How to Style Curtain Bangs, According to the Pros

When thinking about how to style curtain bangs, there are a few things to consider. While versatile and flattering for almost everyone, not all curtain bangs are created equal. Curtain bangs for straight hair look different than those for naturally curly hair. If you’re looking for easy ways to style curtain bangs at home, you’ll need the right tools.

Here, experts break down all their tips and tricks for creating the most-loved bangs for every hair type. Read on to learn more.

Why try curtain bangs now?

Curtain bangs will never go out of style, but they are currently especially popular among celebrities, fashion circles, and influencers. Suki Waterhouse has long sworn by her messy curtain bangs, while Dakota Johnson, Laura Harrier, Anne Hathaway and Daisy Edgar-Jones are also fans.

Laura Harrier’s curtain bangs work equally well with your hair worn up or down.

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Our favorite ways to style curtain bangs

If you have bangs but don’t know how to style them, you’re not alone. Even if it is freshly cut, it may not return to perfect condition after washing. The key, says hairstylist Larry King, is the direction of the look.

blow dry forward

“You shouldn’t really blow-dry curtain bangs when your hair is parted in the middle because you’ll end up with a flick on your face instead of flowing into the rest of the hairstyle,” he explains. “Instead, blow the entire bang forward and into your face.” As you pull your hair forward, be sure to curl it with a round brush to help the bangs blend into the rest of your hair. Then You can split it down the middle.

Use mousse

To maintain hold and hold, King also recommends using mousse. “You can do this with a comb, or if you want more volume, apply mousse to a round brush and blow-dry,” he explains. Once you’ve firmly styled and secured your bangs, use your fingers to tousle your hair and use a styling cream to separate it a bit. “Daisy Edgar Jones’s hair is a perfect example of this right now—her hairstylist added a lot of texture and separation,” he says.

fixed and diffuse

Another way to achieve the curtain bangs of your dreams? “Add a very soft mousse to your hair, something that’s not too sticky, and slowly pin the bangs into the areas you want,” says Kim. “For example, if your bangs are long, you can tuck them behind your ears.” Afterwards, he recommends using a diffuser to dry the style, which will help maintain a pinned look until it’s released. Then, like magic, it should fall into place.

Styling tips for different hair types

How you style curtain bangs depends on your hair type. Here’s how experts break it down:

curls

Celebrity hairstylist David von Cannon says curtain bangs are great for curly hair because the hair naturally moves. He recommends leaving them a little longer and layering them lightly so they come apart easily. You’ll want to apply lightwave sprays and style them away from your face using a round brush or diffuser.

Naturally Curly and Coarse Hair

“The key here is stretching and smoothing, not straightening,” says celebrity hairstylist Joseph Main. He recommends tension-drying curly bangs. Depending on how you want your curls to look, you can use a hair dryer with a condenser attachment, a hot brush, or a diffuser.

thin straight hair

Von Cannon says soft, wispy curtain bangs work best if you have fine hair. You want to focus on a slight lift at the roots and then blow-dry for an airy feel.

How to Style Curtain Bangs Using Different Tools and Products

Generally speaking, you’ll want to use a round brush and a hair dryer to style your curtain bangs. Von Cannon recommends using a small to medium-sized round brush, which is great for straight hair, and a diffuser for wavy and curly hair. Maine likes to use a hot brush for convenience, a straightener to style her hair, and crease-free clips to hold it in place.

As for styling products, Maine recommends a lightweight heat protectant, a volumizing or smoothing cream, and a flexible hairspray. Von Cannon agrees, and his favorite products include wave sprays like R+Co Bleu Rose Water Spray and Living Proof Full Blow-Dry Thickening Cream.

How to Fix Curtain Bangs All Day

If your curtain straps become warped in everyday life, fixing them is simple. You can reset them with your fingers or a comb, then use a light styler or water to reactivate the original look, says Von Cannon. Maine adds that you can use dry shampoo at the roots (but sparingly) to add volume to your bangs and prevent them from looking too greasy.

Common mistakes to avoid

Von Cannon says one of the first mistakes you want to avoid is cutting your bangs too short. The longer length is not only more versatile and easier to style, but also more forgiving as they grow older. You also need to work with, rather than against, your natural texture, since curtain bangs work best with the way your hair naturally falls, he says.

Although they are considered universal bangs, Maine adds that you still need to consider your face shape when cutting curtain bangs. “Curtain bangs should frame, not overwhelm,” he says.