Every few months, a celebrity graces the red carpet with a fresh fringe, and everyone considers whether or not bangs are the right fit for them. And we get it. Bangs can add something different to your hair that stands out and amps up your look. But, as many of us have learned time and time again, there can be downsides to making the cut. So is it worth it?

There are many things to think about when wrestling with the idea of getting bangs. You have to worry about the styling options, potential forehead breakouts, and the grow-out time. But if you have tons of gorgeous photos of celebrities rocking bangs on your Pinterest and have yet to call and make a hair appointment, this is the article for you.

First up, before making any decisions, do NOT cut your bangs. This is never a good idea. Once you have them trimming them yourself is acceptable, but chopping inches of your hair off without a professional present will rarely have a positive outcome.

And then you have to think about your skin. Maybe in high school, getting bangs was a way to conceal forehead breakouts, but you should probably avoid that method as an adult. Bangs can add dimension to your look and give you unlimited styling options, but if you tend to have greasy hair and oily skin, it could turn out to be a disaster for your skin. Having your hair constantly lying on your forehead can cause breakouts and clogged pores. Not to mention oily skin can make your hair look greasy too. So if your hair is on the thinner side, be aware that dry shampooing your bangs will probably be a regular step in your routine.

Now that you’ve been warned, it is time to decide if a fringe will suit you. One way to check this is to try an online generator. You can upload a photo of yourself and see what you would look like with different hairstyles. This may not be foolproof, but it is less of a commitment than finding out you hate bangs on yourself after cutting them.

Another option is clip-in bangs. This way, you can have the style you want without the commitment. A significant fear before getting bangs is that you’ll get bored of them and have to suffer for upwards of a year, waiting for them to grow out. But with the great clip-in options available nowadays, you can get the exact look of real bangs without regret. This is our #1 recommendation as it comes with so many styling options, and you could change up your look every day. But getting clip-in bangs that are high quality can be a bit of an investment. So it’s up to you. Would you instead save money and get your bangs cut or invest in the convenience of a new hairstyle daily?

If your hesitancy has faded and you have decided to take the plunge, good for you. But which type of bangs are you going for? Walking into a salon and saying, “I want bangs,” probably isn’t the best plan. Search bangs on google images or Pinterest and see what you like best. A full fringe is a bit bolder. It also requires a bit more attention to styling. If your hair is frizzy, flat, or even wavy, you will most likely need to style them each day to avoid looking a bit wonky. So if you have the time for that and want to go all-in, go for it and rock your new bangs.

On the other hand, if a thick set of bangs is a bit too much for you, a wispy fringe may be exactly what you want. You can get away with a messy and undone look more easily, and this cut requires a lot less maintenance. Not to mention growing out wispy bangs is a lot less frustrating as they will blend into the rest of your hair more easily. This is also a great gateway style into fuller bangs if that happens to be your end goal. Try out a less intimidating style like this, and if you love it, you can always make it bolder later.

So, are you going to take the risk and rock a new style for the coming season or play it safe with angles and layers? No matter what you choose, we’re sure you will look fabulous with or without bangs.