There's no denying that curtain bangs are one of the swishiest, sexiest, most voluminous hair trends on the agenda right now. And, it's also no surprise that the style is one of the most covetable haircuts of 2023 – despite having already headlined for the past few years. Full, thick and flicky, the ‘70s shape has dominated on TikTok, with over 3 billion views on the platform and, word from top stylists is: it’s going absolutely nowhere any time soon, since it remains one of the most requested chops in the salon.
“I’m predicting that curtain bangs [or curtain fringes] will continue to go strong throughout the year,” LA's coolest hair stylist and trendsetter, Sal Salcedo, told GLAMOUR. People are still catching up to them, while others are putting their own stamp on them.
What are curtain bangs?
Curtain bangs, for the uninitiated, are those shaggy, effortless bangs that—as the name suggests—frame your face perfectly, much like a curtain does with a window. The look has roots in the ’60s and ’70s (think Jane Birkin), but today's take on it works with a range of styles and textures: messy waves, curly shags, sleek blowouts, high ponytails, you name it.
Specifically speaking, a curtain bang is a graduated fringe, it's usually worn centre-parted and starts shorter in the centre, then gets longer towards the perimeter of the face. “It should start mid-way between the eyebrows and the bridge of the nose, then have more length at the sides,” explains celebrity hair stylist and ColorWow international creative director, Dom Seeley.
Depending on how heavy you get it cut, it can feel ultra plush or barely there. And you should be able to tuck it back into the rest of your hair when it's up, or tease it forward when you want more volume. “It has a flowy vibe. It’s not a solid bang or fringe, but it’s also not just face framing. It’s somewhere in the middle and it suits the majority of hair lengths too,” says Dom.
Are curtain bangs high maintenance?
As hairstyles go, this one's pretty chill. Curtain bangs are one of the most effortless fringe styles to wear since you can tailor them to you and your lifestyle. “Curtain bangs are the gateway to bangs, because they're super versatile,” says Emily Heser, stylist at Cutler Salon in New York City. “They're long enough to grow out or pin back if you want, but they can also be cut into a shorter look.” The style has steadily become both a celebrity and Insta-girl fave for its easy-going vibe.
“They require the lowest maintenance,” agrees Sal. For one thing, they grow out easily “and slowly turn into a nice frame that looks good through any stage,” Sal says. “The best low-maintenance cut will always be a mid to long haircut with a variation in bangs,” explains Sal. “These are haircuts that can be worn and grown without too much attention and they stay looking strong with you. I only see some of my clients every six months to a year when they have these.”
43 fringe hairstyles for some *major* inspirationGallery31 PhotosThe slightly longer length at the sides helps to highlight cheekbones and give versatility. They can be swept off to either side to open up your face, or they can be drawn closed across your brows (much like curtains). It means you can go full lash-sweeping one day, then tuck them towards your ears the next. The jist? They make a relaxed statement with very little effort involved, and they offer drama to hair, but not in a loud, shouty way.
But if you still don't want to commit to the cut, we have good news. You can fake it with some clever styling. A well-placed bend in your hair can give the illusion of a swishy fringe without losing any length.
What face shape is curtain bangs good for?
Curtain bangs can suit any face shape, what's more important is working out the best way to wear them for you. “Consider all the ways in which you like to wear your hair. If you like to be able to scrape it all back at once, opt for longer layers,” says Laura Elliot, head of education at haircare professionals Salon Promotions. This means you shortest pieces should be between cheek and jaw length.
Tempted to get a fringe? Find which style suits your face shapeSo, if you want in, here's 37 of our favourite ways to wear '70s curtain bangs…
1.Voluminous
Erm, hello. The '70s called, and they want their OG curtain bangs back. We don't blame them. The volume, the dimension, and the definition is honestly everything for us. Add some roller waves across the whole hair, so the bangs sit nicely on top to marry the whole look.
2.Cheek-length
Sydney Sweeney's cheeky curtain fringe is modern, retro and glam all at the same time.
3.Swished
The ‘90s blowout is another huge hair trend right now, combined with a luxurious swooshy curtain fringe, it’s volume city.
4.Airy
This lightweight take on the mini curtain fringe is perfect if you don't want to fully commit.
5.Lash-skimming
We love this sultry peekaboo length which perfectly frames eyes.
6.Flipped
Add dramatic layers to your hair for that flip for that extra-extra choppy finish.
7.Curly curtain
Curtain bangs also work on curly hair. In fact, you can switch up your curly curtain by adding in a headband. Prints and curls go hand in hand, and nothing like good hair accessories to separate you from the pack.
