Ask any hairstylist and they’ll tell you: of all the fringe styles out there (micro-fringes, wispy fringes, layered fringes, you know the drill), curtain bangs are the most adaptable (not to mention chicest) of the bunch. Soft, face framing and rather minimal maintenance, it’s easy to see why they have become such a mainstay.
They’re generally flattering, I haven’t seen a hair type they don’t suit, and are far easier to commit to than a normal fringe. You see, curtain bangs’ attraction isn’t lost at the first sign of re-growth, unlike blunter iterations. If anything, a grown-out version really adds to the elegant vibe and if you would want to change things up, you can always incorporate it into your layers for an imperceptible boost of volume and texture.
French females love them, and curtain bangs are the pinnacle of that lived-in but elegant style. They frame the face without being overly rigid, offer movement and bounce without needing hours of style, and strike that ideal blend of polished and effortless. No matter if curtain bangs are worn with a dishevelled up-do, bouncy waves or a neat bun, the style can take just about any style or hair texture to the next level.
As such, team Who What Wear and our trusty crew of celeb hairstylists have left no stone unturned in gathering the most elaborate collection of the best curtain bang styles we have seen. So, without further ado, let’s dig right in.
What Are Curtain Bangs and Why Are They Popular
“Curtain bangs are the effortless, face-framing fringe that part in the middle and sweep softly to each side, like a pair of curtains being drawn, hence, the name,” says Samantha Cusick, hairstylist and proprietor of her eponymous London salons. “They accentuate the cheekbones, flatter pretty much every face shape, and give off that ‘I woke up chic’ vibe with very little effort.”
French-inspired curtain bangs, for one, are the cooler, breezier relative of the classic version,” adds Cusick. “Think softer, feathery edges and a little undone. They look simple because they’re not overly flawless.
Elsewhere, Babyliss ambassador and hairdresser Syd Hayes says that “unlike blunt, straight-across bangs, curtain bangs create a soft, flowing frame around the face that blend into the rest of the hair so they don’t feel too ‘out of place’.
“They work for almost any length or hair type unless you have super-coily or textured hair,” says celebrity hairstylist David Lopez. Lopez also points out that they can open up the eye area while hugging your cheekbones.
How to Style Curtain Bangs, According to Experts
“Start with clean, towel-dried hair and a bit of mousse or volume spray,” adds Cusick. Then she recommends “using a round brush to dry the bangs forward first, then flick each side out to create that sweeping shape.”
“If you have a really strong cowlick, style your bang area first,” Lopez directs. “This lets you control the final shape of your curtain bangs before they’re completely dry and it will save you the headache of trying to manipulate the shape too much.”
For more control and to get your curtain bangs looking their best in the smoothness and shine departments, Lopez recommends using the concentrator (nozzle) attachment on your hair dryer for professional-level styling and to help direct the airflow exactly where you want it. “I push the bangs back and forth and side to side as they dry to create a loose, flowy parting,” he adds. FYI, most dryers come with the concentrator attachment, however they are sold separately in case you lost yours or have a different type.
How to Make Your Curtain Bangs Last
If you don’t already have a set of creaseless clips, we highly encourage the investment. “A must-have in every pro stylist’s kit, and one of the best-kept secrets to keep the shape and style of your fringe in place,” Lopez explains.
Lopez explains, “Bring your bangs together at your hairline, clip them in place and then swoop each side out into a ‘C’ curtain shape and then gently clip those ends as well. “Let it set for a couple minutes, and then release.”
Can You Cut Your Own Curtain Bangs?
Hairstylist Chloe Swift suggests you don’t trim your own curtain bangs (or any fringe, for that matter). “It’s not the same angles and elevation that you need, like a professional standing over you and in front of you, don’t risk giving yourself a dodgy fringe that you then have to put up with for weeks or months,” she says. “Your hairdresser will also take into consideration your face shape, hair texture and how the bangs will sit when dry,” explains Cusick, reiterating some elements are incredibly tricky to get right when you’re cutting your own hair.
