Curtain Bangs Through The Decades: From ’70s Icon To Today’s Hottest Hair Trend

Every decade produces a fringe that defines it. The 1970s had feathered curtain bangs, the early 2000s favoured heavy side-swept layers, and the the 2020s have returned, almost inevitably, to softness again. Their reason of return isn’t retro revival, it’s their ability to work with air-dried texture, loose waves, blowouts, or hair tied back between washes, and most importantly this decade’s relaxed approach to glamour.

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The familiarity of the look is not coincidental. Curtain bangs first emerged during a period when beauty moved away from structured salon sets toward hair that looked lived-in and mobile. Understanding how the style began reveals why it continues to resurface whenever fashion shifts, and holds its place regardless of the era.

The Birth of Curtain Bangs — The 1970s Era

Curtain bangs first entered mainstream beauty consciousness during the 1970s, and the look instantly became synonymous with icons like Farrah Fawcett, whose feathered layers and sweeping fringe embodied movement and sleek California cool.

Unlike the rigid, blunt bangs popular in earlier decades, curtain bangs introduced softness. They didn’t conceal the face, and allowed natural texture to become central to personal style. They were symbolically in line with broader cultural movements rejecting formality in favour of individuality and ease.

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Technically, the cut relied on layering and strategic length variation, encouraging hair to fall open like curtains, hence the name. The effect was flattering across face shapes and hair types, contributing to its widespread adoption.

The Quiet Years and the 2020s Revival

After dominating the 1960s and 1970s, curtain bangs largely receded from mainstream hairstyling for a time, replaced by sleeker, straighter fringes and later by the blunt cuts that defined much of the early 2000s. Their return, however, did not happen all at once. Instead, the style gradually resurfaced through a series of modern reinterpretations.

In the early 2010s, curtain bangs reappeared within indie and bohemian aesthetics, often worn as wispy fringe paired with loose waves. By the mid to late 2010s, the resurgence of the modern shag brought them back into sharper focus. Stylists began pairing airy bangs with layers, echoing the effortless “French-girl” haircut that dominated editorial beauty.

The turning point arrived around 2020, when social media crowned them the new “it” girl trend. Curtain bangs became one of the most requested fringe styles, popularised through tutorials and DIY hair transformations during periods of lockdown experimentation.

Since then, the look has appeared in several contemporary cuts such as the voluminous butterfly haircut, wolf cut softly alongside other layered styles where the fringe falls open at the centre and tapers toward the cheekbones.

What Makes It Special

Photograph: (Instagram: @daisyedgarjones)

What distinguishes curtain bangs from other fringe styles is their adaptability. Unlike blunt bangs, which rely on a fixed length and sharp line, curtain bangs are designed to part naturally at the centre and taper outward. This structure allows them to grow out gracefully and blend into the rest of the haircut without requiring constant maintenance. Because the fringe is longer and layered, it can be styled loosely, swept back, or worn more defined depending on the look someone wants to achieve.

Their versatility also lies in how easily they adapt to different hair types and lenghts. Curtain bangs can soften straight hair, add movement to wavy textures, and frame curls without overwhelming the face. Whether added to long layers, a lob, or a bob, they pair seamlessly.

How to Style Curtain Bangs — Techniques for Every Look

Curtain bangs are popular partly because they can be styled in several simple ways depending on the finish you want.

A round-brush blow-dry remains the most popular approach. Starting with damp hair, use a round brush to lift the fringe upward and away from the face while directing the dryer downward to keep the strands smooth. Another popular method is the alternating blow-dry, where the bangs are dried first to one side and then the other before settling into the centre part, which creates a softer, feathered shape.

For more volume, you can opt for the velcro roller method: wrap damp bangs around a medium or large roller away from the face and leave it in while the hair cools. To style when the hair is already dry, use a flat iron to create a gentle sweep by placing it at the roots and slightly turning it outward toward the ends.

In case of wavy or curly textures, use a diffuserafter applying styling product helps set the shape without flattening the curl pattern. And lastly, for those who prefer a more natural finish can simply air-dry the fringe with a bit of mousse or texturising spray, shaping it with their fingers.

Why Curtain Bangs Are Here to Stay

Styles that continue resurfacing across eras tend to carry a certain durability. They return not as replicas of the past, but as slightly updated versions that suit the moment.

If a haircut can travel through time and still feel current, it usually means it has already secured its place beyond the cycle of passing trends.

FAQ

1: How often do curtain bangs need trimming?

Typically every 4–6 weeks to maintain the soft centre part and keep the shortest pieces from falling into the eyes.

2: Do curtain bangs work on fine hair?

Yes, if cut slightly longer and feathered, this prevents the fringe from looking sparse or overly wispy.

3: Do curtain bangs suit all face shapes?

Generally yes; the parted, tapered shape can be adjusted to complement most face shapes.