Bye Bye Bixie: The Curtain Bob Is Taking Over

When it comes to haircuts, I oscillate between extremes. Right now I’m growing out my hair, but for about a decade I had a bob. My mom has always had one, and I’ve been drawn to how easy they were. When it came to styling my fine, thin hair, all I had to do to style it was blow dry it upside down and voilà. Instant volume. For the past few years, short cuts have been all the rage for all hair types, whether it was a pixie iteration, a shaggy mullet lob or the kitty cut, to name a few. But it’s time to say bye-bye to the extreme layers and hello to the curtain bob, AKA a bob with curtain bangs. Below, three hairstylist explain how to get the look and offer six different iterations to try. 

• Sarah Potempa is a celebrity stylist and co-founder of The Beachwaver Co. She is known for designing the first-ever rotating curling iron, the Beachwaver, and uses the tool to create waves for her clients. Her work has been featured in Vogue, Marie Claire, Teen Vogue and Vanity Fair, and her celebrity clientele includes Camila Cabello, Jennifer Garner, Ana de Armas and Lea Michele.
• Cynthia Alvarez is a celebrity hairstylist who has worked with the likes of Alicia Keys, Ego Nwodim, Becky G, Shakira and Dascha Polanco. Alvarez specializes in extensions and wigs, as well as styling, cutting and braiding. Her work has been featured in Elle, Harper’s Bazaar and InStyle.
• Sunnie Brook is a professional hairstylist and Biolage global ambassador with more than 20 years in the beauty business. As a previous salon owner and educator, Brook's client list is composed of a who's who of Hollywood, including Elisabeth Moss, Hailey Bieber and Ashley Park.

As the name suggests, the curtain bob is simply a bob with curtain bangs. As Brook explains, “Think of it as a modern take on the bob, where the bangs create face-framing layers that blend seamlessly into the length. It’s not as blunt as a traditional bob and not as layered as a shag, making it super wearable and flattering on so many face shapes.” The bangs add movement and texture to an otherwise sleek and structured hairstyle. Potempa adds that this haircut is a natural evolution from the more dramatic and shaggy cuts that have been trending, like the pixie and bixie hairstyles. A curtain bob is fresh but elegant. 

When it comes to booking an appointment with your stylist, Brook, Alvarez and Potempa are in agreement with one thing: Bring reference photos. And not just any photos—make sure you’re pulling images of people who share your face shape. This will allow you to see how the cut might fall on your features, Potempa tells me. 

The beauty of the curtain bob haircut is that it’s easily customized to your facial features. Potempa advises that those with rounder faces opt for a longer bob with layers that will add angles and elongate the face. Alvarez adds that for bangs, you want to either go for long or short, but avoid having them hit the middle of your face. Those with square faces will want to do soft layers to balance the sharpness.

“The curtain bob can work on a variety of hair types, but it’s generally easiest to achieve with medium to fine hair and straight to wavy textures,” Potempa says. “These hair types naturally get some volume and movement from the cut. While it works best on these textures, it can still be pulled off with other hair types, though it may require a more detailed consultation with your stylist to discuss maintenance and how to keep it looking its best.” 

For Brook, making the curtain bob work for your hair type comes down to how you style it. She recommends the following:

• Straight Hair: A little volume spray will add movement and volume.
• Wavy/Curly Hair: Embrace your natural texture! Use a curl-enhancing cream to keep it soft and defined.
• Thick Hair: You might want some internal layering to keep it from feeling too heavy or ask your hairdresser to remove weight in the interior with ghost layers. To define and control your layers while maintaining movement use a leave-in cream.
• Fine Hair: A slightly shorter length can help create the illusion of fullness, and a lightweight volumizing spray can add body.

“Most people wouldn’t think this cut pairs well with a bang but it’s an excellent choice for those looking for a change. It’s an edgy take on this haircut trend that will definitely turn heads,” Alvarez says. For quick styling, add an air-dry cream or texture spray for fine hair, and curl cream for wavier hair. If you have straight hair, use a round brush or blow dryer brush to give the bangs some shape and volume.

“This messy, textured take on the curtain bob is for the ultra-cool girl. To amplify your waves, prep your hair with a curl cream or gel for frizz-free texture that lasts,” Alvarez recommends. The hairstyle gets its name from the bottleneck bangs, which, true to the reference shape, is a bit narrower up top before widening to frame your face.

Brook recommends a tousled curtain bob for an effortless and beachy feel. To define the layers, use some texture spray. If you want a wavy effect, use a curling iron to add bends to your strands, and finish with hairspray to hold.