How to Style Curtain Bangs in 6 Easy Steps

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Curtain bangs are one of the most flattering cuts you can get at any age. They open up the face, soften fine lines around the eyes and forehead, and grow out gracefully. The catch is that they need a few minutes of styling to fall into that soft, swooping shape.

The short answer: dry them forward first, then use a round brush to sweep each side up and away from your face. Vogue and ghd both start with that same forward blow-dry. Here is how to style curtain bangs in 6 easy steps, plus curtain bang ideas on silver, gray and every hair type.

The Quick Answer

DRY

Forward First

Blow-dry the bangs straight forward while damp so they lose any cowlick, then split them down the middle.

BRUSH

Up and Away

Use a medium a round blowout brush to lift each side and roll it away from your face.

SET

Roller or Flat Iron

A velcro roller for 10 minutes, or a quick bend with a pencil flat iron, locks in the swoop.

REFRESH

Day Two

Spray dry shampoo at the roots of the bangs and re-brush with a little heat.

What You’ll Need

A round blowout brush a medium barrel for the classic swoop
A heat protectant spray before any heat
A volumizing foam for soft hold and body
Self-grip rollers to set the shape while you do your makeup
A pencil flat iron for a quick bend on short bangs
A hot air brush an easy one-tool option
Dry shampoo to keep bangs fresh
Creaseless clips to pin bangs back without dents

Step 1: Get the Right Curtain Bang Cut

Before and after of long dark hair cut into face-framing curtain bangs with soft highlights — 📷: @g_deodato

Styling only works if the cut is right. Curtain bangs should be longest at the sides, hitting around the cheekbones, and shortest in the middle, so they part naturally. This before and after shows how a few face-framing pieces and soft color change the whole look.

Ask your stylist for: Long curtain bangs that start around the brows in the center and blend into cheekbone-length pieces.

Fine or thinning hair: Vogue suggests soft, wispy bangs rather than thick, heavy ones.

Tools you need: a round blowout brush, a volumizing foam, a heat protectant spray

Step 2: Prep Damp Hair With Heat Protectant and Mousse

Before and after of long brunette hair with new curtain bangs and layers — 📷: @marisacuts

Start with damp, not soaking wet, bangs. Mist with a heat protectant spray and work a small amount of a volumizing foam through the roots. ghd recommends always starting with heat protection, because bangs get styled almost every day.

How much: A walnut-size amount of mousse is plenty; too much makes bangs stiff.

Tip: If your bangs have dried in a weird shape, wet them again; they need to be damp to reset.

Tools you need: a heat protectant spray, a volumizing foam, sectioning clips

Step 3: Blow-Dry Forward, Then Split the Middle

Before and after of a woman with long blonde hair getting soft curtain bangs — 📷: @tulsablonde_

Section the bangs off and clip the rest of your hair back. Blow-dry the bangs straight forward, moving the dryer side to side, until they are about 80 percent dry. This kills any cowlick. Then split them down the middle. Vogue calls this forward blow-dry the step most people skip.

Section: Use a triangle section from the top of the head to the outer corners of your brows, as ghd suggests.

Tool: Clip the rest away with sectioning clips.

Tools you need: sectioning clips, an ionic hair dryer, a heat protectant spray

Step 4: Brush the Bangs Up and Away From Your Face

Woman styling long brunette hair and curtain bangs with a hot brush — 📷: @rashan.mh

Now take one side at a time with a medium a round blowout brush. Place the brush under the bangs, lift up, and roll it away from your face while you aim the dryer down. Repeat on the other side. A a hot air brush does both jobs at once, like the hot brush in this photo.

Direction: Always roll away from your face so the bangs open in the middle.

Avoid this: Do not roll toward your face, or the bangs will close up and cover your eyes.

Tools you need: a round blowout brush, a hot air brush, a heat protectant spray

Step 5: Set the Shape With a Roller or Flat Iron

Stylist lifting soft brunette curtain bangs to show the shape — 📷: @burak.altun01

Set the shape so it lasts. Roll each side of the bangs onto a velcro roller while still warm and leave it about 10 minutes, as Vogue India recommends. If your bangs are short, a quick bend away from the face with a pencil flat iron works too.

Hold: A tiny bit of a volume and texture spray after the roller comes out keeps the swoop soft.

Shape check: Lift the bangs with your fingers like this stylist to see the shape before you finish.

Tools you need: self-grip rollers, a pencil flat iron, a volume and texture spray

Step 6: Finish, Refresh and Keep Them Trimmed

Woman with blonde curtain bangs taking a mirror photo — 📷: @brianabappert

Bangs get oily first, because they touch your forehead. On day two, spray dry shampoo at the roots and re-brush with a little heat. Keep them trimmed every three to four weeks. Vogue India advises against DIY trims, since it is easy to cut too much; most salons offer quick fringe trims.

Workout tip: Pin bangs back with creaseless clips so they don’t get a dent.

Night tip: Sleep on a mulberry silk pillowcase to reduce frizz and bedhead.

Tools you need: dry shampoo, creaseless clips, a mulberry silk pillowcase

Curtain Bang Ideas to Show Your Stylist

Here are bangs on real women, starting with silver and gray hair. Save the one closest to your hair type.

Silver Hair With Full Bangs

Mature woman with long silver hair, full bangs and sunglasses — 📷: @thecalhounsblessedinboquete

Full bangs on long silver hair look bold and modern, especially with sunglasses or glasses. Silver hair shows off the shape of the cut.

Silver tip: Use a purple shampoo weekly to keep silver bright.

