Spilling the tea on top bangs styles—and how to get the look you want.
Getting the perfect bangs starts with knowing exactly what to ask your stylist—from the ideal length and thickness to where the bangs should fall on your face for the most flattering look.
I don't know about you, but I grow my bangs out just to convince myself that I need to get bangs again, especially right now when bangs are dominating the latest hair trends. Whether it's Bardot bangs, curtain bangs, or—gasp—a side bang, there are so many types of bangs. It's kinda hard to decide which ones are actually worth trying.
Since there's definitely no one-size-fits all when it comes to bangs, I put together the ultimate guide to the best bangs styles and bangs haircuts that are in style right now. Plus, a few crucial tips and tricks for styling your new bangs—since, spoiler alert, it's not always as easy as it looks.
And repeat after me: DIY bangs are not worth it—no matter how tempting! Trust me, I’ve learned this the hard way.
Classic Full Bangs
No matter your hair texture, you can’t go wrong with classic, straight-across bangs. I adore bold, ultra-thick bangs (and sure wish I could make them work), but I have had success with full bangs with my fine hair—just add a volumizing mousse and a round brush! Plan for a quick touch-up every few weeks.
What to Ask Your Stylist For:
Ask for full, straight-across bangs, also known as blunt bangs.
Specify the length you want: just above, at, or below the eyebrows.
Mention your preferred thickness based on your hair type (lighter bangs for fine hair; thicker bangs for coarse hair).
Request face-framing layers if you want a softer, blended look.
Where Bangs Should Fall on Your Face:
Short Forehead: Go for bangs that fall at or just above the eyebrows to open up the face.
Long Forehead: Have bangs cut just below the eyebrows to visually shorten the forehead.
Prominent Cheekbones: Opt for slightly tapered or side-feathered bangs to enhance cheekbone structure.
Tips and Tricks for Styling Full Bangs:
Use a round brush and blow-dry from above for a smooth, voluminous look.
Apply a light mousse or volumizing spray on damp bangs to add fullness.
Finish with a smoothing serum or a dab of lightweight pomade to tame any frizz.
Regular trims every 2–4 weeks keep full bangs at the perfect length.
The Classic Arch Bang
The Classic Arch Bang is a blunt bang that, when slightly parted in the middle, make a beautiful face frame and are fabulously chic. These thick bangs are arch-shaped and cut with the shortest lengths skimming your eyebrows and the longest layers curving around the edges of your jaw.
What to Ask Your Stylist For:
Request blunt, arch-shaped bangs that are cut in a subtle curve, with the shortest length grazing the brows and longer edges that taper toward the temples.
Specify a natural center part and a soft, sweeping effect at the sides.
Mention that you want the bangs thick enough to create structure but light enough to fall naturally into a part.
Where Bangs Should Fall on Your Face:
Short Forehead: Have the shortest point skim the brows, creating the illusion of length.
Long Forehead: Opt for an arch that falls just below the brows in the center, creating balance.
Prominent Cheekbones: Ask for longer side pieces that taper down to frame the cheekbones.
Tips and Tricks for Styling Blunt, Parted Arch Bangs:
Use a round brush and blow-dry bangs from above to enhance the arch shape.
Lightly flat-iron the ends, guiding them outwards at the edges for a subtle sweep.
Apply a lightweight serum to keep them smooth.
Schedule trims every 3–5 weeks to maintain the arch shape.
The Curtain Bang
The curtain bangs trend is so popular right now—the style is fairly low maintenance, easy to grow out, and requires minimal upkeep. Curtain bangs are the ultimate blend of softness and sophistication, effortlessly framing your face with a relaxed, yet chic vibe.
Inspired by '70s glam, these bangs part naturally in the middle or off to the side, gently tapering at the edges to blend seamlessly with the rest of your hair. Whether you're rocking a sleek blowout or messy waves, curtain bangs add a flattering, face-framing touch that works for every hair type and face shape.
