Curtain Bangs Hairstyles: 25 Gorgeous Ideas for Every Hair Length
Curtain bangs are the one haircut change that can refresh your whole look without touching your length. They frame the face, soften every hairstyle and grow out so gently that there is almost no awkward stage. That is exactly why curtain bangs hairstyles are searched all year round, in every season, by women of every age.
In this guide you will find 25 gorgeous hairstyles with curtain bangs for long, medium and short hair, plus wispy versions, round face guides and simple styling tips you can use at home. Save this page, pick your favorite look and show it to your stylist at your next appointment.
What Are Curtain Bangs?
Curtain bangs are a fringe that is parted in the middle and sweeps to both sides of the face, like a pair of curtains. The middle pieces are shorter, usually around the cheekbones, and the sides get longer until they blend into the rest of your hair.
They became famous in the 1970s and came back because they suit almost everyone. Unlike a straight across fringe, curtain bangs do not cover your whole forehead, so they feel light, soft and easy to live with. If you get bored of them, they grow into face framing layers in a few weeks, which makes them the lowest risk fringe you can try.
Curtain bangs work on straight, wavy and curly hair. They also work at every length, which is why the rest of this guide is organized by hair length and style, so you can jump straight to the ideas that match your hair.
Hairstyles With Curtain Bangs: 6 Classic Ways to Wear Them
These six classic hairstyles with curtain bangs are the looks readers save the most. If this is your first time trying the fringe, start here. You will find more easy hairstyle ideas like these all over the site, and bangs pair beautifully with cuts like short bob haircuts for women too.
1. Classic Center Part Curtain Bangs
The original look. The fringe is parted right in the middle, the shortest point sits between the brows and the cheekbones and both sides melt into long layers. It suits oval and heart shaped faces best and gives that soft, effortless finish everyone wants.
2. Curtain Bangs With Long Layers
Long layers keep the hair light so the bangs can move. Ask your stylist for layers that start at the chin, and your curtain bangs will blend into them with no visible line. This is the most requested salon version of the style.
3. Side Swept Curtain Bangs
If a middle part feels too strong, sweep both sides in one direction on some days. Curtain bangs are long enough to push to the side, which means one haircut gives you two different looks.
4. French Style Curtain Bangs
The French version is a little shorter, a little messier and always worn with natural waves. It has that undone Parisian feel and needs almost no styling in the morning, just a quick finger comb and you are done.
5. Curtain Bangs With a Ponytail or Bun
Pull your hair up and let the curtain pieces fall free at the front. The bangs soften the whole updo and keep it from looking too severe. This trick also works for wedding guest hairstyles and other dressy looks where you want softness around the face.
6. Grown Out Curtain Bangs
Three or four months after the cut, your bangs reach the jaw and turn into face framing layers. Nothing looks outgrown or messy, which is why so many women say curtain bangs are the easiest fringe they have ever had.
Curtain Bangs Long Hairstyles: 6 Styles That Keep Your Length
Long hair and curtain bangs are made for each other. The fringe adds shape and interest at the front while your length stays exactly where you like it. These curtain bangs long hairstyles are the most saved looks in this whole guide.
7. Long Wavy Hair With Curtain Bangs
Soft waves plus curtain bangs is the dream combination. The waves pick up where the bangs end, so the whole style flows. Use a large curling iron on the lengths and leave the bangs smooth for a pretty contrast.
8. Long Straight Hair With Curtain Bangs
On pin straight hair, curtain bangs stop the style from looking flat. The angled front pieces create movement around the face even when the rest of the hair has none.
9. Long Layered Hair With Curtain Bangs and Balayage
Light pieces painted through the front make the curtain shape stand out. Ask for brighter color right on the bang area and the sides of the face, it brightens your whole look like good lighting.
10. Long Shag With Curtain Bangs
The shag adds choppy layers through the lengths and the curtain bangs finish the rock and roll feel. This one loves natural texture, so it is a great pick for wavy hair that air dries well.
11. Long Hair With Curtain Bangs and a Blowout
A bouncy blowout makes curtain bangs flip away from the face in that glamorous way you see all over social media. Dry the bangs forward first, then roll them back with a round brush for the famous swoop.
12. Long Curtain Bangs With a Half Up Style
Clip the top half of your hair back and leave the curtain pieces out. It is the fastest pretty hairstyle there is, and it works for casual days and events alike. If you love this shape, you will also love our half up half down hairstyles ideas.
Wispy Bangs With Curtain Bangs: 5 Soft Styles
Wispy bangs with curtain bangs are the softest version of this trend. The fringe is cut thinner and more feathered, so you see a little forehead through it. If a full fringe feels like too much commitment, this is your style.
13. Wispy Curtain Bangs on Medium Hair
Feathered pieces at the front and soft layers at the sides. This version is light, airy and perfect if your hair is fine and a heavy fringe would overwhelm it.
14. Wispy Curtain Bangs With Beach Waves
Loose waves and barely there bangs give a relaxed, summery feel all year. A little sea salt spray is the only product you need.
