Before getting scissors-happy, seek counsel from your stylist, assuming you know and trust him well. Because even though you might love Zooey Deschanel's fringe, it might not look as adorable on you. You need someone who will be this honest with you.

"Your stylist can tell you what kind of bangs will suit your face shape best," says Townsend. "Fringe is not one size fits all. The goal is to make your face appear as oval as possible."

The absolute best way to determine whether you'll be happy with your new bangs: Try them on first. "If a client says she's considering bangs, I like to pull out some clip-in bang hair pieces," says Townsend. "That way she can see what they will actually look like on her face and there are no surprises."

Call ahead to see if your salon has clip-in bangs at the ready. If they don't, you can find them at beauty supply stores, or head to a bang bar (yes, those exist) to try them on first.

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The most versatile type of bangs: side bangs. "If you're bang curious but still cautious, opt for a wispy side bang," says Townsend. "You can eventually make the leap to full-blown fringe when you're ready."

Joseph Maine, senior stylist and assistant to Serge Normant, adds that a light, shaggy bang that starts shorter in the middle and gradually gets longer toward your eyes is also superversatile. It can be gracefully swept to the side, and easily grows out into layers if you decide you don't like your face with bangs.

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If you're the type of woman who is always rushing out the door in the morning with slightly damp hair, coffee in one hand and breakfast in the other, you will definitely have to adjust your morning routine. Even if you don't wash your hair every day, your bangs will need to be styled.

The easiest way to put your bedhead bangs into place: Spritz the roots of your bangs with water, then use a bristle brush to blow-dry your bangs from left to right and then down, repeating if necessary. "This gives a nice softness to the edges so they lay softly," says Tresemme stylist John D.

"When blowing out straight-across bangs, try to avoid using a round brush. It will only end up giving you the dreaded '80s mall bangs," adds Townsend.

Nearly everyone has a cowlick in some shape or form, says D. This can make styling bangs a nightmare.

"The quickest, most efficient way to restyle fringe is with a dry texturizing spray or product," says Devin Graciano, director of business development and international hairdresser and hair education for Label.m. She recommends Label.m Texturizing Volume Spray because it makes hair look lived in -- but not oily -- and it's excellent for controlling stubborn whirls in your hairline. We also like Oribe Dry Texturizing Spray.

Blowing your hair dry using the aforementioned back and forth technique also helps your bangs lay flat.