Keke Palmer just proved that the side-swept bangs of today look totally different than how so many celebrities wore them not even 20 years ago. After all, you never really fully grasp the breadth of what “bangs” can mean until you take a deep dive into the way people have worn them over the years. There are so many nuances that give forehead fringe distinctly era-specific vibes, which is proven by the visceral throwback feel I got from looking at Palmer’s totally 2004-esque hair in a new video.
The Nope star posted a clip from her recent podcast conversation with Renee Rapp, both of whom are sporting bangs. But while Rapp’s long, wispy fringe feels very “now,” Palmer’s super-heavy, slightly side-swept bangs are straight out of the early to mid aughts, especially in the context of her long layers with flippy, voluminous waves.
When I tell you — if I had seen this video back in the day, I would have brought it directly to my stylist and said, “Do that.” And I know that because I brought to my stylist every other photo of celebrities who had this style in 2004: Lindsay Lohan, Jennifer Aniston, Ashley Tisdale, Mandy Moore, Jessica Alba, and many, many more.
But while the look screams “I’m trying on all of my going-out tops while singing along to Kelly Clarkson’s new song, “Breakaway,” you have got to admit, it’s still fabulous. It may have a little more high-maintenance oomph than what’s currently in vogue, but every aspect of it — the fullness, the flattering layers, the universal wearability of a side bang — has never stopped being chic.
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In other words, I guess I’ll be taking this video of Keke Palmer to my stylist in the present-day after all.