I'm Allergic to Haircuts, But I Finally Got the French-Girl Bangs of My Dreams
Welcome to Month of Me, where every day in January we’ll be publishing a new fashion, beauty, or wellness article featuring a first-person account of shaking up an old habit, pushing beyond a comfort zone, or simply trying something new. Follow along for 31 days of storytelling, including what it’s like to quit alcohol for 80 days, try Beyoncé's very strict diet, or completely overhaul your closet.
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Name: Erin Jahns, Beauty Editor, Who What Wear
What did you try? Celebrity hairstylist Cervando Maldonado gave me bangs at 454 North, in West Hollywood. (He's also the co-owner with his business partner, Chris Bragg.)
Why did you try it? Aside from a (very unflattering) bowl cut I got at Kid's Hair when I was about 4 years old, the list of "dramatic" haircuts I've had in my life is short. I actually opted for some short side bangs a few years ago—and loved them—but immediately let them grow out and have kept my hair long and layered ever since. That said, I've been itching to make a change for a year or so now, and after going blonder late last year, I felt like I needed a cooler, chicer haircut for 2020. I've always loved the look of French-girl bangs, (think Brigitte Bardot circa the 1960s), so I decided to put my haircut fears to the side and try something new.
Ever since moving to Los Angeles a few years ago and becoming a beauty editor, I've exclusively seen Cervando to cut my hair. He's the best, it's always a treat to visit his beautiful salon, and he also happens to be a genius when it comes to retro-inspired cuts. (He routinely works with celebrities like Rosie Huntington-Whiteley, Margot Robbie, Reese Witherspoon, and many more.) We'd been talking about bangs for months, so he was the obvious person I entrusted with the fate of my long hair.
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How did you prepare? I drank five glasses of wine (KIDDING). Honestly, even though I get a little squeamish when it comes to making changes with hair, I completely trust Cervando, and I just let him do his thing. Cervando is familiar with my hair, so I didn't go in for a consultation prior to my appointment, but if you're seeing someone for the first time, I definitely recommend meeting with them in-person beforehand to chat through your goals and share some inspiration pics. Cervando and I consistently DM each other retro hair inspiration, so he knew the kind of vibe I was looking for.
What happened during the whole process? First of all, as someone who has been to almost every major hair salon in Los Angeles at this point, I can say in full honesty that 454 North is my absolute favorite. It's tucked right off of Robertson, but it's this amazing, cozy two-story bungalow that Maldonado re-imagined as the chicest of salons. Everyone is lovely, all the stylists and colorists are so, SO talented, and I feel so lucky to have found such a gem. Since I get anxious with hair, a salon that's chaotic just doesn't feel like a good environment to me, so I appreciate the serenity of 454 North. After checking in at the front desk, I was given a gown and a can of LaCroix before being picked up by Cervando and his wonderful assistant Donnie Thorpe to head back to his chair.
After Cervando took a moment to look at my hair (no kidding, it's grown a foot since I regularly started seeing him and living by his and my colorist's rules of healthy hair), I told him that I was looking for bangs, but a style that wasn't too short and that would still feel low-maintenance and easy to style. (I suck at doing my hair and also wear my hair up a lot—I wanted my bangs to still feel functional!) Cervando agreed that while he loved my long hair, it was almost a little too long for my face and fine texture, so in addition to cutting my bangs, he wanted to take a couple of inches off my ends to keep my hair looking full; the idea was that the whole cut would frame my face better, something I was completely on board with.
Cervando did part of the trim when my hair was wet and with me standing (I'm tall, so this is important!) and then finished off my layers after Donnie had blown out my hair. Ultimately, we decided on a bang length that would hit right around my cheekbones. I'm obsessed! The haircut truly changed how my face looked in the best way possible.
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Any challenges? No challenges! As I said, Cervando and the salon, in general, are a dream, and I couldn't have asked for a more positive experience. I'm still getting used to my bangs (there's always a little bit of an awkward phase when you're getting to know a new length or color), but all in all, I'm in love with end result and have been receiving tons of compliments.
Any surprises? No surprises!
How did you feel afterward? What kinds of changes did you notice? Because I had gotten bangs once before, I kind of knew what to expect in terms of how to style them. But since I opted for a look that was slightly longer and more grown-out looking, I've been surprised at how easy my bangs have been to work with. (I've found a round brush and curling wand to be key in order to keep them flipping and curving the right direction from my face.) I also noticed that I definitely feel more confident. I've been loving my long hair, but I knew my strands needed a fresh shape and look. I know I just mentioned this, but the biggest change I've noticed is how many compliments I've received and how much fun I've been having with hair accessories. I think headbands look so cute paired with bangs.
