How to Style Curtain Bangs: A Complete Guide 2025

Curtain bangs are back—and better than ever! Thanks to TikTok, Instagram, and celebrity red carpet looks, this retro-inspired fringe has made a major comeback. Whether you have fine hair, thick waves, or anything in between, learning how to style curtain bangs can instantly elevate your look.

Curtain bangs are known as fringe bangs, and most girls have tried them at least once. Blunt–cut bangs and side–swept bangs are the popular hairstyle. If you want a new look and a hairstyle, then Curtain Bangs is the way to change it. People ask: Will Curtain Bangs look good on me? The answer is yes, the Curtain bangs look good on any type of hair, from short, straight, curly, oily hair and layered, etc.

You must have seen bangs on celebrities like Jennifer Lopez, Priyanka Chopra, Dakota Johnson, Nicole Richie, Halle Barry, and Ariana Grande.

You come to the right place to know how to style curtain bangs for every face shape. Know the process of how to cut, style and maintain curtain bangs.

Quick-Glance Cheat Sheet

To style curtain bangs, start with clean, dry hair. Blow-dry using a round brush, curling each section away from the face. Lock it in with a cool shot and finish with a texture spray for soft, effortless volume.

Tools You’ll Need

Before styling your curtain bangs, gather these tools:

Round brush (small to medium size)
Blow-dryer with nozzle attachment
Heat protectant spray
Flat iron or curling wand (optional)
Texturizing spray or mousse
Light-hold hairspray

Bobby pins or rollers (for heatless method)

Method 1: How to Style Curtain Bangs with a Blow-Dryer

Blow-drying is one of the most popular and reliable ways to style curtain bangs.

Step-by-Step:

Prep Your Hair Wash and towel-dry your hair. Apply a heat protectant spray to your bangs.
Section Off the Bangs Use a comb to create a triangle section from the outer edges of your eyebrows toward the crown.
Use a Round Brush & Blow-Dryer Place the round brush under your bangs and direct the airflow downward. Roll the brush outward while blow-drying.
Add Volume Blow-dry the roots upward for extra volume.
Flip Out the Ends To create that signature curtain look, roll each side away from your face for a soft swoop.
Cool Shot & Finish Use the cool setting on your dryer to lock the shape. Apply a light mist of texturizing spray.

Pro Tip: Use Velcro rollers after blow-drying to hold shape while you finish styling the rest of your hair.

Method 2: How to Style Curtain Bangs Without Heat

Styling curtain bangs without heat is a great way to achieve a natural, effortless look while minimizing damage to your hair. Here are some steps to style your curtain bangs without using heat:

Start with Clean Hair: Begin with clean, dry hair. If your hair is freshly washed, let it air dry or use a hair dryer on the lowest setting to speed up the process.
Apply a Light Hold Product: Use a light-hold styling product like a mousse, texturizing spray, or a light-hold gel. Apply a small amount to your hands and distribute it evenly through your bangs. This will add some texture and hold without the need for heat styling.
Divide and Clip: Separate your curtain bangs from the rest of your hair. You can do this by parting your hair in the middle and clipping the rest away.
Twist and Pin: Divide your curtain bangs into two sections. Take the left section and twist it away from your face, then pin it in place with a bobby pin. Repeat this with the right section.
Allow Time to Set: Leave the twists in for a while to allow your hair to set and create a natural wave. You can do this while you’re getting ready or even leave them in while you sleep for a more pronounced effect.
Remove the Pins: After the desired amount of time has passed, carefully remove the bobby pins.
Finger Comb and Adjust: Gently finger-comb your curtain bangs to loosen the waves and create a natural, relaxed look. Use your fingers to adjust the shape and position of the waves.
Set with Hairspray (Optional): If you want extra hold, you can finish with a light-hold hairspray. Hold the hairspray at a distance and mist it over your bangs.
Final Touches: Use your fingers to position your curtain bangs exactly how you want them. You can also use a light-hold wax or pomade to define the ends or add extra texture.

The key to styling curtain bangs without heat is to embrace their natural texture and movement. This method should give you soft, loose waves that frame your face beautifully. If you find that your bangs need a little extra hold, you can always use a bit more product or hairspray.

Method 3: How To Style Curtain Bangs With Straightener

Styling curtain bangs with a straightener can give you a polished, sleek look. Here’s a step-by-step guide on how to style curtain bangs with straighter:

Start with Clean, Dry Hair: Begin with clean, dry hair. If your hair is freshly washed, make sure it’s completely dry before using a straightener.
Heat Protection: Apply a heat protectant spray or serum on your curtain bangs. This will help protect your hair from heat damage.
Section Off Your Hair: Separate your curtain bangs from the rest of your hair. You can do this by parting your hair in the middle and clipping the rest away.
Preheat the Straightener: Turn on your straightener and allow it to heat up to the appropriate temperature for your hair type. Lower heat settings are better for fine or damaged hair, while higher settings are suitable for thicker or coarser hair.
Clamp and Glide: Take a small section of your curtain bangs and clamp the straightener near the roots. Gently glide the straightener down the hair shaft, following the natural curve of your bangs. Be careful not to hold the straightener in one spot for too long to avoid heat damage.
Create a Curve: As you reach the end of the section, gently curve the straightener inward or outward, depending on the look you want. This will give your curtain bangs a subtle curve.
Repeat for All Sections: Continue to work in small sections until all of your curtain bangs have been straightened and styled to your liking.
Adjust and Define: Use your fingers to adjust the shape and position of your curtain bangs. You can also use a light-hold wax or pomade to define the ends or add extra texture.
Set with Hairspray (Optional): If you want extra hold, you can finish with a light-hold hairspray. Hold the hairspray at a distance and mist it over your bangs.
Final Touches: Take a final look and make any additional adjustments to ensure your curtain bangs are styled exactly how you want them.

