I Wasn’t Ready For the Reality of Committing to Curtain Bangs

About twice a year I get an itch. An itch to do something new. An itch to make life a little bit more interesting. Usually the itch results in one of three things; a spontaneous holiday, a new piercing or a new hairstyle. Usually made on impulse, the decision often occurs with no logical thought or worries about my future self.

As autumn rolls in, I’ve made a few basic changes like swapping from brown to black makeup and updating my wardrobe with a few cosy-but-unnecessary Zara additions. But the itch was still there. I wanted to do something drastic.

A few months ago I underwent a big “vanilla coke” hair transformation, adding big chunks of blonde throughout my auburn hair. I’m still really happy with the colour and I plan on keeping it for a long time. So, with changing colour not an option, I decided to do something risky: get a fringe.

If your TikTok algorithm is anything like mine, you’ve probably been inundated with videos of Sabrina Carpenter on tour. From her custom Victoria’s Secret corsets to the bejewelled Naked Wolfe platform boots, Sabrina’s tour wardrobe is on another level. While I’d love to channel more Sabrina in my fashion choices, I can’t really wear lingerie to the office, so I thought I’d give her iconic fringe a go (in my own, scared of commitment way) instead.
I’ve done a lot to my hair over the years and I’ve dabbled in long fringes and face framing but I’ve never made the commitment to a full on, short, choppy fringe so off I headed to Edwards James London in Richmond for a full transformation.

What Are Curtain Bangs?

Curtain bangs are a great way to add framing to the face without the commitment of a full fringe. They’re usually slightly shorter in the middle and longer, more wispy on the outside and can be worn with a middle or side parting.

“If someone’s looking to get Sabrina Carpenter’s signature hairstyle, I’d suggest they ask for long, soft layers with face-framing pieces. The key element is the curtain bangs, which should be cut to part naturally and sweep across the forehead,” hairstylist Edward James tells PS UK.

I’ve got a round face with a short forehead so I was concerned that curtain bangs wouldn’t really suit my face shape but Edward assured me that they suit most people. “They soften the forehead and can elongate the face, making it a really flattering choice for lots of clients,” Edward adds.

How to Achieve Curtain Bangs

For the overall look, Edward gave me a C-shape cut which is essentially long layers similar to Jennifer Anniston’s iconic ’90s hairstyle in Friends. As for the fringe, Edward explained the importance of not cutting into the hair too heavily. To perfect the soft, sweeping motion, it is important that the hair has loads of movement around the face.

After creating a middle part and sectioning out a triangle at the front of my head, Edward brought them to the front of my face and cut across the length at around chin-level. Then he parted the fringe slightly off-centre and cut each section at a diagonal angle. To get the wispiness, he made vertical snips to bring in some dimension that sat naturally around my face.

Tip: Edward cut the fringe once it had dried to ensure the hair didn’t shrink.

What I Like About Getting Curtain Bangs

Firstly, I just want to share that the salon itself was gorgeous. After a lovely head and shoulder massage upon arrival and endless cups of tea, I felt truly pampered during my visit. As well as getting the new style, Edward put some life back into the colour as well. My hair is quite thick which means it’s heavy and flat most of the time but very cleverly, Edward added ribbons of red throughout my hair which created loads of dimension and helped bring Sabrina’s voluminous look to life.

As for the fringe, I think it brings a lot more personality into my overall style. It kind of feels like a new accessory. Earrings? Check. Fringe? Check. The change has made me want to embrace a new style overall. I want to try new clothes to match my fun, modern cut. And I really love how the blonde streaks pop through, adding another layer to the style. It’s giving Lindsay Lohan in Freaky Friday vibes and I’m 100% on board with that.

What to Consider Before Getting Curtain Bangs

I was definitely not ready for the drastic change I’d see in the mirror. I’m not particularly fussy about my hair but I’ve learnt the hard way that I will always want long hair over short hair and now I’ve learnt the hard way that a fringe is not for me.

I hadn’t anticipated just how much I’d struggle with seeing the change in the mirror. I don’t look like myself anymore and that’s really hard to get used to. Like many women, I’ve struggled with body confidence issues for years and I like to play it safe with my appearance most of the time and this fringe has propelled me outside of my comfort zone.

I also wasn’t ready for the commitment side of the style. Gone are the days of scraping three-day-old hair into a ponytail or letting it air dry with minimal product. Curtain bangs need time and patience. In order to get the bouncy sweep, I have to dry it through with a hot brush, use a velcro roller and then add a bend in the middle with a straightener. All for the style to just collapse the minute I step into the lovely British weather.

I am a low-maintenance girlie through and through and it turns out, the curtain bang life is not for me.

Chloe Dunn is a former senior social content producer at PS UK. While Chloe is based in London, she has managed social media strategies across the UK and the US with a focus on pop culture, entertainment and beauty content. She won the best user-generated content award at the 2021 Digiday Marketing and Advertising Awards Europe for managing the launch campaign of a David Bowie channel for Warner Music Group.