Shop it: a purple shampoo, a round blowout brush, an anti-humidity smoothing spray

Wispy Bangs on Natural Gray Hair

Woman with natural gray hair and wispy bangs in a denim jacket — 📷: @crunchy_anarchy

Wispy bangs on natural gray hair are soft and easy. They break up the face and make going gray look intentional.

Styling: Rough dry and smooth with a paddle brush.

Shop it: a paddle brush, a purple shampoo, dry shampoo

Silver Layers With Soft Side Bangs

Smiling mature woman with layered silver hair and soft side bangs — 📷: @erikamarie72

Silver layers with soft side bangs are flattering and relaxed. The bangs blend into the layers so there is no harsh line.

Styling: Blow dry with a round blowout brush, rolling the bangs away from the face.

Shop it: a round blowout brush, a clear shine gloss, a heat protectant spray

Gray Messy Bun With Bangs

Side view of a woman with a gray messy bun and soft bangs — 📷: @littlespottedfawn

A gray messy bun with soft bangs is the easiest updo there is. The bangs keep the bun from looking severe.

Styling: Twist hair into a bun with a large claw clip and leave the bangs out.

Shop it: a large claw clip, dry shampoo, a purple shampoo

Curtain Bangs With Glasses

Woman with long auburn hair, curtain bangs and glasses — 📷: @beyzakararasull

Curtain bangs and glasses go great together. Keep the bangs long enough to sit just above or on the frames.

Styling: Use a velcro roller so the bangs lift above the frames.

Shop it: self-grip rollers, a round blowout brush, a heat protectant spray

Sixties-Style Curtain Bangs

Sixties-style curtain bangs are fuller in the center and swoop to both sides. They give long hair a retro, glamorous feel.

Styling: Set with jumbo hot rollers for extra lift.

Shop it: jumbo hot rollers, a volume and texture spray, a round blowout brush

Long Layers With Curtain Bangs

Before and after of long thick hair cut into layers with curtain bangs — 📷: @tiffanyzhairstylist

Long layers with curtain bangs are the classic combination. The bangs flow into face-framing layers.

Styling: Use a hot air brush for a full blowout.

Shop it: a hot air brush, a heat protectant spray, an anti-humidity smoothing spray

Brunette Curtain Bangs Transformation

Before and after of long brunette hair with new curtain bangs — 📷: @bhbd

This brunette transformation shows how curtain bangs refresh long hair without losing length.

Shine tip: Use a cool medium brown gloss.

Shop it: a cool medium brown gloss, a round blowout brush, a heat protectant spray

Wavy Hair With Curtain Bangs

Before and after of natural wavy dark hair cut with layers and curtain bangs — 📷: @sabrinawithlove_

Curtain bangs work beautifully on natural waves. Let them air dry with a bit of curl cream, then smooth the very front.

Styling: Use a curl defining cream and a diffuser attachment.

Shop it: a curl defining cream, a diffuser attachment, a pencil flat iron

Bob With Curtain Bangs

Woman with a light brown bob and curtain bangs — 📷: @charlottexstyles

A bob with curtain bangs is chic and easy. The bangs and the bob together frame the face from every angle.

Styling: Bend the ends with a pencil flat iron.

Shop it: a pencil flat iron, a round blowout brush, a volume and texture spray

Sleek Dark Bob With Curtain Bangs

Woman with a sleek dark bob and curtain bangs — 📷: @sj.bleau

A sleek dark bob with curtain bangs is polished and modern. Keep the bangs smooth to match the sleek finish.

Styling: Smooth with a 1-inch flat iron and an anti-humidity smoothing spray.

Shop it: a 1-inch flat iron, an anti-humidity smoothing spray, a heat protectant spray

Shoulder-Length Cut With Curtain Bangs

Woman with a shoulder-length brunette cut, highlights and curtain bangs — 📷: @ellejcaerbert

A shoulder-length cut with curtain bangs and soft highlights looks fresh and easy.

Styling: Wave with a 1-inch curling wand and sweep the bangs to each side.

Shop it: a 1-inch curling wand, a volume and texture spray, a round blowout brush

Long Curtain Bangs With Face-Framing Layers

Woman with long auburn layers and long curtain bangs in a salon — 📷: @canozermann

Long curtain bangs that blend into face-framing layers are the most grown-out-friendly option.

Styling: Use a round blowout brush to roll the bangs and layers away from your face.

Shop it: a round blowout brush, self-grip rollers, a heat protectant spray

Platinum Shag With Bardot Bangs

Back view of a platinum shag with long Bardot bangs — 📷: @erin.boha

A platinum shag with long Bardot bangs is cool and edgy. The bangs are messy on purpose.

Tone tip: Use a violet toning mask once a week.

Shop it: a violet toning mask, a volume and texture spray, dry shampoo

Soft Beige Curtain Bangs

Woman with beige brown hair and soft curtain bangs — 📷: @shima_official_account

Soft beige curtain bangs are light and airy. They are a good choice for fine hair.

Styling: Use a little a volumizing foam and a velcro roller.

Shop it: a volumizing foam, self-grip rollers, dry shampoo

Mistakes to Avoid

Letting bangs air dry flat against your forehead; always blow-dry them forward first.
Rolling the brush toward your face instead of away from it.
Using too much product; a small amount of a volumizing foam is enough.
Cutting them yourself; book a quick fringe trim instead.

Curtain bangs take a little practice, but after a week or two the routine takes less than five minutes. Start with the right cut, dry forward, brush up and away, and set the shape. You will have soft, swooping bangs every day.

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