Timeless Hairstyles

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Why Curtain Bangs Are The Hottest Fringe Trend Right Now

 

If you love the cool-girl vibe and want your locks to match, we have the answer you’ve been looking for—curtain bangs! By styling your hair with curtain bangs, trust us when we say you’ll look unstoppable.

And while they’ve definitely had a resurgence in the last few years, they’re more of a timeless look than trendy, so you can rest easy that when you look back on photos decades from now, you’ll still love the way they look.

Interested in finding out everything there is to know about curtain bangs?

 

We tapped into Amy Abramite, creative director and stylist at Maxine Salon in Chicago, and she gave us some amazing insight into all things curtain bangs. Continue below to find out all about them, from maintenance to styling, product recs, and more!

Meet The Expert

Amy Abramite is the creative director and a stylist at Maxine Salon in Chicago.

 

All About Curtain Bangs

If you’re not familiar with curtain bangs, allow us to change your world. Similar to a curtain that’s been draped, curtain bangs drape across the forehead with an opening in the middle. They can be wispy, chunky, or anything in between!

Abramite goes on to add, “The distinct features of a curtain bang are a short length in the middle and longer lengths on the sides that sweep away from the face. It’s worn with a center part to open like draping curtains.”

How Do You Know If You Should Get Curtain Bangs?

Not sure if you’re a candidate for curtain bangs? While they can technically be worn with a side part, they really look best when in a middle part. And if that doesn’t sound up your alley, it might not be the bang style for you. However, if you love a middle part, we say go for it!

Just keep the following things in mind: “A curtain bang can complement any face and hair type but is best worn to camouflage receding or thinning hair in the temple area,” Abramite tells Timeless Hairstyles.

“The curtain bang pushes much-needed density toward the temporal area making it look thicker. Cowlicks on the hairline can be pesky so it’s essential to tame them through styling for the look to work. Curtain bangs can also minimize the appearance of taller and wider foreheads making face shapes look smaller.”

How to Maintain Curtain Bangs

If you’ve ever had any sort of bang style, you’re likely already aware that regular trims are necessary for keeping your hair looking nice and fresh. “A half inch trim every four weeks will keep curtain bangs in shape to stay in their sweet spot,” says Abramite.

If once a month seems like a bit too much work, you can definitely go a little longer, just know that they won’t look as fresh! Take her advice and book a bang trim once a month—you won’t regret it!

How to Style Curtain Bangs

In general, the best rule of thumb to follow when styling curtain bangs will take a bit of trial and error, but Abramite shares the following advice: “A curtain bang can look more dramatic by pinching the bang together at the part to ‘close the curtain’ slightly more to wing out the sides,” she says.

“Simply pinch to close the gap and spray with hairspray to lock in the signature shape. Curtain bangs can be subtle or dramatic depending on how drastic the angle is from the center length to the sides creating a variety of shapes. They also range in length from above the eyes down to the chin and still hit the mark for a curtain bang for multiple looks.” 

Below, scroll to your hair type for even more in-depth styling tips!

Curly/Coily

For those with curly or coily hair, stick with your regular curl routine and consider using a cream of choice on your bangs. “Use a hydrating curl cream to separate and mold hair with fingers into place for hold,” Abramite says.

“For lift at the root, use a mini jaw clip and attach at the center where the hair parts for extra volume. Remove the clip after your hair has air dried and shake your curls out.”

The Oribe Curl Gloss ($42) is a favorite of Abramite as it’s a fab choice for hydration and holding curls in place.

Straight

If you have pin-straight hair, we suggest investing in a good round brush to get the best style.

“The best styling method to get the signature curtain bang on straight hair is to blow dry them with a large round brush for volume at the root, smoothness throughout the length and a curve on the ends,” Abramite tells us. “Use a thickening spray for density and hold.”

Abramite loves the Oribe Maximista Thickening Spray ($42) for straight hair, as it’s a great product for hold and density.  

Natural/Wavy

Curtain bangs on natural and wavy hair looks absolutely stunning, and if you fall into that category, take note of Abramite’s following tips: 

“Using a texture spray, mist hair all over and scrunch hair into fingers to encourage a natural wave,” she shares. “Blowdry with a diffuser and air dry naturally. To touch up the bangs or remove unwanted frizz, use a round brush sparingly in the areas where it’s needed.”

Abramite suggests the Oribe Après Beach ($46) for those with natural or wavy hair to “encourage wave and shine with a natural soft hold.”

4 Curtain Bang Hairstyles to Try Out

1) Long Thick Blunt Curtain Bangs

If you like the look of a long, thick, and blunt curtain bang, save this pic for inspo! It’s such a stunning hairstyle and one we’re sure just about anyone would love.

To get a similar style, Abramite shares the following, “This is a long thick blunt curtain bang blow dried with a medium round brush with a subtle angle for maximum density.”

2) Curly Curtain Bangs

For those with curly hair, we love the look of these curly curtain bangs!

This picture showcases a “shorter length of a curtain bang, beginning above her eyes and angling toward the sides around the cheek area,” says Abramite. “They are either air dried or diffused for volume at the root using a clip at the scalp.”

3) Fine Density Curtain Bangs

Have locks on the finer side? Whether you don’t have a lot of hair or your hair is pretty thin, this fine density curtain bang is a great indicator of what they might look like on you.

Of this specific style, Abramite says, “This is a finer density curtain bang with additional layers and dramatic angle added in for a feathery effect blow dried with a large round brush.”

4) Short Curtain Bangs

How darling is this curtain bang on short hair? The bang itself is shorter than the other styles on our list, and we simply adore the end result.

To get a similar look, Abramite tells us, “This is a shorter curtain bang length with a subtle angle blow dried with a flat brush for a minimalist approach.”