8.Frenchie
Mixing up the traditional brow-length fringe for a curtain bang and a jaw-length French bob keeps it feeling modern.
9.Updo curtains
These pretty graduated busy curls help perfectly frame the face.
10.Outgrown
Proof that curtain fringes look great, even after they've grown out for a few weeks.
11.Jaw-length
If you want your curtain fringe to blend into your strands on off-duty days, keep the shortest pieces jaw-length. Slightly less daring, but still dead-cute.
12.Bombshell curtains
Adding super highlights and having the hair freshly blow dried will give this sheeny, shiny curtain bangs finish.
13.Cat flick bangs
Use your hair as sort of continuation from your eyeliner styling them to perfectly align with an epic cat flick by adding the hair flick at eye level.
14.Layered bob bangs
The longer part of these curtain bangs are almost as long as the rest of the bob, with layers to add extra volume throughout. They contour the cheeks perfectly to frame the face like some tucked curtains on a bay window.
15.Medusa
This separated waterfall effect almost like Medusa's wings on Dua Lipa adds an edge to these curtain bangs.
16.Close curtain
These curtains are closed for business. They flick ever so slightly right at the ends leaving you with an upside down V parting instead of the big McDonald's ‘M’. So cute.
17.Retro curtain
These retro curtain bangs have lots of volume, and a medium sized opening gap that give a you an instant lift with no needles.
18.Strip curtain bangs
Having your bangs as strip full fringe is an edgy way of styling your curtain bangs. Adding highlights will make them appear fuller and add dimension.
19.Jet black bangs
The power jet black curtain bangs hold. A slightly offside parting will also make the bangs look more relaxed yet remain sultry looking.
20.High-pony bangs
Having a messy and voluminous high ponytail should not stop you from rocking curtain bangs. This is a tasteful maximalist' with edge dream cut.
21.Almost full
This almost full fringe is a natural progression if you're growing out your bangs and don't want them looking uneven and awkward.
22.Brow-length
This shorter take on the curtain starts around brow length, then hits in at the cheekbone.
23.Shaggy
We love this layered curtain fringe against a layered curly shag.
24.Midi
A midi curtain fringe paired with a midi cut balances beautifully.
25.Hot pink
Statements upon statements.
26.Curtain bob
Add texture and layers to a bob with a swooshy curtain fringe.
27.XXL
Long, swooshy and fabulous.
28.Cropped
Micro fringes are so adorable and allow eyebrows to have their moment too. Gently sweep them off to either side so that the final look is not too choppy and feels relaxed and free.
29.'70s ombre
Want to add body to your hair? Add highlights. An ombre effect also works for this, and making the money piece a more gentle and lighter hue than the rest of the hair frames the face.
30.Semi-drawn
We love a curtain fringe that's styled like actually drapery. These semi-shut curtain bangs add major drama.
31.Heavy
Starting the fringe right from the crown of the head means that more hair will fall to the front, and it gives the illusion of fuller, longer and statement curtain bangs.
32.Apricot
Add a little extra interest with a cute off-beat shade like apricot.
33.Choppy
A choppy cut with a gentle flick at the ends, which spin the whole fringe. These curtain bangs are edgy, sexy and fun.
34.Side swoop
There is nothing quite like a bouncy side-swept curtain bang. Em Rata is seen here with a voluminous layered take, and we're in awe.
35.Breezy Chic
This breezy chic take on the middle-parted curtain bangs sported by Sabrina Elba is very wearable, and looks effortless but still carries a lot of fun and texture.
36.Curtain Lob
We've spotted J.Lo rocking many-a-curtain-bangs, but this one is more choppy and relaxed than her usual. It's long and frames her face shape effortlessly.
37.Sloped
Jenna Ortega may well be the latest Netflix crush we all can't stop thinking about. Her signature curtain bangs don't go amiss on her Netflix series “Wednesday”, but luckily, she carries it off the set into her IRL life too. In fact, it's a big part of her everyday beauty look. Layered, structured and with a perfectly gentle flick at the ends. This is what curtain bangs dreams are made of.
For more from GLAMOUR UK's Beauty Editor, Elle Turner, follow her on Instagram @elleturneruk.
For more from GLAMOUR UK's Beauty Writer Shei Mamona, follow her on Instagram @sheimamona.
ncG1vNJzZmivp6x7qLjApqauqp2WtKLGyKecZ5ufY8Kse8Crq6KbnJp8eHzSZpquqqSWtq95xaugp5%2BVYsGzsc2d