Fringe

A fringe is not a hairstyle in itself but a design element that can transform almost any haircut. It frames the face, draws attention to the eyes and makes the forehead appear smaller. There are several basic shapes: the straight blunt fringe (a dense, straight-cut edge at eyebrow level), the thinned or «wispy» fringe with textured ends, the curtain fringe (parted in the middle and falling longer at the sides) and the micro or baby fringe well above the eyebrows. Which shape suits you depends on your face shape, hair texture and the way your hair grows.\n\nTo cut it, the hairdresser first separates a triangular or trapezoidal section at the front crown – the chosen starting point determines how dense and wide the fringe becomes. The section is then usually cut dry or slightly damp to the desired length and shaped and textured using thinning techniques (point-cutting, slide-cutting, thinning scissors). A good cut takes into account that wet hair looks longer and that natural waves or a cowlick change the fall, so the stylist often checks and refines in several stages.\n\nA fringe suits most people, but the shape has to match the individual: fine, straight hair carries a straight blunt fringe particularly well, while thick or wavy hair is easier to manage with a thinned or side-swept fringe. With a strong cowlick at the hairline or very curly hair, a short straight fringe is difficult because it will not lie flat. An experienced hairdresser will advise honestly before cutting.\n\nAs an add-on to a full haircut the fringe itself only takes a few minutes; as a standalone «fringe trim» it usually takes 10 to 20 minutes. Upkeep is the key point afterwards: a fringe grows roughly one centimetre per month and therefore needs trimming every three to six weeks so it does not fall into the eyes. Day to day it needs styling – a quick blow-dry with a round brush keeps it in shape, while a heat protectant and, for an oily forehead, a little dry shampoo extend freshness between washes.\n\nIn terms of price, a fringe trim in Switzerland is often cheap or even free when done between two regular appointments with the same hairdresser. As a separate service it costs roughly CHF 15 to 40 depending on the salon and region. A new fringe cut as part of a full women's haircut is included in the cut price, which in Switzerland is broadly between CHF 50 and 120. All figures are approximate guide values without guarantee – each business sets its own prices, so an up-to-date comparison is worthwhile.