Side bangs
Side bangs are a fringe cut on an angle and swept to one side from a side part, so they cross the forehead diagonally instead of covering it straight across. They can stop at eye level, at the cheekbone or as low as the jaw, and they are one of the easiest kinds of bangs to pin back or tuck behind an ear.
What are side bangs?
The fringe is shortest near the part and longest on the far side, so it falls in one diagonal line. Because it has to reach across the forehead, it is cut longer than a straight fringe, and many side bangs are shaped so the long end can tuck behind one ear.
The look has come back more than once, from the 1960s to the early 2000s. Stylists keep it current with face-framing layers around it, so the bangs blend into the cut rather than sitting on top as one stiff piece; without that blend and some styling, a side bang can look stiff and separate from the rest of the hair.
It works at any length. On a pixie the side-swept fringe is part of the cut, on a blunt bob a curved side bang adds shape, and on long hair it reads like the first of the face-framing layers.
Who it suits
Often suggested for
The diagonal line adds definition to a round face and softens a square or heart shape, which is why side bangs are suggested for so many face shapes. They also suit thick hair, where a side sweep looks softer than a heavy blunt fringe, and curly hair, which can be swept to one side in its natural pattern.
Side bangs vs curtain bangs
Side bangs
Curtain bangs
| Side bangs | Curtain bangs | |
|---|---|---|
| Part | On the side, swept one way | In the middle, opening both ways |
| Shape | One diagonal line, longest on the far side | Shortest at the part, longer toward both sides |
| Forehead | Covered at an angle on one side | Open in the center |
| Usual length | Eye level, cheekbone or jaw | Brows to cheekbones |
If you already wear a side part, side bangs follow it; if you part in the middle, curtain bangs will sit more naturally. Of the two, side bangs are easier to pin out of the way on days you don't style them.
Side bangs variations
Short layered cut with side fringeA short, layered cut built around a side fringe that blends into the layers.
Long pixieA longer pixie where the side-swept fringe is part of the cut itself.
Face framing layersLayers around the face; with a side part they turn into a soft side bang and keep it from looking stiff.
Wispy bangsA lighter fringe that can be worn straight down or pushed to either side, if you want both options.
Hollywood wavesGlossy, uniform waves; a rounded side bang brushed under with a round brush gives the same retro feel.
Upkeep
Medium upkeep
The short end near the part reaches your eyes first, so the fringe needs trims between full cuts. Salon guides put trims for bangs above the eyes at every two to three weeks and for longer styles at three to four, and long side bangs sit at the slower end. Like any fringe, they rest on the forehead and get oily sooner than the lengths, so a little dry shampoo on the front buys an extra day. Growing them out is gentle: they are already long on one side, so they turn into a face-framing piece, and they pin back or tuck behind an ear while they catch up.
How to ask your stylist
- Bring photos and say which side you part on. A stylist can tell you which part and which length flatter your face, so ask before the first cut.
- Say where the shortest and longest points should land: eye level, cheekbone or jaw. Side bangs need more length than a straight fringe, so start long.
- If you want to tuck them behind an ear, say so, so the long end is cut to reach it.
- Ask for face-framing layers around them, so the bangs blend into the cut instead of sitting on top as one heavy piece.
- On curly hair, ask for the front layers to be cut so they can be swept to one side in their natural pattern.
How to style it
Blow-dry them in the direction they sweep, aiming the dryer across the forehead, so they keep the sweep instead of falling straight down. A round brush curves the ends under for a softer, rounded bang, and a light-hold cream or hairspray keeps them in place without looking stiff. On curly hair, scrunch a defining curl cream or balm through the damp front and dry it with a diffuser.
Questions
How can I see what I'd look like with side bangs?
Upload one clear, front-facing photo to Styloom and pick Side bangs. You get an AI preview of your own photo in about 20–30 seconds.
Do side bangs suit a round face?
They're one of the usual picks for round faces: the diagonal line adds an angle and some definition across the forehead. Layered and grown-out bangs are the other common suggestions.
Do side bangs work with curly hair?
Yes, and curls suit them well. Instead of a straight-across fringe, the curly face-framing layers are swept to one side, and a curl cream with a diffuser keeps them defined.
Can you have side bangs with short hair?
Yes. Many pixie cuts come with a side-swept fringe built in, and on a bob a curved side bang softens the blunt line.
Are side bangs out of style?
Stylists don't think so. What dates a side bang is a stiff, heavy swoop; with face-framing layers around it and soft, styled ends, it looks current.
Sources
Written in our own words from common salon and barber advice. The example photos are AI-generated and show the style from the front. Updated November 6, 2026.