Fringe is in! Which means it's time to learn how to trim your own bangs so you don't have to constantly land in the swivel chair to get them snipped into shape. Why is it that we have to wait forever for our hair to grow out after a cut we dislike, but the second we cut bangs, they seem to grow by the hour?

Cutting bangs will frame your face in a whole new way and give you a dramatically different look. They are a short term commitment and a simple addition that may spice up your current style. Whether you decide on longer, side swept fringe, or choppy, blunt bangs, a few clips of the scissors may make you look years younger, and totally hip. Have your bangs professionally cut to begin with, but here's how to take matters into your own hands to maintain your style.

*Many make the mistake of cutting hair when it's wet, but hair shrinks when dry, leaving it much shorter. A trade secret is to completely dry hair before cutting it, to get a more accurate version of the actual length.

*Purchase appropriate hair cutting scissors from a beauty supply store. Don't go rifling through your daughter's school supplies or your sewing kit for any old pair of scissors.

*Tie your hair back into a ponytail and leave out only the bangs you wish to cut. Gently clasp bangs (but don't pull them taut, because hair stretches) between your index and middle fingers, straight across for horizontally styled bangs and on a slant for side swept bangs.

*Hold the scissors vertically, and cut into your bangs very little at a time. You don't want to hold the scissors horizontally because it won't be possible to cut in a straight line all the way across, and believe me, the look won't be what you're going for!

*Trim bangs starting from the center and moving outward to the left and to the right until you reach the middle of your eyebrow on each side.

*Snip little by little until you reach the desired length.

If the thought of cutting your own hair sends shivers up your spine, as you recall that moment we all had at one point in adolescence where we curiously chopped our own hair off and then had to live with the hideous consequences, ask your stylist if you may stop in to get your bangs cut for free between regular visits. Many salons offer this service, but few patrons know to ask for it!