bangs.  Fringe.  I don't know why this has been on my mind but it has been for awhile...I get a trim Feb. 5th and I'm really tempted to have her cut me some bangs.  I think it will help me when I pull my hair back into a bun to not look so marmy.  However, I look much younger than I am already but I always have so maybe that doesn't matter.  I think I have a long face so as my hair gets longer it will not be so flattering to my face without the bangs.  Of course, if I do it and don't like it they'll grow back.  Now I'm rambling...

I could use some voices of reason...please help!

If you have a high forehead and thick hair, you could try it out.

However, from someone who spent 17 years of their life with bangs, let me offer you the gratuitous warnings.
   Bangs require mad upkeep! You have to trim them more often than the length of your hair to prevent them from getting in your eyes. They also must be cleaned more often than the rest of your hair. If you're accustomed to not washing your hair every day, it's probably not a good idea for you to have bangs. The reason for this is that bangs are shorter and it takes less time for oil to travel down to the ends of your bangs than the ends of the rest of your hair. They can also cause your forehead to break out.
   When washing your face at the sink, you'll have to use a headband to hold your bangs back since they won't be long enough to be held in your ponytail or braid.
   Oh yes, and if you already look younger than you are, bangs certainly won't help that. There is definitely a "little girl"-ish quality to them in most cases.
   One more thing...there's no way to secure them in the wind!  :o  lol

Not trying to scare you off or sway your opinion. Just offering up some of the challenges I had with bangs. If you do decide to get them, prepare to get reactions from people that you know. You can't just go from no bangs one day to bangs! the next (or vice versa) and expect no one to notice. It's not a subtle change.
   The first day that I flipped mine back (when I'd grown them long enough to do so), everyone noticed. They knew that I had done something different with my hair, although they couldn't place exactly what. lol My science teacher even paused in the middle of a lecture to the class and said, "You look different today. There's something different about you...did you do something with your hair?" Singled me out, put me on the spot and everything...in the middle of class. Everyone's eyes were on me (and I hate that). He & I ended up spending 5 minutes of lecture time talking about my hair. So yeah...be prepared for attention.  ::)

When I started growing my hair out this last time, I too considered keeping my bangs.  But the first time I needed to have them trimmed, I quickly decided that I was not going to want to deal with the maintenance of bangs and that was the end of them.  Angel Spun has given a well organized list of things to consider.  

Good luck with your deicision.

I understand your dilema about not wanting to look marmish in buns because based on that, I was also faced with the same decision.  I'd decided to never cut my bangs again but I still wear them, I just wear them long and to the side so they aren't in my face.  You can either comb or pin your hair over.  With your curly hair, I think long bangs would be pretty.

Sometimes, I'll even do a side part when wearing bun and comb my hair over my forehead to make it look a bit funkier.  Even a messy bun is an alternative to a prim looking bun.  

Lastly, I'm not sure how big you are on eye make up, but heavier eye make up even makes a bun look less matronly.  Oh, and larger earrings. :)

And Angel Spun, I couldn't help but laugh at the science class story.  I had that happen to me once but in church.  No sooner than I'd walked in the door my aunt who is the pastor, and who was also up on the pulpit preaching at the time, stopped in mid sentence and said something to the effect of "thank you Jesus, LaDiosa came to church today"!  Every head turned to me and I don't think I've ever been more embarrassed in my entire life. ;D  And no, my aunt doesn't call me "LaDiosa" but I'm sure you all get what I mean.;)

I have toyed with the idea of the Japanese Anime/Heian style: Bangs on fore head then hair on each side cut to about three to for inches below the ears.  Problem would be that my hair is not straight and I would have to iron it to get the look right. :P  Again, Angel made some good points there, however, good luck in what ever you choose! :;)

I'm afraid my vote would also be no, for all of the reasons Angel mentioned.  But it IS your decision and we'll be happy for you no matter what.   8-)

hey sakina, as a person who is currently growing out bangs- i vote for no.  they blow all over the place with the slightest breeze, and while longer hair may look lovely that way, bangs are short enough to just stick out all over when that happens.

To be completely honest... since I've been growing out my bangs these past several months (I'm chin length now).. I've kept thinking, "I wish I had never gotten bangs!"  :-?
Sorry for the negative feedback, but it's always good to consider the growing out component of getting bangs (that comes the moment you're sick of styling them.)  :P

I'm sure whatever decision you make will be right for your hair though.. you know yourself best!  ;D

It has been a long time since I had bangs and I forgot all the stuff you guys reminded me of.

THANKS, EVERY ONE!!

I am not getting bangs any time soon.  If, as my length increases, I feel like its dragging my face down I'll think about it again.  Until then, no bangs for me.