The Ultimate Guide to Curtain Bangs for All Hair Types & Textures

In every girl’s life, there comes a time when she takes a pair of scissors and tells herself, “I can do it! I can give myself bangs,” but, alas, we all know how this ends. From fangirling over Miley Cyrus as Hannah Montana in childhood to admiring Jameela Jamil’s outspoken persona and perfect hair as an adult, I have attempted to cut my own bangs at least once every two years. Only half of those times have been a hit. And now, as someone in her late 20s, I have realised that the right way to do bangs is by getting curtain bangs – with a length and volume that suits your hair.

What Are Curtain Bangs?

Curtain bangs, as they sound, are bangs that sit on your face like curtains sitting elegantly on windows. These bangs are more sophisticated and mature than other variants like straight bangs, short bangs, and side bangs. They flatter your face by subtly highlighting your topmost features. They elevate your eyes, make your face look contoured, and shape your face for a slimmer look. Unlike regular bangs or fringes that fully cover your forehead, curtain bangs make big foreheads appear proportionate to the rest of the face. These bangs are non-committal as compared to the other types of bangs, as when not needed, they can be tucked behind your ears or pinned to the scalp. They are truly the adult version of the mushroom bangs we used to get as children.

What Is The Difference Between Face-Framing Layers And Curtain Bangs?

Although both curtain bangs and face framing layers are parted in the middle and they frame the face, the main and most important difference is the length. Curtain bangs end somewhere around the top of your ears and taper as they flow. Face-framing layers often induce multiple layers that reach your cheekbones or even your chin. A curtain bang hairstyle main often the only cut that lies close to your face, a face-framing layer often includes more cuts that feather out in quick succession.

Which Face Shape Suits Curtain Bangs?

Curtain bangs with layers suit a lot of face shapes. Here’s what a curtain bang can do for your face:

1. Round Face: If you want your face to look more mature and elongated, a curtain bang hairstyle can reduce the curviness of your cheeks and make your face look slimmer.
2. Oval Face: Curtain bangs can balance your facial proportions and bring symmetry to your face.
3. Square Face: People with a square face have a sharp jawline, and a long curtain bang can help soften the angularness of the face.
4. Forehead Length: Whether you have a big forehead or a small forehead, curtain bangs can make your forehead look more proportionate to your face and add that extra layer of drama to your face.
5. Heart Or Diamond Face: From angular cheekbones and jawline, to rounder foreheads, everything gets softer with the right curtain bang.

Are Curtain Bangs Low-Maintenance?

Yes, curtain bangs are really easy to maintain, as they are so versatile, you can leave them straight, wavy, or even tousled in an effortlessly chic way. You don’t need to trim it that often, even when grown out, curtain bangs look great. You can also trim them at home if you are not happy with the longer bangs. It flatters several face types and offers a face-framing look for angular and rounder faces.

How To Cut Curtain Bangs?

1. Wash and dry your hair, it’s ideal to start with clean hair, as oily and damaged hair can lead to unwanted results.
2. Have a fine-toothed comb and professional hair-styling scissors ready, we don’t recommend using kitchen scissors no matter how sharp they are, you just won’t get the precision cut.
3. Measure the amount of hair you want to cut and choose a little more than that, short hair has more bounce in it than the rest of your hair.
4. Part your hair in the middle and make a triangle starting from the middle and 2 inches from your forehead to the side of your face.
5. Separate this portion of your hair from the rest of your hair and twist it into a tight spiral.
6. Run the scissors along the shaft and stop when you reach the bow of your lips or just above it.
7. Make sure you are standing straight, not on your toes.
8. Let the hair loose and open your hair.
9. Make sure your bangs seamlessly blend with the rest of your hair; if needed, give them a diagonal cut to match the rest of your strands.

How To Style Curtain Bangs?

Curtain bangs are versatile and suit all hair types and textures. Whether you have extreme coils or your flocks are as straight as an arrow, curtain bangs are only-bad-hair-days-girl's best friend. Use a blow dryer with a round bristle comb to air out your bangs and make them look fuller.

