'70s curtain bangs will never not look cute

Just like a perfectly tailored blazer can instantly add extra impact and interest to an outfit, curtain bangs can give texture and dimension to hair in a few snips. Neither are “new” but their popularity endures because they are just so classic. So, it will surprise precisely no-one that they'll be sticking around for 2024 as one of the most covetable haircuts you can get.

The chop's appeal is in the swishy, sexy, volume it can add (which is one of the reasons it's perfect for strands that are prone to deflating throughout the day) and the full, thick and flicky ‘70s shape has dominated on TikTok, with over 3 billion views on the platform.

Word from top stylists is: it remains one of the most requested chops in the salon. “I’m predicting that curtain bangs [or curtain fringes] will continue to go strong throughout the year,” LA's coolest hair stylist and trendsetter, Sal Salcedo, told GLAMOUR. People are still bring endless curtain bang inspo to their salon appointments and putting their own stamp on them.

What are curtain bangs?

For the uninitiated, curtain bangs are the shaggy, effortless bangs that — as the name suggests — frames your face perfectly, much like a curtain does a window. The look has roots in the ’60s and ’70s (think Jane Birkin) and works across a range of textures and styles, from messy waves to curly shags, sleek blowouts and high ponytails.

As for anatomy, a curtain bang is a graduated fringe. It's usually worn centre-parted and starts shorter in the centre, then gets longer towards the perimeter of the face. “It should start mid-way between the eyebrows and the bridge of the nose, then have more length at the sides,” explains celebrity hair stylist and ColorWow international creative director, Dom Seeley.

Depending on how heavy you get it cut, it can feel ultra plush or barely there. And you should be able to tuck it back into the rest of your hair when it's up, or tease it forward when you want more volume. “It has a flowy vibe. It’s not a solid bang or fringe, but it’s also not just face framing. It’s somewhere in the middle and it suits the majority of hair lengths too,” says Dom.

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Are curtain bangs high maintenance?

As hairstyles go, this one's pretty chill. Curtain bangs are one of the most effortless fringe styles to wear since you can tailor them to you and your lifestyle. “Curtain bangs are the gateway to bangs, because they're super versatile,” says Emily Heser, stylist at Cutler Salon in New York City. “They're long enough to grow out or pin back if you want, but they can also be cut into a shorter look.” The style has steadily become both a celebrity and TikTok fave for its easy-going vibe.

“They require the lowest maintenance,” explains Sal. For one thing, they grow out easily “and slowly turn into a nice frame that looks good through any stage,” Sal says. “The best low-maintenance cut will always be a mid to long haircut with a variation in bangs,” he adds. “These are haircuts that can be worn and grown without too much attention and they stay looking strong with you. I only see some of my clients every six months to a year when they have these,” Sal says.

The slightly longer length at the sides helps to highlight cheekbones and give versatility. They can be swept off to either side to open up your face, or they can be drawn closed across your brows (much like curtains). It means you can go full lash-sweeping one day, then tuck them towards your ears the next. The jist? They make a relaxed statement with very little effort involved, and they offer drama to hair, but not in a loud, shouty way.

But if you still don't want to commit to the cut, we have good news. You can fake it with some clever styling. A well-placed bend in the front of your hair can give the illusion of a swishy fringe without losing any length.

43 fringe hairstyles for some *major* inspiration

31 Photos

By Elle Turner

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What face shape suits curtain bangs?

Curtain bangs can suit any face shape, what's more important is working out the best way to wear them for you. “Consider all the ways in which you like to wear your hair. If you like to be able to scrape it all back at once, opt for longer layers,” says Laura Elliot, head of education at haircare professionals Salon Promotions. This means you shortest pieces should be between cheek and jaw length.

Tempted to get a fringe? Find which style suits your face shape

By Lottie Winter and Sheilla Mamona

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Want in? Here's 37 of our favourite ways to wear '70s curtain bangs…

1.Voluminous

Erm, hello. The '70s called, and they want their OG curtain bangs back. We don't blame them. The volume, the dimension, and the definition is honestly everything for us. Add some roller waves across the whole hair, so the bangs sit nicely on top to marry the whole look.

