CURLY FRINGE: 25 WOMEN WHO ROCKED IT

 

Arrange yourself safely upon the nearest fainting couch as these 25 women triumph over the greatest peril facing curly and wavy hair (besides humidity): bangs.

Silent film star Lillian Gish c. 1914. The angelic Edwardian fringe of her early teens was either very subtle bangs or very intense wispies, but by the late 1910s she had a full-blown Gibson Girl cascade. Image via.

Clara Bow, 1920's. The phrase "It Girl" was termed for her, but in the 20's, "it" more explicitly meant sex appeal. Image via.

A publicity photo of Lucille Ball grocery shopping in the 1940's. Before she developed a goofier look tailored to comedy in the 50's and 60's she epitomized traditional 30's and 40's Hollywood glamour. But the red poodle fringe would be her trademark. Image via.

Marilyn Monroe in the late 50's. She had natural curls, cowlicks all around her hairline, and hair that grew straight back from her forehead, but she still maintained a fringe. Impressive. Image via.

Diana Ross in the late 1960's. She became famous as the most supreme of The Supremes, but as she transitioned to a solo career she also grew her smooth bouffant into a voluminous natural mane, which was a very strong statement for the time, particularly for a mainstream pop artist. Image via.

Stevie Nicks performing in the 70's. The quintessential witchy fringe. Image via.

Chaka Khan. Curly fringe champion, whether with fluffy natural hair, defined natural curls or loose 80's spirals. Image via tumblr.

Carol Kane, 1979 publicity photo for "When A Stranger Calls." Her naturally curly fringe, which is swept to the side here, often creates a halo-like effect. Image via.

Donna Summer c. 1976. Her blunt-cut curly fringe and long curly hair, combined with her stage costumes, wavered between femme funk and disco Cleopatra. Image via.

Bernadette Peters, 1970s. She parlayed her curls into a 70s-does-30's, Biba Girl look. Image via.

Janet Jackson in the 80s. The Jacksons were masters of statement-making dangly tendrils.

 

Julia Roberts in "Sleeping with the Enemy," 1991. For most of us, this era of gigantic hair was a particularly dark time for curly bangs, but Julia Roberts' fringe is lovely and subtle. Image via.

Lisa Bonet looking like the human incarnation of the bitter-sweetness of graduation day. Image via.

Early 90's hottie Rosie Perez (with Tupac), with hair perfectly suited to her persona. Image via.

Minnie Driver with naturally curly hair. Image via.

 

Kelis in the Milkshake video. Image via.

Tracee Ellis Ross c. 2007, with enviable natural curls like her mom Diana Ross. Image via.

 

Sarah Jessica Parker as Carrie Bradshaw. Long side-swept fringe makes her bob feel romantic as the character she plays.

Oprah Winfrey. You're all getting a curly fringe! Image via.

Shakira, around the time of the Suerte (Whenever, Wherever) video, 2001. Cheekbone-length fringe and long layered curls are perfect for belly dancing on snowy mountain peaks and in horse stampedes. This is definitely my favorite incarnation of Shakira hair so far. Image via.

Rihanna. Image via.

Annie Clark, aka St. Vincent. Image via.

Esperanza Spalding. Image via.

Freja Beha Erichsen looking tousled rock-chic, in an ad shot by Inez van Lamsweerde and Vinoodh Matadin for Zadig & Voltaire, 2013. Image via.

Imogen Poots. Image via.