Celebrity hairstylist Xavier Velasquez of Jenna Perry Hair Studio explains why the trend is so appealing as the season approaches: ‘Curtain bangs give off a vibe of summer simplicity while upgrading your complete look’. Shaggy fringe reminds the California native and style icon of a Paul Thomas Anderson film, but it also makes her think of Jane Birkin on the French Riviera in the summer of 1973. While there are unmistakable similarities between curtain fringe and the “Me Decade,” the look is still relevant in 2022. They do, after all, depend on individuality.
Mark Townsend, the expert behind Dakota Johnson’s much sought-after fringe, maintains that “when done right, they’re flattering on everyone.” “Any face shape and any hair texture can have this style.” And have faith that they’re as effective as they are adaptable. Vernon François says, “They are a simple way to elevate loose hairstyles with a cool shape built-in and elegantly frame your face when the rest of the hair is pulled up.”
Here’s how to pull off the curtain fringe look: from choosing the perfect cut to doing your at-home style.
What are Curtain Bangs?
What a set of tastefully draped curtains do for a window, curtain bangs do for your face. They are a more delicate, customized version of straight-across fringe designed to accentuate specific facial features like the cheekbones or eyes and to accentuate a person’s bone structure. According to Velasquez, “the ideal curtain fringe creates softness and balance around the face.” “Their goal is to highlight all of your good features, whether you choose a longer version with a central part to accentuate your cheekbones or a more forward version that frames your brow line.”
Curtain Bangs: What You Need to Know
Although many people aspire to have curtain fringe, you should consider whether they will be a suitable fit for you overall. According to François, “Think about whether having fringe will fit your lifestyle before leaping.” Bangs are physically striking, to start. “Hair on the face can cause discomfort for certain individuals, or having fully brushed hair daily may be a more practical option,” he states. Bang trims necessitate more frequent appointments to the salon, as well as more maintenance like daily finessing (though many think it’s well worth it) and increased cleansing (bangs absorb oil, perspiration, makeup, and SPF from your face). Townsend says, “If you can give your fringe 10 minutes, you’re done.”
How to Trim Fringe on Curtains
Put it plainly: Let the experts handle curtain fringe. According to François, you should always get your fringe clipped by a licensed hairstylist who will examine your face shape, features, and way of life throughout the consultation process. Townsend advises conducting your study to determine what will work best for you before meeting with a professional. Townsend says, “When people come to see me for a haircut, they often bring pictures of fringe on different face shapes.” “I’ve discovered that a lot of people are genuinely unaware of their faces.”
To achieve the most flattering results, he advises taking the time to fully understand your face shape. After that, he suggests sketching a rough outline of your face on paper and shading the top of the head and/or the corners to see what best creates the illusion of an oval shape. “It’s a great way to set more reasonable expectations for yourself and be ready for a conversation with a hairstylist.”
Curtain Fringe: How to Style Them
Shaping fringe while strands are still damp is beneficial, especially when working with straight and wavy hair. Townsend suggests using a flat brush (such as the boar-bristle models from Mason Pearson and Harry Josh) to blow dry hair straight down. Then, ‘flick’ the fringe up with a round brush held vertically. Townsend adds, “It’s a nod to the late ’60s and early ’70s, which is what we’re seeing right now, just modernized.”
Use of Brush for Curtain Bangs
With a medium to large round brush, Velasquez loves to create longer, cheek-grazing curtain fringe. He advises, “To maximize volume, blow the entire section forward. Then, blow the ends back and out to sweep the apples off the cheek.” “Go one step further and use velcro to secure the section for a durable volume—imagine Claudia Schiffer during the 1990s.”
As an alternative, you could think about going the au naturel way. “I like air drying when the cut and texture are right,” Velasquez adds. She also likes Virtue’s Frizz Block Smoothing Spray for its airy, humidity-fighting veil of moisture for long hair. “This accentuates every feature on you and allows the curtain fringe to live freely.”
Finger Coil
In either case, Townsend’s go-to tool for “a little bit of heat” without scorching the scalp is a beard iron. If cowlicks are a problem, use flat, creaseless clips at your parting to ward them off. François says it’s easy and beneficial to let fringe air dry for curly hair. On damp hair, however, “finger coil or do two strand twists, then let them set naturally or use a diffuser on a cool, low speed, before gently separating the curls when hair is fully dry” for added definition.
The pro likes to apply bantu knots or two-strand twists on the newly washed fringe when working with coily and kinky textures. “After they’re fully dry, remove them and shape them using an Afro pick or your fingertips, enhancing the texture with a little serum,” advises François. On the other hand, for a temporary ‘pixie fringe’ impression, kinky fringe can also be let air dry naturally.
