Are you looking for style ideas for hairstyles you can wear in your 30s? A couple of weeks ago, one of my clients walked in and said, “I want to feel like myself again, but different.” Before she even showed me her Pinterest board, I knew exactly what she needed! My go-to recommendation was a choppy bob with curtain bangs. Honestly, I have done this cut hundreds of times and it never gets dull. The versatility with hair textures and styling choices (and willingness) is endless, even if they take 4 minutes to brush the hair.
The combination of choppy curtain bangs and pieces is my favorite feature of this look. The combination of all three creates such a relaxed style with the curtain bangs balancing everything together. I have seen plenty of clients in their late thirties, and I can promise you that it is not a magical haircut that makes the difference. It is the style that works with the hair instead of forcing it into something it does not want to be. Don’t take this the wrong way, but I do not mean that this is an all-inclusive style. Some cuts will suit you better than others depending on the amount of hair you have, how much of it you actually want to spend working with in the morning, and your willingness to do it. Let’s go over some styles.
#1: Layered Choppy Bob with That Easy Curtain Bang
This haircut is suggested for the ones just starting to experiment with shorter haircuts because the length is at the shoulders and the layering isn’t too extreme. The movement it provides is nice enough so it’s not just sitting there like a helmet. The curtain bangs are nice and don’t overpower the style; with fine to medium hair, they really naturally open up the face. What I really like with this haircut is that you can just air dry it and some texturizing spray and it’ll look done. Most of my clients want a purposeful look when they say they want something ‘effortless’.
#2 Soft Curtain Bangs on a Textured Choppy Bob
This style really lets the bangs shine, and the bangs do a great job here. They are soft enough to blend into the layering around the face to minimize that harsh cut look, which if you haven’t had bangs in a while, is best. The choppy layers throughout the bob give it a lot of character, and with medium density hair with a touch of natural wave this will work beautifully on you. If your color is feeling one-dimensional, I would suggest highlights. On a cut like this, highlights catch the light and create dimension that the cut alone won’t give you.
#3 Wispy Curtain Bangs on a Playful Textured Bob
I really like how wispy bangs make this hairstyle feel lighter instead of a full set of bangs. I also really like the shoulder length cut. A soft highlighted look should really balance it out nicely instead of feeling like it’s too much. I can see how this style would suit a rounder face as the wisps draw the eye down and the layers down the side elongate and round out the face more. The style will require regular trims every 6 weeks as the layers grow out and it can look a bit shaggy, but that’s part of the deal with having this sort of layering!
#4 That Effortless Soft Choppy Bob Look
The bangs that touch the cheeks are the best compliment to this chop, and the bob is done just right— it’s not overdone at all. The texture appears to be fine to medium, and the length is perfect for pulling half up if that’s desired. There’s enough movement at the ends so it doesn’t take on that blunt cut look, and this style is especially stunning on heart-shaped faces. The bangs that open at the forehead and the jaw framing length are just superb!
#5 Jaw-Length Textured Choppy Bob with Curtain Bangs
This style also has a slightly shorter and bolder hitting right around the jaw. This is where a choppy bob truly shines if you have medium to thick hair. There’s enough hair to create that tousled fullness without having to do a lot. The curtain bangs are fun and a little piece-y and I think they soften a strong cut otherwise. This is the type of bob I would do on someone who comes in ready to go for it and not just trim an inch and call it a day. The cut does demand a little bit of maintenance and what you could think of as styling. You’ll want to work a little texture, like sea salt spray, or a light mousse to keep that texture alive, to keep it alive.
#6 Softly Layered Bob with Curtain Bangs Just Above the Shoulders
For those who have thinner hair or are worried about going shorter, think about this. The added layers give your hair extra volume and movement that otherwise would not be there. The curtain bangs blend into the face-framing layers. Plus, the length above the shoulders is very forgiving. It is long enough to feel safe, but short enough that you will be able to notice a change. In terms of choppy bobs, this one is relatively low-maintenance; it only requires a trim every so often to keep the layers looking fresh.
#7 Wispy Curtain Bangs and a Medium-Length Textured Bob
I appreciate how the root color defines this particular style, shadowing at the top adds depth and makes the entire cut look more high-end which is favorable, since that is the goal right? Wispy bangs are great, they’re light, they don’t distract too much which is good if you don’t want to spend time blow drying them every day. The choppy layers add some dimension through the mids and sits at a really nice length for fine to medium hair. I think this is a perfect choice if you are looking for something modern but still friendly.
#8 Feathered Choppy Bob with Collarbone-Length Layers
Alright, the feathering here is especially nice. I don’t say that about every feathered cut because some can look a bit dated, but this is done right. It sits right above the collarbone so you still have some length to play with, and the soft curtain bangs finish it off without looking too “done.” Fine hair that hasn’t had a lot of volume or movement will really benefit from this layering technique because it balances weight removal and movement in the right spots. You will, however, need to have regular trims, feathered ends show their age much quicker than blunt ones.
