How to Style Curtain Bangs

To get bangs or not to get bangs? That is the hair existential question that has plagued many — if not all — of us who are looking to change our looks. What was once a divisive cut is now trending, with TikTok convincing the masses that bangs can in fact work for everyone — as long as it’s one specific type of bang. We’re talking about curtain bangs.

Effortless and cool, curtain bangs give off the ultimate retro vibes and can be worn in many ways. They’re a wispier bang that taper off at the eyebrow and frames the face like a curtain. “[They’re] super fun and flowy,” Laura Polko, celebrity hairstylist and John Frieda House of Frieda ambassador, tells PS. Jennifer Nast, a senior stylist at Sharon Dorram at Sally Hershberger Salon, adds that curtain bangs can be considered a soft fringe that can fall anywhere between the brows and mid-cheek. Usually parted at the center, with the shortest point at the middle, they gradually get longer as you move toward the sides. And the best part? They work for every hair type and face shape.

“Curtain bangs have lots of length options, which make them super versatile,” Nast says. “This versatility helps it to work on all face shapes. This type of bang is also very soft and makes it easy to grow out, much easier than a heavy or blunt bang.”

So, how do you style them? There are two main methods you can follow. Keep reading to learn tips for styling curtain bangs at home.

How to Blow Dry Curtain Bangs

The most common way to style curtain bangs is with your trusty blow dryer. Polko likes to first prep damp hair with some sort of heat protectant or leave-in conditioner to minimize damage, like the John Frieda Frizz Ease Daily Nourishment Leave-In Conditioner ($9). Then, you’ll section your bangs in two sections, parting them at the center. On one side, you’ll wrap an inch and a half of your bangs from the middle section around a small round brush (we love the Sisley Paris The Blow-Dry Brush N.1 ($100) or the Ibiza B3 ($49)). Nast says to put that section under the blow dryer’s nozzle and pull the brush down, slightly rolling it to give the ends that flip. Once you have the flip, she says you’ll take the brush again and wrap the same side to taper it off, creating that “curtain” effect. Repeat on the other side and finish with a medium-hold hairspray to keep it in place. If your hair has trouble holding a curl, you can set it while it cools using the Kitsch Creaseless Hair Clips ($10).

How to Style Curtain Bangs With Flat Irons

Another way to style your curtain bangs is with a flat iron. For this, you’ll want to start with completely dry hair. Polko recommends using a lower temperature than you normally would for the rest of your hair; this will help prevent clamp marks. You’ll then want to separate each side down the middle from your center part. Nast says to take a one-inch section of hair with your flat iron and slowly slide it down before flipping the hair at the ends. Repeat on the other side to finish the look.

This method for styling curtain bangs works for all hair types and lengths. Our favorite tools for the job include the GHD Mini Styler ($239) or the Mane The Three Way Multi-Use Flat Iron ($98). If you have naturally curly or coily hair, Polko recommends opting for a smaller curling iron that matches your curl pattern’s size to give your bangs added volume.

Audrey Noble is a beauty writer who covers breaking news, writes celebrity profiles, and does deep-dive features about the ways race, gender, sexuality, and other forms of identity impact society via the beauty industry. Previously, she was the beauty reporter at Allure and has held editorial positions at Vanity Fair and Refinery29. Audrey’s work can also be seen in PS, Vogue, Harper’s BAZAAR, Bustle, InStyle, WWD, and more