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10 Ways to Style Bottleneck Bangs, the Perfect Winter Hair Refresh

 

With the new year comes the desire to shake things up and be a new you, inside and out. When it comes to the latter, a drastic haircut is one of the easiest ways to switch up your look. A major chop or exciting new color is the perfect way to set the tone for a year of adventures. This year, we're all about a tasteful bang. And while curtain bangs have reigned supreme for the last few years, we're willing to bet bottleneck bangs are about to be the next big thing.

Read on for everything you need to know about bottleneck bangs—plus 10 of our favorite bottleneck bang ideas for 2025.

Meet the Experts

Raven Hurtado is a hairstylist at Maxine Salon in Chicago.
Olya Iudina is a hairstylist at IGK NYC.

 

What Are Bottleneck Bangs?

Think of bottleneck bangs as curtain bangs' bang-ier sister. That is to say, bottleneck bangs have that same curving around the temples and cheekbones but also feature a more traditional straight-across bang. While curtain bangs swoop away from the face with a straight part, bottleneck bangs are worn straight—shorter in the center with those same face-framing pieces along the ends, stylist Raven Hurtado explains.

According to Olya Iudina, bottleneck bangs usually include soft, face-framing layers that blend seamlessly with the rest of the hair, creating a flattering and natural appearance that can be styled tousled or sleek. They generally have a structured, rounded shape that looks good on most hair types and face shapes.

But before you take the cut, you should know bottleneck bangs aren't exactly low maintenance. They require regular trimming and near-daily styling to keep their soft, rounded shape. But if you're willing to put in the time, they're undeniably chic. Need further proof? Scroll on for 10 of our favorite examples of bottleneck bangs on celebs.

Softly Swept

Dakota Johnson's bottleneck bangs are among our favorites. To recreate, "I would use a paddle brush and hair dryer, and flat wrap making criss-cross motions," Hurtado explains. "Let them fall into place or use a round brush for more volume."

Curly Coils

Bottleneck bangs look as chic on curly hair as on straighter types. According to Iudina, styling them is all about creating a soft, face-framing look with just the right amount of texture.

Full Fringe

To get that perfectly rounded bang, as seen on Margot Robbie, Iudina suggests blow drying using a round brush. "Start by lifting them at the root for volume, then gently curve the brush inward as you dry to enhance their shape," she says. "Direct the outer sections slightly outward to create the tapered, face-framing effect."

Center-Parted Pieces

For a more undone, piece-y look like Kaia Gerber's, simply use your fingers to tousle the bangs after styling.

Natural Layers

We love the way Halle Berry's bottleneck bangs blend seamlessly into the rest of her hair, creating flattering, face-framing layers that feel natural, not forced. They perfectly cup her cheekbones.

Rounded and Piece-y

For extra-rounded bottleneck bangs, consider setting them with a roller after blow drying. Once cool, release the bangs and spritz with volume spray before shaking them out.

Eye-Grazing

To maintain their signature tapered shape, Bottleneck bangs need regular trims every four to six weeks. Without upkeep, they can lose their structure and blend awkwardly with the rest of your hair, Iudina says.

French-Inspired Fringe

We love the effortless, French cool-girl style of Ciara's bangs here. They look full with a slight piece-yness that perfectly feels lived in.

A Little Wispy

Jenna Ortega's bottleneck bangs have a particularly short midsection, with longer, wispy pieces framing the face as they reach her temples.

Full and Effortless

We love how these bottleneck bangs manage to somehow look full and wispy at the same time. Those with thinner hair might want to avoid this style, as replicating that fullness will be tough.