Viola Davis Debuts Bold New Bangs for Her 60th Birthday

Leave it to Viola Davis to make 60 look like the chicest milestone. The How to Get Away With Murder actress marked her milestone birthday with a sun-soaked escape to Mexico, but it wasn’t the turquoise waters or golden sunsets that stole the spotlight—it was her fresh, ultra-chic new hairstyle.

Known for her fearless approach to beauty and fashion, Davis has worn everything from cropped curls to flowing waves. But in a recent Instagram post, she unveiled blunt new bangs—a dramatic shift that took her look into a striking new territory. Celebrity hairstylist for Sally Beauty, Monaè Everett describes the new ‘do as “blunt bangs with a soft side part” which frames the face while adding a surprising softness that feels youthful and fresh. It’s essentially a bold style statement and a celebration rolled into one.

And as Davis herself proved, sometimes all it takes is a subtle tweak (like adding a fringe) to reframe your entire look. Whether you’re in your 20s or, like Davis, stepping into your 60s with grace and power, this is proof that a haircut can be the ultimate reset button.

Feeling inspired by Viola Davis’s birthday transformation? From what to ask your stylist to how to keep the fringe looking flawless at home, here’s everything you need to know to pull off bangs with the same confidence.

How to Get the Look

The first step to rocking bangs is to nail your cut. Everett suggests asking your stylist for “bold, blunt” bangs cut “straight across” but with just a hint of parting so the fringe “can slightly sweep to the side instead of laying flat.” Pairing the cut with a sleek bob, she adds, makes the whole look feel polished and modern.

At home, Everett recommends wrapping your hair at night to preserve smoothness, then blow drying and flat ironing with the ion Magnesium Flat Iron in the morning for sleek definition. And if you want a little extra bounce, using Salon Care Ceramic Velcro Rollers to shape the bangs after your morning shower is always an option, too.

Christine Bellemare, co-founder of Maven A Collect, recommends a slightly different approach, starting with asking your stylist for “piecey, eyebrow-grazing bangs with a choppy finish.” To style, her preference is to blow drying with a round or flat brush, then finish with a lightweight texturizing spray or cream for separation and a soft, airy finish. “You can also use a flat iron to help them lay flatter and add more definition to the tousled look,” she adds. No matter which version you choose, if you wear it with confidence, it’ll look incredible.