Remember to always be cautious when using heat styling tools and avoid using high heat settings if your hair is prone to damage. Additionally, using a heat protectant is crucial to minimize potential harm to your hair.

Bonus: How to Style Curtain Bangs with a Curling Iron

Want more volume or a retro flip?

Use a 1-Inch Barrel: Curl away from your face.
Hold for 5 Seconds: Then release and let cool.

Brush Out: Use fingers or a wide-tooth comb for a tousled finish.

What are Curtain Bangs?

Curtain bangs are a style of fringe that’s parted down the center, framing each side of the face like—you guessed it—curtains. Unlike blunt or side-swept bangs, curtain bangs have a feathered, graduated look that blends seamlessly into the rest of your hair. They can be subtle or bold, depending on the length and how they’re styled. Popularized by icons like Brigitte Bardot in the ’70s, curtain bangs have found new life thanks to modern celebrities like Dakota Johnson, Jennifer Lopez, Priyanka Chopra, and Ariana Grande.

Best Face Shapes for Curtain Bangs

Are Curtain Bangs suited for everybody?

Yes, curtain bangs suit everybody, especially those with oval and rectangular faces. Girls with thick, thin, curly, wavy, straight, long, and short hair will work well.

Oval Face: A girl with an oval face shape can pull off any bangs. The length of the fringe must be at the forehead.

Round Face: Girl with a round face, curtain bangs help to elongate the face.

Diamond Face: Girls with Diamond face shapes are the perfect match for curtain bangs. Shorter bangs’ length will balance the face feature the best. Avoid long bangs that hit your cheekbones.

Rectangle Face: Girls with a rectangle face shape can graze the look with longer face-framing layers. Too short will make your face long.

Heart Face: A girl with a heart face shape should go with a swoopy curtain bang, which gives the illusion of an oval face.

How to Maintain Curtain Bangs

Trim every 4–6 weeks
Use dry shampoo to keep them fresh between washes
Avoid heavy styling products that make them greasy

Comb them daily to keep them from separating awkwardly

How to Cut Curtain Bangs: Step by Step

If you’re thinking of DIY this hairstyle, then stop because the untrained hand doesn’t nail the look. You’ll end up cutting more hair to balance the fringe. It is better to visit the salon to get the perfect look for your face. But if you want to know how to cut curtain bangs, here is the step-by-step process:

Step 1

Before you start cutting your hair, make sure you have sectioned off the triangle of hair, which you need to cut and secure the rest of your hair to avoid unnecessary cutting. The triangle section base should run from the outer corner of both eyes. It must extend towards the crown of your head. The larger the triangle, the more your bangs look.

Step 2

Let the sectioned hair triangle fall naturally around your face, and now, part the hair in the middle to make it fall equally side of your face. Take a strand from the middle of your forehead, choose your desired length, and add a little extra. But, once your hair is styled, it will curl away from your face and appear slightly shorter. So, it’s a good idea to leave some extra length. Every face shape is unique, so there’s no one-size-fits-all styling method. However, as a general guideline, starting at cheekbone height or just below can be a great option.

Step 3

Don’t cut the hair straight. Hold the point of the scissor upwards and use small snips to point cut the curtain bangs. This process will give you a blended taper rather than a blunt slant.

Step 4

Start from the middle forehead and slowly downwards to your earlobe. As you move away from the center, add length to each strand and the outer edge of your face.

Step 5

Take your time to pause and check your bangs. Ensure they taper symmetrically on both sides. If you notice any unevenness due to excessive length in some areas, take the chance to fix it. One common mistake is making one side of the bangs longer, be careful to avoid this problem.

FAQs About Curtain Bangs

Q: Can I style curtain bangs with curly hair?
Yes! Use a diffuser and finger-twist sections to frame your face naturally.

Q: How do I stop curtain bangs from splitting weirdly?
Always blow-dry the root forward before splitting. This helps control cowlicks.

Q: How often should I trim curtain bangs?
Every 3–4 weeks to keep the shape fresh.

Q: Can I pin back curtain bangs if I want a change?
Yes, use cute clips or mini braids to pin them to the side or blend into your layers.

Best Products for Styling Curtain Bangs

Living Proof Perfect Hair Day Heat Styling Spray – Great heat protectant.
Ouai Texturizing Hair Spray – Adds bounce without crunch.

Revlon One-Step Volumizer Brush – Makes blow-drying effortless.

Conclusion

Curtain bangs are a timeless style, and it will be forever. The process is simple to get the perfect curtain bangs, but visit the salon to get the curtain bang look. Make sure you know how to maintain curtain bangs. It will make your curtain bangs last long and give you a chic look.

How To Style Curtain Bangs

Quick-Glance Cheat Sheet

Tools You’ll Need