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Your Local It Girl

How to Style Curtain Bangs Without a Trip to the Salon

If you’ve been scrolling TikTok or Instagram, you’ve probably looked up how to style curtain bangs at least once. Curtain bangs are everywhere because they’re flattering, versatile, and suit nearly all face shapes. Unlike blunt or side-swept styles, long curtain bangs are soft, parted in the middle, and feathered to frame your face—like effortless “curtains” for your features.

What makes curtain bangs so loved is their effortless vibe and versatility. You can style them in multiple ways to suit your mood, hair length, or overall aesthetic:

  • Polished and sleek for a refined, put-together look.
  • Tossed into a ponytail with face-framing movement for a casual yet chic style.
  • Worn loose for that effortless French-girl nonchalance.

Whether you’re rocking curtain bangs with layers or experimenting with long curtain bangs, they instantly add shape and dimension to any cut — from long, layered hair to chic bobs — all without the heavy upkeep of traditional bangs.

Tools and Products You’ll Need

Before you learn how to style curtain bangs step by step, you’ll want to make sure you have the right tools and products on hand. The good news? You probably already own a few of these. Here’s what makes the difference between bangs that fall flat and bangs that look salon-fresh:

Tools:

  • Round Brush: A medium-sized round brush (like the Olivia Garden Ceramic + Ion Round Brush) is key for creating that soft, curved shape.
  • Blow Dryer with Nozzle: A dryer that comes with a concentrator nozzle—such as the Dyson Supersonic Hair Dryer or the more budget-friendly Revlon One-Step Volumizer Plus—helps direct airflow and lock in your style.
  • Flat Iron or Straightener: A slim flat iron like the GHD Platinum+ Styler works wonders for touching up and refining your curtain bangs.

Olivia Garden Ceramic + Ion Round Brush shown as a styling tool used for how to style curtain bangs, creating smooth volume and shape at home.
Olivia Garden Ceramic Round Brush

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GHD Platinum+ Styler flat iron displayed as a tool for how to style curtain bangs, ensuring sleek, smooth, and perfectly shaped bangs at home.
GHD Platinum+ Styler Flat Iron

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Products:

  • Heat Protectant: Always prep your bangs with a heat protectant spray like Tresemmé Thermal Creations Heat Tamer or Oribe Royal Blowout Heat Styling Spray.
  • Volumizing Mousse or Spray: To give your bangs lift and bounce, try Living Proof Full Thickening Mousse or Bumble and Bumble Thickening Spray.
  • Lightweight Hairspray: A flexible-hold hairspray (such as L’Oréal Elnett Satin Hairspray) will keep your bangs in place without making them stiff.
  • Dry Shampoo: Curtain bangs tend to get greasy faster than the rest of your hair—Batiste Dry Shampoo or Kérastase Fresh Affair Dry Shampoo are lifesavers.

Tresemmé Thermal Creations Heat Tamer spray shown as a protective product for how to style curtain bangs, shielding hair from heat while styling.
Tresemmé Thermal Creations Heat Tamer

AMAZON

L’Oréal Elnett Satin Hairspray displayed as a finishing product for how to style curtain bangs, providing long-lasting hold and smooth, polished results.
L’Oréal Elnett Light-Weight Satin Hairspray

AMAZON

With these styling staples, you’ll have everything you need to make your curtain bangs look fresh every day—whether you’re going for sleek and polished or effortlessly undone.

How to Style Curtain Bangs (Step-by-Step Guide)

Now that you’ve got your tools and products ready, here’s exactly how to style curtain bangs at home—no salon trip required.

Step 1: Start with Damp Hair

Curtain bangs style best when they’re slightly damp. After washing, towel-dry your hair until it’s about 70–80% dry.

Step 2: Apply Heat Protectant

Spritz a heat protectant like Tresemmé Thermal Creations Heat Tamer all over your bangs to shield against heat damage.

Step 3: Add Volume Support

Work a pump of Living Proof Full Thickening Mousse into your bangs to give them body and bounce.

Step 4: Blow Dry with a Round Brush

Using your Olivia Garden Round Brush, wrap your bangs around the brush, then blow dry downward while pulling the brush forward and slightly to each side. Alternate left and right to get that signature parted effect.

Step 5: Shape with a Flat Iron (Optional)

If you want a sleeker look, take a slim straightener like the GHD Platinum+ Styler, clamp lightly at the roots, and curve your bangs outward toward your cheekbones. This helps them frame your face naturally.

Step 6: Lock in the Style

Finish with a light mist of L’Oréal Elnett Satin Hairspray to hold everything in place without stiffness. For touch-ups between washes, a quick spritz of Batiste Dry Shampoo will refresh and revive your bangs.

