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Thinking about getting curtain bangs? This type of fringe can work with any face shape, hair texture, or style. See 30 examples of curtain bangs and different ways to wear the trend in our complete style guide.
Curtain Bangs: Making a Comeback
Every now and then, another style or trend from a past decade emerges. The return of a flattering, low-maintenance trend like curtain bangs was eminent. And we are here for it.
Sixties and seventies beauty icons and celebrities like Farah Fawcett, Goldie Hawn, and Brigette Bardot all wore curtain bangs. They created a soft, flirty look that was worlds away from the precise look of the blunt-cut bangs of the day.
Now this twist on classic bangs is back because it looks great on everyone, works with a variety of looks, and is super simple to style. These bangs can be styled to look sleek and polished or messy and edgy.
Curtain bangs are so versatile, and that’s part of what makes them great.
If you’re thinking about wearing the trend, you need to look at some examples to find the style that’s best for you! Below, we’ll share some info about curtain bangs and different ways they can be worn.
Then, you’ll see 30 examples that will help you decide which curtain bang style you want. Let’s get started!
Read Next: How to Cut Curtain Bangs
What Are Curtain Bangs?
There are several different types of bangs. But specifically, curtain bangs are a type of fringe parted in the middle to frame the face. They get their name from the way the parted hair frames the face like a curtain does a window.
With a little swoop naturally forming on each side, curtain bangs create soft curves that are versatile and flattering on every face shape. Most curtain bangs are softly layered and are shortest in the center. They gradually get longer to better blend with the rest of the hair.
Layering gives the bangs more movement. This makes them a dynamic part of your hairstyle rather than a static fringe that lays in one place.
Curtain bangs may be worn parted slightly to the left or right, but if they are parted too far over, they’re indistinguishable from side-swept bangs and won’t frame your face the same way.
They are meant to hang down the edges of your face, opening up above the eyebrows to put your eyes front and center.
30 Trending Ways to Wear Curtain Bangs
Getting curtain bangs is a simple way to instantly update your hairstyle. They will flatter any face shape and work with any hair type. There are so many ways to wear these face framing bangs!
The best way to show you is with examples. Check out some of our favorite ways to wear curtain bangs!
1. Slightly Offset Curtain Bang
Iordani/Shutterstock
These bangs aren’t parted dead in the middle, but just off-center for a casual look. Use a curling wand or iron to wrap the ends of the bangs and wave away from your face.
2. Long Bangs Blended into Waves
Roman Samborskyi/Shutterstock
If short bangs in your face gets on your nerves, consider wearing a longer version of the trend. They are almost jaw level in this example, curving slightly at the cheekbone area. The extra length blends seamlessly into waves while perfectly framing the face.
3. Urban Edgy
Navistock/Shutterstock
Let the bangs hit around the cheekbone level and use texturizing spray or sea salt spray to make them look a little lived-in. Finish with a curling wand or iron to wave them away from your face.
4. Short Inverted Curtain Bangs
Sihi/Shutterstock
These bangs swoop inward toward the face at the bottom, creating a C-shape that is super flattering for short hair. The back and sides are buzzed up to the eyebrow level, leaving a longer, shaggy layer on top to blend the short curtain bangs into.
5. Shaggy and Sultry
Dalina Deinega/Shutterstock
Longer curtain bangs are so sultry because they put your eyes in the spotlight. Paired with super-long blonde wavy hair, these bangs that swoop right at the cheekbone will highlight every flattering point on your face.
Read Next: Short Shaggy Haircuts
6. Perfectly in Place
VH-studio/Shutterstock
If a polished look is more your speed, curtain bangs that hit at the cheeks are worth considering. They’re long enough to add waves or curls and can blend in with the rest of your hair perfectly.
7. Air Dried and Casual
Luis Molinero/Shutterstock
Curtain bangs do not need tons of styling to look great. This is a perfect example! Just let your hair air dry for a casual look (try twisting the bangs away from you as they dry for more swoop).
8. Barely Parted Curtain Bangs
Svitlana Sokolova/Shutterstock
Instead of a wide part, shorter forehead-covering curtain bangs naturally have a narrower part. Hitting just above the eyebrows at their shortest, they make the eyes the main focus.
