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Table of Contents
Curly 80s Bob
“Ciara’s bangs travel farther to the sides (almost into her top layer), which gives it more of a square shape,” Murray says. “It may have been curled with a curling iron but could also be created by using clips to keep that area elevated. It’s also a heavier bang so you don’t see the ‘v’ section as clearly.”
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Side-Swept Straight Bangs With Curly Hair
“If your naturally curly hair seems flat or undefined lately, consider adding layers to enhance definition and achieve the volume and bounce you desire,” Washington says. “Opt for a haircut that allows your curls to flow freely, combining short and long layers throughout. Adding a subtle side bang like Camila Cabello can be the perfect finishing touch to elevate your overall look.”
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Finger Coil Curly Bangs
“Zendaya’s curly bangs can be achieved by finger coiling the hair once a curl cream or gel has been applied,” Murray says. “I recommend using Bumble and bumble’s Curl Light Defining Cream to shape and define your curls.”
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Curly Peekaboo Bangs
Murray says Sandra Oh’s bang section is more sparse so it shows a bit more of her face peeking through. This can also look great when bangs are pushed to the side. Pro tip: using clips to keep the curls “curled” while drying helps shrink them.
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Tousled, Undone French Bob
“This casually tousled and undone look radiates chic vibes, providing a departure from overly structured bobs,” Washington says. “To style, wash and let your hair air dry. Once dried, enhance texture with H&H Science’s Effortless Volume Dry Texture Spray for that extra flair.”
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Wet Pixie with Bangs
Taylor Hill’s wet pixie with bangs is a timeless style that blends edginess with femininity, and the look caters to diverse personalities and face shapes. “When styling your curly pixie cut, use a sea salt spray to enhance natural texture, allowing it to fall and dry effortlessly,” Washington says.
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French Bob
This chin-length French bob is capped off by loose, wispy curls at the ends and flipped-out bangs.
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Half-Up Half-Down
Curly bangs work incredibly well with a half-up, half-down situation. We love this loose, wavy triangle fringe.
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Curly Faux Hawk
Storm Reid’s curly faux hawk is such a unique way to style medium-length or long curls. The choppy fringed pieces at the front create longer bangs that fall just past her eyebrows.
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Long S-Shaped Fringe
Take a page from Ilana Glazer’s book and embrace your texture on slightly longer bangs. “You may find you need to restyle your bangs in the morning even though you didn’t wash your hair,” says Richman. “Wet them carefully and pat dry with an Aquis Wrap as it’s less harmful than a cotton towel (it leaves the cuticle smoother as your hair dries).”
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Razor Bangs
We hope to have more than proven by now that you do not need to straighten your bangs if you have curly hair. But Kat Graham’s cute, razored fringe with long ombré waves is a fun, modern take on the straight bangs/curly body contrast.
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Tight Curls with Fringe
The key to most successful curly cuts– including this one– is the dry cut technique. Look for a hairstylist who will work on dry hair, when your curls are at their truest length.
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Betty Boop Bangs
Alia Shawkat’s Betty Boop bangs require minimal styling and look so cute with a simple oversized bow tied around the crown. No matter your length, Richman suggests a lightweight primer with thermal protection if your hair is prone to damage. He recommends using the Paul Mitchell Neuro Prime and twisting the curls with your finger before using a diffuser.
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Circular Bob
We’re not exactly sure how to describe Alison Brie’s short, curly ‘do. Rounded bob? Hip version of a bowl cut? Either way, her perfect ringlets paired with smudged black eyeliner are totally sultry and cool.
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Geometric Curls
Solange’s edgy curls have a wide, geometric shape with a section lifted at the crown for a totally ’80s vibe that works beautifully with her natural hair. We especially love the microbangs framing her forehead.
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Cascading Short Fringe
A close-cropped pixie cut with short, curly bangs that cascade across the forehead in layers looks so flirty and youthful on actor Joey King. A lightweight mousse like DevaCurl’s Frizz-Free Volumizing Foam can add lift and shape without leaving behind a crunchy feel.
