Types of bangs, and which one to get
If you're unsure, start with curtain bangs: they open in the middle, suit almost every face shape and grow out easily. Wispy and bottleneck bangs are the next step; Birkin and blunt bangs are the full-commitment options that need trims every few weeks.
The six main types
Curtain bangs
Parted in the center and cut longer, usually to the cheekbones, so they sweep to both sides like a pair of curtains. They're the easiest bangs to live with: they suit almost every face shape, work on straight and wavy hair, and blend into layers as they grow. Style with a round brush or a large velcro roller while damp.
Bottleneck bangs
Shorter and narrower in the middle, then widening and lengthening at the sides, like the neck and shoulders of a bottle. They sit between curtain bangs and a full fringe: more fringe than curtains, less commitment than blunt. Flattering on oval, long and heart-shaped faces.
Birkin bangs
Named after Jane Birkin's 1960s and 70s fringe: eyebrow-grazing, full, but slightly piecey and undone rather than razor-straight. Best on straight or wavy, medium-thick hair. They shorten a long face nicely, but they're a real fringe: plan on trims every three to four weeks.
Wispy bangs
Thin and see-through, point-cut so the forehead shows between the pieces. A lighter commitment than a full fringe, good for fine hair, and softer on round faces because they don't draw a heavy line.
AI previews made with SwapHair from one photo of the same woman. A couple of previews also changed her hair color; compare the fringe.
Blunt bangs
One solid, straight line at or just below the brows. The most dramatic option: they shorten a long face, frame the eyes and look sharp on sleek hair. They're also the most demanding. Expect trims every two to four weeks, and they're hard work with a strong cowlick at the hairline.
Side-swept bangs
Long and cut on an angle across the forehead to one side. The most forgiving fringe: the diagonal line slims round and square faces, and it's a natural stage when growing out any other type.
AI previews made with SwapHair from one photo of the same woman. A couple of previews also changed her hair color; compare the fringe.
Which bangs for which face shape
| Face shape | Good bets | Go carefully with |
|---|---|---|
| Oval | Any type | Very heavy blunt bangs, which can make it look rounder |
| Round | Curtain, side-swept, wispy | Short, heavy blunt bangs |
| Square | Curtain, side-swept, soft wispy | Blunt bangs with a blunt bob |
| Heart | Curtain, bottleneck, side-swept | Very short micro bangs |
| Oblong | Blunt, Birkin, bottleneck | Very thin wispy bangs that don't shorten much |
| Diamond | Curtain, side-swept, Birkin | Short, narrow bangs |
Before you cut
- Find your cowlicks. Wet your hairline and push it straight back: a strong swirl at the front fights blunt and Birkin bangs. Curtain or side-swept bangs work with it instead.
- Curly hair is cut dry and longer. Curls shrink, so curly bangs are cut curl by curl, longer than where you want them to sit.
- Bangs get greasy first. The fringe touches your forehead all day. Many people wash just the bangs in the sink, or use a little dry shampoo.
- Glasses matter. Bangs that rest on your frames get pushed around. Ask for them to sit just above or just below.
- Start longer. A stylist can always take more off. Asking for the first cut a little long is the safest way to try bangs.
How to ask for them
Name the type, say where they should land (brows, lashes or cheekbones) and how wide (just the center of the forehead or temple to temple), and show a photo. If you can, show a preview of the bangs on your own face as well: it tells the stylist what you're picturing on your proportions, not a model's.
FAQ
Which bangs are easiest to grow out?
Curtain and side-swept bangs. They're already long and blend into face-framing layers, so there's no awkward phase. Blunt and Birkin bangs take the longest to grow out because they start at the brows.
What bangs suit a round face?
Curtain, side-swept or wispy bangs that open in the middle or cross the forehead at an angle. Short, heavy blunt bangs add a horizontal line that makes a round face look wider.
Can I get bangs with curly hair?
Yes. Ask for them to be cut dry, curl by curl, and longer than you want them to sit, because curls shrink as they dry. Curtain-style curly bangs are the easiest place to start.
What's the difference between bottleneck and curtain bangs?
Bottleneck bangs are shorter and narrower in the center, so they cover more of the forehead and look more like a real fringe. Curtain bangs are longer and parted open in the middle.
How often do bangs need trimming?
Blunt and Birkin bangs every two to four weeks, bottleneck and wispy bangs every four to six, curtain bangs every six to eight. Ask your salon whether they do quick fringe trims between appointments.
Should I cut my own bangs?
Let a stylist do the first cut, which sets the shape. Between visits, small trims at home are fine: cut dry, with sharp scissors pointed up into the ends rather than straight across.