Sustaining Curtain Bangs
If you have curtain fringe, you are aware that they need two things: 1) Getting trims and shape-ups at the salon regularly, usually every two weeks; 2) Refreshing them every day is crucial for optimum effect. Your best friend when it comes to keeping them looking fresh is dry shampoo. Townsend uses dry shampoo at every stage, from perfectly clean hair (“it absorbs the sweat!”), to a few days later for a refresh that adds volume and body. “Whether in an aerosol or as a loose powder, dry shampoos have gotten so user friendly and you don’t have to worry about that white powder residue any more,” she says. Reset fringe every day or two with water or a spray of the light-style mist like François’s Mist Nourishing Water to revitalize curly, coiled, and kinky textures.
Which Facial Shape Complements Fringe?
Any face shape can benefit from fringe; the trick is to choose the style that best suits your face shape. From long, layered fringe to wispy fringe, there are many different lengths and kinds of fringe. Schedule a salon consultation to go over your options with a stylist if you’re not sure which cut will work best for your face shape and style. They will assist you in choosing the ideal cut for your lifestyle, type, texture of hair, and facial shape.
Can I Look Good with Curtain Fringe?
Curtain fringe is always flattering, even though not all fringe are made equal (and some variations suit certain facial types more than others). All facial shapes, hair types, and textures look great with this simple and quick haircut. It’s crucial to locate a stylist who can customize your curtain fringe to meet your specific requirements, though.
Are Certain Fringe Upkeep-intensive?
Because curtain fringe spreads out elegantly over time, its length isn’t as accurate as, for instance, blunt fringe. Because of this, they require significantly less upkeep than other fringe styles—you can even sweep them behind your ears as they develop.
Different Types of Curtain Bangs
Customary Bangs on Curtains
Conventional curtain fringe brings to mind a particular fairy tale: They are just right—that is, neither excessively lengthy nor too short. The fringe length of this specific piece is long. For a classic curtain bang look, wear them separated down the middle; alternatively, brush them forward for eye-catching fringe.
Shaggy Curtain Snaps
Red hair and fringe are quite similar. They seem fantastic—trendy, attractive, and all you could want—but you had no idea how much maintenance they would need until you had them. To keep the ideal length, there are a few things to consider, like weekly cuts and daily styling. In addition, you’ll need to spend some money on styling tools to try to get your fringe to lay properly. It’s not precisely a throw-on-and-go style.
Bangs of a Long-Layered Curtain
Asking your hairdresser for long, face-framing layers could be a good option if you’re not ready to commit to fringe completely but still want to try something different. Layers can flatter your face just as much as that curtain cut you’ve been eyeing, even though they aren’t quite fringe. Who can say? Perhaps face-framing layers are what you need to persuade yourself that you can pull off the fringe at last.
Bangs of a Curly Curtain
Not only can women with straight hair look amazing with curtain fringe, but curls of all kinds also look amazing with them. In case you’re concerned that having curly fringe will make you appear like a celebrity from an aerobic workout video from the 1980s, ask your stylist to start with layers that frame your face. You’ll regret not cutting your curls sooner, we promise, once you finally make the decision.
Light-colored Curtain Bangs
To achieve this fringe style, you don’t need to have thick hair. If your mane leans towards being thinner, ask your hairdresser to create a delicate curtain fringe.
Embossed Curtain Rods
Make your curtain bangs more bohemian by using a texturizing paste like Redken’s Dry Shampoo Paste 05 to give it some beachy texture and edge. For an undone “do” fit for Instagram, comb a tiny bit of this styler/dry shampoo combination through your fringe.
Vibrant Curtain Bangs
Once your haircut is decided, don’t be scared to experiment with color. We adore the way multicolored hair looks with traditional curtain fringe. Use Matrix Total Results instead of your typical shampoo and conditioner to keep your salon color bright and glossy. Shampoo and Conditioner: Keep Me Vivid.
Bangs of Curly Curtains and Top Knots
When your hair is down, curtain fringe may begin to mix in with the rest of your strands. Gather your strands into a top knot and let your ringlets frame your face to showcase your fringe. Use a curl-activating product, such as Mizani True Textures Curl Enhancing Lotion, to accentuate your natural texture.
Conclusion
Is there another method to have the curtain bangs of your desire? “Pin the fringe into the desired area slowly after applying a very soft mousse to the hair that isn’t overly sticky,” advises King. “For example, you could pin the long fringe behind your ears.” He then suggests drying the style with a diffuser to assist in maintaining the pinned look until it’s let out. Then everything should fall into place, magically.
FAQs
Curtain bangs are a type of fringe hairstyle where the bangs are parted down the middle, creating a curtain-like effect that frames the face. They can vary in length and texture but are generally soft and wispy.
Unlike straight-across bangs or blunt bangs, curtain bangs are parted in the center and often styled to blend seamlessly with the rest of your hair. They offer a softer, more relaxed look compared to more defined or heavy fringe styles.
Yes, curtain bangs can be adapted to suit various face shapes. They work well with oval, round, heart, and square faces, but the length and styling can be customized to enhance your features and balance proportions.
To style curtain bangs, start by parting them in the middle while your hair is still damp. Use a round brush and a blow dryer to shape them outward and away from your face. For added volume, you can use a light mousse or styling spray. You may also use a flat iron for a smoother finish.