Every question you’ve ever had about getting curtain bangs, answered.
ANA EKSOUZIAN-CAVADAS
It’s a shift that may be imperceptible to most, but the subtle act of cutting a fringe may be the most transformative thing you could do not only for your hair, but for your overall look. This could not be truer for the curtain bang, that has slowly yet surely gained favour amongst those looking for an impactful change that doesn’t involve drastic shifts like a complete colour transformation or cutting off precious inches.
With origins in ’70s boho chic, the curtain bang can be traced back to the likes of Jane Birkin and her gentle, carefree take on the cut—the ‘Birkin bangs’ eventually arose as their own sub-cut within the curtain bang category. Even to Farrah Fawcett in its most glamorous iteration, her dramatic curves and voluminous styling seeming to pave the way for the style’s eventual revival in the late 2010s.
Bringing the style out of decades’ past, it was influencer-turned-fashion giant Matilda Djerf that can be credited in large part with bringing the curtain bang into modernity, her sweeping fringe and big barrelled curls spawning their very own hair movement. Then came Dakota Johnson and her own shaggy bangs to reignite the style once again. And in 2024, we were poised once more to commit to the curtain bang when Daisy Edgar-Jones traded in her signature blunt fringe for something a little whispier.
No matter your muse, the curtain bang is a cut that’s all-at-once enduring and on-trend, as well as universally flattering, suited to almost every face shape, hair type and overall style of cut. So, if you’re thinking about taking the curtain bang plunge, consider this your sign—here, Vogue partners with master hair stylist, Anthony Nader, to answer every possible curtain bang question you could ever have in the lead up to your own cut.
Are curtain bangs still in for 2024, as well as 2025?
“I may be biased but curtain bangs will always be in!” Nader tells Vogue. “The beauty with this staple shape is that the ‘curtain’ frames the face—the length is nibbled in a fraction shorter in the middle and edges gradually longer towards the edges. He also adds that the style remains one of the most versatile, when the bangs are long enough, as they can be “moved around to create different shaped bangs”. “[It’s] more bang for your buck, no pun intended).”
Which face shapes suit curtain bangs best?
“Curtain bangs can be flattering on many face shapes because they are soft, versatile, and can be customised to suit different features,” Nader explains. But he does note that “they may not suit everyone in the exact same way.” “Whether or not curtain bangs will look good on someone depends largely on their face shape, hair texture, and personal style,” he adds. Below, Nader breaks down the how curtain bangs work with various face shapes:
Curtain bangs for round face shapes
“Curtain bangs can help elongate a round face by creating the illusion of length. Keeping the bangs longer and slightly parted in the middle can balance out the roundness.”
Curtain bangs for oval face shapes
“This face shape is generally well-balanced, so curtain bangs tend to be very flattering. Almost any variation of the style works well, whether the bangs are shorter or longer.”
Curtain bangs for square face shapes
“Curtain bangs can soften the angular features of a square face. Longer, wispy bangs that frame the cheekbones can add softness and help balance strong jawlines.”
Curtain bangs for heart face shapes
“With a wider forehead and a narrower chin, curtain bangs can work well by drawing attention to the eyes and cheekbones, while adding balance to the chin area. A softer, feathered version can be particularly flattering.”
Curtain bangs for long face shapes
“For longer faces, curtain bangs can help shorten the appearance of the face by adding horizontal lines and softening the overall look. Full, voluminous bangs can be more flattering on this shape.”
Who looks good with curtain bangs? How can you tell if you look good with curtain bangs, and are curtain bangs flattering on everyone?
While curtain bangs may not be a “one-size-fits-all” kind of cut, Nader does say that they are extremely adaptable—“that’s the beauty [of the curtain bang.” In order to determine if you’ll look good with curtain bangs, Nader recommends a few measures you can take before your stylist even takes to their scissors. “A thorough consolation with the hairdresser to tailor the length, thickness and parting can ensure the bangs complement your unique features,” he explains.
To those extremely committed to the curtain bang cause, Nader also recommends visiting a wig shop for a dry run. “Really curious on whether your new trademark bangs will suit? Go to a wig shop and ask if you can try the sample clip in curtain bangs (yes, this is a thing). By all means, go and have a play so you can get a better idea [for how they’ll look] before you decide on the big chop.”
What hair type is best for curtain bangs?
Before you go ahead and cut curtain bangs, you may be unsure if the style will be complementary to your hair type and hair texture. Put simply, Nader says that curtain bands “can work on almost any hair type with the right cut and styling techniques,” from barrelling waves to curly shags. “But he does also add that “it’s important though to consider how much maintenance you’re willing to put into styling, especially if your hair texture is on the curlier or thicker side.” Below, Nader breaks down how he cuts curtain bangs into different hair types and textures.
Curtain bangs for straight or slightly wavy hair
“This hair type is often the easiest to style when it comes to curtain bangs. The bangs will naturally fall into the desired shape with minimal effort, and they can be blow-dried to create that signature swoop.”
Curtain bangs for wavy hair
“Wavy hair gives curtain bangs a soft, textured look. The natural wave can add volume and movement, which can make the bangs look effortlessly chic. However, some light styling may be needed to keep the bangs from becoming too unruly.”
Curtain bangs for curly hair
“Curtain bangs can look great on curly hair but may require more maintenance. When cut correctly, they can add a beautiful frame to the face, but they might need to be styled regularly to ensure they maintain their shape and don’t become too wild. Cutting the bangs longer is usually recommended for curly hair to account for shrinkage.”
