[photo: modelinia.com]

Earlier this month, Kate Moss made headlines when she announced that the fabulous new fringe she’s rocking was not the work of some high-priced stylist, but rather her own – and done with a pair of kitchen shears, no less!  As someone who will trust my trimmings to only a handful of seasoned stylists and wouldn’t dream of taking scissors to my own hair (been there, made that mistake), I was shocked!  Naturally, I went straight to the source – my guru of fringe, Maria Nieves at Bradley & Diegel Salon.

While visiting for a much-needed bang trim, I asked Maria if she had any advice for braver souls who might be inspired by miss Moss.  Her short answer: Don’t do it!  Put the scissors down and walk away.  “The Boston Globe ran an article a few years ago about how to trim your own bangs,” Maria told me.  “All my clients were coming in with messed up hair, upset, asking me to fix it.  It was bad.”

She admits that occasionally people will get lucky or have a true talent with the clippers, but in general no one can do it better than a professional.  As a witness to the countless sets of flawless fringe leaving her chair, I have to agree.

Maria takes into account hair texture and density, prominent cowlicks, face shape and personal style before making the cut, so she can find the perfect fit for each of her clients.  And is there anyone who she thinks just shouldn’t get bangs?  “People with really tight, curly hair,” she says.  “Unless they have a funky style – then they can totally rock a little baby bang.”

The good news is you don’t need to spring for a full haircut if you’re looking for a quick fix to update your style.  Most salons will let you book for just a bang trim.  Fifteen minutes and $15 with Maria, and you can walk out with a brand new look.   And if your cut already includes bangs but you’re sick of dealing with hair in your eyes between appointments, call your stylist for a clean-up – many offer bang trims as a complementary service to their regular clients.

The bottom line: If you’re anything less than completely confident in your cutting abilities there’s no reason to risk it.  Leave the kitchen shears in the kitchen, and leave your locks to an expert.  It takes very little time and money to get a covet-worthy hairstyle from the pros.

[Showing off my freshly shorn trimmings with Amanda (left), who happened to be getting a bang touch up with stylist Paul (right) at the same time.]