#9 Soft Waves and Curtain Bangs on a Textured Bob
This style shows off the texture of your hair, and the waves will make the choppy layers at the front blend in perfectly. It falls just above the shoulders, and the curtain bangs are soft and blended, with nothing too heavy or too structured. If your hair does this on its own, then it’s lucky because this cut is basically self-styling. If you are straight haired and are drawn to this look, be aware that you would need to put some time in every morning, in order to get those soft bends with a curling iron – and that’s not terrible, but just something to think about.
#10 Face-Framing Curtain Bangs on a Textured Choppy Bob
These bangs are doing such a great curtain thing where they split and sweep off to either side and you almost don’t even see them as bangs because they look like the most stunning face framing layers you could ever have. The fine hair like this, the cut keeps it all feeling light and airy without going too short, and the subtle waves give just the right amount of body to keep it from looking flat. I think this cut has a really nice “I want to change something, but I don’t want people to think I’m having a breakdown” vibe, if that makes sense. It’s polished, but it’s not super loud about it.
#11 Subtle Curtain Bangs on a Softly Textured Choppy Bob
This cut features very soft and understated bangs that almost look like they blend into the other layers instead of sitting on top. Achieving this look is more difficult than you may think! Be sure to communicate this to your stylist. The angle of this cut just above the shoulders is flattering and the amount of layering is just right to create enough movement to keep thin or fine hair from looking like it’s just hanging there. For face-framers, I would suggest starting at cheekbone level and then going a bit longer towards the back. This will add shape to the cut. You won’t need to do much styling. Just some volumizing mousse at the roots when your hair is damp and you’re good to go!
#12 Choppy Textured Bob with Soft Curtain Fringe
The length and amount of bangs look great here. Nothing about them looks too extreme or too streamlined. I also appreciate that this type of styling works with a lot of different lengths and face shapes. The fact that the bottom layer is cut in choppy layers is a great way to create some effortless movement. For fine to medium textures, this is a great haircut if you’re going for that style where you just wake up, run your fingers through your hair and walk out the door.
#13 Layered Curtain Bangs on an Above-the-Shoulder Textured Bob
I particularly love the texture on this haircut! It is nice to see each layer cut so that movement is encouraged. Hair can be moved around and styled easily with waves and curls to achieve that ‘effortless look.’ The curtain bangs gently frame her face and the length which is just above the shoulders is um so practical. I love how versatile this style is — this can be worn straight, wavy, or even tousled! It is nice to see that each layer cut so that movement is encouraged. I think that’s the best part! This will suit frosted hair the best, the layers won’t get lost in too much thickness.
#14 Soft Curtain Bangs on a Playful Layered Bob
This looks super elegant and put together. Not too stiff, and business like, you could wear it to the office and go straight to dinner. The soft curtain bangs, and layered ends, choppiness and texture, to keep it interesting just right. The fine hair works really well with this style as the cut helps create more the illusion of volume. The length just slightly above the shoulders, is long enough so it has some swing as well. If you are coming from long hair and are apprehensive about moving short this length is a great starting point.
#15 Soft Volume Choppy Bob with Easy Curtain Bangs
I appreciate the volume here. It is not overdone, just enough to make the hair appear healthy and full. The curtain bangs fall in such an effortless way, you can tell they were cut nicely and aren’t doing anything funny. The length that sits above the shoulders is the sweet spot for mediums density hair because there is just enough weight to keep it from flipping out but not so much that it drags everything down. This cut will work beautifully with any natural wave, and if you don’t have any, a quick round-brush blow dry will give you this look.
#16 Airy Choppy Bob with Soft Curtain Bangs
I’m sure this feels nice with the fine hair and the layers are distributed to keep it from feeling too heavy. The bangs look nice and the subtle layers give the hair a quality of just looking like the hair does that naturally. It’s the type of cut I’d do on someone who says they have exactly seven minutes to do their hair in the morning and not a second more because really, once this is cut right, it doesn’t need much. Probably just some dry shampoo on day two to make it a bit more textured and that’s about it.
#17 Fringed Curtain Bangs on a Light Blonde Textured Bob
The blonde is stunning and the way her hair catches the light and shows off the color so nicely is amazing. If you are blonde or thinking about going blonde, this haircut is going to suit you best. This is especially the case with light hair because hair this light, as well as, a haircut that shows all your layers means you will need to keep up on your hair appointments for color and trims. Fringed bangs tend to be more noticeable than wispy bangs and they do a great job of framing the face without making it look like you have blunt bangs.
#18 Gentle Curtain Bangs on a Softly Layered Choppy Bob
This is simple and soft, which is sometimes all you need. The gentle curtain bangs add just a touch of softness to the forehead, and the layered ends look choppy but not too choppy. It’s just enough. The subtle wave gives a little texture. This look creates volume in fine hair, and that’s the trick of this cut. If you have an oval face, this length and bangs will be great together. Everything just falls into place. I think this is great for someone wanting a change but less morning maintenance.