Byrdie Tip
“Keep in mind where you live,” Richman notes. “If you live in a wet or humid environment, take that into consideration as climate can alter the shape of your curls. It’s best to discuss how your curl pattern changes with your stylist.”
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Grown Out Fringe
This ash-brown ombré by stylist Cherin Choi features gorgeous, grown-out ’70s fringe that frames the client’s face and melds seamlessly into the layered waves tumbling over her shoulders.
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Messy, Textured Bangs
Juno Temple’s full head of curls with choppy bangs has loads of texture. The key to keeping your bangs in tip-top shape between washes, according to Scarlett, is using a curl refreshing spray, which won’t “weigh them down and gives them new life come morning.” We recommend Ouidad’s Botanical Boost Curl Energizing & Refreshing Spray.
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Center-Parted Fringe
The center part is trending for good reason. It’s both modern and retro, and as Tessa Thompson shows us, it can absolutely work for curly hair as well as straight. We love her brow-grazing fringe and layered ends.
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Super Long Shag
This super-long shag cut has adorable bangs that curl out slightly from the face. “Aim for two inches longer than you think, then work up to shorter lengths if you need to (as curly hair shrinks into itself and bounces up when cut),” says Marjan.
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Curly with Straight Bangs
Channel the early ’00s with a more modern take on straight bangs paired with a curly base. Maisie Williams’ fun pink color and dark shadowed roots add some edge.
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Fluffy Bangs
Tracee Ellis Ross’ fluffed-up bangs contrast so well with her slicked-back bun. To achieve this look, you’ll need to straighten your hair and have lots of gel and hairspray on hand to keep your strands in place. As far as the bangs go, the curlier, the better!
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Pseudo Bangs
Not ready to commit to the upkeep that comes with curly bangs? Fake them by pulling your hair up into a tight ponytail with the ends of the curls positioned just over your forehead like fringe.
“Before bedtime, to maintain your natural curly style and prevent frizz, try the pineapple ponytail method using just a hair tie. It’s both fashionable and chic, and pulling out bangs can elevate the look,” Washington says.
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Supersized Curls
Trends be damned—Natasha Lyonne is pretty much always sporting signature big curls and wavy fringe. To get the curly bangs of your dreams at the salon, Marjan says: “Have your stylist hold the end of the curl and gradually cut with the shears facing downward (as they slowly open and close their shears) so the ends are lighter. This will give a more defined curl pattern that isn’t too heavy around your face.”
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Finger Waves
Finger waves are a gorgeous way to cheat curls on a super short pixie cut. Rowan Blanchard’s take features a delicate face-framing curl that both serves to get her bangs off of her face and adds to the vintage splendor of her look.
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Artsy Triangle Hair
This is what the stylists at Mousey Browne Salon in Brooklyn, New York call the “deliberate triangle.” The dreaded “triangle hair” is often whispered about like a warning among those with curly hair, but here’s proof that you can do it on purpose and have it look great.
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Beachy Bangs
For a beachy take on curly bangs, take a page from Lizzo’s book. Her bangs have a slight wave to them that mirrors the loose curls cascading past her shoulders. Sun-kissed balayage adds even more vacation vibes.
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Windswept Fringe
Lily Collins’ windswept bangs almost seem like an accident, but it likely took a lot of effort to get them to look that way. Marjan breaks it down: Diffuse your dry hair with the diffuser attachment on the GHD Air Professional Performance Hairdryer. If needed (and you feel qualified), you can cut each curl individually after diffusing the front strands forward– this will ensure that they frame the face perfectly.
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Barely-There Bangs
FKA Twigs’ barely-there baby bangs are not for the faint of heart, but they’re oh-so cool. Wispy curls frame the top of her forehead, while the rest of her curls are piled up in a choppy updo.
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Micro Spirals
Kerry Washington’s micro-curls look so good with bangs. “It is important to note how your curls naturally fall from day to day,” Heaps says. “If a client has a lot of cowlicks, this can make styling fringe more of a challenge.”