Cutting your bangs, only to realize they don’t suit you and spending the next six months growing them back? This happened to the best of us. Yet curtain bangs, a more advanced and flattering version of a fringe, will seriously uplevel your face-framing game without making a drastic change. Utterly versatile, curtain bangs can be tailored to suit any face shape and hair type.

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What are Curtain Bangs?

Curtain bangs are a type of fringe that is cut in a semi-circle shape – shorter in the middle and longer on the sides. They normally part in the center and resemble open curtains, hence the name. Curtain bangs’ length varies from eyebrow level to jawline but perhaps the most popular is a cheekbone grazing fringe.

Should I Get Curtain Bangs?

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Bob with Curtain Bangs

Curtain bangs instantly elevate a classic bob haircut. Lightweight and wispy, cheekbone grazing bangs are great to give fine hair some body. However, those with thick and heavy locks should try bottleneck bangs. A classic full fringe and curtain fringe combo, bottleneck bangs tend to be fairly short in the middle and carve into longer strands on the sides.

Soft Curtain Banged Style for Straight Hair

Naturally, straight hair often tends to be a flat and lacking body. If you are looking for a subtle change, without compromising the length, soft curtain bangs are a great option. Instant boost of volume and texture guaranteed.

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Long Curtain Hair Bangs

If you don’t feel ready to commit to bangs yet, ask your hairdresser to give you some face-framing layers to test the waters. Long curtain bangs can be safely tucked behind your ears or put up in a ponytail. And if you love them, you can always go shorter.

Wispy Curtain Bangs Long Hair

Perfect for those with fine hair, wispy bangs instantly give your hairstyle heaps of texture and volume. They look great incorporated into layers or even with a blunt cut, you just need to choose the right length and density.

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Side Curtain Bang Ideas for Long Hair

If you wonder whether curtain bangs work with a side part, the answer is a definite ‘yes’. Sweep your bangs off to the side or let them fall naturally – whatever you prefer. Side curtain bangs look particularly flattering on those with round or square faces as they create a visually elongated shape.

Wolf Cut & Curtain Hair Bang

Curtain bangs are an essential part of the wolf style. Tousled and effortless, they create that messy and bold look. Use plenty of volumizing spray and blast dry your hair upside down, finish with some texturizing cream to recreate this look.

Balayage & Curtain Hair Bangs

Balayage has been one of the most popular color choices for over a decade for a reason. Easy to maintain, whilst extremely effective, balayage curtain bangs make a great combination with the money piece trend.

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Layered Hair with Curtain Bang Style

A layered haircut is perhaps the easiest style to incorporate with curtain bangs. Once you already have some layers in your hair, adding a few shorter strands around your face will add some softness and refine the look.

Long Thick Hair with Curtain Bang

Those lucky to have long and thick hair, are ultimately spoilt for choices when it comes to choosing the right shape of face framing. An airy and wispy fringe, heavily layered curtain bangs or even baby bangs – any option will work for you.

Volume Shaggy Hairstyle with Bangs

A shag cut – the more contemporary version of a mullet, is a great cut for those with thick hair and a rebellious spirit. While you might not be brave enough to take the plunge, start with introducing some choppy face-framing layers to your regular cut.

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Braided Hairstyles with Curtains

Often swept-back hair can look too severe and unflattering, while leaving a few shorter strands at the front would soften the look. Try curtain bangs with a braided half-up half-down style for an effortless boho look.

Updo Style Hairdo with Curtains

A hair updo and curtain bangs combo is giving us some serious Brigitte Bardot vibes. Whether it be a red-carpet look or a top knot to nip out to get some groceries, you can’t go wrong with a hair up and curtain bangs style.

Waves with Curtain Fringe

Waves and curtain bangs make a perfect duo thanks to all that texture and laid-back vibe. Use a pair of straighteners to curl the ends of your bangs for a seamless blend.

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Curly Curtain Fringe Bangs

Have you ever been told that you can’t have bangs because of your naturally curly hair? We have to mention that this opinion is strongly outdated. Curly bangs rock, and if you have never had them before, it’s exactly the right time to try. Diffused, or air-dried, curly, and wavy curtain bangs look utterly smashing.

