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Curtain bangs—the romantic, feathery alternative to a more traditional full fringe—had a welcome resurgence last year, as the A-list embraced “femme fatale” hair. But you don’t need tumbling waves to try the trend: pairing curtain bangs with a short haircut can create a perfect fusion of feminine and tomboyish aesthetics. Luke Hersheson, hairstylist and CEO of Hershesons, shares his expert styling tips with Vogue, alongside celebrity hairstylist Kim Kimble, who offers her expertise on the best ways to style curtain bangs with short curly and textured hair.
“The bob era is not going anywhere,” points out Hersheson. Whether French, grungy, or flicked out, the haircut has become a staple of the 2020s. Curtain bangs, he says, are “any kind of face-framing cut.” Kimble agrees that “curtain bangs are versatile enough to complement any hair type or style,” especially a soft bob or a long pixie cut.
Tips for styling curtain bangs with short hair
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Investing in a good haircut is the most important step. “If the haircut is not quite right, it can make your styling journey that much harder,” Hersheson says. “A great curtain bang should not be too clumpy or blocky, and almost be able to form pretty much on its own.” One tip to swiftly get your bangs into shape is to “dampen them down and comb them forward in front of your face, you should be able to restore the shape quite easily (whether you have a cowlick or not)” he says, adding: “Never comb your bangs with a comb to create a parting—do it with your fingers instead and tuck the hair behind your ears (using your ears almost like a roller), to create a natural shape around your cheekbones.” Dent-free hair clips can be used to set the style and keep it in place.
For a slightly more dramatic, Sabrina Carpenter-esque style, rough dry hair while wet to eliminate any unwanted kinks. Then, gently brush out your bangs with a round brush. “Don’t brush out and grab your hair with too much tension, as that will cause it to spring out forward,” advises Hersheson. “Just roll the brush through the hair with a bit of heat, this can also be done with a flat iron but you want to be really gentle and follow the curvature of your face, continuing to part the hair with your fingers.”
Tricks for textured hair
“With curly hair, it’s all about working with the natural curl pattern,” Kimble says. “I usually cut curtain bangs while the hair is dry to see exactly how the curls fall—bangs should always be slightly longer to account for shrinkage,” she adds. “Placing a few light layers around the face helps them to blend beautifully with the rest of the curly hair.”
Protective stylings such as clip-ins and braids “are great for switching things up while still protecting your natural hair”, says Kimble. “The Bombshell Bun Bangs hairpiece is a great choice—a low-maintenance, all-in-one style with tight corkscrew curls that give the hairpiece plenty of natural texture, without any of the upkeep.” To protect your hair at night, Kimble recommends using a satin or silk pillowcase, scarf, or bonnet to keep the style intact and prevent frizz.
Scroll to see how the stars style their curtain bangs with shorter hair.