What to Ask Your Stylist For:
Ask for curtain bangs that are longer on the sides, gradually blending into the rest of your hair.
Specify a light, wispy texture for a natural look, avoiding a heavy or blunt cut.
Ask for layers that softly blend into the hair to maintain a seamless, flowing effect.
Where Bangs Should Fall on Your Face:
Short Forehead: The bangs should hit just above the brows and flow gently toward the sides to create balance.
Long Forehead: Curtain bangs should fall just below the brows, helping to shorten the appearance of the forehead.
Prominent Cheekbones: Longer curtain bangs that hit below the brow and frame the cheekbones add dimension and highlight the bone structure.
Tips and Tricks for Styling Curtain Bangs:
Blow-dry your bangs with a round brush to add volume and shape.
Use a light styling cream or mousse to add texture.
For extra volume, slightly curl the ends of the bangs outward with a curling iron.
Trim every 6–8 weeks to maintain the natural, face-framing shape.
Whisper Bangs
Whisper bangs are a wispy bang that adds movement and texture to your hairstyle. These bangs are lightly cut, with a feathery finish that gently frames the face without overwhelming it. They’re versatile and easy to style, making them a great option for those who want to experiment with bangs but keep things light and breezy. Whether you wear them with loose waves or sleek hair, wispy bangs bring a touch of effortless beauty and a youthful vibe to any look.
What to Ask Your Stylist For:
Request light, feathery bangs with soft, tapered edges.
Ask for a natural, wispy texture—nothing too blunt or heavy.
Specify a length that skims the brows or slightly longer to maintain a soft, delicate look.
Where Bangs Should Fall on Your Face:
Short Forehead: Wispy bangs that hit just above the brows add softness and balance.
Long Forehead: Opt for slightly longer wispy bangs that fall just below the brows, which help shorten the appearance of the forehead.
Prominent Cheekbones: Wispy bangs that taper at the sides, with extra length near the temples, help highlight and frame your cheekbones while softening the overall look.
Tips and Tricks for Styling Wispy Bangs:
Use a lightweight styling cream or mousse to add texture and keep bangs soft without weighing them down.
Blow-dry with a round brush to add volume and shape, or let them air dry.
Trim every 6–8 weeks to maintain the wispy, light texture.
Bardot Bangs
The Bardot bang—an effortlessly chic style named after the iconic French actress and fashion muse Brigitte Bardot—is all about volume, romance, and that quintessential French allure. With a soft center part and face-framing layers that taper toward the sides, Bardot bangs exude a casual elegance that’s as timeless as it is trendy.
Bardot herself made these bangs famous in the '60s, and today, they’re making a big comeback as modern-day celebs and influencers embrace this classic look for its versatility and flirty, undone vibe. Perfect for adding a little vintage glam to any hairstyle, Bardot bangs are a go-to for anyone wanting to capture that “je ne sais quoi” charm!
What to Ask Your Stylist For:
Request long, face-framing bangs that part naturally down the middle, tapering toward the sides for a soft, winged effect.
Ask for volume and wispy texture—these bangs should look full but still have a light, airy feel.
Mention you want bangs inspired by Brigitte Bardot, which helps the stylist understand the specific shape and vibe you’re after.
Where Bangs Should Fall on Your Face:
Short Forehead: Keep Bardot bangs shorter, just skimming or slightly above the brows. The shorter center length opens up the forehead and avoids overwhelming your features.
Long Forehead: Opt for Bardot bangs that fall well below the brows. The longer, sweeping side pieces can extend toward the cheekbones, creating a soft, face-framing effect.
Prominent Cheekbones: Let Bardot bangs hit right at or slightly above the cheekbones with soft, tapered edges.
Tips and Tricks for Styling Bardot Bangs:
Use a round brush and blow-dry to create volume and a soft, outward sweep.
Apply a texturizing spray or dry shampoo to add lift.
For an extra retro touch, lightly curl the ends outward to get the signature Bardot “flip.”
