Everyone has a security blanket — something that makes them feel comfortable, in the world full of chaos and turmoil. My blanket is my bangs. So, needless to say, I was not to keen on the idea of slicking them back, but I’m not one to give up on a challenge.

So, first I blew dry my hair straight using a round brush. I took the hair on top of my head, and using a comb, teased the hair slightly (I wanted to get a little height), and smoothed the top layer over. Then I used a headband — this is one of those elastic-y ones that wraps around your whole head — making sure to brush my bangs underneath. The problem, though: My bangs were spiking straight up — I looked like I’d stuck a fork in the toaster, soooooo not good.

Determined not to give up, I got out my megahold hairspray, and smoothed them back, and then lightly pulled my hair into a ponytail near the mid-back of my head. And while I felt a little uncomfortable at work, I got tons of compliments (I’m a total compliment junkie, I must admit), so I definitely want to go sans-security blanket again.