Nykaa Recommends:

This 3-in-1 express styler has a big brush end that makes volumising easier. It dries and styles your hair and removes all the frizz, leaving it thicker, fuller, and more flattering to the face. Pair this with a setting or styling spray that suits your hair texture and you get a salon-like finish every time. Here are a few styling sprays that suit different hair textures.

Hair Sprays For Curtain Bangs

Hair Spray For Volume

Nykaa Recommends:

If your hair type is straight and thin, most likely your hair will lie flat on your face. This will make your hair look scanty and dull. This volumising hair spray will make your bangs look fuller and cover your face to add volume to your mane.

Hair Spray For Frizz

Nykaa Recommends:

If you have frizzy hair, most likely you have soft curls hidden in your hair texture or your hair is deprived of keratin or essential oils that hold your baby hair and loose ends together. This hairspray has thermal protection, is made with ceramides, and controls frizz.

Hair Spray For Curls

Nykaa Recommends:

If you have curly curtain bangs, you need them to be tight and well-defined. Try this curl-defining spray from Ktein that’s enriched with aloe vera, flax seeds, rice, and soy protein to nourish and manage your curls. It controls frizz and tames the unruliness of the curls for a glamorous finish.

Hair Spray For Coloured Hair

Nykaa Recommends:

When you have coloured bangs like Billie Eilish, you need to care about how they sit on your face. Unlike natural hair, coloured hair draws attention and can look messy when poorly maintained. This product is a professional hold spray that protects while maintaining hold and smoothness.

Hair Spray For All Weather

Nykaa Recommends:

If you live in a tropical country like India, then every season is a wet season, with rain, humidity, and the general heat we are surrounded by. If you have bangs, they will come in contact with your face and soak up the sweat, and along with it the makeup, dust, and our sticky sunscreens. This product will help your bangs be dry and bouncy enough not to touch your forehead that often.

Final Tips For Growing Out Curtain Bangs Gracefully

To gracefully grow out your curtain bangs, you can occasionally trim a little from the edges to remove split ends and to manage the weight of the bangs. This ensures that they grow out gracefully with the rest of your hair. You can also try hairstyles such as side-swept ponytails or slick back buns to wait out the awkward length. You can also use a hair flyaway or finishing stick to keep the baby hair in place.

Parting Thoughts

Whether you are looking at curtain bangs for short hair or long, round face or oval, this versatile, low-maintenance hairstyle is suitable for all. They grow out gracefully and are easy to trim at home. You can style them with or without heating tools, and last but not least, they are also easy to achieve at home with the right products.

FAQs

1. Do curtain bangs suit all face types?

   Yes, whether you have a round, oval, rectangle, or triangle face, curtain bangs will suit all face structures and flatter your facial features without sticking too close to your face like regular bangs.

2. How to style curtain bangs?

   Use a hair setting spray that suits your hair type and texture along with a roller curls or blow dryer cum brush and style it for better volume. You can pair your curtain bangs with a messy bun, a high pony, or even open hair.

3. Can I style curtain bangs without using heat?

   Yes, you can style your curtain bangs without heat. Simply use a hair roller or roll your hair upwards and pin it with some bobby pins to secure it. In a few hours, your curtain bangs will have undeniable movement and volume without any heat.

4. How often do I refresh my curtain bangs?

   Cut your bangs every 4–6 weeks, depending on your hair growth, and style your bangs after every wash.

5. Is it possible to style curtain bangs with a flat iron?

   Yes, it is possible to style curtain bangs with a flat iron. Start with clean and dry hair, take the flat iron and place it around your hair strands while holding it vertically. Twist your hair upwards and roll as you move the blades to the edge. Repeat this process on both parts, and you will have smooth, frizz-free curtain bangs that bounce.

6. How do I avoid awkward stages when growing out curtain bangs?

   If you are unhappy with your curtain bangs, you can grow them out with a number of hairstyles, such as side-swept ponytails or slick back buns. You can also choose messy hairstyles or even braid your bangs into Dutch braids for that effortless cottage-core look.