To cut thy hair or not to cut thy hair, that is the question... (Yes, we remixed Shakespeare) It's thee question that every girlie on this planet has contemplated at least once in their life – or, if you're anything like me, the question one contemplates once every month. (I must have a Libra moon, or summin'.)
Now, a recent trending style making itself known in my indecisive haircut rotation is one that, unsurprisingly, was made viral on social media by Sabrina Carpenter. It's bouncy, it's cute, it's 'curtain bangs' – also referred to as 'Bardot bangs', thanks to Brigitte Bardot's iconic hairstyle circa 1970.
But what exactly are curtain bangs, who are they best suited to and how does one go about styling this type of fringe? Well, we consulted hairstylist to the stars and ghd professional ambassador Patrick Wilson, who shared his expert advice on everything to know before committing to a curtain bangs haircut.
What are curtain bangs?
"Curtain bangs are generally longer than traditional bangs [a fringe] and frame the face with a 'curtain' effect; the style is usually parted in the middle," Patrick explains. "They have a softer, more relaxed vibe, with plenty of movement, blending effortlessly into the rest of the hair for a natural, effortless look."
Per the following examples, curtain bangs start just past the lashes and follow a gradient length effect, with strands getting longer and graduating into long face framing layers.
Will your face shape suit curtain bangs?
Curtain bangs are a versatile cut and can suit lots of different people, including those with oval, round, square and heart-shaped faces.
"This hairstyle is incredibly versatile and flatters most face shapes and hair types," says Patrick. "It's great for framing the face and softening features. However, people with longer [and more oval] face shapes may find shorter bangs more flattering, as curtain bangs can sometimes make the face appear even longer."
Are curtain bangs high maintenance?
IDK about you but I'm a less is more type'a girlie, with sleep being a major priority of mine. In other words, any hairstyle that I can roll out of the front door with after just a quick brush is my preferred. But where does that leave me and curtain bangs?
Contrary to what you may have seen on TikTok, Patrick says that curtain bangs aren't as high maintenance as they may seem. "While many may assume they’re high maintenance, curtain bangs are actually relatively low-maintenance compared to traditional bangs.
"They naturally blend with the rest of your hair, which makes them easier to manage as they grow out, still maintaining a flattering shape. You can either air dry or style them, and they’ll still look great."
Count me in!
How to style curtain bangs
For a voluminous finish like Sabrina's, Patrick recommends heat styling. "A great way to style curtain bangs is to use a hot tool brush with a round hair brush," he says. "The ghd Rise is a heated tool that you can use to add volume and bounce to the hair. Use the brush in sections lifting the roots and then adding a bend to the ends."
Top tip: When styling your fringe, do it in two left and right sections (parted down the middle). Then wrap your hair around the brush in the direction away from your face. This will give bounce and volume in all the right places.
Or, if you're on a stricter budget (no, bc same), you can use a standard round brush to style wet hair when blow-drying. Watch the following tutorial to see how Chris Appleton styles bangs away from the face.
Et voilà! Let this be your sign to commit to curtain bangs once and for all... You best believe I will be booking in a salon cut ASAP!
Curtain bang inspiration
Sabrina Carpenter (obvs)
Camila Cabello
Pamela Anderson
Anne Hathaway
Jenna Ortega
Priyanka Chopra
Jameela Jamil
Dua Lipa
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Lia Mappoura (she/her) is the Beauty Writer at Cosmopolitan UK, with over four years of experience reporting across the brand's print, social, video and digital platforms. Lia covers everything from emerging trend analysis to viral celebrity hair and makeup moments, making her an expert at spotting the season’s next big beauty look (before it takes over social media feeds).
In 2025, she was named The Rising Media Star at the Love Perfume Awards with The Perfume Shop, recognised for her outstanding digital fragrance content and for building genuine authority within the space. She is passionate about challenging outdated beauty stereotypes, championing inclusive representation in beauty, and educating readers on the trends, products and conversations shaping the industry today. Follow her on Instagram or find her on LinkedIn.
