Curtain bangs on medium length hair are a rarity but one that I greatly appreciate. A lot of clients that I have do picture the bangs and soft framing that they do, and more often than not, it works out. I also find it fascinating how this particular cut has a different effect depending on the hair texture. I find that my client with the slight natural bend to her hair, and my other client with straight hair will most likely have different outcomes. Both ends of the spectrum can be very impressive and styling and effort required can differ tremendously; this is something I appreciate potential clients being honest about.I actually appreciate bangs more when they are added to medium length hair as it helps the hair look more intentional.
Not long ago I worked on a client who had been growing out a blunt bob for what felt like forever, and as she walked in she entered one of those overly awkward periods where nothing felt like it was intentional. The medium hair instantly gave everything shape and purpose again. It looked intentional as if she had planned the bangs all along. It’s important for hair not to feel like it is all one length and with curtain bangs added it helps achieve that.
#1: Soft Textured Layers with a Clean Curtain Bang
It’s also easy to see how the bangs hit at the right spot to open up the face without looking too heavy, and the layers through the mid-lengths give just enough movement to keep things interesting. If your hair tends to lay flat, this subtle texture is what makes the difference between looking styled and like you didn’t do anything at all. It’s a cut that ages well between appointments, and that’s something I notice more than most people.
#2 Medium Waves with Face-Framing Curtain Bangs
The hair likely requires some sort of curling device for the bangs to poof out for volume. The bangs look good and provide a direction for placing emphasis around the cheek bone area and even pull focus away from the forehead. The long hair in the back also provide balance to the overall look. I would say it isn’t high maintenance but it does require some form of styling on the hair with a round brush and if that’s you then this is a look you’ll appreciate.
#3 Bouncy Layered Cut with Curtain Bangs
The layering is what makes this cut work. There is enough internal texture so the hair moves with her. The curtain bangs blend into the rest of the cut instead of being a separate element tacked on. The mid-length highlights are nice to because they give the layers something to light up. It looks best with volume at the roots. If your hair tends to go limp by noon, a little root spray will be your friend.
#4 Warm Brunette Curtain Bangs with Gentle Movement
The full appearance shows a nice softness that gets missed out when looking at just the cut. The warm, chocolatey color makes the waves look soft and inviting, rather than complicated and overdone. If you are already sitting around the same color family and have been thinking of bangs, this is a good realistic reference photo to bring. The final movement is subtle so it shouldn’t require too much tweaking, just a diffuser or some air-drying along with the right styling cream and you should be all set!
#5 Shoulder-Length Layers with Textured Curtain Bangs
Bang styling and layering work to create a seamless look instead of separating the two. I appreciate this particular balayage because it adds warmth to the look, but isn’t overbearingly obvious. Good grow out color work is also appreciated, as it seems to be a rarity. This is a great cut for someone looking to do something new without a big explanation. It appears that there is a high level of effort, but not so much effort that it looks sloppy. This is actually a hard balance to strike.
#6 Chestnut to Caramel Ombre with Curtain Bangs
The color change is most definitely the highlight. The shift from deeper chestnut tones at the roots to lighter caramel tones at the ends gives the cut depth that a single process color just can’t achieve. The curtain bangs keep the look from feeling too beachy or too casual and give the whole cut nice structure around the face. Because of the ombré, your roots will coming through look intentional, and this is one of the more low maintenance looks in this group. If you go three to four months between salon appointments, this color strategy works best.
#7 Natural Waves with Textured Curtain Fringe
This is the haircut I recommend to clients wanting curtain bangs but not wanting to think too much about it. The bangs are soft enough to look good without styling, and this length of wave adds to the undone look which is appropriate for most everyday situations. It’s not no effort at all, but it’s close. The shine on the hair shows it’s in good condition, which makes any haircut look a lot better than if the hair is damaged.
#8 Sleek Layered Curtain Bangs on Medium Hair
I appreciate the minimal layering. Considering the curtain bangs people usually get, it can look a bit shaggy which is usually not what you want. This cut is more precise but still keeps enough movement to feel fresh. This is what you’d get at the salon and with a natural shine to your hair, which is nice if you have medium density hair. It’s an honest haircut and while not particularly exciting, sometimes that’s exactly what you want.
#9 Playful Volume with Textured Curtain Bangs
This cut’s lightness probably comes from the layers the most. The curtain bangs blend well into the lengths and the texture along the waves gives it playfulness avoiding the messy look. The placement of layers creates an illusion of more hair than there actually is, which is great cutting. The subtle layers keep the weight well distributed so nothing falls flat.
#10 Copper Curtain Bangs with Airy Medium Layers
Working with metallic colors is not the easiest thing to keep up with, but it is warm, beautiful, and dimensional. Paired with a light, feathery bang that frames the face, it’s going to take some regular appointments for toning and color DEPOSITING shampoo to keep it from washing out. The cut is easy to maintain and style. Your commitment will be to the color with this one, so be prepared.
#11 Soft Curtain Bangs with Easy Medium Layers
When getting this cut, the hair will seem to fall into place naturally- a testament to the skill of the barber. There is also a gentle sweep of the bangs, which helps soften the face. This is the perfect option if you want a more low maintenance, yet, casual style that will be great when people actually look at it, but won’t be super noticeable. What makes this cut so great is that it doesn’t have to be dramatic, and there is no need for every hair cut to be super dramatic.