2.Cheek-length

Sydney Sweeney's cheeky curtain fringe is modern, retro and glam all at the same time.

3.Swished

The ‘90s blowout is another huge hair trend right now, combined with a luxurious swooshy curtain fringe, it’s volume city.

4.Airy

This lightweight take on the mini curtain fringe is perfect if you don't want to fully commit.

5.Lash-skimming

We love this sultry peekaboo length which perfectly frames eyes.

6.Flipped

Add dramatic layers to your hair for that flip and choppy finish.

7.Curly curtain

Curtain bangs work great with layered curls to add some extra face-framing.

8.Frenchie

Mixing up the traditional brow-length fringe for a curtain bang and a jaw-length French bob keeps it feeling modern.

9.Updo curtains

These pretty graduated curls help perfectly frame the face.

10.Outgrown

Proof that curtain fringes look great, even after they've grown out for a few weeks.

11.Jaw-length

If you want your curtain fringe to blend into your strands on off-duty days, keep the shortest pieces jaw-length. Slightly less daring, but still dead-cute.

12.Bombshell curtains

Adding super highlights and having the hair freshly blow dried will give this sheeny, shiny curtain bangs finish.

13.Cat flick bangs

Use your hair as sort of continuation from your eyeliner styling them to perfectly align with an epic cat flick by adding the hair flick at eye level.

14.Layered bob bangs

The longer part of these curtain bangs are almost as long as the rest of the bob, with layers to add extra volume throughout. They contour the cheeks perfectly to frame the face.

15.Medusa

This separated tentacled fringe on Dua Lipa adds an edge to curtain bangs.

16.Semi-closed curtain

Naomi Campbell's semi-closed curtain fringe feels thicker and fuller.

17.Retro curtain

These retro curtain bangs have a '60s throwback feel.

18.Strip curtain bangs

This '90s grunge take on curtain bangs is a little more edgy.

19.Melted curtain bangs

These curtain bangs melt seamlessly away into the other layers of hair.

20.High-pony bangs

Having a messy and voluminous high ponytail should not stop you from rocking curtain bangs. This swooshy fringe adds some cute texture.

21.Almost full

This almost full fringe is a natural progression if you're growing out your bangs and don't want them looking uneven and awkward.

22.Brow-length

This shorter take on the curtain starts around brow length, then hits in at the cheekbone.

23.Shaggy

We love this layered curtain fringe against a layered curly shag.

24.Midi

A midi curtain fringe paired with a midi cut balances beautifully.

25.Hot pink

Statements upon statements.

26.Curtain bob

Add texture and layers to a bob with a swooshy curtain fringe.

27.XXL

Long, swooshy and fabulous.

28.Cropped

Micro fringes are so adorable and allow eyebrows to have their moment too. Gently sweep them off to either side so that the final look is not too choppy and feels relaxed and free.

29. Sunlit curtain bange

Highlight the curved shape with ribbons of highlight cupping your curtain bangs.

30.Semi-drawn

We love a curtain fringe that's styled like actual drapery. These semi-shut curtain bangs add major drama.

31.Heavy

Starting the fringe right from the crown of the head means that more hair will fall to the front to give the illusion of fuller, longer and statement curtain bangs.

32.Apricot

Add a little extra interest with a cute off-beat shade like apricot.

33.Choppy

These curtain bangs are edgy, sexy and fun.

34.Side swoop

There is nothing quite like a bouncy side-swept curtain bang. Em Rata is seen here with a voluminous layered take, and we're on board.

35.Breezy curtain bangs

This breezy take on curtain bangs is very wearable, and looks effortless but still carries adds interest and texture.

36.Curtain Lob

We've spotted J.Lo rocking many a curtain-bang, but this one is more subtle and slim than her usual. It's long and frames her face shape effortlessly.

37.Sloped

Jenna Ortega's are what dreams are made of – layered and structured with a perfect gentle flick at the ends.

For more from GLAMOUR UK's Beauty Editor, Elle Turner, follow her on Instagram @elleturneruk.

For more from GLAMOUR UK's Beauty Writer Shei Mamona, follow her on Instagram @sheimamona.