14 Different Types of Bangs for Every Type of Hair

Made famous by Bridget Bardot in the '70s, curtain bangs are a feathered cut that creates a mussed-up, cool-girl look. "Recently, every single one of my clients has wanted some sort of face frame, and I always recommend [these]," says celebrity hairstylist Mary Kendall. "They are low maintenance, work with all hairlines and are fairly user-friendly to style."

She blows the curtain bangs out, curling under toward the face, and then once parted, taking each side and blowing out and away.

As its name suggests, these face framers are shaped in a bottleneck curve that's cut shorter at the top and cascades to longer pieces that skim around the eye and cheek line. They're like the new curtain bangs: universally flattering across face shapes.

"A middle part works best for this look," says Montoya. "Dry strands away from the face at a 90º angle using a round brush, until dry and smooth." To set the shape, use cool air with the cool shot on your dryer.

When you think of bangs, blunt bangs are probably the kind that immediately pop into your head. They're cut straight across your forehead and don't have any layers.

Make sure bangs lay flat and smooth with a top-tested frizz-control product that can keep flyaways at bay while keeping hair looking shiny.

Don't think textured hair works well with bangs? Think again. Curly bangs are typically cut longer, so that hair won't shrink up your forehead as it curls.

Emphasize natural texture using a curl cream. Start with a dime-sized amount for fine, thin hair types and a quarter-sized amount for thicker, coarser hair types. Gently smooth onto hair beginning below the roots so you don’t lose volume.

Side bangs sweep across your forehead in an elegant way "and create angles on round faces," says Montoya. "This bang works at eye level, cheekbone and jawline."

Dry bangs from left to right with a blow-dryer, following the shape of the head. Montoya likes to use a Wet Brush Shine Enhancer brush to get a smooth and polished finish. Finish by locking in smoothness and shine with a flexible hold hairspray.

Less committal, layered bangs blend into your hair and have tons of different lengths, which means you can style them however you want — you can part them down the middle, have them lay straight or throw them to the side.

They'll fare a bit better if you style them with some sort of hair dryer brush. If on the longer side, "you can go for a bigger size brush and if they are a bit shorter you can go for a smaller size brush," says Kendall.

Choppy bangs have a little bit more texture than blunt bangs, and they're typically cut at varying lengths to give bangs more definition.

The edgy cut is typically styled straight to emphasize the layered length. Just pair a heat protectant with a hair straightener.

This is a fun, different way to wear your braids. Try them short, or tuck long braids into loops to create faux bangs. Elevate the look even more by accessorizing with a stylish headwrap that lets your bangs peek out.

These bangs are light and fine. Wispy bangs typically have a lot of feathering on the ends, adding to their barely there, soft look. "These are a great option for someone with minimal density who appreciates low maintenance," says Montoya. "This bang is soft and stops at the brows."

Use a detangling comb and dry bangs flat using low heat and airflow. "I like to finish the style with Ouidad Clean Sweep Dry Shampoo to keep bangs from sticking to the skin as the body heat rises," he adds.

If you have wavy hair, you can totally let your texture shine through your bangs. Don't worry about blow-drying — let your hair do its thing and embrace your natural texture.

Just slick on a leave-in hair conditioner to keep hair feeling smooth and to boost the bend of waves. Our Beauty Lab pros like Carol’s Daughter Monoi Repair and Moisture for Curly Hair which is infused with softening coconut oil.

Like baby bangs, but even smaller. Unlike many bangs, they're cut somewhere in the middle of your forehead. If you're hoping to try something new and unique, these bangs may be perfect for you. They require some maintenance, but the end result can be well worth it.

Wear them straight down or to the side when the occasion suits. Polish off the ends by running a quick flat iron over them, then letting cool to your preferred side.

Shag haircuts are ideal for anyone looking for mussed-up, effortless hair. The bangs are choppy, shaggy and blend perfectly into lots of layers. Due to their carefree nature, you can either opt to let your bangs dry naturally or add a texturizing spray to add a bit of life.

Piecey bangs are well-defined, with separated strands. The feathery, choppy cut gives them a messy (but coifed!) feel. You can achieve them by using a hair product like a pomade or leave-in conditioner to accentuate your fringe. This style is perfect for thick hair.

Not quite ready to commit to a full chop? Try short hair extensions to test out the look before you take the plunge. It's a great way to find which bangs work best with your face shape before you make the final cut!