9. Artsy Half-Tucked
Fotoliza/Shutterstock
Paired with long hair, these bangs add interest to the style and swoop around the tops of the cheekbones. With one side tucked, more of the face shows.
10. Piece-y Brow Grazing Bangs
Sokolova Maryna/Shutterstock
Growing your bangs out? Start parting them down the middle and let them naturally “piece” out or use a dab of styling wax or pomade. Longer lengths look great with this face framing style too, so no need for a trim every few weeks!
11. Coily Curtains
Cookie Studio/Shutterstock
Coily and kinky hair can really rock the curtain bangs! With tight curls cut into a cascading shape that frames the face perfectly, this is a great way to add interest to any short ‘do.
12. Subtle Part Curtain Bangs
Svitlana Sokolova/Shutterstock
The layers and subtle part in these bangs peek out from under her hat, which gives the look a flirty and laid-back vibe. If you prefer shorter bangs that won’t hang in your eyes, this example is perfect.
Read Next: Layered Haircuts
13. Dense and Short
Sharon Cobo/Shutterstock
Wispy versions are great, but there’s something kind of vintage about denser, thick curtain bangs. When they’re shorter, they’re less intrusive on the face.
14. Clipped Back Bangs
Anton Mukhin/Shutterstock
You’ll love your new curtain bangs, but it’s fun to find different ways to style them! We like the look of clipping them back just above the ears.
15. Short Curtain Bangs
Krakenimages.com/Shutterstock
Long, straight hair looks great with this style of bang. The curtain bangs here graze the eyebrows to leave the eyes open as a focal point. We like the piece-y look of these short bangs.
16. Tomboy Bangs
TSViPhoto/Shutterstock
These middle-parted bangs have such a youthful look and pair excellently with a shorter haircut. You can use a little lightweight styling gel to help set the part.
17. Retro Hollywood
Andrey Arkusha/Shutterstock
Those deep-set waves and the shining blonde tones scream old Hollywood. Use a curling wand for the most glamorous, shapely wave.
18. Off Center Retro
Alones/Shutterstock
Heavily razored and textured ends lend a wispy ethereal look to these soft curtain bangs that just brush the brow.
19. Face Framing Curls
Nakaridore/Shutterstock
Curly haired women, take advantage of your hair’s amazing texture and shape with a U-shaped curtain fringe. Shorter in the middle, the hair won’t fall into your eyes and your curls are front and center.
20. Clean Part Curtain Bangs
Kseniia Perminova/Shutterstock
This version of curtain bangs reminds us of the 70s. With its simple, no-frills shape and clean part just slightly off center, the eyes are what you’ll notice first.
21. Messy Half Up
Nakaridore/Shutterstock
Frame your face flawlessly and make it effortless when you pair these bangs with a casual half up do. We love the layers and how the bangs hit right at the cheeks.
22. Platinum Split
Volodymyr Tverdokhlib/Shutterstock
Ultra-light platinum strands are hard to achieve and maintain, but these bangs are easy! They are cut at a staggered angle down the sides of the face for a blunt, edgy look.
23. Chin Length Balayage
Svitlana Sokolova/Shutterstock
Balayage (hand-painted) color gradually lightens the hair from mid-shaft to the tips, and these bangs are the perfect way to set it off. Pop on a sun hat for an effortlessly chic look.
24. Ultra Thin Curtain Bangs
Everett Collection/Shutterstock
Sienna Miller has worn super-thin curtain bangs (not the hair density, but the thickness of the bang sections). These are so flattering and chic on fine hair with waves!
25. Hip and Shaggy
Svitlana Sokolova/Shutterstock
There’s a decidedly chill and effortless vibe with this middle-parted fringe that hits at the eyebrows. The look is natural – not trying to be polished – and hip.
26. Long and Blended
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If you don’t want your curtain bangs to take center stage on your face, longer length is the answer. When they’re long enough, you can brush them over to each side and use hairspray to hold.
27. Twin Half Up Ponytails
Artem Voropai/Shutterstock
This is a fun way to wear your bangs when you want them out of your face! They’ll need to be a little longer than your cheekbone level to pull back successfully.
28. Swooping Pink Pastel
Alones/Shutterstock
Cut to be around jaw level, these longer bangs perfectly frame the face. Especially in a vivid pink color that stands out – two trends in one!
