Why Curtain Bangs Look Amazing on Everyone

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Once upon a time, there were Brigitte Bardot’s thick, piece-y bangs. Then there was Farrah Fawcett’s angelic, flipped-out fringe. Now curtain bangs have a new, unofficial ambassador: Sabrina Carpenter. Throughout 2024, the Short n’ Sweet singer has showcased the incredible versatility of the face-framing style with updos, beachy waves, Old Hollywood curls, and even a retro scarf.

This hair look has transcended time for a few reasons: First, it’s low-maintenance. No really. Compared with other types of bangs, the grow-out usually blends with the rest of your hair. “Curtain bangs are almost grown-out bangs” to begin with, says Rubi Aguilar, a New York City hairstylist who’s worked with Courtney Cox, Kaia Gerber, and Paloma Elsesser.

Second, curtain bangs look good on everyone, no matter if you have short hair, a shag, extensions, or textured hair. Ahead, stylists share exactly what qualifies as curtain bangs, how to achieve them based on your hair type, and which products you should reach for to style your new look.

Meet the experts:

• Rubi Aguilar is a hairstylist and owner of Salon in New York City.

• Brian Christopher is a Los Angeles-based hairstylist who has worked with Doechii, Victoria Monet, and Sheryl Lee Ralph.

• Bronwen Robinson is a hairstylist at Suite Caroline in New York City.

• Karen Arechiga is a Los Angeles-based hairstylist who has worked with Emma Chamberlain, Audrey Nuna, and Charlotte D’Alessio.

In this story:

• What are curtain bangs?

• Which face shapes and hair types work best with curtain bangs?

• How to ask for curtain bangs at your salon

• Here’s how to cut curtain bangs at home—but proceed with caution.

• How to style curtain bangs

• Curtain bang hairstyle inspiration

What are curtain bangs?

Curtain bangs are cut so that they are shorter in the middle and longer on the sides toward the tops of the cheekbones, explains Aguilar. This creates a curtain-like effect that frames the face, adds Los Angeles-based hairstylist Brian Christopher. “They can be styled to blend seamlessly with long hair and work well with various hair textures,” he notes. Depending on how curtain bangs are cut, Christopher says, they can enhance the natural symmetry of your face and complement other features.

Which face shapes and hair types work best with curtain bangs?

A major reason curtain bangs are so popular is that the look suits everyone, regardless of face shape, says Bronwen Robinson, a hairstylist at Suite Caroline in New York City. And let’s be real, determining your face shape can be more difficult than deciding whether you should get bangs at all.

The right hairdresser will customize the length and shape of your curtain bangs to highlight your facial features in the most flattering way, Aguilar says, along with your hair texture and growth patterns. “The worst is a stylist who will talk you out of a style instead of educating you and finding a creative way to cut the style you're excited about,” she adds.

If you have textured or curly hair, though, seeking a stylist skilled in dry cutting is essential for the most flattering curtain bangs. Curls tend to shrink as they dry, Christopher explains, so this technique helps gauge how the curls will fall. Cutting curls while they are dry also enables the stylist to give each curl individual attention for the softest, most consistent curtain bang look, adds Los Angeles-based hairstylist Karen Arechiga.

How to ask for curtain bangs at your salon

By this point curtain bangs are a universally understood term by professional hairstylists, but you can mention that you want "long, soft bangs that can be parted in the middle or slightly to the side,” Christopher says.

Bringing photos to your appointment that show your dream curtain bang look will also be much appreciated by your stylist. (Lucky for you, we included some images below for your consideration.) You can then point out what you like—and dislike—about each look. “Pictures are always helpful,” says Aguilar, “even if they're photos of something you want to avoid.”

Be sure to tell your stylist how you realistically style and wear your hair daily, Arechiga adds. If you air dry your hair, say so. More of a blow-dry person? Your stylist will definitely want to know that.

Here’s how to cut curtain bangs at home—but proceed with caution.

Our experts strongly recommend not cutting curtain bangs at home. (You can go on TikTok to see plenty of curtain bang tutorials that end in tears.) “Bangs quite literally frame your face,” Aguilar says. “If you mess up, it won't matter if the rest of your hair looks great because your bangs aren't flattering.” Plus, she notes, most stylists do free bang trims for existing clients.

