When I get asked about curtain bangs for the first time, I usually want to know what they are really tired about, not what they think they would want to look like, but what has really been frustrating about their hair. Most of the time, I get some variation of, “I feel like my face just sits there.” That is exactly what curtain bangs do. They take focus away from other features and give the face something to engage with. It adds a bit of softness and movement around the temples when you move. Every person’s hair tells a story and with curtain bangs that hair story will not stop saying “unfinished”.
A few years back, I had a client in her mid thirties. She had the same long blunt cut that she got in college. It was gorgeous, but she looked like she was wearing it, not living in it. During what was supposed to be just a basic trim, we decided to cut curtain bangs. She was not being dramatic and did not tear up because of the drastic change, but because for once in a long time her hair finally looked like it belonged to the person she had become. This cut is about making small shifts rather than big changes to create a whole new look. There are twenty-five different ways to style curtain bangs and I promise some of them will be the fresh new look you’ve been searching for.
#1: Long Curtain Bangs with Soft Layers That Actually Move
This hairstyle showcases a great use of balance. If you want your bangs to be a bit more out of the way, they are the right length to slide behind the ear. If left down, however, they present a stunning frame that draws all focus to the wearer’s eyes. The hair length is just below the shoulders and the layers are subtle. The layers are placed strategically so the ends don’t look flat. If your hair is medium density and fairly straight, you will look very similar to the model with almost no work. A round brush and blow dryer is all it takes to achieve this look in mere minutes.
#2 Layered Curtain Bangs with That Undone Wave
This hairstyle definitely gives off the vibe that the individual has hair that came as a God-given gift. The bangs are layered so it helps them blend in with the other lengths. The soft waves in the mid-lengths add some energy to the style. The Balayage is also doing a great job. The brightness is the ideal amount as it catches the light, but doesn’t come off as trying too hard. If your hair is on the finer side, volume mousse is recommended prior to blow-dry. The waves loook the best when there is body to support it
#3 Shoulder-Length Curtain Bangs with Texture Running Through
I like how the bangs aren’t the only focus here. The rest of the hair has good texture and movement. I love how the bangs finish everything off. Thank you for the balayage, for most lights your hair color looks natural and your color is more subdued, it balances nicely with everything. With this layered shape, shoulder length really is the best because it is long enough for the ends to feel weighty, but still short enough to have volume around the crown without any sort of effort.
#4 That Tousled Bob with Curtain Bangs
I had a very fun time with this bob! It does not take itself too seriously and has end tousle and curtain bangs to keep things even more relaxed. I’d suggest this to anyone thinking about going shorter but not wanting to go above the chin. The texture looks the best when worn on day two and day three and the bangs do soften the shape more than blunt bobs do without bangs.
#5 Voluminous Layers with That Sun-Kissed Lift
This haircut looks great in pictures, and it’s also great in real life especially when you see it in a store window! The layers are done generously and are cut to promote the natural wave, so if you have any texture to your hair, it will respond beautifully to this shape. The highlights will make you look like you just came back from a sunny vacation, and that will never get old. But if you have really straight hair, I’m going to be honest, you will need a curling iron and a few extra minutes to get this look.
#6 Gently Framed Curtain Bangs with Warm Highlights
I like the entire look. The bangs are more delicate and lightweight, while they still have some substance to them. The cut is great for fine hair because the layers create the illusion of more hair, without falling into the trapeze effect that many layered cuts have. The warm highlights are strategically placed where the light would hit, and give the overall look an effortless warmth.
#7 Wavy Bob with Curtain Bangs and a Little Attitude
It is good to see some personality here beyond the softer approaches. The tousled look is not messy and suits the bob nicely in an edgier way. The front retains the femininity of the style with the curtain bangs. For fine to medium hair this is a very forgiving cut because the texture conceals so much. If you add a little light mousse and scrunch it while it’s damp, you’re almost there. It will need to be refreshed every few days to maintain the shape, but it still looks good even when it relaxes.