Curtain bangs for thick hair
“Thick hair works well with curtain bangs because the fullness can help create that iconic layered look (think Farrah Fawcett). However, it’s important to ensure the bangs are thinned out properly to avoid looking too heavy.”
Curtain bangs for fine hair
“Curtain bangs can also be flattering on finer hair, but they should be kept light and wispy. Overly thick bangs can overwhelm thin hair, so keeping them soft and blended is key to adding some volume and movement without losing the overall structure.”
Which haircut goes well with curtain bangs?
Put simply, Nader wholeheartedly agrees that the curtain bang can be cut into almost every hair length and style, crediting it as perhaps the most versatile fringe style you could adopt: “I actually love curtain bangs on different length bobs and long hair the most. It really is a playground for creating the most gorgeous fluttery curtains.”
What are the disadvantages of curtain bangs?
For all its pluses, the curtain bang does come with a few minuses. The first is, of course, maintenance, a key element to any great fringe. “Curtain bangs require regular trimming to keep them at the right length and shape. If you’re not up for frequent salon visits (usually every four to six weeks), they might not be the best choice.”
And for those who prefer to air dry their hair, the curtain bang may also not be the best choice, given that the style demands at the very least some light styling each day. “Although curtain bangs can look effortless, they often need daily styling, especially if your hair doesn’t naturally fall into the desired shape,” explains Nader, adding that “blow drying, using a round brush, or applying styling products may be necessary to maintain their swooped look.”
Going hand-in-hand with Nader’s point on maintenance goes his urging of curtain bang maintenance. “If you decide you no longer want curtain bangs, the grow-out phase can be awkward,” he warns. “As they grow, they can fall into your eyes or lose their shape, making it harder to style them until they reach a longer length.” However, many get through their growing out period by pinning their bangs back until they’ve grown out enough to blend into the rest of your hair.
If you have an oilier skin type, or find that your forehead tends to slick with sweat, particularly on warmer days, you may find curtain bangs, or really bangs in general tricky to wear. “Since bangs sit on your forehead, they can absorb oils and sweat from your skin, making them greasy faster than the rest of your hair,” explains Nader, adding that “If you have oily skin, you may find yourself needing to wash or refresh your bangs more frequently.”
Of course, the weather is one element that everyone has to contend with, the final frontier, and can present many a challenge to your curtain bangs, particularly those with more textured hair types. “Curtain bangs can be tricky to manage in humid or rainy weather. If your hair tends to frizz or curl in humidity, it can be harder to keep the bangs looking neat without extra styling tools or products.”
Are curtain bangs high maintenance? Do curtain bangs need to be styled every day?
While there are certainly trickier cuts out there to keep in check—as confirmed by Nader, “curtain bangs aren’t the most high-maintenance type of bangs”—he does note that they will likely require daily attention in order for them to look their best. “If you’re someone who prefers a more “wash-and-go” routine, curtain bangs may feel like extra work,” he explains. “But for those willing to style them, they can be a great face-framing feature.”
What is the difference between curtain bangs, ‘butterfly bangs’ and ‘French bangs’?
Given the shared similarities between curtain bangs, ‘butterfly bangs’ and ‘French bangs’, people often use the terms interchangeably when trying to describe certain styles. Below, Nader clarifies the differences between the three distinct cuts according to style, length, and look.
What are curtain bangs?
Style: “Curtain bangs are parted down the middle or slightly off-centre, framing the face like a curtain.”
Length: “Typically, curtain bangs are chin-length or longer, allowing them to blend seamlessly into the rest of the hair. The goal is to create a soft, face-framing effect.”
Look: “They have a retro ’70s vibe, offering a soft, natural, and low-key style. They are versatile and can be styled to the side or blended into the rest of the hair when not needed.”
What are butterfly bangs?
Style: “Butterfly bangs are a specific version of curtain bangs, often with more volume and layers. They mimic the “butterfly haircut,” which is a layered, voluminous style. The bangs are typically longer and cut in a way that gives a “winged” effect around the face, similar to butterfly wings.”
Length: “Butterfly bangs are usually long, almost blending into the rest of the hair. They often start at cheekbone length or longer and are heavily layered.”
Look: “Butterfly bangs are voluminous and layered, offering more movement and texture than traditional curtain bangs. They give off a glam look that works well with layered hairstyles.”
What are French bangs?
Style: “‘French bangs’ (or ‘French girl bangs’) are characterised by their full, blunt appearance. They are typically cut straight across and worn long, sometimes grazing the eyebrows or even slightly longer. They’re my absolute weakness and I love this shape the most.”
Length: “These bangs are usually shorter than curtain bangs, often sitting just above or at eyebrow level, and can range from blunt to slightly feathered.”
Look: “French bangs have a chic, effortless vibe with a slightly messy, lived-in feel. They evoke that ‘just woke up’ Parisian style and work well with straight or slightly wavy hair.”
Are there any particular hair muses you call on, or clients reference, when they come in requesting curtain bangs?
“Of course [Dakota Johnson and Daisy Edgar-Jones] are my absolute go-to’s for referencing, but I may also include, depending on hair texture, other red carpet favourites such as Jennifer Lopez, Taylor Swift, Caroline De Maigret and Alexa Chung.”