Layered Short Hairstyles with Side Curtain Bangs: The Ultimate Medium Haircut Trend for 2025
Side curtain bangs are quickly becoming one of the hottest hairstyle trends of 2025, and it’s easy to see why. This chic, versatile haircut blends the effortless charm of ’70s styles with a modern twist, making it the perfect complement to a variety of medium-length cuts, especially layered short hairstyles. Whether you’re aiming for a bold look with side curtain bangs or a more subtle variation, this style flatters nearly every face shape and adds dimension to medium hair.
Still unsure if this trendy cut is right for you? By the end of this article, you’ll be ready to book your next salon appointment!
To learn more about curtain bangs, we reached out to Angie Aesthetic, creative director and stylist at Maxine Salon in Chicago. She shared her expert advice on why side part hairstyles with curtain bangs are so popular in 2025.
The Magic of Curtain Bangs for Medium-Length Hair
“The defining characteristic of curtain bangs is their layered structure. The center section is cut shorter, while the sides gradually grow longer, sweeping away from the face like draping curtains,” explains Abramite. “When paired with a center part, curtain bangs create a soft, flattering silhouette that opens up the face.”
One of the reasons curtain bangs are so effective is their ability to add volume where it’s most needed. “Curtain bangs create density around the temples, making hair look thicker and fuller,” Abramite says. “For women with a widow’s peak, curtain bangs beautifully frame the face, drawing attention to your features in the most flattering way.”
If you’re concerned about cowlicks or a high forehead, curtain bangs could be the perfect solution. “They help minimize the appearance of a wider forehead and bring balance to the face,” adds Abramite.
Whether you’re rocking a medium-length hairstyle or a brand-new look, curtain bangs are the perfect addition to your hair inspiration board. From side-part hairstyles to cuts that suit a widow’s peak, curtain bangs offer a trendy yet practical way to update your hairstyle while accentuating your natural beauty.
Trendy Curtain Bangs Styles for Medium Hair in 2025
1. Textured Curtain Bangs with Beach Waves
Enhance your beachy waves with textured curtain bangs for a fresh, cute summer hairstyle. The soft curtain bangs blend seamlessly with your waves, creating a carefree yet polished look. Use a round brush and blow dryer for a flawless side-part finish.
2. Curtain Fringe on Platinum Blonde
For a bold statement, pair a curtain fringe with platinum blonde hair. The bright platinum creates an eye-catching contrast, while the curtain bangs offer an edgy yet elegant finish. This style is a modern take on classic curtain bangs, perfect for a fresh, stylish appearance.
3. Ombre Curtain Bangs: From Brunette to Blonde
Ombre curtain bangs provide a smooth transition from brunette to blonde, brightening your hair and facial features. The soft ombre effect paired with curtain bangs creates a harmonious, fresh look, making it one of the best hairstyle examples for medium-length hair.
4. Wispy Curtain Bangs for Fine Hair
For those with fine hair, wispy curtain bangs are a great choice. These light, airy bangs provide volume without overwhelming your hair. They offer a perfect balance of texture and style, adding dimension to your layered short shoulder-length cut.
5. Voluminous Curtain Bangs for Short Hair
Add volume and body to your short hairstyle with voluminous curtain bangs. These bangs create the illusion of thicker hair and beautifully frame the face, making them ideal for modern widow’s peak hairstyles.
6. Curtain Bangs Paired with a Low Bun
Achieve a polished yet relaxed look by pairing side curtain bangs with a low bun. This versatile style works for any occasion, softening the bun and creating an effortless vibe that complements any medium-length haircut.
7. Sleek Curtain Bangs for Asian Hair
Asian hair is known for its sleekness and thickness. Curtain bangs can add movement without compromising the sleek finish. A simple blowout with a round brush will give your side-part hairstyle medium a polished, textured look.
8. Asymmetrical Curtain Bangs
For something fresh and unique, try asymmetrical curtain bangs. This uneven cut adds an edgy, modern twist to the classic style, breathing new life into your cute summer haircuts while retaining the essence of curtain bangs.
