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According to a top hairstylist, the one particular hairstyle that’s not coming back anytime soon: curtain bangs. (Or curtain fringe! Or whichever way you prefer to describe the style).
Yes! Really! When I spoke with hairstylist Anthony Nader from RAW Hair, he told me it’s something that’s being left behind for good reason.
Below, I asked Nader absolutely everything we have to know about the death of the beloved curtain bang (including what’s replacing it, what he’d ban if he could, and the exact haircut everyone will be asking for by the end of the year).
Are curtain bangs really dead?
If there’s a thing I like to do when I sit down in the salon chair, it’s to ask my poor stylist a million and one questions about what they’re noticing in their salon. Because what better way to sniff out what’s trending in hair than going straight to the source?
When I asked Nader about a trend that’s on the way out, he didn’t hold back.
“Hands down those heavy TikTok curtain bangs… it’s so misleading,” he told me.
“These TikTok influencers have planned every single second of their post and set up all their styling tricks just to make it look like it only takes a minute or two.”
“They’re almost impossible to replicate at home. Seriously, who has a spare 30 minutes in their morning routine to deal with that?”
Cries in toddler mum.
“The reality is, you’ll be disappointed, you’ll feel like you’ve failed.”
Because there’s truly nothing sadder than getting a fringe and realising it was the worst decision you could’ve made three hours later when it’s flopping sadly across your forehead.
Already got bangs? Stay with us. It’s not all doom and gloom — there’s a version of curtain bangs that involves way less commitment, way less round-brush fails, and looks just as good.
“The good news is, there’s a much lighter version,” Nader says. “Look at celebrities like Dakota Johnson, Mia Goth, Suki Waterhouse and Jenna Ortega. These bangs are super cool, completely ‘worthy’ in my book, and so lo-fi to maintain — which is key if you’re time-poor and on the go.”
See: All of us.
What’s replacing it?
If heavy curtain bangs are out, what are we all getting instead?
According to Nader, the vibe right now is all about ease and longevity. The biggest shift in what clients are asking for compared to a year ago comes down to one simple concept: high style, zero effort.
“The more lo-fi the better, and you know, I get it!” Nader says. “Salon clients are striving for lower maintenance upkeep to match their busy lifestyles. They want a fabulous haircut and hair colour that’s going to last the distance and not one where they need to have another visit within six to eight weeks.”
As for his official prediction for the next big haircut everyone will be begging for by the end of the year? Mark his words: it’s all about long “love layers”.
“Remember Rachel from the 90s hit show Friends? Okay, so think Rachel’s haircut and blow-dry, but this time round, the layers are L O N G E R and less chunky,” Nader told me.
Meaning? Big, healthy, bouncy hair that looks expensive but takes half the time to style.
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“Forgo the shorter face-framing and ask your hairstylist for longer lengths around your face. Your target haircut and styling need to appear soft with movement, shiny and mostly your ends appearing and feeling thicker. Say a big fat ‘no’ to razored fragile ends.”
Got it.
Are we banning anything?
With curtain bangs on the way out, I couldn’t help but ask if there’s any current hair trend Nader would ban effective immediately.
Turns out, he’s surprisingly forgiving.
“I can’t really think of a hair trend that needs a ban right now. I’m not against a haircut or hair colour that’s big at the moment, because it can always morph into the next big thing,” he said.
“Think of celebrities that have made such an impact globally, like Billie Eilish, Miley Cyrus, Rihanna and even David Beckham. Who would have thought so many men around the world would want to emulate all of David Beckham’s haircuts and hair colours over the years?”
Fair point. One day you’re cringing at a mullet, the next day Miley Cyrus makes it cool again.
If you’re planning your next salon trip, the overarching mood for hair right now is soft, subtle, and understated.
“I’m seeing hair colours that are more ‘diffused’, meaning low contrast and not bold and screaming,” Nader said. “It’s quite beautiful and leans more towards quiet luxury, which I’m all in for.”
So toss out your round brush, stop beating yourself up over TikTok tutorials, and let your layers grow long. Low-maintenance hair is officially in, and honestly? Thank goodness for that.
Are you ready to give up curtain bangs? Are you a fan of the style? Share your thoughts in the comment section below.
Feature image: Supplied.