Men's curtain bangs: who they suit, how to ask for them, and how to try them on you
A middle part and hair that falls to both sides: the 90s cut is back. See it straight, wavy and with a fade, then try it on your own selfie.
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Examples: Men's Curtain Bangs
Every example is an AI-generated model edited with SnipMirror, not a real person.
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After
Short hair
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Short straight hair
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Short wavy hair
What are men's curtain bangs?
Men's curtain bangs, also called a middle-part or 'curtains' haircut, are medium-length hair on top that's parted in the center and falls to both sides of the forehead, like a pair of curtains. The sides are usually shorter, from a soft taper to a fade. The style was everywhere in the 1990s and has come back with more texture and a messier finish.
2 more ways to wear men's curtain bangs
Texture and the sides change the look the most. Every example here was made with SnipMirror on an AI-generated model, and you can try any of them on your own photo.
Wavy curtain bangs
Loose waves on top falling to both sides of the part. Low effort: scrunch in a light cream and let it air-dry.
Straight and wavy hair: both fall naturally into the center part.
Oval and long faces: the fringe covers part of the forehead and shortens a long face.
Square faces: the soft curve of the fringe offsets a strong jaw.
Thick hair: there's enough weight on top for the curtains to hold their shape.
Anyone growing out a short cut: it's a natural stage between short and long hair.
When to think twice
A strong cowlick at the front can stop hair from parting evenly.
Very short hair: you need about 3 to 4 inches (8 to 10 cm) on top for the fringe to reach the brows.
Very fine hair can separate into a thin part. Texture paste helps.
Celebrity curtain haircuts to show your barber
Leonardo DiCaprio
His center-parted blond curtains in Romeo + Juliet (1996) and Titanic (1997) are the defining 90s version.
Johnny Depp
His tousled, middle-parted hair in the early 1990s is the standard reference for grungier, longer curtains.
David Beckham
His center-parted curtains, bleached blond by 1999, were his signature look at Manchester United.
Photos are from Wikimedia Commons under the licenses shown. These people aren't affiliated with SnipMirror and don't endorse it.
What to tell your barber
Ask for curtain bangs: 3 to 4 inches on top, cut so it parts in the center and falls to both sides around the eyebrows or cheekbones. Say how short you want the sides, a scissor-cut taper for a softer look or a fade for a sharper one. Ask for texture on top so it doesn't look heavy. Showing your SnipMirror preview makes the length easy to agree on.
How to style men's curtain bangs
Blow-dry the fringe forward first, then split it at the center with a comb or your fingers.
Work a small amount of sea salt spray or matte paste through the top for hold.
Wavy hair: scrunch in a light cream and let it air-dry for a looser finish.
Trim the sides every 3 to 4 weeks and the top every 6 to 8 weeks.
Questions
Will curtain bangs suit me?+
They suit most oval, long and square faces, and straight or wavy hair. Upload a selfie above to see them on your own face before you grow your hair out.
How long does my hair need to be for curtain bangs?+
About 3 to 4 inches (8 to 10 cm) on top, enough for the front to reach your eyebrows. If yours is shorter, ask your barber to leave the top and only trim the sides while it grows.
Do men's curtain bangs work with a fade?+
Yes. A mid or low fade gives a sharper, more modern contrast with the longer top. A taper keeps it softer and more 90s.
Do curtain bangs work on wavy or curly hair?+
Wavy hair is ideal: the waves add texture and help the fringe fall open. Very curly hair works too, with the curls left longer on top so they fall to each side.
How do I stop my curtain bangs from falling flat?+
Blow-dry the roots up and forward before splitting the part, and use a matte paste or texture spray instead of a heavy gel.
Can I try men's curtain bangs before cutting?+
Yes. Upload a selfie above and SnipMirror gives you curtain bangs while keeping your face the same.