Of course, bangs aren't for everyone (pictures from my brother's christening are proof), but when cut just right, they'll have people talking about them forever. Case in point: Sabrina Carpenter's curtain bangs. My coworkers and I can't stop raving about her chic bangs. So it got me thinking: who else is walking around with iconic bangs? From Taylor Swift to Zendaya, here are seven celebrities with bangs to inspire your next haircut. We also tapped three trusted hairstylists to give you advice on how to get bangs like your favorite A-list stars. Let's get started.
Meet Our Experts
1. Sabrina Carpenter's Curtain Bangs
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Face shape: Oval, heart, square
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Hair Type: Fine to medium
Curtain bangs have skyrocketed in popularity in 2020 and continue to be a favorite among celebs, including Sabrina Carpenter. According to Chong, curtain bangs are designed to frame the face and blend seamlessly with the rest of your hair. Whether your face shape is oval, heart, or square, curtain bangs create movement and texture.[They’re] “Start by cutting the bangs shortest in the middle of your forehead (above your eyebrows), then angle them so they're longer on the sides of your face (near your cheekbones),” she explains. If you're having trouble styling your curtain bangs, Chong suggests applying a cream before using a round brush and blow dryer like Carpenter does to create a rounder, fuller shape.
2. Zendaya's Baby Bangs
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Face Shape: Round, oval, heart-shaped
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Hair Type: Medium to thick
Admittedly, most of us don't have Zendaya's bone structure, but with the right stylist, we're sure you could pull off edgier baby bangs (also known as “French girl fringes”). According to Korab, these bangs are “typically cut short and rest on the forehead.” But if you want a more triangular bang (like Zendaya), try a center-faded bang. [kept] It's a little long [gets] The hair is kept short towards the end to accentuate the jawline, and the best part is that it requires very little styling — apart from frequent cuts to maintain length, you can simply straighten it with a curling iron.
3. Taylor Swift's Full Bang
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Aside from her sold-out shows and extensive discography, Taylor Swift's hairstyles are also worth noting. While earlier in her career, her style was characterized by cascading curls, the singer is now known for her full fringe. To recreate her style, Priano suggests cutting your bangs horizontally across your forehead. She adds, “Maintenance includes frequent cuts to maintain length and shape, and styling includes a flat iron for a smooth finish and a gloss spray to keep hair in place.”
4. Rene Rupp's fluffy bangs
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If your face shape is oval, round, or heart-shaped, these thin bangs shown off by Renée Rupp are also a choice worth checking out. “These bangs work well with the rest of her hairstyle, which is choppy and untidy. The longer bangs towards the outside of the face soften the look and allow it to seamlessly flow into the rest of her hair,” says Chung. To style, you'll need a flat iron and texturizing spray to give your new thin bangs definition and shape.
5. Yara Shahidi's Curly Bangs
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If you need some curly inspiration, look no further than Yara Shahidi. Over the years, she's tried out a variety of curly hairstyles, including curly bangs. Priano explains, “These bangs are cut to frame the face while embracing the hair's natural curl pattern. They look great on those with oval or round faces, but are best suited for curly or coily hair textures.” One more thing: To add definition to your new bangs throughout the week, simply apply a curl cream to highlight your curls.
6. Anne Hathaway's Birkin Bangs
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Face Shape: Round, long, square
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Hair Type: Fine to medium
In case you missed it: Birkin bangs are making a huge comeback in 2023, being embraced by celebs like Jenna Ortega and Anne Hathaway. As a stylist previously told me, “Birkin bangs have sharp angles that frame the face, making them perfect for someone who loves a full fringe but doesn't want it to cling completely to their face and feel heavy. This style of bangs is short and straight for a statement look, yet has soft, chopped features that add a touch of femininity.” For those with thin, straight hair, bangs are a great option as they add volume and texture to your overall look.
7. Katie Holmes' Side Bangs
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Speaking of revivals, side bangs made headlines in the early 2000s when they made a spectacular comeback. This heavy side fringe, as seen on Katie Holmes above, is easy to customize for your face shape and requires less work than a full fringe; because it's cut longer to start with, it grows out quicker (just keep it tucked to one side in the meantime).
Celebrity hairstylists share 32 bangs to try if you want a change
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