Rooney Mara’s painfully cool 'Girl With the Dragoon Tattoo’ inspired bangs were all over the autumn/winter 12 runways but can we pull this bold look off in hot, sticky weather? Hell, yes.



“Cutting in a fringe is a great way to change up your look dramatically without chopping all your hair off. It’s a great summer look because when it’s hot out and all you want to do is put your hair up to get your hair away from your face, it can still look stylish and chic,” says Los Angeles based hairstylist John Ruggiero, who has worked wonders on the locks of Elizabeth Olsen and Gisele Bündchen. He talks us through keeping your bangs looking cool as the weather heats up.

Go bold: Let’s be honest, a major part of the Rooney Mara hair appeal is the attitude. “The best way to pull off a really cool fringe like Rooney Mara’s is to have that effortless confidence. I’m seeing a lot of different fringe styles right now — straight, wavy, long, short, super short — but it’s all about figuring out which look works best for you and owning it.”

Pick your products wisely: “Always go for a product that is lightweight and that will protect your hair against heat and humidity. Something like Bumble and Bumble Straight Blow Dry cream will work best. And maybe add a light holding spray at the end like Bumble and Bumble Does it All Spray.

Experiment with several styles in one haircut: Turn the most annoying part about wearing bangs — the fast grow-out —into an opportunity to play around with your ‘do. “A cool idea would be to cut your fringe really short and then let it grow out getting a trim every 4 to 6 weeks,” Ruggiero says. That way can have super short and flat a la Mara one week and longer and side swept like Rihanna the next.

– Romina McGuinness