#8 Long Layers with Curtain Bangs That Blend Right In
What makes this style so great is the seamless blending of the bangs with the length. There’s no blunt line of demarcation where the bangs end and the layers start — it just merges together. I would do this cut for someone wanting to try bangs without feeling like they’ve made a huge commitment. From some views you can’t even see them and from the front they can really change the contour of your face. For this look it’s best to have medium density straight hair and it’s honestly one of the least effort styles on this list.
#9 Dark Waves with Long Curtain Bangs
We can see the dark base color here doing the work. There’s a depth to the color that elevates the whole look and even though the waves are loose and a bit messy. The curtain bangs give that layered effect and front that softens everything up without hiding you behind the hair. With a natural wave like that, you shouldn’t have to do much other than air drying and maybe finger comb to direct the bangs. If in the future you plan to do some soft highlights, they would beautiful with the base color.
#10 Layered Curtain Bangs with Soft, Warm Volume
Many people might be hesitant to try curtain bangs, but this one is gorgeous and looks stunning without too much effort. The warm highlights give the hair some life and the layers give some movement. Even on a lazy day, this cut won’t make your hair look flat. If you like to air dry your hair, this cut will fit right in with your routine. Just do a quick round brush touch up to the front and you’re good to go. The bangs will need some more styling, but don’t worry, it won’t take you twenty minutes to do this.
#11 Medium-Length Curtain Bangs with a Natural Shine
I appreciate the healthiness of the hair, as well as the shine, which really boosts the overall look. The curtain bangs have a nice amount of volume and sit really well. A lot of people want their hair to look good with as little effort as possible. The waves are great, and paired with the soft, gentle wavy layers, the hair won’t look overly styled. These layers are conservative enough so you won’t feel like a lot of length has been cut off. If bangs are something you’ve been thinking about, this haircut is a great starter to see how you feel about going shorter or having a more definite cut.
#12 Auburn Curtain Bangs with Effortless Movement
This shade is lovely! Rich auburn makes the cut so much more interesting because the light catches the strands at different angles. The curtain bangs act as a warm frame that shifts. The layers are so subtle that you don’t lose any length, but are strategic enough that the hair moves instead of just hanging there. If your natural color is warm brown, this kind of auburn will appear as a natural shift so it won’t look jarring when it grows out. The color will be bright, and the maintenance is needed, but the cut is low maintenance!
#13 Copper Curtain Bangs with Beachy Texture
I love this copper color! The warmth of the copper paired with the loose beachy waves creates a modern, romantic aesthetic. Curtain bangs are super playful and can come off as youthful, but these don’t tip over to that side. I will say, very bright coppers require serious maintenance. If you want to rock it, you’ll need color depositing shampoos and frequent visits to your colorist. But if you can commit to that, it’s so worth it!
#14 Curly Curtain Bangs with Rich Warm Layers
I love the look of curly curtain bangs and hope more people try them. The bangs and curl patterns together with straight hair or a different type of wave just wouldn’t achieve the same look. It all really adds up to a unique haircut. The rest of the layers are made to seamlessly go with the curls and not fight the pattern which is really important. This style is definitely for people who know what they are doing with curl patterns. It has a lot of shrinkage, which can take a good idea and turn it into a total disaster. However, when it’s done right, like in the picture, it’s stunning.
#15 Blunt Bob with Curtain Bangs
The combination of blunt cuts and soft curtain bangs is amazing! A blunt cut bob has a perimeter that is clean and intentional, while the bangs add softness to the entire look. I believe there’s a polished look to the style, and it doesn’t appear to be super time consuming. This style is particularly great for fine hair because it maintains fullness at the ends while avoiding excessive layer. To keep the bangs short you would have to trim them every couple of weeks, but the bob is low maintenance as it grows out.
#16 Rich Brown Layers with Curtain Bangs and Depth
The way the color comes across is, unfortunately, the most easy to identify. A nice deep brown accentuated with highlights that seem to mimic natural variation, as opposed to something that was painted on. Couple that with some layered curtain bangs, and you get a look with a dimensional quality that you don’t always get with darker hair. The cut is a classic long layer with easily blending bangs. This is the type of look people will compliment your hair and cannot place what you did, which is actually my favorite response.
