Curtain Bangs Are Still the Chicest, Lowest-Risk Hair Update
From Suki Waterhouse to Kaia Gerber, curtain bangs are proving to be this season’s most covetable cut.
As hairstyles go, bangs haven’t always had the best reputation. Across film, pop culture, and even the football field, the cut has carried the same connotation for decades: a symbol of drastic decisions or even regret—often the result of a bad breakup or a craving for a major hair transformation.
Curtain bangs, however, are rewriting that narrative. From the runways to the front row, they’ve become the coolest—and simplest—way to upgrade your hairstyle. Today’s version is softer and easier to style than its former Farrah Fawcett–inspired or Jane Birkin days, and looks effortless in that air-dried, “I woke up like this” way.
What Are Curtain Bangs?
“Curtain bangs are a longer style of bangs where the hair is usually parted down the middle, or slightly off-center, framing the face on either side,” explains Grace Amelia, senior stylist at Hershesons, a London-based salon brand. “A lot softer than the old-school blunt bangs, curtain bangs have evolved—stylists now work with a client’s natural texture and thickness, customizing them for a more effortless finish.” The end result can range from eye-grazing, wispy curtain bangs to full, mid-length, layered versions—it’s all about working with your own hair, styling needs, and texture, says Amelia.
Depending on the style, cutting curtain bangs will look different for everyone. “Cutting bangs comes down to preference and hair texture, but usually I would start from the tip of the nose and cut gradually downward toward the cheekbones. It can be cut with whichever tool you prefer,” says Eva Goulding, stylist at the John Frieda x Nicola Clarke salon in London.
As for styling references? “We’ve seen celebrities like Alexa Chung—the original curtain bangs girl—Matilda Djerf, whose hair became a viral sensation, and Dakota Johnson, whose bangs have been one of the most requested styles from clients lately,” she adds.
Who Are Curtain Bangs Best For?
As hairstylist Jordan Garrett from Hershesons explains, curtain bangs can flatter just about anyone. “It all depends on the length of your hair—specifically, the shape-to-length ratio—to get the proportions, the right shape, and the weight of the bangs,” he says.
If you’re opting for long curtain bangs, they often work best with hair that falls below the shoulders, so the style doesn’t weigh down the face. Meanwhile, if your hair has plenty of depth and layers, you can experiment with a fuller set of bangs.
Consider your hair texture, too. “If your hair is very curly, it’ll be harder to achieve the sweeping ’70s look, and you might be better off with a fuller shape—think Zendaya or Mariah Carey. If it’s straighter, keeping it sitting away from your face can be tricky, so you might want to try a Jane Birkin–inspired set of bangs instead,” advises Goulding.
Are Curtain Bangs High-Maintenance?
Short answer: yes. “When it comes to maintaining curtain bangs, it’s most suited to people with a bit of a wave in their hair, where it can be left to work with the natural texture without any styling,” says Goulding. But you’ll also need more frequent salon visits. “You have to get them trimmed between haircuts, as they tend to grow out faster than the rest of your hair.”
How to Style Curtain Bangs
The good news: curtain bangs are relatively low-maintenance when styling at home. “If your hair is on the flatter side, you can blow-dry with a round brush, lifting at the root for volume,” says Amelia. “For wavy or curly hair, you might want to air-dry or use a diffuser to enhance natural texture. Using no-crease clips helps set the bangs in place while they cool down—especially if you have a few strands that don’t want to cooperate.”
You can also straighten your curtain bangs, starting at the root and bending the tool away from your face. This creates a soft wave that frames your features.
How to Blow-Dry Curtain Bangs
“You can either air-dry or diffuse,” adds Garrett. “You can rough-dry with a hairdryer (no nozzle) and, using your hands, stretch the right side diagonally toward the left eyebrow and the left side toward the right eyebrow—this will enhance the shape of the bangs.”
Curtain Bangs Styling Inspiration
Finding the right curtain bangs for you isn’t always easy—which is why we’ve done the Pinterest scrolling, celebrity spotting, and Instagram research for you. From Daisy Edgar-Jones at Gucci’s Cruise show to Jennifer Lopez out in Paris and Kaia Gerber with a chic chignon, find all the curtain bangs inspiration you need below.

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