A cheekbone-length curtain bang tucks behind your ears on a gym day and grows out without the awkward stage a blunt fringe has. The trade-off is a few minutes with a small round brush most mornings and a trim every four to eight weeks. Here is how face-framing curtain bangs play out across hair types and face shapes.
1. Center-Part Classic Curtain Bangs
Classic curtain bangs split at the center and sweep out to each side, shortest in the middle and longest at the cheekbones. I point cut them into a soft V so the ends disappear into the hair. These face framing curtain bangs work on oval, long and heart faces and on fine to thick hair. Dry them over a small round brush, rolling each side away from the face. Trim every 4 to 6 weeks.
2. Cheekbone-Length Long Curtain Bangs
Long curtain bangs begin at the cheekbones and merge into the first layer at the jaw. Of all the versions, they are the simplest to grow out, and they tuck behind the ears. I point cut them on an angle. Round and square faces suit them, because the length pulls the eye downward. Dry them away from the face over a medium round brush. Trim every 6 to 8 weeks.
3. Brow-Length Short Curtain Bangs
Short curtain bangs rest at the eyebrows in the center and open out toward the outer brow. More of the fringe shows, so they take more styling. I point cut them and leave the center a touch heavier. Oval and oblong faces and medium to thick straight hair suit them. Dry them down first, then part them with a round brush. Trim every 3 to 4 weeks so they stay out of the eyes.
4. The Wispy Curtain Bang
Wispy curtain bangs are thinned until the forehead shows through them. I take a narrow section at the hairline and point cut deep into the ends. These face framing curtain bangs suit fine hair and anyone who wants a softer fringe. Oval and heart faces wear them well. Dry them flat with a small brush and use a bit of dry shampoo to keep the pieces separate. Trim every 4 weeks.
5. The Thick Curtain Bang
Thick curtain bangs come from a deeper triangle section at the crown, which gives the fringe more weight. I cut them blunt to start, then point cut the ends to soften them. Thick, straight hair and oval or long faces suit them. A medium round brush in the blow-dry gives them a bend. They cover a high forehead well. Trim every 4 to 5 weeks to keep them off the lashes.
6. Curtain Bangs Swept to the Side
Side-swept curtain bangs come off an off-center part, which leaves one side shorter than the other. I cut the short side at the brow and the long side at the cheekbone. Round, square and heart-shaped faces and medium to thick hair suit them. Dry both sides away from the part with a flat brush. For daily wear, these are among the easiest face framing curtain bangs. Trim every 5 weeks.
7. The Bottleneck Curtain Bang
Bottleneck bangs stay narrow and short at the center, then widen and lengthen past the eyes, shaped like a bottle’s neck. I point cut them so the outer edges run into face-framing layers. Oval, heart and long faces and medium to thick hair suit them. Dry them over a small round brush, working from the center outward. Trim every 4 to 5 weeks.
8. Shag With Curtain Bangs
A shag with curtain bangs runs the fringe into razor-cut choppy layers at the crown. Fringe and layers work as one piece, with no line between them. Wavy and curly hair of medium density and oval or long faces suit it. Air-dry with a sea salt spray and blow-dry only the bangs. These face framing curtain bangs are at their best on day two. Trim every 6 to 8 weeks.
9. Lob With Curtain Bangs
A lob with curtain bangs puts a collarbone-length cut under a fringe that opens at the cheekbones. I give the lob a slight forward angle and light internal layers. Fine to medium hair and round or square faces suit it. Dry the bangs over a round brush and put loose waves through the length with a 1.25-inch iron. Trim the lob every 8 weeks and the bangs every 4 weeks.
10. Chin-Length Bob With Curtain Bangs
A chin-length bob with curtain bangs keeps everything short and framed. I graduate the nape slightly so the bob sits close to the head, then cut the bangs in. Oval and heart faces and fine to medium straight hair suit it. Dry it smooth with a paddle brush and give the bangs a bend with a small round brush. Trim every 6 weeks.
11. Shoulder-Length Layers With Curtain Bangs
Shoulder-length layers with curtain bangs join the fringe to layers that start at the chin. I point cut the layers so the bangs flow down into them. These face framing curtain bangs suit oval, long and square faces and any density. Dry over a medium round brush and turn the ends out a little. Trim every 8 weeks, with the bangs every 4 to 5 weeks.
12. Long Layers With Curtain Bangs
Long layers with curtain bangs hold the length past the shoulders while the fringe does the framing. I start the long layers at the collarbone and blend the bangs into the first face-framing layer. Medium to thick hair and oval, oblong and heart faces suit it. Dry over a round brush or set loose waves. Trim every 10 weeks, with the bangs every 4 to 5 weeks.
