That quote about the definition of insanity being the repetition of the same behaviours with the expectation of a different result is often wrongly attributed to Einstein. Whoever it really was, I’m certain it was someone who had decided to get another fringe – and I relate.
Despite occasionally catching sight of one of my several former fringes in a photo album and always thinking how bloody awful I look (only my husband disagrees), I am seemingly never far from a decision I’d definitely regret. As was proved when I saw a recent photograph of Demi Moore, all yard-long black hair and short, scruffy fringe that looked to be artfully cut with a pair of old nail scissors. She looked exquisite, obviously, in a way that my rational brain knows to be absolutely unattainable, but nonetheless I found myself sending hairdresser Hadley Yates a WhatsApp asking if he’d do the deed.
I’m eternally grateful to him for talking me out of it and, instead, asking his colourist to bleach one of his clip-in fringes (£35) to match my hair. I know you won’t believe how easy these are to use because I didn’t either until I’d tried one. Seriously, next to no skill is required. Just style your hair as you normally do, plonk on the fringe and snap the clips where they land.
There are six shades to choose from and, because they’re made from (ethically sourced) natural hair, they can be shampooed under the basin tap, styled with your usual heated tools, and taken to your colouring appointments to fine-tune the shade if necessary. I find mine particularly handy for when I can’t be bothered to do anything except scrape my hair into a ponytail – the fringe adds interest and makes the whole thing look more intentional.
If your itch can only be scratched with scissors, there are ways of limiting fringe remorse. Luke Hersheson from Hershesons is, in my view, the best cutter in the business, and he particularly excels at making fringes look tempting. He feels strongly that tears can be avoided by steering clear of graphic fringes that go too far into the temples, and opting instead for a curtain-like bang that sits barely above the eyebrow in the middle, gradually becoming longer towards the temples à la Brigitte Bardot, Jane Birkin, Rihanna and Goldie Hawn.
This will look good for three to four months, growing seamlessly into your style, before you’ll need to decide whether you really want to roll again.
