From Curtain Fringes to Blunt Bangs, Here's How to Style Every Single Type of Fringe
Emily Algar is a freelance writer, content consultant and creator, beauty journalist and great skin-haver.
Few beauty topics are as divisive as bangs.
If you've ever wondered what would I look like with a fringe, you're not alone. Because let's be real, we've all asked ourselves... should I get a fringe?
When fringes are good, they’re great! But a bad cut or poor styling technique can turn your hairstyling routine on its head. (And force you to rely on 101 bobby pins while you grow your bangs out.)
My personal journey with bangs is as follows:
I had a blunt fringe my entire childhood (think Matilda) that I then moulded into a side fringe come high school (think Nicole Richie circa Simple Life).
After finally coming to the realisation it was not a vibe, I grew it out and have favoured a blunt, shoulder-length bob ever since.
But lately, a few high profile celebrity fringes have been creeping into my saved Instagram folder. Fringes owned by the likes JLo, Marianne from Normal People, and Margot Robbie at the Oscars.
The catalyst for me was model Kaia Gerber’s short, choppy style. Next thing you know, I’m the proud (albeit confused) owner of a curtain fringe.
It’s been a few weeks now, and I love it! But it’s taught me that bangs are hard work, and styling is necessary.
And while I don’t want to deter anyone from making the chop (do it!), allow me to hook you up with some fringe styling advice.
So here, let's break down some basic fringe categories, styling tips, and some curtain bangs-specific styling products I’ve picked up along the way.
*takes notes*
Types of Fringes (and How To Style Them).
I thought we’d start by running through some types of fringes, what hair types they work with and the expert styling intel.
For this, I enlisted the help of Sydney-based stylist and salon owner Barney Martin.
1. Blunt Curtain Bangs.
What: A curtain fringe should fall almost like an inverted ‘V’, with the shortest pieces of hair in the centre.
Best for: "It’s versatile and soft, and suits almost all hair types and styles. Those with extremely curly, frizzy strands should steer clear though," Barney says.
How to style: To get this JLo blunt curtain bangs look, it's all about straightening and adding a product like ColorWOW Dream Coat Supernatural Spray 200ml for a sleek, high-shine finish.
2. Curly Hair Fringe.
What: A fringe that works with your natural curly or coiled texture, not against it.
Best for: If you have curly, coiled, textured hair and want a low-maintenance fringe you won't need to blow dry and straighten every single day.
How to style: Barney recommends "gently diffusing with a hair dryer diffusing attachment, or scrunch in a curl cream before allowing hair to air dry."
VIRTUE Un-Frizz Cream 120ml is a great option, you can read our Virtue Un-Frizz review here.
*Pro tip: "It’s important to ask your stylist to blend your internal and side layers with the fringe itself so that it all connects."
3. Blunt Fringe (or Front Bangs).
What: A front fringe or traditional bangs that cover your forehead.
Best for: "I think a full, blunt fringe looks incredible on fine to medium hair that’s long and all one length," says Barney.
How to style: Use a round brush to dry it off, putting your hairdryer on the lowest setting.
*Pro tip: "If you have fine hair, you can ask your stylist to cut the fringe deeper into the hairline to make things look thicker."
4. Wispy Fringe (or 70s Fringe).
What: A soft, long layered fringe with a bohemian 70s feel (yep, 70s hair is trending on TikTok, you can read more about it here).
Best for: This is a great entry point as it suits almost everyone.
How to style: Barney says to apply a wave spray to encourage movement like R+Co Sail Soft Wave Spray to wet hair and leave it to dry (no touching!).
*Pro tip: "Ask your stylist to texturise or razor the ends to exaggerate natural movement."
5. Micro Bangs & Shag Fringes.
What: A micro fringe typically falls an inch or so above the eyebrows. Another take on this style trending right now is a 70s shag with a short, choppy fringe.
Best for: Barney adds, "I think it can work for most hair types (except curly) but I especially love it paired with a short bob. It’s retro and strong."
How to style: Shorter bangs can be tricky to straighten, you could try a smaller, thinner flat iron like BaBylissPRO Graphite Titanium Straightener 25mm paired with Goldwell StyleSign Just Smooth Sleek Perfection 100ml for a sleek finish.
Want a shaggy, choppier finish? R+Co Dart Pomade Stick is incredible for adding texture and hold to shorter hair.
6. Side Fringe Hair.
What: The side fringe as you know it swept across the face OR the modern version, which involves longer layers at the front swept to one side.
Best for: "I love a side-swept fringe on short styles, like a pixie cut. But I think it’s a bit outdated on longer hair," Barney says.
How to style: For a more modern side fringe, blow dry with a volumising hot air brush like Hot Tools Black Gold Volumiser Set or dry style with the GHD Rise Volumising Hot Brush to get that bouncy, blow wave finish.
7. Curtain Fringe (or French Hair Fringe).
What: Finally, onto my curtain fringe, which is a soft, graduating fringe typically parted in the centre that falls to each side of the face.
Best for: Aside from curly hair, anyone who wants to get a fringe without 'getting a fringe'.
How to style a curtain fringe:
Here's how I style my curtain fringe - it’s not too difficult, but you need to follow certain steps.
1. After washing, mist a little salt spray through the hair. R+Co Rockaway Salt Spray comes highly recommended by both myself and Barney.
2. While still wet (and don’t delay here), blast the hair forwards with a hair dryer to flatten the strands.
3. Part in the centre and take a small-medium round brush like ELEVEN Australia Round Brush in Box - Medium to blow dry each side separately.
4. Once the bangs are completely dry, take your straightening wand and gently flick the ends upwards and backwards, so you get that chic French twist.
5. Finish with texture spray and a little styling dust. I like to use my fingertips to really work it into the ends and almost massage the hair into my desired shape.
My best products for curtain fringes:
- Christophe Robin Cleansing Purifying Scrub with Sea Salt 250ml - For the deepest clean.
- Oribe Dry Texturising Spray - For grit and cool girl texture.
- R+Co BALLOON Dry Volume Spray 176ml - To refresh and add volume.
- evo haze styling powder pump 50ml - To manipulate unruly strands.
Fringe Mistakes to Avoid.
Let's end with some fringe mistakes to avoid, because there are many!
- Want to know how to cut a fringe? Don't do it. No matter what happens (lockdowns included).
- Curly fringes and 70s bangs aside, dry the shape of your fringe in straight after washing. If you let your fringe dry naturally, there will be no going back until you re-wash.
- Don’t skimp on product! Especially if your hair is soft like mine. Adding a little texture spray, styling dust or pomade might be what’s standing between you and your best bangs.
All that's left to do now is to actually get that fringe you've been talking about forever!
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