13. Butterfly Cut With Curtain Bangs
A butterfly cut with curtain bangs layers short pieces at the cheekbones beneath the fringe, with long layers through the back. I cut the front by bringing the hair forward to the face. Medium to thick hair and oval or heart faces suit it. Dry over a large round brush and roll the face-framing pieces away. These face framing curtain bangs deliver a lot of volume. Trim every 8 weeks.
14. Wolf Cut With Curtain Bangs
A wolf cut with curtain bangs sets the fringe against shaggy crown volume and wispy tapered ends. I razor the crown and bangs in one go. Thick, wavy hair and oval or heart faces suit it. Scrunch in texture spray, diffuse, then rough-dry the bangs. Leave heavy oils out. It takes less work than a blowout. Trim every 6 to 8 weeks.
15. Fine-Hair Curtain Bangs
Fine-hair curtain bangs call for a narrow section so the rest of the hair holds its density. I take less from the crown and point cut the ends to keep them light. Oval and long faces suit them. Dry with a volumizing mousse and a small round brush. These face framing curtain bangs make it look like there is more hair around the face. Trim every 4 to 5 weeks.
16. Thick-Hair Curtain Bangs
Thick-hair curtain bangs puff out unless weight comes out of them. I slide cut the underside and point cut the ends. Oval, heart and long faces suit them. Dry with a smoothing cream and a medium round brush. Hold them in place with a flat clip while they cool. Thick bangs lose their shape fast, so trim every 4 weeks.
17. The Curly Curtain Bang
I cut curly curtain bangs dry, one curl at a time, so I can see where each curl lands. To allow for shrinkage I leave them longer than straight bangs, usually cheekbone length when wet. 2C to 3C curls suit them. Work in curl cream and gel, then diffuse. These face framing curtain bangs never need straightening. Trim every 6 to 8 weeks.
18. The Wavy Curtain Bang
Wavy curtain bangs follow the natural wave, so they part easily at the center. I cut them a bit longer than straight bangs and point cut the ends. 2A to 2C waves of any density suit them. Scrunch in a light mousse and air-dry, or dry just the bangs over a round brush. Among face framing curtain bangs, these are some of the easiest to live with. Trim every 6 weeks.
19. Straight-Hair Sleek Curtain Bangs
On straight hair, curtain bangs show every line, so I point cut softly to keep the edge from going blunt. The bangs open at the cheekbones and run into a long, sleek length. Oval and heart faces suit them. Dry with a paddle brush, then bend the bangs over a small round brush. A shine serum finishes it. Trim every 4 to 5 weeks.
20. Silk Press Curtain Bangs
Silk press curtain bangs get cut after the hair is pressed straight, which keeps the length accurate. I hold them at the cheekbone and blend them into long layers. 3C to 4C hair of medium to thick density suits them. Wrap the hair at night and pin the bangs flat. These face framing curtain bangs hold until the next press. Trim every 8 to 12 weeks.
21. Round-Face Curtain Bangs
On round faces I cut curtain bangs longer, ending below the cheekbones, so they trace a vertical line. They stay light so there is no added width at the temples. Straight and wavy hair of any density suits them. Pair them with layers that begin below the chin. Dry the bangs away from the face. These face framing curtain bangs want a trim every 5 to 6 weeks.
22. Oval-Face Curtain Bangs
An oval face can carry any curtain bang length, so I let hair type decide. Brow-length bangs suit thick hair, while longer cheekbone-length bangs suit fine hair. A center part keeps the face balanced. Dry over a round brush. On oval faces, face framing curtain bangs need a trim every 4 to 6 weeks, depending on the length.
23. Square-Face Curtain Bangs
On square faces I cut soft, wispy curtain bangs that finish at the cheekbones and run into layers past the jaw. The corners of the forehead and jaw look rounder with them. Heavy, blunt bangs are the wrong choice here. Medium to thick hair, straight or wavy, suits them. Loose waves that fall away from the face finish the look. These face framing curtain bangs want a trim every 5 weeks.
24. Heart-Shaped-Face Curtain Bangs
On heart-shaped faces, curtain bangs narrow the look of the forehead. I cut them to open at the cheekbones and build fullness below the chin. Fine to thick hair suits them. Dry the bangs out to the sides and turn the ends of the hair outward at the jaw. These face framing curtain bangs even out a narrow chin. Trim every 4 to 5 weeks.
25. Oblong-Face Curtain Bangs
On oblong faces, curtain bangs make the face look shorter. I cut them a bit shorter, near the brow, and pair them with layers at the cheekbones for width. Wavy and straight hair of medium to thick density suits them. Keep the length at or close to the collarbone. Style with waves at the sides and dry the bangs over a small round brush. Trim every 4 to 5 weeks.
A cheekbone-length curtain bang tucks behind your ears on a gym day and grows out without that awkward stage, which is why I cut it dry. IMO, it is the lowest-maintenance fringe there is. The oval face haircuts guide covers the other shapes.
