12 Most Popular Types of Bangs to Consider

Not sure what kind of fringe you want? You're in the right place.

So you're thinking about getting bangs — exciting! You're not alone, given that they're one of the year's hottest hair trends. And not to overwhelm you, but there are so many different fringe styles that it's worth studying them all to zero in on which you like best. Whether you try beginner-friendly bottleneck bangs or experiment with something a little bolder, like the baby bangs trend, there's no doubt you'll be in good company. After all, countless celebrities have experimented with fringe recently, including Mandy Moore, Bella Hadid, and Gabrielle Union, proving now's the perfect time to go under the scissors.

But back to the different types, because there are many. Some, like blunt bangs or baby bangs, are undeniably statement-making, and others, such as curtain bangs or wispy bangs, are more soft and forgiving (in other words, much less of a commitment). If you need help deciding what style you're interested in or want a comprehensive look at all your options, keep scrolling. We spoke with leading hairstylists to break down everything you need to know about the 12 most popular types of bangs, along with photo inspiration for your upcoming hair appointment.

Blunt Bangs

Traditional blunt bangs are “cut straight across, with no texture whatsoever and a really clean edge," says Charlie Brackney Love, hairstylist, co-founder and creative director of Haus Salon in Minneapolis, Minnesota. If you want to ease into the look, consider asking your stylist for a layered fringe cut straight across the forehead and longer at the temples. This cut will give you a softer and less harsh transition from your new bangs to the rest of your hair.

Curtain Bangs

Curtain bangs are a low-maintenance type of face-framing fringe that's shorter in the middle and longer on the sides, which, as its name implies, looks and sounds like draping curtains. They're more forgiving than blunt bangs because they're longer, and you can style them in various ways, whether blown out and parted in the center or tucked behind your ears when you want a break from them.

Bottleneck Bangs

Out of all the bang styles on this list, bottleneck bangs are the newest. Just last year, London-based hairstylist Tom Smith coined the term, inspired by the hairstyle Margot Robbie debuted for her August 2021 British Vogue cover. The expert explains that they're "narrow in the middle at the top and wider on each side," adding that they're "a type of fringe that sits at two separate lengths. Their shortest point sits somewhere between the eyebrows and the longest between the cheekbones and jawline." What separates them from curtain bangs, he says, is that bottleneck bangs have a "fluid curved angle from shortest in the middle of the brows to longer at the cheekbones," whereas curtain bangs are "simply one sweeping angle."

Baby Bangs

It's no secret that baby bangs aren't for everyone. They're a flash from the past, initially popularized in the 50s thanks to celebrities like Aubrey Hepburn. Regardless, the hairstyle has returned to the spotlight, and they've not-so-quietly become one of the most covetable hairstyles among stars. If you're new to the style, "a baby bang typically lands mid-forehead or at the upper-third of the forehead, has a soft edge, and tends to be piecey, not super blunt," says Love.

Micro Bangs

Want to go even shorter? You might like the buzzy-yet-contentious micro bangs. Be warned: Baby bangs and micro bangs aren't the same: the latter is "very specific," and most hairdressers interpret it to mean cut as close to the hairline as possible," says Love. That doesn't make them any less popular; they're no stranger to social media, street style, or the red carpet.

Curly Bangs

Curly textures and bangs are a match made in hair heaven. They can "completely change your look," says Lindsay De Los Santos, a Miami-based hairstylist. Case in point: Her client, seen in the accompanying photo. In the dramatic before-and-afters, the expert urges you to pay attention to how the fringe "opens the face up to show off her facial features and bone structure."

Birkin Bangs

French actress Jane Birkin was not only the muse for the renowned Hermès Birkin bag but also for Birkin bangs. What separates them from blunt bangs is that they typically graze past the brow and have a wispy texture, whereas traditional blunt bangs famously do not. 

Braided Bangs

Take your protective style to the next level with braided bangs. You can either wear them in plaits cut straight across your forehead or take the fashion-forward approach of accessorizing them with various types of beads. Opt for a double-take-worthy look using multicolored beads, as shown in the accompanying hairstyle, or wear the same colored beads for a more subtle look.

Side-Swept Bangs

For some, the thought of side-swept bangs might give you cringe-worthy flashbacks to the early aughts. But unlike the flat-ironed and deep-parted swoop fringe of the early 2000s, the modern-day style is more natural. The bang usually starts at a "natural side part near the outer corner of the eyebrow," explains Love, and is softer and more voluminous than in years past.

Wispy Bangs

Prefer a light, feathery fringe to sharp, blunt cuts? Wispy bangs might be perfect for you. To be clear, "wispy" refers to texture, not the cut. That means you'll still have to decide the shape of your bangs, whether you opt for a lighter straight-across bang or softer curtain bangs.

Korean Air Bangs

Korean air bangs fall into the wispy fringe category, recognized for their thin and piece-y strands, Los Angeles-based hairstylist Mika Fowler previously told Real Simple. She deems them a smart option "for people who haven't had bangs before who don't want to fully commit." After all, "if you don't like them, you have the option of just blending them with the side hair," she says.

Shaggy Bangs

Shaggy bangs tend to be "shortest and piece-est in the center, before they bottleneck out on the forehead, meaning they get gradually longer towards the temples," explains Love. He deems them a smart alternative for those who "don't want a full-on shag haircut" but still want to "change things up for a more edgy vibe."

Choppy Bangs

Another fun way to play with texture is by trying choppy bangs or intentionally uneven fringe. How dramatic you decide to go with the varying lengths ultimately comes down to you and your hairstylist's discretion and your ideal aesthetic. You can keep it subtle by giving your blunt bangs a little texture, or go for an edgy vibe and give your baby bangs more definition.

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