Bottleneck Bangs
These bangs are a fresh twist on classic bangs, blending the softness of curtain bangs with the structure of full bangs. Bottleneck bangs start shorter in the center, gently curving down to frame the face like the neck of a bottle, hence the name.
This flattering, face-framing shape is all about balance, giving you the boldness of a full bang with the versatility of longer layers. Bottleneck bangs have taken off in popularity lately, and it’s easy to see why—they’re versatile, easy to style, and suit a wide range of face shapes and hair textures.
How are they different from curtain bangs? Bottleneck bangs and curtain bangs differ in shape and style. Bottleneck bangs start shorter in the center, creating a rounded shape that tapers down to frame the cheekbones closely, giving a defined, face-hugging look. Curtain bangs, on the other hand, are longer in the center, softly sweeping out toward the jawline for a looser, more relaxed effect.
What to Ask Your Stylist For:
Request bangs that are shorter in the middle (usually grazing the brows) and gradually taper down along the sides to a longer length that frames the cheekbones.
Specify a soft, feathered texture, not too blunt, for a natural flow that enhances the bottleneck shape.
Mention that you want bangs to transition from full and rounded in the center to long and face-framing at the edges.
Where Bangs Should Fall on Your Face:
Short Forehead: Ask for bottleneck bangs that start just above the brows in the center. The gradual taper to cheek-length keeps the look balanced.
Long Forehead: Have your stylist cut the bangs to fall slightly below the brows at the shortest point, with the longest pieces hitting at or below the cheekbones.
Prominent Cheekbones: Let the bangs start around the brows and taper out to fall just above or at the cheekbones, which will highlight and complement this feature beautifully.
Tips and Tricks for Styling Bottleneck Bangs:
Blow-dry with a round brush, directing the shorter middle pieces down and brushing the longer side pieces outward.
Use a texturizing spray or dry shampoo to add lift at the roots, which helps keep the bangs airy.
For a natural, tousled look, let them air-dry or use your fingers to style the ends, adding a little styling cream for definition.
Trim every 6–8 weeks to maintain the shape, especially if you want to keep the shorter center pieces at the perfect length.
Peek-a-Boo Bangs
These bangs are the ultimate blend of mystery and sophistication, adding a hint of intrigue to any look. Falling just at or slightly below the brows, eye-skimming, Peek-a-Boo bangs graze the eyes, creating a soft, alluring frame for your face. Perfect for those who want a bit of drama without fully committing to shorter bangs, eye-skimming bangs suit a variety of face shapes and hair textures and are especially trendy for their effortlessly chic vibe.
What to Ask Your Stylist For:
Request bangs that fall just at or slightly below the eyebrows, grazing the eyes.
Ask for a soft, feathered texture rather than blunt edges for a natural, wispy finish.
Emphasize a slightly longer length at the sides to seamlessly blend.
Where Bangs Should Fall on Your Face:
Short Forehead: Keep them more at eyebrow level to open up the face without overwhelming your features.
Long Forehead: Let the bangs fall slightly below the brows, close to mid-eye, for a flattering, face-balancing effect.
Tips and Tricks for Styling Eye-Skimming Bangs:
Blow-dry with a round brush to direct the bangs slightly downward and create a soft, eye-grazing curve.
Use a touch of lightweight styling cream to add definition and hold.
Regular trims every 4–6 weeks keep the length just right.
Curly Girl Bangs
Curly bangs are the ultimate way to embrace your curls and add a playful, fresh vibe to your look. With their bouncy texture and face-framing style, curly bangs give instant personality and softness, making them a perfect match for anyone with waves, curls, or coils. These bangs are trendy, full of movement, and look amazing on all curly textures. Whether you're going for a natural, lived-in look or a defined curl pattern, curly bangs add a fun twist to any hairstyle.
What to Ask Your Stylist For:
Ask for bangs that work with your natural curl pattern, with the length adjusted to account for shrinkage.