#12 Feathered Layers with Full Curtain Bangs
In this cut, I really like the feathering because it creates movement. This is particularly true for thicker hair, where a triangle effect would occur at this length. The curtain bangs also beautifully frame the face and don’t create any crowding. The highlights seem to be placed well to enhance the texture of the layers and go with the cut perfectly. This is a style that is going to require some upkeep. If you let the ends grow out unevenly, it’ll distract from the whole style. So, with this cut, you are going to need to come back every 6 to 8 weeks, and don’t push it.
#13 Wavy Curtain Bangs with Layered Medium Texture
The wave pattern fits perfectly with the curtain bangs, really bringing the whole look together so that nothing looks like an after thought. I can see the face framing/front layering cuts are more focused which is a technique I use for clients who are looking for layered looks without losing a lot of length or thickness in the back. This is the ideal compromise cut for those who have been unsure about getting layers.
#14 Face-Framing Curtain Bangs with Dimensional Layers
The highlights in this haircut really add a lot of liveliness to it. The cut would still be nice with out highlights, but color is very important to add dimension to your layers. The highlights allow the layers to pop in a way that plain color will not. The curtain bangs are soft, well blended, and frame the face beautifully. They shouldn’t need any adjustments. If you find yourself running your fingers through your hair a lot, this won’t fall apart.
#15 Auburn Curtain Bangs on Flowy Medium Lengths
Auburn pairs better with different skin tones and hair colors than many people guess. This hue has enough depth for it to not go into cheap costume territory, and the feathered bangs keep it soft and approachable. There is good flow in the layers without looking overly done. This is a good choice if you want to play with the red shades of color without going full redhead. Just remember that red shades will fade faster than brown and blonde so plan accordingly.
#16 Lively Medium Waves with Highlighted Curtain Bangs
I appreciate the highlights you added. It’s concentrated enough to add dimension to the waves without it looking like all highlights. The bangs also have some of that lighter color, which helps them blend in with the rest of the hair instead of just sitting there looking separate. For this result, most of the way there, a texturizing spray and some scrunching would achieve this after the cut is done if your hair has any natural wave at all.
#17 Ash Blonde Layers with Soft Curtain Bangs
An ash blonde hairstyle can either look gorgeous or hideous depending on how it’s done, and in this case we have an example of how to do it well. The tone is a nice cool blonde without looking gray, and the layered curtain bangs soften the look so that it’s not too edgy or severe. A lot of people don’t realize how much of a commitment the maintenance on this look is. You have to be dedicated to it with toning appointments and a good purple shampoo. The color maintenance aside, the cut is easy and flattering, so it is a great look if you are ready for the upkeep.
#18 Natural Body with Soft Curtain Bangs and Layers
The balayage on this style looks like it will age nicely instead of looking like it just grew out, which I appreciate. The way it’s styled adds body to the hair even if it’s not styled. The bangs look nice when just styled and they look great with that day three hair. I have to say that the layering adds a lot of volume to the crown, which tends to be the flattest part on medium length hair. Good layering placement takes care of that.
#19 Textured Waves with Dimensional Curtain Bangs
What a fun cut! The waves show great movement and the curtain bangs are polished, framing the face nicely. The highlights running through the waves are so apropos, almost sun-kissed but more natural. The hair is great inspiration for anyone looking for that ‘lived in’ effortless look!
#20 Cool-Toned Waves with Modern Curtain Bangs
These cool-toned highlights add nice contrast to the hair without clashing with the natural base color. The curtain bangs are also ear length which is nice considering they can be tucked behind the ears on days where you don’t want to deal with them. I think that’s a really nice detail to consider when picking a length for your bangs. The soft waves can be styled pretty easily. If your hair is straight, this is one of those cuts where you would just need one quick pass with a straightener to flip the ends.
#21 Feathered Curtain Bangs with Soft Highlighted Layers
The feathered look is amazing for those who think bangs would be too heavy or blunt on their face. The highlights are very well blended into the base which creates the illusion that the hair is naturally assorted. This is the kind of haircut I suggest for people who are apprehensive about getting bangs because it is really gentle and easy to grow out if you aren’t a fan of it.
#22 Fluffy Layered Cut with Medium Curtain Bangs
There is a lot I like about this haircut. The layers create a lot of movement and lift in the cut, and the curtain bangs aren’t too heavy. The bangs fall naturally and won’t be in your face every five minutes. The soft highlights photograph really nicely, and also look great in indoor lighting, which I think about more than most people. This cut is going to need to be trimmed regularly because the fluffy layers will lose their shape quickly.
#23 Airy Medium Layers with Soft Curtain Framing
The skills and know-how of a professional haircut are apparent here. The haircut is meant to create movement and flow while keeping some bulk and the curtain bangs are at the ideal position for adjustment to frame the face. Her highlights are warm and positioned in a flattering way. It’s a good haircut that needs no restyling from day to night which I know is a huge factor for a lot of my clients versus the current trends.
#24 Textured Curtain Bangs on Polished Medium Layers
If you’re looking for curtain bangs that are a little more polished, this has a more finished look than most. The highlights are done in a more sophisticated manner, the texture is more controlled, and the bangs blend in with the face framing layers. If you want something with personality, but your workplace is one where you can’t have messy hair, this is a good compromise. You may need a bit of a volumizing mousse to keep the shape throughout the day, especially if your hair is fine.
#25 Classic Curtain Bangs on Sleek Medium Lengths
Everything about this is polished and classic. The face framing bangs are styled perfectly, and the straight look with a little movement at the ends is just modern enough to not be dated. I’m calling this the most versatile example of curtain bangs in the entire collection because it works with straight, lightly wavy, and even blown out smooth hair. It’s not trying to be anything, and it’s not flashy. But I find that in this case, the most simple version really is the best.
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.