How short should you cut blunt bangs?

The length of your blunt bangs depends on what features you want to highlight, as well as your face shape. If you have a round face or heart shaped-face, you can consider cutting your bangs slightly above your eyebrows to help elongate your face. Those with oval or longer faces can cut their bangs to hit right at the eyebrow or slightly lower.

What are blunt curtain bangs?

Blunt curtain bangs are separated down the middle, instead of being straight across. Blunt bangs are often cut right at your eyebrows, while blunt curtain bangs can be cut slightly longer. Curtain bangs are a good choice if you want a softer look.

How do you keep your blunt bangs straight?

The key to straight, blunt bangs is to not let them air dry. Use a blow dryer and a flat brush or large round brush right to smooth them as soon as you jump out of the shower. Depending on your hair texture and how much curl is in your hair, you may also need to use a flat iron.

Blunt Bangs: 25 Stunning Styles & Looks to Try

Bangs are quite polarizing—they have the power of changing your look so drastically that they cause a bit of an uproar once they're snipped and elicit a bit of fear in whoever decides to make the chop (our contributor fantasized about French-girl bangs and later regretted the move). But when executed properly, bangs can make a beautiful statement.

Though, perhaps the hardest type of bang to grow accustomed to is blunt bangs. They're cut a bit thicker than a Parisian fringe or curtain bangs and don't allow for too much movement (without product and hair accessories to keep them in place), but we've seen celebrities perfectly execute a heavier, straight-line bang time and time again.

Considering blunt bangs? Celebrity hairstylist Vickie Vidov says to make sure you're committed first, "Very few people have hairlines that allow their bangs to sit perfect right out of bed to run out the door. For the rest of us, this is a commitment to add on those extra minutes in the morning while getting ready, be sure you’re ok with that." Not sure if you're ready to make the leap? Leave it to the celebs to inspire you.

Below, take a look at the most stunning celeb-perfected ways to style blunt bangs.

Meet the Expert

Vickie Vidov is a celebrity hairstylist and co-founder founder of Vidov West Salon.
Rachel Williams is a celebrity hairstylist and winner of Behind the Chair One Shot 2021 Overall.

01 of 25

Jessica Biel

Leave it to Jessica Biel to consistently be able to stylishly wear bangs on and off for over a decade (she even wore short, side-swept bangs to her wedding!). We especially love this blunt look grazing just below her eyebrows.

Ask your stylist to show you which tools you'll need to style your bangs at the salon, and keep in mind any cowlicks you might have in your hair.

02 of 25

Kerry Washington

Kerry Washington's straight bangs juxtaposed with a wavy lob perfectly frames her oval face and (killer) bone structure. Plus, dark hair with blunt bangs is that je ne sais quoi hair combo that will forever be a stunning match made in heaven.

03 of 25

Ariana Grande

When Ariana Grande traded in her signature tight, high ponytail for, well, a tight, high ponytail (but with the addition of bangs), the internet collectively lost it. The extra-long fringe is quite flattering on the singer and a nice change-up from her usual go-to look.

04 of 25

Zendaya

We were a huge fan of Zendaya's curly shag with matching curly bangs and are equally as jazzed about her sleek bob and pin-straight fringe. In conclusion, the woman simply looks amazing with bangs.

05 of 25

Liv Tyler

Liv Tyler's blunt bangs are met with longer pieces on the sides to help blend into the rest of her hair. But when left out in an updo, they help soft the dissonance. According to celebrity stylist Rachel Williams, the A-frame shape creates an illusion of more angular cheekbones and jawline, perfect for oblong face shapes. "To style, use a styling cream such as Oribe’s Supershine Light Moisturizing Cream ($52) before blow-drying, then finish with R+CO’s Outer Space Flexible Hairspray ($33)," she says.

06 of 25

Rashida Jones

We can't remember a time Rashida Jones didn't have bangs, but the look certainly works for the actress. (Don't fix what isn't broken, right?)

07 of 25

Constance Wu

Constance Wu proved that short bangs can be red-carpet-worthy too, pairing them with a wavy lob (and sequins!) at the 2018 Vanity Fair Oscar party. To style your bangs like hers, Williams recommends starting with a serum like Seven Haircare Gazar Diamond Serum ($40) before blow-drying, then define with a flat iron.

08 of 25

Naomi Campbell

This wavy shag on Naomi Campbell is the '70s disco hair of our dreams. "Naomi’s curly face-framing bangs work because they balance her heart-shaped face and show off her strong features such as her eyes and beautiful cheekbones," says Williams. "To style, use a curl cream such as Ouai Curl Crème ($32), air dry or blow-dry with a diffuser. Finish with a shine Spray such as Aloxxi Essential 7 Dry Oil Shine Mist ($27)."

For curly hair, be sure you tell your stylist whether you plan to wear your bangs straight or curly as curls can shrink the hair up to three inches.

09 of 25

Rose Byrne

Rose Byrne oscillates between having and not having bangs, and we've got to say, thick fringe suits the actress well. Here, she's swept them to the side, proving that blunt bangs don't have to be taken at face value, plus they look perfect paired with her mid-length hair.

10 of 25

Keke Palmer

"I always look at the face shape and try to counter it with the opposite to balance," says Vidov. "Say your shape is fuller or round. A square-shaped bang will balance." For oval shapes like Keke Palmer has, Vidov says you can play with super short or long bangs since there's already a nice symmetry to the face.

