Bangs in the UAE Heat? Here's how to style and survive this summer

From personal experience, fringes are far from a cakewalk. Having worn them on and off for over 20 years, I could probably write a book about the struggle of keeping them trimmed so they don’t fall into my eyes, or worse, styling them in summer without them sticking to my forehead like they’ve been glued on, like a child's science project.

Expectations: Zoe Deschanel. Reality *cricket chirps*

But don’t worry, it’s taken many hard lessons and many difficult days, but fringes aren’t rocket science, even when heat, humidity and hectic commutes enter the picture.

Considering fringes are the rage this year,

We turned to Maria Dowling, founder and creative director of Mariadowling salon Dubai, for her unfiltered take on the highs and humidity-prone lows of fringe life. From sweaty workouts to TikTok disasters, here's the truth about making bangs work, without losing your mind (or your patience).

Dowling explains, “As long as you don’t want a poker straight fringe but rather are committed to working with the natural texture of the hair and keeping the curls and coils intact, then yes you can rock a fringe. Also, have some length in the fringe (just above your eyes) or having longer bangs that frame your face as this will be the best choice.”

That said, fringes require commitment—especially in summer. Be prepared to spend time grooming each morning and possibly doing touch-ups throughout the day. So, waking up just 20 minutes before work and rushing probably won’t cut it.

Note to self.

Dry shampoo? Non-negotiable.

Dowling explains why, “Dry shampoo is your best friend as your fringe can get greasy quickly, especially in the summer so invest in a salon-quality one such as a powder-based one that will absorb all the grease.”

A mini iron and travel-sized tub of product? Absolutely. “A mini iron will be your best friend, and if you have a full fringe or micro fringe, you will need regular touch-ups with the irons to keep it sitting neat and sharp,” she says.

For the daily styling ritual, Dowling says:

“Other useful products are heat protectant to use for daily blow-drying or straightening, as well as pomade, wax, or light styling cream to keep edges tidy and structured.”

Spoiler: You might be sabotaging your fringe. “I don't use a round brush to dry my fringe. Rather, I use my fingers maneuvering the fringe against my forehead left and right, while pointing the hairdryer nozzle downwards. A round brush may encourage the fringe to curl under, which looks dated,” explains Dowling.

Brutal honesty incoming: “Apart from pinning it with a Kirby grip there is nothing really you can do to stop it separating to be honest.”

And about that dreamy full fringe? It may not survive summer.“I wouldn’t recommend having a full fringe style in summer as it does not fare well in humidity or rain—the bangs can get frizzy and, or stick to your forehead, triggering outbreaks,” she explains.

 When it comes to blow-drying, technique matters: Dowling explains, “Never use a brush when blow drying a fringe. Instead, use your fingers to tap it down especially if you have a kink in the hair or a cowlick. When drying, also dry to the right hand side, then to the left hand side, then again to the right and so on as this will ensure it sits straight.”

Also, ensure you point the dryer downwards so the cuticle will be closed and hair will be smooth.”

The truth about fringe commitment:

 Fringe styles work best for people who:

• Don’t mind attending the salon for regular trims every 3–4 weeks.

• Can commit to morning styling (blow-drying or straightening).

• Don’t mind dealing with forehead oil and potential breakouts.”

Good news: there’s an in-between. “If you have a longer fringe, then clip the fringe underneath the rest of the hair with a Kirby grip and allow the rest of the hair to flow over it,” explains Dowling.

And if you’re leaning into the effortless Parisian vibe, there's more flexibility. “French girl, Birkin bangs look best when styled deliberately messy or lightly blown out so if your hair is straight. Another benefit is that this fringe grows out gracefully into curtain bangs, making them forgiving long-term. But they will need taming midday especially in hot or damp conditions,” she adds.

For hot weather, curtain fringes or side bangs are your safest bet. The fringe is longer and parted, so the hair doesn’t sit heavily on your forehead, which means less sweat, less stickiness. Then on days when you don’t want to wear a fringe, you can simply tuck it behind your ears, or let it frame your face.

From sleek to undone in a day—a fail or a flex?

This is especially the case for those of us that have less than poker straight hair or for those of us who have micro fringes. “They are notorious for frizzing or curling up in humidity as the day goes on. It’s best to realise this before cutting a fringe and also ensuring you have products at hand to keep the frizz at bay,” she says.

Dowling doesn't mince words: “Tiktok makes cutting fringes look easy but it is not. Firstly, cutting hair when wet, leads to unexpected shrinkage. What appears when wet may dry into a fringe that is shockingly short. Also, one uneven snip leads to another leading to catastrophe. This is why you should never DIY your own fringe – leave it to the professionals!”

And if you’re already in a fringe relationship? Know what to expect.

You will need to have a trim every 2 to 4 weeks to keep the shape. “Fringes tend to get oily faster than hair, so even if you're skipping a full wash, you might need to wash or dry shampoo them daily. Finally, expect daily heat styling unless your natural hair texture is very cooperative,” adds Dowling.

So let’s recap, especially as UAE summers are here:

Dry shampoo is non-negotiable

Your fringe gets greasy faster than the rest of your hair, especially in the heat. Keep a powder-based dry shampoo in your bag to refresh and absorb oil mid-day.

Hands over brushes

Never use a round brush to blow dry your fringe in the summer—it can curl the ends under in a dated way. Instead, use your fingers and direct the dryer left to right and back again, always pointing the nozzle downwards.

Mini iron is maximum control

A travel-sized flat iron is a fringe lifesaver. Use it for midday touch-ups or to tame unexpected bends and frizz.

Keep a styling product in your bag

Just like you carry lip balm, carry a small tub of wax, pomade, or styling cream to smooth and shape your fringe on the go.

Master the humidity strategy

Hot and sticky day? Pin your fringe back with a Kirby grip (bobby pin) before it turns into a sweaty, frizzy mess, especially if you’re outdoors or working out.

Switch to summer-friendly styles

Try curtain bangs or side-swept fringes—they're longer, easier to style, and don’t cling to your forehead like a full fringe does in the heat.

Touch-up often

Summer fringes need more maintenance—expect daily styling and trims every 3–4 weeks to keep them from turning unruly.