Hair's the Scoop

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Kim Kardashian kicked off the new year at Tao in Las Vegas with a new look – heavy-duty bangs! “I wanna a new hairstyle for tonight! Should I do bangs?” the reality star Tweeted Saturday. And apparently her followers responded with a resounding “yes”.

But is the fringe real or is it clip-in? Please let them be fake, please let them be fake. They are WAY too much – too thick, too Cleopatra-esque, too…drag queen?

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Is it just me, or are Rashida Jones' bangs awkward and unflattering?

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Nicole Kidman pairs a classic ponytail with piecey, side-swept fringe at the 2011 Academy Awards.

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Kim Kardashian models bold bangs at last night's "Keeping Up with the Kardashians" event in LA.

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Fringe may be the season's hottest accessory, but it requires regular maintenance to look this good.

Ideally, you should see your stylist for a trim every few weeks, but salon visits can be both costly and time consuming. So to help get the most "bang" for your buck, I've enlisted the guidance of celebrity stylist Kevin Mancuso:

Making the Cut

First, prep your tresses:

- Wet hair tends to shrink as it dries, so you should only trim your bangs when hair is completely dry.

- Use the fine-toothed end of a styling comb to separate the front section of hair that you want to trim and pull it to a point in the center of your face. Use a jaw clip to hold excess hair aside.

- Twist the gathered hair several times (3-4 times). The twisting will offer more forgiving results and help to hide imperfections.

Next, trim your locks:

- Holding scissors at an angle, “point trim” tips until you have reached the desired length.

- To prevent over trimming, only cut a small amount of length off at a time.

Style & Maintenance

Start by prepping your hair:

- Shampoo and condition hair with high-performance, moisture-rich products.

- Help prevent split ends and prolong the life of your bangs by applying a leave-in conditioner, such as Nexxus Humectress Luxe, to the tips of hair.

- Pull bangs aside and style rest of hair as normal.

Next, style your fringe:

- Blow-dry bangs using a large round brush. Always apply a heat styler before using thermal styling tools to protect locks from damage and extend the time in-between salon appointments.

- For wispy bangs, apply small amount of a medium-hold texture lotion, such as Nexxus VersaStyler, to the palms of hands. Rub hands together and then gently run fingers through bangs for added definition.

- For blunt bangs, apply a smoothing crème. Use a flat iron on fringe to enhance the sleekness of the style.

- Finish either style with a misting of a light-weight hairspray to help prevent flyaways and static.

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Leave it to Bai Ling to lower the bar. Famous for her questionable taste in everything from fashion to films, the actress appeared at the LA premiere of "Drag Me to Hell" in an awkward ponytail and unflattering fringe.

I'm not sure what bothers me most— the shape? The part? Bai's latest look is a perfect example of how not to style bangs.

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From Jessica Alba to Jennifer Lopez and Mischa Barton, it seems like everywhere you look these days there's a celebrity sporting dramatic, brow-skimming bangs.

Though it's not the easiest look to pull off, there are many ways to make it your own. The first question to ask yourself is: am I blunt (Keira) or feathered (Vanessa) kind of girl? Then it's all about the styling. Something as simple as your part can completely change the look, so don't be afraid to experiment with Photoshop or faux fringe to find your best fit.

Scared to go so short? Ask your stylist for soft layers that fall between your brow and the top of your cheekbones, then use a flat iron (like T3's Glow Styler) to add a slight curve to the hair. This way, you create the illusion of fringe without having to make a full-on commitment.

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Jennifer Lopez debuted her new, full and fabulous fringe last night at a Topshop event in NYC.

I'm loving this look for J.Lo, it's anti-aging and fun for spring.