Fringes, in theory, are the chicest shortcut to a new you. In practice, however, they can behave like a needy houseplant: constant trimming, daily styling and the tendency to rebel the moment you turn your back. That high-maintenance reputation has put many of us (including me) off taking the plunge.
But what if it didn't have to be that way? (A sentence I'm sure we'd also very much like to hear from our favourite situationships, but alas – here we are, redirecting that hope towards our hair instead.) What if your fringe could just... relax a little?
Well, to make things easier (and frankly, more realistic), we tapped the brains of Jordanna Cobella, who shared with us the low-maintenance styles that look good without demanding your full attention. The result: four on-trend fringes that work with your hair, not against it.
Curtain bangs
"We're really seeing a move towards softer, more adaptable fringes that feel effortless rather than overly styled," Jordanna explains – and curtain bangs are leading the charge. Longer, face-framing and endlessly forgiving, they part gently in the middle and blend into the rest of your hair.
Their appeal lies in their flexibility. You can blow-dry them into submission or let them airdry for more of a French look. "Curtain bangs can be pushed to the side or worn more relaxed, which means you're not tied to styling them perfectly every day," she says. They suit almost every hair type, but especially pop on hair with a natural bend and flick, where they fall into place with ease.
Bottleneck bangs
Meet the slightly more sophisticated, older sister to curtain bangs, bottleneck bangs. "They sit slightly shorter through the centre and taper out around the tops of the cheekbones, so they open up the face in a really flattering way," says Jordanna.
Everyone's clicking on...
The shape does most of the work for you – a little structure at the centre and softness at the edges – and is particularly good for those who want definition without full-on drama. Bonus: they grow out like a dream! As Jordanna puts it, "All of these fringes are designed to blend into the rest of the hair, so you don't get that harsh line as they start to drop."
Grown-out fringe
Indecisive? Meet the grown-out fringe. "It's that in-between length that sits somewhere between a full fringe and layers, so it feels intentional rather than awkward," Jordanna explains. It's best suited to those with thicker hair types, where it can blend seamlessly into layers without creating bulk. And more importantly, it removes the awkward phase entirely!
Textured micro fringe
A micro fringe might sound like the most high-maintenance of the lot, but this version is not like its the others... she's #different. "It's a softer take on a shorter fringe – less blunt, more broken up, so it feels modern and a bit undone rather than too severe," Jordanna says.
The key is to ask your stylist to cut with texture rather than precision. "Even the more directional shapes are being cut with softness and texture, so they don't need constant upkeep to look good," she adds.
If you have a natural wave or bend to your hair, most of the work is taken out of this style for you; however, if you have straighter hair, just add a few spritzes of texture spray to bedhead hair, and you'll be good to go. The messier, the better!
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Lia Mappoura (she/her) is the Beauty Writer at Cosmopolitan UK, with over four years of experience reporting across the brand's print, social, video and digital platforms. Lia covers everything from emerging trend analysis to viral celebrity hair and makeup moments, making her an expert at spotting the season’s next big beauty look (before it takes over social media feeds).
In 2025, she was named The Rising Media Star at the Love Perfume Awards with The Perfume Shop, recognised for her outstanding digital fragrance content and for building genuine authority within the space. She is passionate about challenging outdated beauty stereotypes, championing inclusive representation in beauty, and educating readers on the trends, products and conversations shaping the industry today. Follow her on Instagram or find her on LinkedIn.
