"Here’s the truth, curtain bangs can look good on anyone, it just depends on how they’re styled. These timeless bangs made a major comeback in 2021 when it seemed like everyone was trying to follow DIY bang tutorials at home, but they have been gracing salons since as early as the 1960s. The biggest reason curtain bangs have stood the test of time—versatility.
This Baggy Dad style from Levi’s is a tried-and-true favorite our team swears by, made famous by an effortlessly cool fit and PJ-like comfort.
The best thing about getting curtain bangs is they can be styled for pretty much any length, texture, and face shape. Making it so there is a curtain bang for literally everyone. Ahead, we’ve rounded up 27 different curtain bang cuts and styles for you to discover your next cut along with tips for asking for the perfect cut at the salon and styling them when you get home. The biggest question now is… to cut or not to cut?
What to ask for at the salon if you want curtain bangs
When asking for curtain bangs at the salon, it can be a daunting task to try and explain your ideal hairstyle from memory. To ensure you and your stylist are on the same page and you receive your desired look be sure to screenshot any styles you like most. Tell your stylist your hair type and how much effort you are willing to put into your morning routine with bangs. They may be able to guide you to an even better style for your hair texture. If big chops are scary, start with longer curtain bangs and see how you feel before committing to shorter ones. Most importantly, don’t forget, bangs are fun and versatile which means they can be altered to your style. Have fun with your stylist and do what makes you feel confident!
What face shapes suit curtain bangs the best
I mean it when I say curtain bangs are versatile, so don’t let these tips discourage you from getting the curtain bangs of your dreams. That being said, certain styles of curtain bangs suit specific face shapes. For instance, if someone has a heart-shaped face, with a slightly wider forehead and pointed chin, long curtain bangs cut from the cheeks or below add width to the narrower part of the face. The same goes for those with round and rectangular faces, long wispy bangs are best. On the opposite end, those with more diamond, square, or long faces are better suited with short bangs that are more dense. Those with an oval face shape are in luck, oval-shaped faces can pull off practically any style of curtain bangs.
How to style curtain bangs at home
I can’t be the only one who used to think my hair looked completely different when styled at the salon versus when I did it myself at home. Until I mastered my at-home hair routine, I was convinced this was the truth. Bangs can be intimidating to conquer at home but after many product trials and conversations with my stylist, I learned that hair routines can be as robust or simple as you want, even with bangs. I like a middle-ground routine that has more than three steps but won’t take me too long to achieve my desired hairstyle. For those who want to achieve the effortless look of natural texture curtain bangs, air dry products, light hair gel, and curly mouse are staple products for wavy to coil textured hair. If you’re looking for more of a uniform look, the Dyson air wrap, volumizing spray, and curlers are a great place to start. Below are a few products to help kickstart your curtain bangs hair routine.
The Airwrap long barrel that comes with the Dyson Multi-Styler is the perfect pick-me-up curtain bangs could use when they’re falling a little limp. Zhuzh-ing them up with this tool takes literally less than a minute, and has them perfectly swooping in no time.
Skip the process of using a hairdryer and a round brush to style your curtain bangs and opt for a tool that does it all. This Drybar barrel brush is easy to use, and adds gorgeous volume to your bangs.
This compact diffuser and hair dryer not only works on your curls on-the-go, but is the perfect size to concentrate on a smaller area of hair (like bangs) on the daily.
One of the best ways to give curtain bangs that effortless swoop is to keep them in a roller while you’re getting ready. Simply set them at the base of your bangs, roll and pin back, and blow-dry for that extra strength hold.
If you have curly hair, you probably know the wonders a curl defining hair brush can work. For curtain bangs, use the brush in the same way your would style the rest of your hair. This smaller brush is easy to use and works wonders to let your natural curls shine.
This curl foam styles, conditions, and detangles your curls so you can have bouncy frizz-free curls all day. It’s not only a great product for your hair, but makes your curtain bangs look good as well.
Curtain bangs laying too flat? That’s where this thickening texture spray comes in. Spray at the root of your bangs when styling for dimension and movement without the crunch.
Spraying a blowout spray in your hair before styling it ensures that your blowout will last long-term. This spray from Living Proof is ideal for any hair texture, plus has a fresh scent.
A styling gel is great for all hair textures to smooth frizz and tame flyaways. Apply this gel to damp hair, and style as desired to stay frizz-free all day.
If you don’t feel like applying heat to your hair but still want your curtain bangs to have that perfectly-styled look, opt for an air dry cream. Apply to damp hair after washing and let this cream that promotes shine and hydration do all the work for you.
This ultra-fine workable hair spray is literally the perfect hair spray to hold curtain bangs in place. It’s not too heavy or wet, doesn’t crunch up, and gives volume to your hair while still staying flexible and bouncy.
