Light Curtain Bangs

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Sky Kim is a hairstylist with over a decade of experience. She currently works at Serge Normant at John Frieda in New York City.

There are so many ways to switch up your hairstyle, but nothing seems more intimidating than getting bangs. Truth be told, bangs have a ton of versatility. The various lengths and shapes leave room for them to flatter all hair types and face shapes, and light, wispy bangs, in particular, are the perfect example of a one-size-fits-all bang.

Best Wispy Bang Hairstyles To Try For Summer

Light, wispy bangs can be worn on thicker, textured hair to break up the hair's density around the face, or they can be worn on thinner hair to help effortlessly add shape to the overall haircut. If you want something fun that'll incorporate new styles into your regular hair routine, wispy bangs can be a simple way to do just that, says hair expert Megan Giaimo. We tapped Giaimo and hairstylist Gregga Prothero to get their input on what to consider as you begin the journey to wispy bangs.

Wispy bangs are often cut with a feather razor on thicker hair to give it that airy, edgy look. Here, Selena Gomez wears her razor-cut wisps at choppy lengths around the eye line.

Yara Shahidi's soft, voluminous curls—including her barely-there bangs—are the epitome of cool. Keep your coils hydrated with moisturizing leave-in conditioners and amp up fullness with something like Sexy Hair Big Sexy Hair Spray & Play Volumizing Hairspray ($21).

Everything You Need To Know About Curtain Bangs

Lily Collins' wispy bangs come with choppy ends of varying lengths, albeit subtle. Hitting right at her lashes, they work to draw attention to her eyes. To style, Go for a lighter product with some hold, like Davines' This is a Texturizing Serum ($28). This creates body, structure, and shape while you blow-dry, explains Prothero. Avoid too heavy products that have too much oil because it can cause the bangs to look greasy.

Here, one of our favorite hair muses, Hailey Bieber, is wearing her hair up while letting her bangs frame her face. Wispy bangs are the softer feathery version of the blunt straight-across bangs. They differ from curtain bangs in that curtain bangs are parted down the middle and are cut longer to frame your face on both sides, explains Prothero. If you can't decide between the two, go for Bieber's version, which is something of a wispy curtain-bang mash-up.

If you have grown-out curtain bangs and want to try something a little gutsier, ask your stylist to take a feather razor to your center pieces for an easy trim. This simple detailing will take you from curtain bangs to a wispy, feathered fringe—you'll be in and out of the salon in a few minutes with a very different look.

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We love the way these lash grazing bangs tie in with Priyanka Chopra Jonas's longer layers. While wispy bangs are fresh and stylish, they do require regular shaping maintenance and daily styling efforts, Giaimo notes. The perk is that you look effortlessly edgy between trims.

If your wispy bangs are overdue for a trim, give them a little boost of volume to keep them lifted out of your eyes while still sporting that rock and roll vibe. Spritz some of Oribe's Dry Texturizing Spray ($49) at the roots before blow drying, and use a small round brush or Mason Pearson to help morph them to your desired shape.

Cowlicks are another factor to take into consideration, says Giaimo. Depending on where the cowlick is, wispy bangs may not lay properly on their own. Prothero agrees: What this hairstyle really depends on is the density of hair and if the hair has any cowlicks or quirks in texture at the front hairline. These will factor in most in determining the length and the amount of thickness that is cut for the bangs, she says. Unless your cowlick is directly near the front of the hairline, you should be good to go. Even a smaller off-center cowlick, with a little daily styling, can offer a piecey, sweeping fringe.

Trendy Curtain Bangs Hairstyle Ideas In 2023

If you're into heavily layered haircuts, may we introduce: the shag. This cut works best on medium to thick density hair and nearly all textures. And while you don't

We love the way Zazie Beetz sports a light, wispy bang in her naturally curly texture, which may require an array of tools to achieve, according to Giaimo. Regular shears can provide that baseline shape, she says, but polishing the look off with a razor will help give that texture and movement to blend into the rest of the hair.

Dakota Johnson's finer hair isn't falling flat and lifeless thanks to these feathery soft bangs and face-framing wisps. Keeping a straight edge cut above the brow line will help give the illusion of fullness. Also if you have natural curly to wavy hair, prepare to straighten your bangs to achieve this look, notes Prothero.

How To Cut Curtain Bangs And Style Them Yourself

Light, wispy bangs are the best little bits to accompany your bob. Giaimo notes that this style can bring the hair a lot of volume around the face without a lot of daily effort required, especially on finer hair types.

Bangs don't need to be light and wispy all over to fit the criteria. These side bangs are a perfect example of how to gradually work your way into a fuller bang from the more approachable wispy look.

The good news about wispy bangs is it works well with all hair types and textures and it’s easy to pull off, Prothero tells us. This face-framing fringe is seriously cool, and the light, wispy texture has everything to do with it. Plus, we love the way any updo can highlight the bangs as such a strong statement.

Celeb Inspired Ways To Wear Curtain Bangs

Soft, wispy layers pair well with soft, wispy bangs. This note is specifically directed to all our thin and straight-haired friends. Adding layers with a feather razor can bring a lot of that desirable texture into the hair, and bring those bangs into a cohesively cool look.

Sometimes a haircut says it all, like this layered mid-length look on Zendaya, which features wispy, textured bangs. Working with your texture to provide a shape it can fall into naturally can be the make-or-break deal behind sporting your curls.

A common length for light, wispy bangs is to let them graze right at the brow line, parting their way around with ease. The stark contrast against longer lengths makes for a great statement bang. This style works well with all face shapes. However, if you tend to break out easily and have a very oily t-zone or are prone to sweating, this can make the bangs very greasy and look stringy, comments Prothero. To combat greasy bangs, she recommends Davines This is a Texturizing Dust ($31).

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These curtain bangs are longer and wispier than the norm, but they're a great way to break things up and can ease into soft, face-framing layers effortlessly. Any type of wispy bang, Giaimo says, can dress up a simple ponytail or bun, creating a much softer look.

These long, piecey bits frame Bella Hadid's face shape effortlessly. Face shape is another important consideration for any type of bangs, says Giaimo. Heart and oval face shapes are excellent candidates for wispy bangs, in my opinion.

Even with a stubborn center parting that won't budge, wispy bangs are proven to look flattering. Rihanna complements her bang's lightweight movement with piecey, textured waves all around.

See Through, Wispy Bangs Are The Next Big Fringe Trend

If you have a lot of hair that's thicker in density, ask your stylist to remove some of the weight from your bangs by cutting directly into them for that lighter, wispier look. This way, the bangs can get pushed around casually and you'll have the assurance that they aren't sitting too bulky all over.

If you have commitment phobia, don't worry, we get it. Instead of cutting length to get this look, try overdirecting a few longer strands beside your side bangs to give your 'do a wispier, fashion-forward look.

Light, wispy bangs have a softer feel to them than many of the heavier fringe options out there. One of the perks to this lighter look is how seamlessly different textures work together.

Best Curtain Bangs That'll Complement Your Personality

If you want to wear your natural waves all over but want to smooth out your bangs, use a vented brush to push the hair from right to left at the roots while blow drying. Make sure to tell your stylist how you plan to wear your bangs from day to day so they