11 of 25

Bella Hadid

Another oval-faced example, Bella has a leg-up in the bangs department. "Bella Hadid [...] has an oval-shaped face and could pull off any bang style," Vidov says. Although, we don't need a professional to know Bella looks good in any hairstyle (sigh).

12 of 25

Taylor Swift

Taylor has become something of a queen of curtain bangs. A full and fluffy fringe is a great way to beef up fine hair. "Since she has an oval face, she can pull off different types of bangs, but these really show off her eyes and face," says Williams. To style, Williams suggests using a volumizing product with plenty of shine, like Aloxxi Bombshell Grip Styler ($22). Use a medium round brush to slightly bump under as you blow-dry.

13 of 25

Ciara

With the bone structure of a goddess, Ciara looks positively ethereal with textured bangs. Her diamond-shaped face provides a lot of symmetry, so a little bit of layering and pieciness makes a great frame. Plus, with these bangs, your eye can't help but take in those impressive cheekbones.

14 of 25

Krysten Ritter

Krysten Ritter's retro baby bangs are a great choice for round face shapes. When going with shorter bangs, keep in mind they take a bit more upkeep and work to style. "To maintain these types of bangs, you would need to trim every couple of weeks," says Vidov.

15 of 25

Rihanna

With bangs slightly on the longer side, Rihanna can easily change it up and choose a slightly side-swept look with them. "Rihanna shows the version of having longer transitional pieces on the sides of your fringe," Vidov says. "This style can be universal, and has a bit more playfulness and versatility to it."

16 of 25

Winnie Harlow

Winnie Harlow's blunt bangs gradually shorten at the center of her face, highlighting her eyes. She's another gorgeous example of someone with an oval face, who can pull off about any manner of bangs—or hairstyle for that matter.

17 of 25

Maisie Williams

"On a rounder face, bangs are helpful in creating a smaller surface area of the face," says Vidov. "But, if you’ve got AH-mazing brows like Maisie Williams, opt for a shorter fringe to allow the play on the eye scape." Short bangs are essentially a frame for killer brows, so why not draw all the attention to them?

18 of 25

Nicki Minaj

"[Nicki Minaj's] bangs definitely make a statement! Very chic," says Williams, adding that blunt straight-across bangs help to bring balance to her sharp jawline. "To style, use a smoothing cream such as Oribe’s Straightaway Smoothing Blowout Cream ($18) before blow-drying, then style using a flat iron."

19 of 25

Hannah Simone

Hannah Simone's straight-across blunt bangs with her long hair highlights the structure in her heart-shaped face. "If you have a more prominent chin, bangs can be to your advantage as they focus the eye more on the chin, giving an overall killer facial structure, like Hannah Simone," says Vidov. "This style can be recreated by using Oribe's Supershine Cream ($52) in damp hair. Blow-dry your hair and bangs with a round brush and finish off with a curling iron and flat iron in the bang, to really smooth the bang down and give it that shine." Then, finish off with a spritz of lightweight hairspray, like Oribe Superfine Hairspray ($23).

20 of 25

Dakota Johnson

Dakota Johnson's bangs are thick and blunt and soft all at the same time. According to Williams, her oval-shaped face and longer forehead work beautifully with bangs that hit right above the eyes and blend into longer face-framing pieces on the sides.

21 of 25

Cardi B

Cardi B like to frequently switch up her look, however this sleek and shiny bob paired with blunt bangs is one of our favorites. This haircut flatters the angles of her oval face. Use a straightening balm or a flat iron to copy this chic look.

22 of 25

Zooey Deschanel

Zooey Deschanel's blunt bangs and red lipstick is the cornerstone of her statement retro look. In fact, the actress has said that people don't recognize her without her signature bangs! Hitting right at her eyebrows, her bangs perfectly showcase her eyes.

23 of 25

Beyonce

If you are feeling a little unsure about blunt bangs, copy this faux bang look, courtesy of Beyonce. This style works best if you have long hair. Pile your hair on top of your head in a high ponytail and secure with a hair band, fanning the front of your hair in a blunt bang style. You can also use clip-on faux bangs ($8) to test it out before committing to a haircut.

24 of 25

Rooney Mara

Rooney Mara originally cut short, blunt bangs for her role in the movie, The Girl With the Dragon Tattoo, however she apparently grew fond of the look as she kept it for quite a while. Her dark hair, thick blunt bangs and red lipstick definitely makes a statement.

25 of 25

Helen Mirren

Helen Mirren's soft blunt bangs look fabulous paired with her pixie cut. As she demonstrates, you can have blunt bangs paired with a little volume on the crown of your hair for a flattering look. This style can also be worn with her bangs brushed to the side as well.

FAQ

How short should you cut blunt bangs?

The length of your blunt bangs depends on what features you want to highlight, as well as your face shape. If you have a round face or heart shaped-face, you can consider cutting your bangs slightly above your eyebrows to help elongate your face. Those with oval or longer faces can cut their bangs to hit right at the eyebrow or slightly lower.
What are blunt curtain bangs?

Blunt curtain bangs are separated down the middle, instead of being straight across. Blunt bangs are often cut right at your eyebrows, while blunt curtain bangs can be cut slightly longer. Curtain bangs are a good choice if you want a softer look.
How do you keep your blunt bangs straight?

The key to straight, blunt bangs is to not let them air dry. Use a blow dryer and a flat brush or large round brush right to smooth them as soon as you jump out of the shower. Depending on your hair texture and how much curl is in your hair, you may also need to use a flat iron.

25 Ways to Wear Fringe Bangs, as Seen On Celebs