The Benefits of Getting Curtain Bangs

Ponytail Hair Style for Long Hair With Curtain Bangs
by @instagram_rachaelharris_hairmakeupbeauty

If you are still not convinced, here are some of the most obvious reasons why you must try curtain bangs at least once in your life.

  • Soft and feminine, curtain bangs accentuate your eyes and cheekbones.

  • Well-cut bangs add heaps of volume at the front.

  • It’s the best way to conceal any imperfections like an uneven or receding hairline, big or small forehead, etc.

  • Cheaper than botox, bangs are great for disguising the fine lines on your forehead. They also create a fresh and youthful look.

  • For many girls, face-framing works like a ‘comfort blanket’ giving you that extra confidence.

How to Style Curtain Bangs?

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While it’s essential to have your curtain bangs cut right, you also have to get a knack for styling them. Please don’t worry, once you’ve done it a couple times, you’ll feel like a pro. Here are some tips for the three most common ways to do it – using a blow dryer, a curling iron, and a hair straightener.

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Styling Curtain Bangs Using a Hair Dryer

You might find this the most effortless way to style your curtain fringe. First, blast dry your hair using a powerful hair dryer. Don’t try to style soaking wet hair, it needs to be just slightly damp.

Take a medium-sized barrel brush, place it at the root area, and direct your bangs away from your face. Turn the nozzle of the dryer towards the brush. Once hair is dry, finish with a cool shot to set it in place. Let your bangs fall apart in the middle and spray with a setting spray after blow-drying the rest of the hair.

Styling Curtain Bangs Using a Flat Iron

A flat iron is great for second-day hair – you don’t have to style all of your locks but just the bangs. Also, you might want to use a flat iron if you normally let your hair air dry and would like to get a smoother finish at the front. It’s quick, easy, and gives instant effect.

Set your straighteners on medium heat and gently run through each side with a quick motion. Direct each section outwards for that flicked-out look.

Styling a Curtain Bang Using a Curling Wand

If you like styling your hair with a curling iron, you can use it for your curtain bangs too. The wand should be at least an inch wide, preferably with a clamp.

Place the ends of your bangs between the barrel of the curling iron and the clamp, close it, hold for a second or two, and release. When it comes to styling bangs, it’s safer to do it quickly and repeat the procedure if necessary, rather than end up with ringlets.

Don’t forget about heat protection!

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FAQ: Curtain Bangs

Due to the increased popularity of curtain fringe bangs, the number of questions on the matter grows by the day. Today we’ll try to answer the trending ones in detail.

How do you know if curtain bangs will suit you?

Whilst there’s never a ‘one fits for all’ answer when it comes to choosing a hairstyle, the short answer is yes. The good news is that curtain bangs suit anyone, you just need to find the right length and shape.

If your hair is on a finer side, opt for a more lightweight, wispy fringe. This way you won’t take too much hair off the main length while gaining some face framing and volume.

Those with oblong face shapes should choose in favor of the cheekbone length curtain bangs for a softer look. However, if you have a round or square face shape, opt for a longer and more textured fringe.

Are curtain bangs high maintenance?

Indeed, having bangs will add a few minutes on top of your regular hairstyling routine. Although, it’s certainly worth the effort. Unlike a classic full fringe, curtain bangs are longer and can be easily pinned back in case you missed your alarm clock. Another plus is that they grow out naturally and don’t require regularly visiting your hairdresser.

Are curtain bangs good for thin hair?

Curtain bangs are great to give your hair some volume and texture. If you have thin or fine hair, opt for more lightweight and wispy shape to make the most out of it.

Can you have curtain bangs with a side part?

Absolutely! If a middle part is not your cup of tea, stick with what works best for you. The curtain bangs can work perfectly fine with a side part too.

Curtain bangs belong to the variety of timeless styles that have made their way into modern fashion. The ultimate versatility and universal flair make the cut suitable for all. that is why, if you have been considering bang experimentation for a while – this is the best chance to make your dream come true!

REFERENCES:
  • Explore expert hairstyling techniques and tutorials specially focused on hairstyles for women. Learn them all here. Lorealparisusa
  • From short style ideas to longer haircuts and everything in-between, scroll through before your next salon visit. Byrdie

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