29. Flicked Out Curtain Bangs
LightField Studios/Shutterstock
Give your bangs a little extra attitude with a quick flick at the tips with a curling iron or wand. Just wrap the ends enough to give them one swoop, not complete curls.
Show off your vintage vibe with jagged-cut bangs that hit at the lash level in the center and come down to the cheekbones on the sides. This shape helps them split naturally, and we love the look of the off center part here.
Tips for Wearing Curtain Bangs
While curtain bangs could work for any face shape, hair length, style, or texture, there are few tips to keep in mind if you plan on rocking them soon!
- Oily hair might not be the best fit. Unless you plan to use a little dry shampoo daily, bangs that lay on your face might get oily faster if you’re prone to having oily strands. These can quickly become a nightmare if you don’t consider this before getting them cut!
- A round brush will be your best friend. Use a round brush when you dry your hair to get that iconic little bend in curtain bangs. It will also give them more volume at the roots if you first concentrate on using your blow dryer to pull them upward as you dry.
- They’re most flattering when they hit somewhere from brow to chin. Anywhere from your brow level to your chin level are perfect points for your bangs to end. Shorter bangs look great with shorter haircuts, while chin or jaw-length bangs pair perfectly with longer hair styles.
- Wavy hair was made for curtain bangs. Every hair type looks good with these – straight, wavy, curly, and coily – but wavy hair just has a way of seamlessly blending the ends of the bangs right into the hair. The natural wave gives curtain bangs the perfect curved shape as well, and wavy hair makes these bangs super low maintenance.
- Ask your stylist for recommendations. Styling products might not be necessary to style your new curtain bangs, but for some hair types, they’re either helpful or essential. Your stylist can recommend what to use and how to train your hair to adopt the new middle part if you’re currently parting to the side.
Trends come and go, but curtain bangs have made their mark in the beauty world and we predict they’ll stay around for a while. Are you going to get yours cut soon?
Frequently Asked Questions
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What are curtain bangs actually called?
Curtain bangs are also called Fringe bangs. These are a low-maintenance way to get bangs while also framing your face on either side. They're textured, and flow effortless down your face, framing it while also adding a little flair to an otherwise normal hairstyle.
Are curtain bangs high maintenance?
Curtain bangs are so popular because of their low-maintenance nature. While traditional bangs need to be trimmed every 3-4 weeks to keep them out of your eyes, curtain bangs are long. By nature, this means that they can be left untouched and grow with the rest of your hair without requiring a trim for 5-6 weeks, if not even months.
Are curtain bangs good for fine hair?
Curtain bangs look good on all hair, regardless of whether it's fine, thick, coarse, or thin. While thick hair cut with curtain bangs might have a little more flow to it, fine hair can be cut into a curtain bang without problem.
Who are curtain bangs good for?
Curtain bangs look good on practically everyone. Regardless of whether your hair is straight, curly, wavy, fine, or thick, curtain bangs will look great on you, so long as they're tailored to your specific face shape and style.
What's the difference between curtain bangs and face frame?
Curtain bangs share many of the same features as face framing bangs (aka money piece hair), but curtain bangs typically hit your eyebrow, while face framing bangs extend down to your chin, if not longer.
What face shape should get curtain bangs?
While everyone will look good with curtain bangs, square face shapes benefit most from the trend. Because square face shapes tend to have strong jawlines, the curtain bangs balance out these angles best when they're cut high and tight. However, as we said earlier, everyone looks great with curtain bangs as long as they're cut to flatter your own unique features and style.
Do curtain bangs make your hair look thicker?
Curtain bangs can make your hair look thicker because they bring more of your hair to the front. When they're worn brushed forward, your eyes and features will pop. However, curtain bangs are great for all hair types, whether thick, thin, wavy, curly, or otherwise.
Should I get curtain bangs or not?
If there's any hair style that's both trending and versatile, it's curtain bangs. Should you get them? Absolutely! They're a great way to spruce up an otherwise drab hairstyle while also bringing attention to your best features.
Do you need thick hair for curtain bangs?
Curtain bangs best serve women with thick, straight hair, as they require a decent amount of volume to remain in place when styling. However, they're a versatile hairstyle that suit any face shape and hairstyle. With enough product, it doesn't matter how thick your hair is - you can rock curtain bangs!
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