Request a dry cut or have your stylist shape the bangs when your curls are dry, as this shows the true length and shape.
Opt for a rounded shape to blend seamlessly with the rest of your curls for a natural, face-framing effect.
Where Bangs Should Fall on Your Face:
Short Forehead: Request bangs that fall at eyebrow level when curly, so they don’t overwhelm your forehead but still add a flattering frame.
Long Forehead: Let the bangs fall below the eyebrows when curly to create a balanced look and add softness around the forehead.
Prominent Cheekbones: Allow the bangs to graze the top of the cheekbones to enhance this feature and add more definition.
Tips and Tricks for Styling Curly Bangs:
Use a curl cream or lightweight gel to define curls and reduce frizz, giving bangs a bouncy, polished look.
Air-dry or diffuse on low heat to preserve curl definition without disrupting the shape.
Trim every 6–8 weeks to maintain the ideal length and shape.
Blunt Bangs
These bangs are bold, chic, and timeless—perfect for making a statement. Blunt bangs (aka sharp-cut bangs), with their straight-across cut, sit firmly above the eyebrows, creating a sleek, edgy look that commands attention. Whether you’re looking to refresh your style or completely transform your look, blunt bangs bring a modern, fashion-forward vibe that suits a variety of hair types and face shapes. Plus, they give off that effortlessly cool, French-girl chic vibe that’s always on trend.
What to Ask Your Stylist For:
Ask for bangs that are cut straight across at eyebrow level (or slightly above).
Specify that you want the bangs with no layers, for that bold, blunt finish.
Request a soft texture if you want them to be less stiff, or keep them thick and dense for a more dramatic statement.
Where Bangs Should Fall on Your Face:
Short Forehead: Keep the bangs right at or slightly above the eyebrows to avoid covering too much of the forehead.
Long Forehead: Aim for bangs that sit just above the eyebrows to balance out the length of your forehead and bring attention to the eyes.
Tips and Tricks for Styling Blunt Bangs:
Blow-dry with a flat brush to keep them straight and sleek.
Apply a smoothing serum or lightweight gel to keep bangs in place and reduce frizz.
Trim every 4–6 weeks to maintain that sharp, blunt edge.
Baby Bangs
These micro bangs are playful, edgy, and a bold way to show off your personality. Baby bangs are an ultra-short bang that sits well above the eyebrows, creating a youthful, quirky vibe that adds a touch of fun to any look. Perfect for those who want to make a statement, baby bangs give a chic, Parisian-inspired vibe and are ideal for showcasing your eyes and emphasizing facial features. Whether you have straight hair, waves, or curls, these bangs add a daring and trendy flair to your hairstyle.
What to Ask Your Stylist For:
Ask for bangs that sit well above the eyebrows, typically around 1–2 inches in length.
Request a blunt cut for a defined finish or a more rounded edge for a less intense look.
For wavy or curly hair, ask your stylist to adjust the cut to account for shrinkage.
Where Bangs Should Fall on Your Face:
Short Forehead: Baby bangs can work wonders by sitting just above the brow.
Long Forehead: Go for bangs that are slightly above the eyebrows.
Tips and Tricks for Styling Baby Bangs:
Blow-dry your bangs straight with a round brush or use a flat iron to keep them sleek.
Use a lightweight styling gel or texturizing cream to keep them in place.
Baby bangs require regular trims every 3–4 weeks to maintain their length and shape.
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Whether you're embracing bold baby bangs, soft curtain bangs, or the timeless blunt fringe, bangs are the perfect way to refresh your look and express your personal style. With so many variations to choose from, there's a bang style for every face shape and hair texture. If you’re planning to make the cut, don’t forget to care for your new bangs with the right hair tools.
Our 100% cotton t-shirt hair towels are perfect for drying your bangs without frizz or breakage. With their gentle, moisture-locking fabric, you'll enjoy smooth, sleek bangs every time. Shop now to elevate your hair care routine and keep your bangs looking fresh and fabulous.
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