9. Curtain Bangs with a High Ponytail
Combine curtain bangs with a high ponytail for a chic and elevated look. The ponytail lifts the entire style, while the curtain bangs maintain a relaxed, stylish vibe. This combination works beautifully with medium-length haircuts for a sophisticated, trendy finish.
10. Grungy Curtain Bangs with Dark Roots
For a grunge-inspired look, pair grungy curtain bangs with dark roots. The contrast between dark roots and lighter hair colors like red or blonde creates a bold, eye-catching effect. The textured curtain bangs enhance the messy, effortless vibe, giving you a daring and fashionable look.
11. Curtain Bangs for Thick Wavy Hair
Thick, wavy hair can benefit greatly from curtain bangs, offering a lightweight shape without disrupting your natural texture. These bangs seamlessly blend with the waves of your hair, creating a flattering face-framing effect. Side Curtain Bangs for Medium Hair are ideal for achieving a voluminous, soft look that enhances your natural curls and waves.
12. Bob Cut with Layered Curtain Bangs
A bob cut with layered curtain bangs perfectly balances structure and softness. The bob adds volume and body, while the layered bangs create a flattering frame for your face. This hairstyle is a modern twist on Layered Short Hairstyles for Medium Hair, giving you the versatility and style you crave.
13. Side Swept Curtain Bangs
For a daring approach to curtain bangs, opt for side-swept curtain bangs. This variation adds extra volume and movement, sweeping across the forehead in a fuller, edgier style. Side-swept curtain bangs are perfect for a chic, modern take on Side Part Hairstyles for Medium Hair.
14. Blunt Curtain Bangs for Square Faces
Blunt curtain bangs are a game-changing style for square faces. While many believe blunt bangs are too harsh, they can actually soften the angles of a square face, offering both structure and balance. This versatile look suits all hair textures and works particularly well with Widow’s Peak Hairstyles for Women.
15. Vintage Curtain Bangs
Inspired by the ‘70s, vintage curtain bangs add nostalgic charm to your hairstyle. These bangs are perfect for framing the face and complementing any hair type—straight, wavy, or curly. Vintage curtain bangs create a soft, flattering finish, making them an essential style for those seeking a classic, yet modern, look.
16. Half Updo with Flowing Curtain Bangs
For an elegant yet casual look, pair flowing curtain bangs with a half updo. This style suits all hair types, from straight to curly, and adds a casual sophistication to your overall appearance. Ideal for both daily wear and special occasions, this hairstyle is perfect for anyone looking for cute summer haircuts.
17. Curtain Bangs on Natural Coily Hair
If you have natural coily hair, curtain bangs can enhance the beauty of your natural texture without sacrificing volume. These bangs offer a flattering frame for your face while preserving the definition of your coils. Curtain bangs for coily hair are a perfect way to add fresh, modern flair while embracing your hair’s natural beauty.
18. Curtain Bangs for Oval-Shaped Faces
Oval-shaped faces are perfectly suited for curtain bangs. The soft layers of curtain bangs enhance the balanced proportions of an oval face, adding a flattering frame and accentuating your best features. This style works wonderfully with almost any Side Part Hairstyle for Medium Hair, making it a must-try for oval face shapes.
19. Curtain Bangs for Long-Layered Hair
If you have long, layered hair, adding curtain bangs can bring fullness and dimension to your look. These bangs blend seamlessly with your layers, enhancing the texture and adding balance to your hairstyle. Whether you prefer a smooth or textured finish, curtain bangs on long layers elevate your overall style, making them a great addition to any Layered Short Hairstyle for Medium Hair.
20. Choppy Curtain Bangs
For a more contemporary look, opt for choppy curtain bangs. The textured, uneven cut creates a bold, lived-in effect that adds movement and dimension. Perfect for adding extra volume to finer hair or creating a fresh look for Layered Short Hairstyles for Medium Hair, these choppy bangs offer a modern twist on the classic curtain style.
