accompanied by typical reactions: tearful calls to mom, endless listening to sad music (for example, Mitski songs), or spontaneous romantic adventures. But sometimes this seems not enough, and there is a desire to change something on the outside.
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This is exactly what happened to a woman whose story is an example of this phenomenon. After the end of a relationship that lasted almost four years (the longest of her life), she decided to change her hairstyle. The couple lived together and even had a dog, so the breakup was felt especially painfully. It was then that the idea of cutting her bangs arose – a kind of “heavy artillery” in the arsenal of loneliness.
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However, the decision was not immediate: about three and a half months passed between the breakup and the trip to the salon. At a Los Feliz hair salon, the stylist was shown a photo of Dakota Johnson with a bob and bangs. This image became a symbolic act of a small rebellion: her ex-partner always advised her to avoid bangs, convincing her that they would be difficult to style. And although there was a certain logic to this, the new haircut was a way to do something her own way. Even if the breakup remained amicable.
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“Bangs after a breakup” is a common phenomenon
Kelsey, 37, also recalls that she first cut her bangs after the end of a relationship. According to her, that period was a moment of freedom for her: a new hairstyle helped her feel different and declare herself to the world in a new way. Before that, she hardly paid attention to her hair, but after the haircut she felt that the image finally corresponded to her inner state. In addition, the new appearance added confidence.
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However, stylists do not always support impulsive decisions of clients. Before taking up the scissors, the hairdresser honestly warned about the necessary care: the habit of simply gathering hair into a bun will no longer work. For styling, you will need a hairdryer and at least a basic styling cream. After this conversation, the bangs were cut anyway and the result exceeded expectations. The new look helped me feel more confident and stronger.
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But this experience is not always the same.
Not all stories end so happily. Illiana, who also got bangs after a breakup, says that such breakups can be particularly painful. For her, getting a new hairstyle was a way to regain a sense of control over her life.
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Celebrities are also going through similar changes. Nicole Kidman, for example, showed up at the Chanel show last fall with new bangs — shortly after announcing her split from Keith Urban. It was another example of how “breakup bangs” don't have to be dramatic.
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However, stylist Masami Hosono from the Vacancy project warns against hasty decisions. According to him, the desire to change one's appearance after the end of a relationship is quite natural, and bangs seem to be the easiest option for those who do not want to lose their hair length. However, in reality, this is a very noticeable change that can transform the image even more than a short haircut. That is why the stylist always tries to find out the reason for such a decision and if the client is simply experiencing a breakup, sometimes he advises to wait.
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Bangs as a symbol of a new beginning
After all, the difference between an impulsive mistake and a successful transformation is often the approach. If you cut your bangs yourself in front of the bathroom mirror after a few cocktails, the result is unlikely to please. But in a salon, such a change can become a true symbol of a new stage.
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Kelsey also shares another experience: Her next partner didn’t like her bangs and kept pushing them back, supposedly as a compliment. To avoid conflict, she stopped wearing them. Now that the relationship is over, she plans to return to the look. Despite the difficulty in maintaining them, bangs remind her of the sense of confidence she felt the first time.
And if the new hairstyle still doesn't bring joy, there's a simple piece of advice that works — the same as for a broken heart: time heals. Hair will grow back, just as wounds will heal. Support from loved ones, a little patience, and kindness to yourself will help you survive any changes. Both in life and in your hairstyle.
Based on material from: Vogue.es