15. Wispy Curtain Bangs With a Bob
A chin length or shoulder length bob gets instant softness from a wispy curtain fringe. The lightness of the bangs keeps the bob from looking heavy or helmet like.
16. See Through Curtain Bangs
Inspired by Korean beauty trends, this fringe is cut extra thin so it almost disappears. It is the safest first step if you have never had bangs in your life.
17. Wispy Curtain Bangs Grown Into Layers
Because wispy pieces are already thin, they grow out the fastest of all. In a few weeks they are simply pretty face framing layers, with zero awkward stage in between.
Curtain Bangs for Medium and Short Hair
Curtain bangs are not only for long hair. On medium and short cuts they add the same face framing magic, and on shorter hair they can be the whole personality of the cut.
18. Medium Length Hair With Curtain Bangs
Shoulder length hair plus curtain bangs is the most wearable look in this guide. It suits the most face shapes, grows kindly and styles in five minutes.
19. Lob With Curtain Bangs
The long bob is already a classic, and curtain bangs update it instantly. Keep the bangs cheekbone length so they tuck behind your ears when you want them out of the way.
20. Short Hair With Curtain Bangs
On a short cut, longer curtain pieces at the front stop the style looking too sharp. They bring softness to pixie length sides and cropped bobs alike.
21. Curly Hair With Curtain Bangs
Yes, curls can wear curtain bangs. The trick is to cut them dry and longer than you think, because curls spring up. Shaped right, curly curtain bangs frame the face beautifully and soften a whole head of volume.
Curtain Bangs for Round Faces: 4 Flattering Picks
Round faces ask one thing from bangs: length at the sides. Curtain bangs answer perfectly, because their longest pieces fall right along the cheeks and make the face look slimmer and longer. These are the best versions to ask for.
22. Long Curtain Bangs That Pass the Cheekbones
The longer the side pieces, the stronger the slimming effect. Ask for the longest point at the jaw for the most flattering frame.
23. Curtain Bangs With Volume on Top
A little height at the crown stretches the face visually. Blow dry the roots upward and keep the sides sleek, and your face will look noticeably longer.
24. Curtain Bangs With Face Framing Layers
Layers that start at the jaw and curve inward hug the face in the right places. Together with curtain bangs, this is the most requested round face combination in salons.
25. Side Parted Curtain Bangs for Round Faces
Moving the part slightly off center breaks the roundness and adds angles. It is a two second change that makes a real difference on round and fuller faces.
How to Style and Maintain Curtain Bangs
Curtain bangs are famous for being low effort, but one small routine makes them look perfect instead of flat. The whole thing takes about three minutes.
Step 1. Start with damp bangs. If your hair is already dry, mist the front section with water, because curtain bangs only reset properly from wet.
Step 2. Blow dry the bangs forward, straight down over your forehead, using a paddle brush or your fingers. This kills any cowlick at the part.
Step 3. Once the front is dry, split the bangs in the middle. Take each side with a round brush, roll it back and away from your face, and give it a few seconds of heat. That backward roll is what creates the famous curtain swoop.
Step 4. Let the bangs cool in place for a moment, then shake them out with your fingers. Finish with the lightest touch of hairspray only if your hair refuses to hold shape.
For upkeep, ask your stylist for a quick bang trim every four to six weeks. Many salons do fringe trims free between cuts. Between trims, dry shampoo at the roots stops the front from getting oily faster than the rest of your hair, since bangs sit right on the forehead.
Curtain Bangs FAQs
Do curtain bangs suit everyone?
Almost everyone, yes. They are one of the most forgiving fringes because the length can be adjusted. Longer side pieces flatter round faces, shorter and softer pieces suit long faces, and wispy versions work on fine hair.
How do I ask my stylist for curtain bangs?
Ask for a middle parted fringe that is shortest around the cheekbones and blends into face framing layers. Always bring photos, this guide included, because the word bangs means ten different things to ten different people.
Do curtain bangs work on thin or fine hair?
Yes, and they can actually help. A light curtain fringe adds the look of fullness at the front. Choose the wispy version and avoid cutting the section too wide, so the sides of your hair keep their thickness.
How long do curtain bangs take to grow out?
Most women find the bangs blend into layers within four to eight weeks. There is no pinned back awkward stage like a straight fringe, which is the biggest reason this style stays popular year after year.
Can I cut curtain bangs at home?
You can, but go slowly and cut dry hair longer than your target, then shorten little by little. If it is your first fringe ever, one salon cut is worth it, then you can maintain the shape at home between visits.
Final Thoughts
Curtain bangs are popular for a simple reason. They change your look today, they flatter almost every face and they forgive you completely if you change your mind next month. Pick one of the 25 ideas above, save your favorite photos and take them to your stylist.
When your new bangs are ready, finish the look with a pretty manicure from our nail art and nail polish ideas, and come back for more easy hairstyle ideas whenever you need a fresh change.