What did you like about it? In addition to loving the salon, my hairstylist, and the outcome, I also really enjoyed the experience of trying something new. It's easy to become kind of jaded or overly comfy when you work in the beauty industry. (It's like you live vicariously through the haircuts, colors, makeup, etc., that you're always writing about!) I think getting bangs was a great step in the right direction. My goal is to be more experimental in 2020—be it with hair, skincare, or makeup, so this was the ultimate kickoff. And I'm so grateful to Cervando and 454 North for making the experience so seamless and fun.
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What did you hate? I didn't hate anything. Just maybe that it took me so long to go for it.
Would you try it again? One million percent. I plan on keeping my bangs for a while before letting them grow out.
Any advice for someone who is thinking about trying it? I think finding a hairstylist you really trust and whose work you consistently love and admire is key. Also, finding a salon with an ambiance that will make you feel calm and comfortable. As far as the actual cut, I think it's good to do your research and to find of a variety of inspirational looks you love and can bring to your stylist without being overly strict. Flexibility and openness are key! Listen to what your hairstylist thinks will or won't work for your hair texture, features, and face shape, and try your best to keep an open mind. Ultimately, you'll probably land on the perfect compromise together.
One more thing: It's important to be realistic about styling and maintenance. Make sure you have an idea of what the cut will entail in terms of upkeep and that it's in line with your commitment level.
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With a new cut comes new product and styling needs! Keep scrolling for every single haircare product (and accessories!) I've been using to perfect and style my new bangs.
Hair Accessories 
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Sincerely Jules by Scunci Knotted Cheetah Print Headband ($10)
I wore this affordable headband out for dinner one last night and received so many compliments from strangers.
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Pixies Bows Thin Satin Crystal Headband ($75)
So glamorous and pretty. I love keeping my bangs out and framing my face by pushing a statement headband back behind them.
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Kitsch Pearl Mini Snap Clips ($12)
Your hair accessories wardrobe isn't complete without some clips from Kitsch.
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Slip Small Slipsilk Scrunchies ($39)
A necessity for crease-less strands.
Styling Tools 
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T3 Featherweight Compact Folding Hair Dryer with Dual Voltage ($150)
This dryer is lightweight and easier to maneuver around bangs. (More precision is key!)
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GHD Curve Creative Curl Wand ($199)
This wand gives you a perfect head of curls or waves in minutes. I've been wrapping the ends of my bangs around it for a hot second at the end of my styling routine.
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Revlon One-Step Hair Dryer & Volumizer Hot Air Brush ($36)
If you suck at giving yourself a salon-level blowout at home, you need this cult-loved tool. The internet is going crazy for it.
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Mason Pearson Pocket Boar Bristle Hair Brush ($140)
For super-polished strands even on the go.
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Christophe Robin Blowdry Hairbrush 10 Rows ($97)
A small round brush is a non-negotiable for bangs! Cervando always recommends a boar-bristle brush.
Products 
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R+Co Glittering Smoothing Shine Spray - Gold Shimmer ($29)
A lightweight oil is key if you have bangs—they get greasy fast! I'm obsessed with this formula from R+Co to give me a little bit of shimmery shine without weighing down my fringe. I usually spray it into clean hands and then pull my hair back as if I'm pulling it into a ponytail to carefully coat everything without overdoing it.
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Drybar Detox Dry Shampoo ($23)
Dry shampoo is another must—my bangs get greasy fast, so I keep this dry shampoo on standby at all times. I have a few favorite dry shampoos, but I like this one because it also helps blend out my roots. (Grab the tinted version if you have dark hair!)
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Virtue The Perfect Ending Split End Serum ($40)
Last but not least, I rely on this cult-favorite serum from Virtue to keep my ends from heading toward splitsville. You know how crisp and polished your hair looks right after a cut? This wonder formula maintains that for months.
Up next: I've Been Bleaching My Hair for 15 Years—Here's How I Still Have Hair on My Head
This article originally appeared on Who What Wear
Read More from Who What Wear
Generation Rent: How to transform your home (without annoying your landlord)
Generation Rent: How to transform your home (without annoying your landlord)
Independent.ie
So you're a renter. And you love interiors. But your current rental leaves a lot to be desired. There's flaking plaster on the ceiling, a worrisome stain on the floorboards and a nasty 1990s kitchen. A lick of paint and a bit of DIY would help a lot, and you're prepared to sink a bit of time and money into cosying up the gaff, but your landlord is a stickler and his favourite word is no.
https://www.independent.ie/life/home-garden/interiors/generation-rent-how-to-transform-your-home-without-annoying-your-landlord-38889850.html
https://www.independent.ie/life/home-garden/interiors/78305/38889847.ece/AUTOCROP/h342/2020-01-24_lif_56406024_I2.JPG
So you're a renter. And you love interiors. But your current rental leaves a lot to be desired. There's flaking plaster on the ceiling, a worrisome stain on the floorboards and a nasty 1990s kitchen. A lick of paint and a bit of DIY would help a lot, and you're prepared to sink a bit of time and money into cosying up the gaff, but your landlord is a stickler and his favourite word is no.
