It’s the 1960s, and you are yearning for a new and exciting hairstyle: an appearance that exudes your bold personality. You are inspired by some of the fashion icons of this era, including Brigitte Bardot and Jane Birkin, to recreate the hottest new style: curtain bangs.
Over 60 years later, as a new generation of celebrities emerges to dictate popular culture, it is expected that trends change. After all, hairstyles like the mullet and the infamous “Karen cut,” a layered bob with blunt ends, were once popular styles that have been shunned by modern society.
Yet in 2024, curtain bangs have reentered the fashion scene and are synonymous with modern pop culture icons such as Sabrina Carpenter and Daisy Edgar-Jones.
The question is: why? Why do some trends seem timeless while others serve as a reminder of the fashion faux pas of a past era?
The truth is, these styles are decided by the people, for the people. Although fashion icons often serve as the face of a new trend, whether these styles are adopted by the masses remains up to us. And the people have spoken: curtain bangs are in.
The unceasing support for this iteration of classic bangs stems from their ability to frame the face perfectly, highlighting the eyes and cheekbones. According to hairstylist Vernon François, whose work has graced the pages of Vogue, “It’s a style that every face shape and every hair texture can have.” Further, hair stylist Mark Townshend insists “When they’re done right, they’re flattering on everyone.”
Well, perhaps my curtain bangs were not ‘done right’ as I cannot echo this sentiment. While my hair is naturally straight, the curtain bangs are wavy. I usually enjoy curls as they add more volume to my hair, but my now overgrown curtain bangs only stick out at odd angles. Needless to say, they don’t compliment my facial features.
And I recognize that for the most part, I’m at fault. Numerous internet sources offer tips on how to style curtain bangs, ranging from blow drying with a round brush for a classic style to wrapping wet hair around a hair roller to avoid heat damage. Plus, many salons advise trimming curtain bangs every four to six weeks to maintain this look.
The issue is that: bangs require a lot of effort. Although these techniques seem simple, they require constant (even daily!) maintenance. As someone who is focused on her academics and balancing extracurriculars, adding an hour of hair care to my daily routine is simply too much. Not to mention that I don’t have the skills to cut my bangs, which adds a significant financial burden. Although the average cost of a bang trim is only $15, making an appointment each month as recommended would cost nearly $200 per year.
As a high schooler, my life is only getting busier as I look towards a future of college applications and internships to pursue a career. Not to mention the increasing costs of services like haircuts that make achieving the supposedly ‘stunning’ curtain bang style unattainable for many young people.
It is time to seek out more simple, convenient hairstyles and close the curtain on curtain bangs.