Let us tell you: The bitchy little side bang is back

“Bitchy Little Side Bang” (BLSB for short) has attitude. She’s sassy, ​​defiant and brutal in the complimentary, Charli XCX-anointed sense. And by all accounts, she’s back — ready to take over spring and summer mood boards like the early-season diva she is. Find the iconic hair flip.

“I’m extremely inspired by what I call the ‘hot suburban mom of the early 2000s,'” the content creator says. Natalie Shinewho really BLSB Wrought During a trim in January. (Think Julie Cooper ocWhich Shine credits as a major reference.) Like most fans of the beauty, she was craving a hair refresh for the start of 2026, and it’s no secret that nostalgic styles — including side bangs and side parts — have skyrocketed in popularity recently. “The side bang was calling,” says Shine. And thus BLSB was born.

Shine isn’t the only one to hop on the side-bang bandwagon. Lots of celebs (like Bella Hadid, Zoe Kravitz, and Quenlyn Blackwell, to name a few), designers (like Sandy Liang and Tory Burch), and beauty insiders (like makeup artists) Leela Childs) have signed on to swoopy side bangs over the past few months, and top hairstylists expect the trend to grow as we get closer to warmer weather.

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“We’re in a moment (where) early 2000s nostalgia is coming back in full swing,” the celebrity hairstylist explains. sky kim. “We’re seeing it in fashion, beauty and culture—but the difference now is that it’s more self-aware.” Campy, if you like. The guy who wears BLSB is plugged into the Y2K reference and probably has low-rise jeans and frosty eye makeup to match.

But what separates BLSB from its early 2000 predecessor? “It’s short, a little piece-like, and sits high on the cheekbones or browbones, almost as if it’s been jolted into place,” says Kim. “It doesn’t try to completely blend in with the rest of the haircut, which is what gives it that attitude.” According to celebrity hair stylists Chris McMillanIt’s also full of fluffy volume. “It’s not as literal as it was before,” he shares. Look, while Y2K side bangs were typically flat-ironed into submission — and, as a result, flopped lifelessly over the eyes — “this year, the ‘bitchy little side bang’ is sexy and messy,” says McMillan. “It’s all about a flirty, voluminous hairstyle.”

Kim agrees – gone are the days of heavy, uniform, easily tucked side fringes. She says, “The 2026 version keeps the references but takes away the stiffness – it’s light, airy. Plus, the old bangs have really come through with heavy highlights and layers.”

To ensure your blsb looks fresh and updated while maintaining just the right amount of nostalgia, she recommends lightly prepping the bangs with a blow-dry primer or touchable mousse (“something that gives control without stiffness,” she says) before blow-drying from side to side with a small round brush. Shine personally separates her bangs into three layers before blow-drying (an important tip she learned from her stylist, Aurora). Yves Durif Salon) to encourage buoyancy. Add hair spray for side-part hold and a little oil to add shine (MacMillan). smooth hair oil This is very important), and you are ready.