#17 Textured Chin-Length Bob with Curtain Bangs
Each time someone says yes to such a big chop, I get a little excited. It’s always nice to see the potential a new style has. The texture on this bob adds fullness and movement. You definitely don’t always get that with a smoother finish. The curtain bangs are the perfect softening touch in the front. The natural color here is beautiful and allows the cut to be the focal point, which I think is right. If you are the type that enjoys a wash-and-wear style, where you just scrunch in a bit of product and walk out the door, this is perfect for you.
#18 Long Curtain Bangs with Dimension and Body
I enjoy the layering in this haircut because it keeps the ends thick while the bangs and facial framing pieces stay light and mobile. The highlights are done perfectly and add just enough variation to keep the eye moving without looking stripy or overdone. If you have naturally wavy hair, this haircut is one of those rare occasions where your hair basically styles itself. The bangs may require a little extra from you with a brush during drying, but aside from that, your natural texture is a benefit rather than something to work against.
#19 Medium-Length Curtain Bangs with Gentle Movement
This look is clean and easily adjustable, plus it will suit a large demographic of women who will be in my chair. The layers are soft enough that none of the sense of weight or substance is lost, but they are there and are creating soft movement through the ends that stops the cut from looking stale. Those with naturally wavy hair will love how this look dries. It’s true that for straighter hair, this exact effect can be achieved with a few passes of a large-barrel iron. This is a look that is going to be good from the moment you leave the salon to the moment of your next appointment.
#20 Textured Curtain Bangs with Natural Wave and Body
It is built well for thicker hair. It won’t poof out, and the wave will be maintained. The bangs go with the shape. The hair has a beautiful hold with the wave. However, the waves are defined. The thick hair works with the waves even unless some poof is warranted. The cut works nicely across a lot of hair types. The texturing can be worked in for a similar effect. It is good for fine hair, and the texturing spray works well.
#21 Auburn Curtain Bangs with a Playful Bounce
The warm and rich tint gives the whole look an extra edge. The curtain bangs are given a soft texture and a layered look that is very pleasing for that gentle bounce around shoulder level. For finer hair, this style creates the illusion of fullness. Coupled with the hair color, the different tones help add to the look of density. With such a lovely auburn, a color safe shampoo will be required.
#22 Long Layered Curtain Bangs with Effortless Flow
This haircut looks super expensive, maybe even designer. The layers blend together so well, it’s hard to tell where one layer starts and finishes. The curtain bangs share this seamless quality, and because of that, they don’t create any harsh lines in the front. If your hair is on the thicker side, this cut will help you get that relaxed volume that some people desire. Of course the most significant part of this cut is the movement. When you turn your head, the hair moves and swings around, reflecting light in so many different ways.
#23 Textured Bob with Curtain Bangs and Natural Movement
I think this bob variation is different from the others because of the sophisticated look the texture gives. The bump is soft and the waves sit nicely with the bangs. The overall shape is balanced and intentional without being stiff. For someone with medium density hair who has been thinking of going shorter this is a definite winner. It is the most flattering choice and so effortless for you. Even as you grow it out it will look fab, which is always a concern for me when I cut a bob.
#24 Long Curtain Bangs with Airy Layers
I especially like how light the cut feels. The layers help the hair move freely instead of creating shape. The bangs have a nice lightness to them that keeps them from being heavy on the forehead. It has just the right amount of wave so that it doesn’t require a ton of styling. If you want a little more shine, a gloss treatment will take it from beautiful to absolutely luminous, and it’s one of those small investments that really makes a difference in how your hair reflects light.
#25 Long Curtain Bangs with Soft Waves and Movement
My last recommendation is a lovely place to end because this is the type of cut I find myself suggesting time and time again. Long curtain bangs with soft waves. You’ll have enough length to feel like you still have some hair, along with enough shaping to keep it from being a long blunt cut hanging there. If your hair is naturally thick and wavy, this will be the easiest thing you’ve ever done because the cut works with your hair. With finer textures, a little balayage like you see here would help create the fullness and dimension that thicker hair gets for free.
Enter your email and get this picture and description straight to your inbox, and you'll also get new hair ideas ❤️
🔒 We don't spam or sell emails. See our Privacy Policy.