Are Curtain Bangs Right for Me? How to Know Before You Cut

Curtain bangs are right for you if your hair falls fairly straight at the front hairline, you're fine spending three to five minutes on them most mornings, and you like hair touching your face. They're the most forgiving bangs there are: they part in the middle, sweep to the sides, and blend into face-framing layers within a couple of months if you change your mind.

They aren't for everyone, though. A strong cowlick, a very oily forehead or tight curls you never want to blow-dry can all turn them into a daily fight. Here's how to check each of those before you sit in the chair.

What curtain bangs actually are

Curtain bangs are longer bangs split in the center and swept to each side, like a pair of curtains opening. The shortest point usually sits somewhere between the bridge of your nose and the top of your cheekbones, and the length gets longer toward the sides so the bangs flow into the rest of your hair.

That shape is why they're so popular. They frame the eyes and cheekbones instead of covering the forehead completely, and they work with long hair, a bob, or long layers. If you're curious how they fit your face shape specifically, the face shape haircut guide goes through each shape.

Check your hairline and cowlicks first

This is the test most people skip. Wet your hair, comb everything at the front straight forward, and let it dry without touching it. If the front stays fairly flat and falls forward, you're in good shape. If one section flips straight up or swirls to one side, you have a cowlick at the front hairline.

A mild cowlick is manageable. Curtain bangs part in the middle anyway, so a stylist can often use the cowlick's direction. A strong one right in the center usually means bangs that split open or stick up by noon. In that case, ask for longer curtain bangs that start at the cheekbones. The extra weight helps them lie flat.

Do curtain bangs work on fine, thick or curly hair?

Each texture can wear them, but the cut and the routine change.

• Fine or thin hair: keep the section narrow so you don't take too much hair from the front. Fine hair gets greasy faster near the forehead, so dry shampoo becomes a daily habit.
• Thick hair: you'll get lots of volume, sometimes too much. Ask your stylist to texturize the ends so the bangs don't sit like a helmet.
• Wavy hair: often the easiest type. A little bend makes the swoop happen on its own.
• Curly hair: curly curtain bangs look great but should be cut dry and curl by curl, and left longer than you think since curls shrink when they dry.

How much daily styling do they need?

Plan on about three to five minutes. The quickest routine: wet just the bangs in the sink, blow-dry them with a small round brush rolling under and away from your face, then flip each side outward. A large velcro roller on top for five minutes while you do your makeup gives the same lift without heat.

On second-day hair you can usually refresh only the bangs. If you work out daily or live somewhere humid, factor that in. Bangs collect sweat and frizz first, and a rainy commute can undo your styling before 9 a.m. That's not a reason to skip them, just something to be honest about.

Glasses wearers, one more check: frames sit right where curtain bangs fall. If your bangs end at the cheekbones, they'll rest on or behind the frames and get pushed into odd angles. Ending them just above the top of your frames, or long enough to tuck behind the arms of your glasses, avoids that. Try your glasses on during the cut so your stylist can see where they sit.

How to ask your stylist for curtain bangs

Say exactly where you want the shortest point: nose bridge, under the eyes, or cheekbones. Then ask for them to be cut dry or checked dry after cutting, because wet hair stretches and bangs always end up shorter than planned. Bring a photo of curtain bangs on someone with your hair texture, not just any photo you like.

Start longer than your inspiration picture. You can always trim another half inch next week. Most salons offer free or cheap bang trims between appointments, and you'll want one every four to six weeks to keep the shape.

What if I hate them? Growing out curtain bangs

This is where curtain bangs win over blunt bangs. Hair grows about half an inch a month, so bangs cut at the nose bridge reach the cheekbones in roughly a month and the jaw in two to three. Along the way they turn into face-framing layers, which most people end up liking. If you go that route, our long layered haircut guide explains how to blend them in.

Until then, pin them back with a small clip, tuck them behind your ears, or sweep both sides into a low ponytail.

Test them before you cut

There are two easy ways to preview them. The old trick: flip your hair forward into a high ponytail at the front of your head, fold the ends back toward your face, and pin them so they fall like bangs. It's rough, but it shows you hair on your forehead.

The more accurate way is a photo try-on. Put your selfie through the Curtain Bangs style in Lody and look at it next to your current hair. If you keep coming back to the bangs version, that's your answer.

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