You might notice that bangs start to get greasy faster than the rest of your scalp does. You can wash your bangs everyday, or stay on top of the amount of oil with dry shampoo. This Dae dry shampoo mists powder out of the applicator, making for an easier application to manipulate and add volume.
Sometimes, all your curtain bangs need is a re-spritz of water to freshen them. up. This mister doesn’t soak them completely, and allows you to have full control on how much you’re using.
Once you have bangs, there’ll be instances when you want them out of your face. Creaseless bang clips are ideal for using while doing your makeup but also trains them to swoop and stay put after styling.
Haircuts and style ideas for curtain bangs
1. Classic 90s Curtain Bangs
Sabrina Carpenter’s long cut curtain bangs blend effortlessly with her cascading layers. This style is great for long to extra long hair to provide body and a waterfall effect.
2. Curly Shag
Here lies the versatility of curtain bangs. These curly bangs give volume and a dynamic shape to any curly style
3. Relaxed Waves
For those with natural waves or who enjoy adding a subtle wave to their hair, this style is a great choice for a low-maintenance yet chic look.
4. Gelled Curtain Bangs
Anyone struggle with taming stray bangs? This gelled style adds a little drama to spice up any updo all while keeping your bangs tamed.
5. In-Between Curtain Bangs
Growing out your hair is a journey and many find themselves in-between lengths. These curtain bangs are great for anyone wanting to grow their hair out long while maintaining a classic styled look.
6. Pixie Cut Bangs
I know what you’re thinking, and YES, curtain bangs work well with short cuts, too. This grown-out pixie and bangs combo is so cool.
7. Top Knot
This widespread fringe plays well with the fullness of the top knot. This style is great for high necklines in winter or hot days in summer.
8. Baby Curtain Bangs
Baby curtain bangs are bold and usually cut just above the eyebrows or shorter. Once parted in the middle these bangs create the classic curtain bang swoop effect.
9. Feathered Long Layers
For those who like a soft wispy look these feathered curtain bangs are a great addition to any layered hairstyle.
10. Curly Half Up, Half Down
Hey, curly girly! Curtain bangs are great with classic curly cuts and they also add great accents to half up, half down styles.
11. Natural Curls with Baby Bangs
Baby bangs can also look great on curly hair! If receiving a wet cut, be sure to account for your curl pattern when cutting and ask your stylist to cut your baby bangs slightly longer than desired so they sit nicely when dry and curly.
12. Shoulder Length with Wispy Bangs
Wispy bangs add a light and weightless element to any hairstyle. For anyone worried about heavy bangs save this idea for your stylist and they can alter them to your liking!
13. Chic Low Bun
Did we mention these bangs are versatile? Not only can curtain bangs be paired with high updos but they also add a sleek look to any low buns.
14. Effortless Texture
Lots of layers and long face framing curtain bangs give this style loads of texture, ideal for those who like a lived-in look.
15. Sleek Curtain Bangs
For those with a straighter hair texture, these curtain bangs and layers create a subtle face-framing style.
16. Air Dried Bangs
If you’re staying away from heat products or looking for curtain bangs that can be styled quickly for wavy hair, this look is the optimal low-effort style.
17. Half Up Half Down
These full curtain bangs look great with a classic half up half down look for all hair types from straight to coil curls.
18. Wispy Lob
The short-medium length of this cut styled with shaggy layers and long curtain bangs melds together to create the perfect face-framing look.
19. Eyebrow Length Curtain Bangs
Paired with long layers to add volume, these bangs flick with a playful flair at the eyebrows, making this style look elegant and airy.
20. Fanned Curtain Bangs
Billie Eilish rocked this epic look back in 2021 during the DIY bang era. These curtain bangs are more wispy in the center and fan out to a fuller look toward the edges, giving a full coverage look.
21. Coils with Micro Curtain Bangs
Subtle micro bangs with tight curls add volume and shape without covering too much of the face. Micro bangs are typically cut a little above the eyebrows but can be altered to the length of your choice.
22. Medium Length Bouncy Layers
If hair has a personality this style would definitely be fun and flirty. These medium-length layers blend into long curtain bangs for a bouncy look.
23. Classic Updo
This classic updo is great for a more formal look with curtain bangs. Selena’s bangs are cut with long descending layers so they stop at her shoulders.
24. Low Ponytail
Great as a casual look or for the office, this low ponytail and bangs look is simple yet makes a statement.
25. 90s Bob
Short styles don’t mean your bangs have to be short. These long curtain bangs add a soft look to this 90s bob cut.
26. Long Blended Curtain Bangs
Long curtain bangs are typically cut below the check to below the chin line depending on the length of your hair. This style is a great way to semi-commit to having curtain bangs—effortlessly blending in with your existing hairstyle.