21. Undercut with Curtain Bangs
Pair your edgy undercut with curtain bangs for a striking contrast between softness and boldness. The curtain bangs provide texture and flow, softening the sharp lines of an undercut. This combination creates a dynamic and versatile style that’s perfect for those who want to make a statement with their cool hairstyles.
22. Curtain Bangs for Pixie Cuts
Transform your pixie cut with curtain bangs for a softer, more feminine touch. This simple yet stylish addition brings a balance of boldness and elegance to your pixie cut, making it effortlessly chic. Pixie cuts with curtain bangs combine edgy and refined elements, giving your hairstyle an elevated and modern look. Perfect for those seeking a stylish twist on the classic pixie cut, curtain bangs add a touch of beauty and versatility.
23. Curtain Bangs for Loose Curls
Enhance your natural curls with curtain bangs designed specifically for curly hair. These bangs effortlessly blend into your curls, creating a soft, flattering frame that complements your hair texture. Curtain bangs for loose curls provide a fresh, light look, making them the perfect addition for anyone with curly hair seeking a modern twist on curly bangs. Whether you have tight curls or loose waves, this style will keep your curls looking vibrant and well-defined.
24. Curtain Bangs for a Heart-Shaped Face
Curtain bangs are a perfect match for heart-shaped faces, as they help soften the forehead while accentuating the eyes. Whether your hair is straight, curly, or wavy, curtain bangs flatter all hair types and create a beautiful frame for heart-shaped faces. If you’re searching for a hairstyle that enhances your features and offers balance, heart-shaped face bangs are a stunning option that effortlessly highlights your best angles.
25. French Girl Chic Curtain Bangs
Achieve the iconic French-girl chic look with curtain bangs that exude effortless beauty and sophistication. This relaxed, draped fringe adds a casual yet elegant touch to your hairstyle, perfect for anyone looking to embrace Parisian-inspired charm. French-style curtain bangs elevate your overall appearance, offering a timeless, effortlessly cool vibe that adds an elegant edge to any look.
26. Curtain Bangs for Thick Curly Hair
Curtain bangs for thick curly hair are an excellent way to enhance your natural texture while maintaining volume and definition. These bangs add a soft, flattering frame to your face without disrupting the natural flow of your curls. If you have thick, curly hair and want to define your curls while adding movement, curtain bangs will complement your locks beautifully, creating a stylish and balanced curly curtain bangs look.
27. Curtain Bangs with Balayage
Pair curtain bangs with balayage for a stunning, sun-kissed glow that enhances both your bangs and your face. The balayage technique creates depth and dimension, while the curtain bangs softly frame your features, creating a radiant, effortless look. If you’re considering balayage curtain bangs, this combination offers the best of both worlds—natural beauty with a chic, stylish twist.
28. Retro Glam Curtain Bangs
Embrace vintage-inspired glamour with retro glam curtain bangs that offer bold, flattering shapes and a touch of old Hollywood charm. These chic bangs swing beautifully, channeling the timeless elegance of retro styles. If you’re in the mood for a bold, glamorous look, retro glam curtain bangs will bring that diva aesthetic to life, adding vintage sophistication to your modern hairstyle.
29. Curtain Bangs on a Short Bob
Pairing curtain bangs with a short bob adds soft texture and volume to your hairstyle without overwhelming the overall look. This combination enhances the sleekness of the bob, giving it depth and movement while maintaining a chic and modern feel. If you’re looking for a stylish yet low-maintenance hairstyle, curtain bangs on a short bob provide the perfect balance of style and ease, offering a fresh take on bob haircut bangs.
30. Double-Tiered Curtain Bangs
For those with thick hair, double-tiered curtain bangs offer extra body and dimension while keeping your look soft and flowing. These bangs create a fuller, more voluminous frame around your face, adding texture and movement to your hairstyle. Double-tiered curtain bangs are an excellent choice for individuals seeking volume and depth, providing a beautiful layered effect that works with all hair types.