#19 Textured Bob with Soft Layers Around the Jaw
Oh this I like! The color is stunning and those highlights are doing exactly what highlights should do on a layered cut. The highlights are catching light and creating depth where the layers move. It’s sitting around the jaws with soft face-framing layers and some waves that could be natural or could be a few minutes with a flat iron doing some quick bends, either way, it looks great. This is one of those cuts that’s going to look good on medium to thick hair because there’s enough density to really show off the texture and the layers without the whole thing going flat. The warm brown with those lighter pieces running through it is a really flattering combination for a lot of skin tones.
#20 Choppy Textured Bob with Soft Bangs and Natural Movement
Natural waves in your hair will do most of the work for you, and the way this cut falls allows it to do just that. The choppy layers encourage additional movement and the curtain bang catchers are cohesive with the rest of the style. Overall, she just looks like one whole piece instead of bangs and a haircut if you know what I mean. It’s above the shoulders with just the right amount of length, so you’ve still got styling options. If your hair is naturally thick, and even more so if it has a natural wave or curl, this cut will absolutely harness that into an effortless cool look. If your hair is straight though, you will be battling this look every morning, so I would probably suggest something else.
#21 Silver Textured Bob with Curtain Bangs
This silver bob is amazing! The cut is so strong that the color not having to do all the talking is actually a benefit. The bold length hitting just above the jaw is balanced out by the bangs which soften everything and add an approachable look so it is not too severe. I adore the texture as well, and the fine hair plays perfectly in conjunction with the volume providing and in the most needed areas. Honestly, silver hair this clean takes a lot of commitment. Think constant purple shampoo, touch-up roots every few weeks, and regular appointments to keep it from brassy. If you’re willing to do all that, the end result is stunning and totally worth it!
#22 Softly Layered Choppy Bob with Highlights
This style is super simple to wear on a daily basis, and it gives off that impression of being more put together although no one can quite place why that’s the case. The soft layers which hit the shoulders add a nice touch; if those were sharp layers, it would look a lot worse, and the subtle highlights just allow the fine hair to catch the light and not look completely flat, which is a real concern at this length. When the color is one solid tone, it can look really bad. This style is great when you want to look like you put more effort than you actually did into the hairstyle. The gentle layers prevent bulky ends which is something I always look out for on round face shapes because you don’t want all the weight sitting at the jawline.
#23 Tousled Choppy Bob with Soft Curtain Bangs and Easy Waves
The best part about this is the “I didn’t try that hard” look, and that tousled texture is what makes it! The soft curtain bangs are layered with the rest, and the gentle, imperfect wave pattern gives it a stream relaxed energy. It works best with fine to medium hair because the density is light enough that the hair can move with the layers rather than needing to be thinned out. The most important part of a look like this one is finding a stylist that knows how to keep that “messy” look structured — the choppiness has to be intentional, even if the goal is to make it look as though a lot of time wasn’t spent on it. With some waving spray, and a scrunch to your damp hair, you’re basically done!
#24 Warm-Toned Choppy Brown Bob with Curtain Bangs
The warmth of this color looks good with the choppy layers and gives the cut added depth that a cooler shade wouldn’t do. The soft framing and shoulder length bangs are practical and not boring. What I think I like the most is how it looks like real hair on a real person; it’s not over processed and doesn’t look over styled. It’s a nice cut bob with bangs sitting perfectly. If your hair is fine to medium and your skin has warm undertones, this combo will look very natural.
#25 Soft Fringe Layers on a Textured Choppy Bob
The fringe layers just feel good and are also perfectly placed around the eyes and cheekbones, helping bring focus to the middle of the face. The bob has excellent texture and just the right amount of choppiness to keep it modern without crossing the line into too edgy. Fine hair looks great with this type of layering as it creates an appearance of thickness and movement. Also, the length in this style that is just above the shoulders means you don’t lose a lot of length if you are coming from something longer. Just stay on top of your trims for this, as fine hair looks thin at the ends once the layers begin to grow out and the shape is lost very quickly.
#26 Warm Choppy Bob with Curtain Bangs and Subtle Layers
There is a great deal of warmth in this style. The curtain bangs are cut so that they are easy to grow out, which is a great consideration before getting a commitment. The subtle choppy layers enhance the texture of the hair just enough to avoid looking overly piece-y. From what I’ve seen, length just above the shoulders with a slight wave is universally flattering. This style works very well with fine to medium hair, regardless of how much natural movement it has. For the first week or two, training the bangs will be needed, but they also should start to fall where you want them after a little while.
#27 Chin-Length Textured Bob with Soft Curtain Bangs
Most of what we have seen is longer. This is chin length and it does take some confidence to pull this off but when it works, it works. The texturised layered cut with curtain fringe leaves this not looking blunt. The overall length adds some contrast, but the bangs will help soften it. Also, this chin length cut is great for those with more defined angular jaw lines, as this cut will soften everything. This is a good balance to maintain, and it is well done here. This style works best with fine to medium thickness hair as the layers need to move and breathe. If there is too much thickness, it can start to pouf out at the sides which is not the look we’re going for. This will need a bit of styling in the mornings with a round brush for a couple of minutes, and for a cut this good, that is a fair trade.
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