It Should Be Noted: Sassy Little Side Bangs Are Making a Comeback (and They’re Better Than Before)

      The "bitchy little side bang" (abbreviated as BLSB) has a distinct attitude. It's bold, rebellious, and playfully sassy in the Charli XCX manner. By all indications, it's making a comeback, poised to dominate spring and summer aesthetics like the diva from the early 2000s that it embodies. Get ready for that iconic hair flip. "I'm constantly inspired by what I'm calling an 'early-2000s hot suburban mom,'" says content creator Natalie Shine, who actually created the term BLSB during a haircut back in January. (She references Julie Cooper from The O.C. as an important inspiration.) Like many beauty enthusiasts, she was seeking a hair update to welcome 2026, and it's clear that nostalgic hairstyles, especially side bangs and side parts, have surged in popularity recently. "The side bang was calling," Shine explains. Thus, the BLSB was born.

      Shine's BLSB fresh from the salon chair. Shine is not the only one embracing the side-bang trend. Numerous celebrities (such as Bella Hadid, Zoë Kravitz, and Quenlin Blackwell), designers (including Sandy Liang and Tory Burch), and beauty experts (like makeup artist Lila Childs) have endorsed swoopy side bangs in recent months, and leading hairstylists expect the trend to gain even more traction as warmer weather approaches. "We're in a moment where there are significant waves of early 2000s nostalgia returning in full force," says celebrity hairstylist Sky Kim. "We see it across fashion, beauty, and culture—but now there's a more self-aware twist." It's quite campy. A person sporting a BLSB is tuned into the Y2K reference and likely pairs it with low-rise jeans and frosted eye makeup.

      But what makes the BLSB distinct from its early 2000s version? "It’s shorter, slightly piecey, and rests higher on the cheekbone or just at the brow, almost as if it’s been flicked into place," Kim notes. "It doesn’t need to blend seamlessly into the rest of the haircut, which contributes to its attitude." Celebrity hairstylist Chris McMillan adds that it has a lot of fluffy volume. "It’s not as rigid as it used to be," he explains. While Y2K side bangs were usually flat-ironed and fell lifelessly over the eye, "this year's 'bitchy little side bang' is sexy and messy," he states. "It’s all about a flirty, voluminous look." Kim concurs—gone are the days of heavy, uniformly styled side fringe. "The 2026 version maintains the reference but removes the stiffness—it’s lighter and airier. Older bangs often had chunky highlights and layers," she remarks.

      To keep your BLSB looking fresh and contemporary while still capturing the right amount of nostalgia, she suggests lightly preparing the bangs with a blow-dry primer or touchable mousse ("Something that provides control without stiffness," she advises) before blow-drying from side to side with a small round brush. Shine personally separates her bangs into three layers before blow-drying (a key insight she learned from her stylist, Aurora, at Yves Durif Salon) to promote bounce. Finish off with hairspray for that side-part hold and a touch of oil for shine (McMillan's Glassy Smooth Hair Oil is essential), and you’re good to go. A final tip? "Ensure your bangs are the right length and avoid over-blending," Kim suggests. "Let the bangs have their moment." Unlike traditional side bangs, which are typically softer, romantic, and long enough to blend into layers, the BLSB has enough character to stand out independently. It would be a missed opportunity not to embrace its attitude.

      **Shop The Best Styling Products for Side Bangs**

      **Chris McMillan The Glassy Smooth Hair Oil**

      For the BLSB, McMillan's shine-enhancing oil mist is a must. It’s extremely lightweight, ensuring it won’t weigh down those shorter strands, and the "gritty vanilla" scent evokes a strong Y2K vibe.

      **milk_shake Volumizing Mousse**

      For soft-hold mousses, Kim recommends this volumizing formula from Milk_Shake, which is excellent for a bouncy, weightless blowout.

      **Ibiza Hair Boar Bristle Round Brush**

      McMillan endorses Ibiza hair brushes, and this 55mm size is ideal for side bangs.

      **Chris McMillan The Major Shine Hairspray**

      For shine, McMillan's flexible-hold hairspray is a great option.

      **ghd Helios Professional Hair Dryer**

      This blow dryer is a long-lasting choice with advanced ionic technology to reduce frizz.

      **CÉCRED Thermal Shield Mist**

      Always prep strands with heat