It was the haircut that launched a thousand "should I?" texts to best friends across the globe. When Daisy Edgar-Jones first appeared as Marianne in Normal People, she didn't just give us a masterclass in yearning; she gave us the most influential set of bangs of the 2020s. They were messy. They were perfectly arched. Honestly, they were the only thing we talked about for months.
But here’s the thing. It’s 2026, and Daisy Edgar-Jones bangs haven't just disappeared into the "remember when" vault of hair trends. They've evolved. What started as a "breakup haircut"—her own words, by the way—has transformed from a heavy, eyelash-skimming fringe into the "French girl" curtain bangs we're seeing on every red carpet from London to Milan.
The "Breakup Haircut" That Changed Everything
Most people think a team of high-end stylists spent hours debating the geometry of Marianne’s hair. Nope. Daisy actually admitted to Jimmy Fallon that she chopped her hair after missing out on an acting role she really wanted. She was sad, she wanted a change, and she "chopped off all the front bits."
It’s kind of wild to think about. That one moment of post-rejection impulse led to a look that arguably defined her early career. She even joked that she can only act if half her face is covered.
Why the "Marianne" Fringe Worked
- The Inverted Arc: Unlike a blunt "Dora the Explorer" cut, her original fringe was shorter in the center and longer at the temples.
- The Shattered Edge: Stylist Craig Taylor, creative director at HARI’s, calls this "shattering" the outline. It breaks the hard line so it doesn't look like a shelf sitting on your forehead.
- The Oval Balance: Daisy has a classic oval face shape. The fringe added balance and basically highlighted her cheekbones like a natural contour.
The 2026 Evolution: From Full Fringe to Luxe Curtains
If you’ve seen her lately—especially during the Twisters press tour or at the Gucci AW25 show—you’ve noticed the change. The "Daisy Edgar-Jones bangs" of today are a lot more laissez-faire. They're longer. They're sun-kissed.
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Working with heavy hitters like Bryce Scarlett (the guy behind Margot Robbie’s Barbie hair) and George Northwood, Daisy has moved into what stylists are calling "Seventies-esque" long layers. These aren't the high-maintenance bangs that require a trim every two weeks. These are the bangs you can tuck behind your ears when you're over it.
They’re textured. They’re "lived-in." Most importantly, they aren't trying too hard.
Can You Actually Pull This Off?
I get asked this constantly. "I want the Daisy Edgar-Jones bangs, but will I look like a wet Golden Retriever?"
The truth is, while Daisy has the "perfect" oval face, these bangs are surprisingly democratic. You just have to tweak the math.
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- Round Faces: Don't go blunt. Go for the longer "French curtain" style that hits the cheekbones. It creates vertical lines that elongate the face.
- Square Faces: You want softness. Ask for a wispy, feathered finish to blur the angles of the jawline.
- Heart Shapes: Start the bangs just below the brow and sweep them outward. This balances a wider forehead.
Pro Tip: The "Y" Shape
If you’re trying to recreate the Twisters-era volume at home, stop using a flat iron. Everyone thinks they need to flatten their bangs. Wrong. Use a medium round brush and a blow dryer, and work the hair up and away from the face. It creates a "Y" shape that frames the eyes without making you look like a 2004 emo kid.
Maintenance Is Where Most People Fail
Bangs are a commitment. They're basically a pet for your face.
Daisy’s current look is lower maintenance than the 2020 version, but you still need a trim every 4–6 weeks. If you wait longer, they stop being "cool girl fringe" and start being "I can't see the road while I'm driving."
What to buy:
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- Dry Texturizer: Not dry shampoo. You want something like Davines This Is A Dry Texturizer. It gives that "I just woke up like this" grit.
- Lightweight Anti-Frizz: If you live somewhere humid, your bangs will turn into a frizz-ball. A tiny bit of anti-frizz cream on damp hair is non-negotiable.
The Actionable "Daisy" Checklist
Ready to head to the salon? Don't just show them a blurry Instagram screenshot.
Tell your stylist you want "bottleneck bangs" or "layered curtain bangs that sit just above the cheekbone." Specifically ask them to "shatter the ends" with a razor or point-cutting technique. This ensures they blend into the rest of your hair rather than looking like a separate entity.
If you're a "fringe novice," start long. Ask for pieces that hit the bridge of your nose. If you hate them, they’ll grow into face-framing layers in about a month. If you love them, you can always go shorter next time.
The beauty of the Daisy Edgar-Jones look isn't perfection—it's the fact that it looks better when it's slightly "undone." So, stop over-styling. Let them separate. Let them move. That’s the whole point.