Done right, this process only takes about 10 minutes, but it makes all the difference in getting that perfectly soft, face-framing movement.

How to Style Curtain Bangs for Different Hair Types

Curtain bangs aren’t one-size-fits-all — the way you style them depends on your hair texture, length, and overall look. The right approach can add movement and add texture, making your bangs feel effortless and easy to grow out if you ever want a change.

Here’s a quick breakdown of how to style curtain bangs so they complement different hair types and face shapes, helping you find the most flattering look for you.

Straight Hair

If your hair is naturally straight, focus on adding movement. Blow dry your bangs with a round brush to curve the ends slightly outward. For extra volume, spritz a volumizing spray like Bumble and Bumble Thickening Spray before styling. Finish with a flexible hairspray so your bangs don’t fall flat throughout the day.

Blonde woman with long hair showing how to style curtain bangs from the side, with soft volume and smooth layers.
Brunette Long Hair Side View

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Woman with straight, short hair and tan skin showing face-framing curtain bangs styled simply for everyday wear.
Straight Short Hair Curtain Bangs

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Wavy Hair

Wavy hair already has a built-in effortless vibe. Apply a lightweight mousse such as Living Proof Full Thickening Mousse to enhance your texture, then blow dry your bangs with a round brush just enough to control the shape. Let the rest of your waves air dry or use a diffuser for a natural, tousled finish.

Long Hair

When paired with face framing layers, curtain bangs should blend in effortlessly for a soft, natural look. Using a large round brush (around 2–2.5 inches) helps the ends feather smoothly into the rest of your hair, creating that signature Dakota Johnson-inspired finish. If you prefer a sleeker transition, a flat iron can help polish the ends. Curtain bangs are especially flattering when you choose a face shape that suits curtain bangs, ensuring the layers highlight your best features.

Short Hair

Curtain bangs can make short styles—like bobs and lobs—look more modern and edgy. Since short hair tends to fall heavier around the face, focus on blow-drying your bangs outward and away from your eyes. A bit of Oribe Dry Texturizing Spray will keep them light and airy instead of weighed down.

Brunette woman with short, curly hair and soft curtain bangs framing her face naturally.
Short Curly Hair with Curtain Bangs

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Dark brunette woman with naturally curly hair and layered curtain bangs turned slightly to the side.
Curly Brunette Curtain Bangs Look

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With these adjustments, curtain bangs can look intentional and flattering no matter your natural texture or haircut.

Curtain Bangs with Different Hairstyles

Once you’ve mastered how to style curtain bangs on their own, the fun part begins—pairing them with different hairstyles. Because curtain bangs are so versatile, they instantly elevate even the simplest looks. Here are three easy ways to wear them:

Ponytails and Curtain Bangs

A ponytail paired with curtain bangs gives you the best of both worlds: polished yet playful. Blow dry your bangs with a round brush so they swoop out and frame your face, then pull the rest of your hair back into a mid- or high-pony. For a more refined finish, smooth flyaways with L’Oréal Elnett Satin Hairspray.

Woman with a low ponytail, soft curtain bangs framing her face, and a bow accessory at the back.
Low Ponytail with Curtain Bangs

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Woman with a high ponytail and loose curtain bangs styled around her face, turned slightly away from the camera.
High Ponytail with Curtain Bangs

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Loose Waves

Nothing says “effortless chic” like loose waves with curtain bangs. Use a curling iron or wand to create soft, beachy bends in your hair, then style your bangs with a round brush so they flow seamlessly into the waves. A spritz of Oribe Dry Texturizing Spray adds volume and that coveted lived-in texture.

Light brunette woman with loosely curled waves and curtain bangs smiling with an upturned chin.
Loose Curls and Curtain Bangs

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Woman with long, loosely curled brunette hair styled with flowing curtain bangs turned slightly toward the camera.
Long Loose Waves with Curtain Bangs

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Sleek and Straight

If you love a more refined look, curtain bangs also shine when styled sleek. After blow-drying, run a straightener (like the GHD Platinum+ Styler) lightly through your bangs, curving the ends outward just enough so they frame your cheekbones. Finish with a shine spray such as Moroccanoil Glimmer Shine for a glossy effect.

No matter the hairstyle, curtain bangs add softness, movement, and a touch of personality that makes even the simplest look feel styled.

Conclusion: Making Curtain Bangs Work for You

At the end of the day, styling curtain bangs is all about what fits your hair type, lifestyle, and vibe. Trendy yet timeless, curtain bangs with layers or long curtain bangs instantly frame your face and elevate any hairstyle with minimal effort. With the right tools and a bit of practice, they become your go-to for a polished or effortless look.

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