That'd be no paint, no picture hooks, and definitely no wallpaper. You try to tell him that you're a talented upcycling enthusiast with a flair for colour, but he's having none of it. He's seen your type before. And he has your deposit. Game, set and match.
So there you are, on a lumpy sofa in a wood-chip and magnolia room, sighing over Instagram. It feels that everything is stacked against you and the only way to have agency over your own décor is to buy a place of your own.
Quite frankly, that isn't going to be happening any time soon. So you keep on saving (good plan) and put your creativity on hold (not so good). Living in an imaginary future isn't emotionally healthy behaviour. None of us know how long we're going be here and if we have decorative dreams to realise, we're best putting them into action now. Who knows if there will be interiors in the great hereafter?
Cue Medina Grillo. She's the blogger behind Grillo Designs and the author of Home Sweet Rented Home. This is a practical, set-by-step book for renters who want to improve their living spaces. It's subtitled "transform your home without losing your deposit" and dedicated to "all the renters whose landlords said they couldn't…" It's a book that's born from the hard graft of experience. Grillo, who describes herself as a serial-renter, writes that for many years she barely decorated the places she has lived. Now she's come out the other side.
"I've stopped preoccupying myself with the idea that my happiness is dependent on whatever might lie ahead in the future (in this case, buying a house). Contentment within your home is something you can find now, not in a far-off, home-owning future."
The first step is to know your enemy (my words, not hers). "In my experience," she writes, "there are three types of landlord." The first is the type that is totally against you doing any decorating and carries out inspections to make sure you haven't. The second is more open, but requires you to have everything back to the way it was when you leave.
"This is really important if you wish to get your security deposit back with a good reference for your next tenancy."
And the third is happy for you to upgrade the property at your own expense. In this case, to avoid distressing misunderstandings, make sure you have written consent from the landlord. An email chain will stand up in court.
She describes the first apartment that she and her husband went to view.
"Lots of magnolia," she said to the agent, who shrugged nonchalantly. "Are we allowed to paint the walls?" "Yes," said the agent, looking her straight in the eyes, "magnolia." After that horror story, Home Sweet Rented Home is a practical and highly pragmatic outline of home improvement and decoration projects for renters. Some will require permission from the landlord, some are reversible and others can be done anywhere. Let's call it the leave-no-trace principle of interior design.
For these projects, adhesive strips will be your friend. Or, as Grillo calls them, "revolutionary" adhesive strips. With them, you can create a gallery wall of artwork, infusing an otherwise empty room with colour and pattern. Prints are cost-effective, but frames can be costly. She suggests buying them from charity shops and spray painting them the same colour. Or using coloured Washi tape to create a stick-on frame. Then, when it's time to go, the gallery wall goes with you.
"When trying to remove stubborn strips from the wall, apply a little heat with a hairdryer for 20-30 seconds and then cut through the adhesive with a piece of dental floss," she writes. If you're buying Washi tape, I'd recommend the original Japanese brand - MT. A pack of 10 rolls in glorious colours costs €25.75 from Cass Art (free delivery if you spend more than €50).
Then, there's removable wallpaper. This is a sticky-back vinyl wallpaper that can be peeled off without undue effort. "There's a spoiler in the name really." It adds, as Grillo writes, "a touch of refinement and a new dimension to your home without the consequence of permanence."
She includes detailed, step-by-step instructions, but you'd want to be pretty committed to DIY. If I were going down this road myself, I'd hire someone. I've tried putting up wallpaper before and it wasn't a pretty sight. In terms of shopping, Chasing Paper and Walls Need Love both stock removable wallpaper for around €50 per metre, but it's also worth checking if your favourite wallpaper brand has a stick-and-peel option. Many of them do.
Tile stickers - decorative stickers that look like real tiles and can be applied to the existing wall or floor tiling - are another useful tool. I like the range by SirFace Graphics from Not On The High Street. They cost €30.40 for a set of 24 (each 10cm x 10cm) plus €6 delivery to Ireland.
If you have money to invest in décor, Grillo suggests you spend it on furniture. If you've got a stickler of a landlord, it might be the easiest, or possibly the only way, to impress your personality on a room. Introduce one statement piece and let the room revolve around it. Make it an attention-seeker. Hers is a mustard-yellow velvet sofa. It sounds stomach-churning, but she swears it's a beauty.
Mine is the battered kitchen table that I grew up with. It's moved house with me more times that I could mention. When I went to live in Scotland, it came too. When I came back, I brought it with me. In a horsebox.
"Statement pieces also draw attention away from the more permanent features you'd rather people didn't notice - the wall with the cracked air vent, for example?" Grillo writes. "Either go big or go home."
Home Sweet Rented Home by Medina Grillo is published by Octopus and costs around €18.
Indo Property
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