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“Curtain bangs” mean literally what is said – bangs parted in the middle or elsewhere, looking thus like an opened curtain. However, it is not about those grandma’s old curtain or a heavy dressing room curtain, but about a beautiful stage curtain. Beautifully framed face thanks to parted bangs. The curtain bang fringe was fashionable in the 60s and 70s with Brigitte Bardot’s delicate curtain bangs.
Today, it makes a come-back, and celebrities such as Heidi Klum and Dakota Johnson wear the butterfly hairstyle with curtain bangs confidently, making this a definite hairstyle trend for 2026.
What are curtain bangs?
Just as the name suggests, these bangs are parted in the middle like a curtain and swept to the sides. It doesn’t matter how long the bangs are. They should not be very short to allow hair to fall down casually to the sides.
Curtain bangs remain the hair trend on everyone’s lips for 2026, and just as fancy and delightful as you would expect. Nothing to do with thick, dark curtains, modern curtain bangs are much more in line with the refined elegance of delicate, sheer material being gently draped.
Once known best through the fun and free-spirited fashion of the 60s and 70s, courtesy of stars such as Brigitte Bardot, curtain bangs have made a roaring comeback, now worn by celebrities including Jenna Ortega and Sydney Sweeney.
Whom can curtain bangs become?
Curtain bangs (or French bangs) fit into any hair type and face shape. They are ideal for those people who do not want short bangs but something with a fringe. Moreover, they provide a quick transformation of your hairstyle without significant changes. They can help to narrow your face as compared to usual bangs that widen your face.
Various curtain bangs options
No matter if your curtain bangs are medium-length, short or long – they will always be fashionable. It may be both your hair length and even a bob hairstyle. Let us consider our favorite styles:
1. Soft curtain bangs with a side parting
Whether it be thick or thin, long or short, hair with curtain bangs having a side part is an excellent option. Unlike the middle part, the side part creates more of a statement with the curtain bangs. The addition of layered hair to the style further adds volume, especially in thin hair.
2. Curtain bangs for medium-length hair
Long bob will look excellent with curtain bangs. However, one can also use them in combination with hairdo with short layers. This means that in case you choose such hairdo, you’ll be perfectly in fashion with layers curtain bangs.
3. Short curtain bangs
Bob haircuts are classic styles and can easily go with short curtain bangs. I have to say that compared with other options, the blunt bob is definitely complemented with curtain bangs.
4. Long curtain bangs
Long curtain bangs will work well for those people who are unsure about getting their bangs done. This front hair part comes till the level of the chin. These long light curtain bangs will pair nicely with all sorts of layers.
Curtain bangs vs Waterfall bangs
Curtain bangs part down the middle (or slightly off) and move outwards like an attractive pair of stage curtains. The hairs are shorter at the forehead’s mid section and grow longer from the mid point to the temples, thus framing the face and bringing out the cheekbones.
Waterfall bangs, on the other hand, emulate the movement of water as it falls. They cascade in diagonal fashion from the forehead, usually from a higher point on one side down to the hair itself in thin layers. Unlike curtain bangs that have a dramatic effect, waterfall bangs appear light.
How to cut curtain bangs?
"Snip, snip, front hair off." Yes, it is indeed so that in terms of theory, the curtain bangs require that the front hair should be cut to the shorter length. Sure, just like other kinds of bangs, they may be long or short. Generally speaking, the curtain bangs flatter one’s eyes and cheeks perfectly, and thus, they end right in the middle of the face.
If you want to be absolutely trendy, then the short bangs do not change their length too much – but, for the most part, the hair stylist makes a slight graduation on them. That gives the bangs the look of a curtain gathered – shorter in the middle of the face and becoming longer by the ear region.
How to style curtain bangs?
Ever wonder how to get that perfect look for your curtain bangs? With just a few minutes and the correct products, you will be able to achieve that dreamy effect.
Start off with a center part
As curtain bangs have everything to do with symmetry, start off with making a clear center part on your hair. It ensures that your bangs have a proper place where they fall evenly on both sides of your face. Combing your bangs down when they are wet helps them retain their shape and prevents them from splitting.
Blow drying is key to the iconic look
For the classic curtain shape, simply take a blow dryer such as our Laifen Swift Special and a concentrator attachment. Pin the fringe underneath and slightly backwards while pointing warm air onto the roots.
Achieve a bend with a flat iron
Your bangs may flatten out after a long day of styling or even when you’re in a hurry. Simply use a flat iron to re-shape the bangs.
Apply light pressure with a flat iron in an outward twist, but do this starting from the mid-shaft, rather than the roots.
Don’t forget to use heat protectant
Curtain bangs often require daily styling with heat tools. Apply a lightweight heat protectant spray to your hair every time before styling with a blow dryer or flat iron.
Stylist tips: Curtain bangs go great with many updos and other hairstyles and is bound to add a soft touch to every hairstyle combination.
How to blow dry curtain bangs?
In this section, discover how to blow out your curtain bangs and improve your routine next time:
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Step 1. The first thing you have to do is use damp hair.
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Step 2. In order to achieve good results, use heat protecting spray.
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Step 3. Take a round brush and lift your bangs from the roots.
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Step 4. Blow your hair with hairdryer airflow down.
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Step 5. Dry your bangs on each side using brush and airflow creating a curtain look.
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Step 6. In the end, you can do a cool shot for the final touch.
This hair dryer is mild, fast and will help you achieve a smooth natural look. Its pros include no frizziness, fast drying, even heat distribution and light weight, which makes it easy to use. It will help you enjoy a superior soft hair drying experience each time you use it.
Conclusion
Curtain bangs are very universal. Your hair can be somewhat long, but it can also be short. It is desirable that they do not look absolutely perfect, but random and casual. It is preferable that the hair locks will be slightly tapered in front.
The requirements for the curtain bangs haircut include parting and thick hair. The hair does not need to be curly or straight. Curtain bangs look great on any face shape, although they perfectly fit women with square and rounded faces. The last ones are visually elongated by the curtain. The curtain bangs soften the harsh lines of an angular face shape.
FAQs
Q1: Which face shape looks good with curtain bangs?
The best thing about curtain bangs is that they can be worn by practically any face shape. This includes oval, heart-shaped, and square faces. For round faces, they are great because they elongate the face shape by drawing the eyes downward.
Q2: What is an alternative to curtain bangs?
If you don't want to get curtain bangs, there are several other chic styles for you to choose from. Side-swept bangs add a touch of softness and asymmetry, wispy curtain bangs make your forehead look airy. Blunt bangs have a bold effect, and the relatively new style of bottleneck bangs combine the softness of curtain bangs with the slightly thicker fringe close to the brows.
Q3: What is the difference between curtain bangs and normal bangs?
The difference is in the cut and style. “Normal” bangs are also known as blunt or full bangs and cut in a straight line across the forehead. In contrast, curtain bangs divide at the middle (sometimes slightly off-center) point and flow to the sides, covering the forehead like drapes.
Q4: Who can get away with curtain bangs?
Pretty much anybody can get away with having curtain bangs provided they get the right length and layering. Curtain bangs are very flexible since they can be altered based on texture, face shape, and styling.
Q5: What are some different kinds of bangs?
Some of the different types of bangs that you may want to consider include:
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Blunt bangs (thick & straight);
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Side-swept bangs (elegant angle);
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Curtain bangs (separated & framed);
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Choppy bangs (textured & edgy);
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Micro bangs (bold & short).