But if you simply must have DIY curtain bangs, “invest in good-quality hair scissors for a clean cut,” Christopher says. Need a suggestion or two? Try the Equinox Professional Razor Edge Series Barber Hair Cutting Scissors, which are made from lightweight Japanese stainless steel that stays perfectly sharp, or Tweezerman’s Stainless 2000 Styling Shears, which are super easy to maneuver for precise bang trimming.

Equinox Professional Razor Edge Series Barber Hair Cutting Scissors

$15.00, Amazon

Tweezerman Stainless 2000 Styling Shears

$30.00, Tweezerman

Once you have your shears on hand, start with dry hair, so you can see the true length you’re working with. Next, create a triangle-shaped section at the front of your face with the top point starting from the crown of your head. Then angle the section down toward your temples on each side before pulling back the rest of your hair, Christopher explains.

From there, hold your professional-grade hair scissors diagonally from the ends of your hair, and cut an inverted V shape with small snips. This method creates texture and helps you avoid blunt edges, he says. The shortest parts at the middle should start near the center of your brows and the longest should be at the highest points of your cheekbones or even layered down to your jawline, Robinson adds.

How to style curtain bangs

If your curtain bangs are cut well, you should be able to air-dry them without disastrous results, especially if you want to wear your fringe in its naturally curly or wavy texture. “Curtain bangs are cut to look breezy and effortless,” says Robinson. “If too much heat or effort is applied while styling, it will break that illusion of ‘I woke up like this.’”

If a tousled vibe is what you’re going for, you can maintain that look by spritzing on a texturizing spray, especially if you have straight hair. Aguilar loves Captain Blankenship Texture Sea Salt Spray for a little hold and natural-looking texture. Those with textured or curly hair can add a pea-size amount of your go-to curl product before air-drying. Aguilar’s pick is the Skmdo Original Curl Styling Cream.

Captain Blankenship Sea Salt Spray

$19.00, Amazon

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If you’re looking for va-va-voom curtain bangs like Sabrina Carpenter or Jenna Ortega (or are dealing with a cowlick at your hairline), you’re going to need some heat. Grab your blow-dryer and a round brush, or even a blow-dryer brush. The smallest brush Arechiga recommends is 1.5 inches, which is great for curtain bangs that fall just below the brows or if you want a more dramatic curl. The largest is 2 inches, which works best with longer curtain bangs that begin below the highest points of the cheekbones or for a more relaxed, beachy look, she adds. Arechiga’s favorites for each vibe are the Ibiza Hair EX2 and EX3 brushes, respectively. Both are boar-bristle brushes, so they are extra gentle on hair and help create a high-shine finish while styling, she explains.

Ibiza Hair EX2

$48.00, Amazon

Ibiza Hair EX3

$50.00, Amazon

To make your curtain bangs swoop perfectly outward with a bit of lift at the roots, start by parting them in the middle and placing the brush underneath one side. Then roll the entire section, including the ends, downward toward the center of your face, says Arechiga, repeat on the other side, and set them in place with the Redken Max Hold Hairspray—which Carpenter’s hairstylist Scott King loves for keeping every hair of the singer’s curtain bangs in place before she hits the stage. Have fine or straight hair? Try spritzing on a volumizing spray, such as the RŌZ Root Lift Spray or Oribe’s Maximista Thickening Spray, for extra hold instead of hairspray.

RŌZ Root Lift Spray

$42.00, Nordstrom

Oribe Maximista Thickening Spray

$42.00, Sephora

Gisou Honey Infused Hair Oil

$46.00, Amazon

If your second- or third-day hair looks frizzy or flat, use a straightener and roll inward to create the same effect, Arechiga says. Christopher also recommends raking hair oil, such as the Best of Beauty-winning Gisou Honey Infused Hair Oil, through your curtain bangs to keep them smooth and frizz-free.

Curtain bang hairstyle inspiration

Classic curtain bangs

Long curtain bangs

Curly curtain bangs

Additional reporting by Donna Freydkin and Nicola Dall'Asen.

Read more about this year's biggest hair trends:

• How to Nail the Curly Bangs Trend That’s Everywhere Right Now

• 30 Fall Hair Trends That'll Give You Main Character Energy

• 2024’s Best Hair Color Trends Are Unbelievably Warm and Buttery

Now, watch Brooke Shields' 10-minute hair-care routine:

Originally Appeared on Allure