Things Not to Do When It Comes To Curtain Bangs
“Don’t over-style them into something too stiff,” Cusick shares. “Curtain bangs should feel easy and delicate, not hair-sprayed to your forehead. “Heavy products or too much heat can make them look heavy instead of light and airy,” she says.
They are really low maintenance but Hayes recommends getting in for a trim every 4-6 weeks to keep the bounce and texture you want. He also stresses that your choice of haircare products and styling tools are as crucial to maintain a consistently attractive look.
Curtain Bang Hair Ideas
1. Seamlessly Blended
Priyanka Chopra’s curtain bangs are soft and airy and go well with her thick mid-length hair.
2. Raise Your Ponytail
Not only are curtain bangs elegant and beautiful on their own, but they also have the added bonus of instantly improving the look of ponytails or sloppy buns.
3. Multi-layered And Bouncy
Sabrina Carpenter’s hair is considered the pièce de résistance of curtain bangs — and for good reason.
4. Elegant Chin-Length
Longer curtain bangs can be done with a tighter curl for additional movement and bounce.
5. Textured + Airy
These curtain bangs are layered with ever-so-subtle layers and instantly dress up any outfit.
6. Updo And Blended Curtain
Selena Gomez is looking beautiful in her Brigitte-Bardot-esque updo with her wispy bangs.
7. Ethereal & Curly
If you enjoy the curled appearance, try tonging your curtain bangs like BLACKPINK’s Rosé.
8. Part Your Bangs in the Middle
To modernise the look, style your curtain bangs a little to the side.
9. Long Layered Subtle Fringe
This barely-there curtain bangs softly part at the middle, blending effortlessly into long layers.
10. Casual Chic
If you are looking for a little more fringe then try these soft curtain bangs that naturally frame the face, and are excellent for minimal effort everyday styling.
11. Wispy & Glam
This romantic, face-framing fringe is a perfect match for the tousled texture of the updo, lending tenderness and harmony to the style.
12. Tousled and Pared-Back
These naturally layered curtain bangs elegantly transition into the laid-back waves.
13. Old Hollywood Glam
Kaia Gerber’s curtain bangs have a red carpet-ready moment, balancing sculpted waves with a delicately curled fringe.
14. Edgy Layers
Camila Cabello looks fantastic in her dishevelled bouncy hair with rocker-chic curtain bangs.
15. Bobbed and Blended
Who said curtain bangs were only for longer hairstyles ? Sydney Sweeney’s eye-grazing fringe flows perfectly into her bouncy bob, inspired by Old Hollywood.
16. Sculpted & Sleek
If you’re into slicked back looks, these sculpted cheek length curtain bangs are your new best friend.
17. Swept lengths
These curtain bangs for long hair flow perfectly into textured waves for a delicate yet powerful style.
18. Easy-to-Do Chop
Not ready to go for a bold fringe yet? These are curtain bangs that merge effortlessly and are a terrific way to dip your toes in.
19. Thick & Side-Swept
Bored of a middle-part hairstyle? These thick side-swept curtain bangs could be just the thing to take your ‘do up a notch.
20. Blow-Dry Glam
Let’s face it. Nobody does High Glam like Jennifer Lopez. The fluttery fringe brings an extra element of softness to this bouncy, full-bodied style.
21. 90s Layers
Want that Pamela Anderson 90s vibe? This wispy voluminous fringe is the ultimate finishing touch. Impactful, beautiful and full of movement.
22. trendy and sexy
Are we the only ones still obsessed with Dua Lipa’s cherry cola hair? Her wispy curtain bangs that frame her face are the ultimate cherry on top (pun totally intended), proving you don’t need texture to pull off a fringe.
22. Sleek
Curtain bangs work well with many hair lengths but are especially stylish with a lob.
24. Feathered Statement
The exaggerated sweep and light, airy layers of these blown-out curtain bangs lend a slight throwback vibe—great if you want extra bounce and texture.
