Cutting Curtain Bangs on Wavy Hair
Curtain bangs are defined by their arched shape, shorter in the center and gradually increasing in length toward the outer edges. When applied to wavy hair, the primary challenge is the spring-back factor; wavy strands retract significantly more than straight hair once the tension of the comb is released. Achieving a symmetrical result requires a dry-cut method to ensure the natural pattern of the wave dictates the final shape.
This guide focuses on the technical adjustments necessary to account for movement and density in wavy hair. By following these steps, you maintain the necessary weight to prevent the hair from appearing frizzy or unkempt.
- Difficulty
- Beginner
- Total time
- 45 minutes
- Cost
- Low
- Cadence
- Every 6 weeks
Ingredients
- Light-hold cream: Provides structure to waves without adding weight.
Tools List
- Professional hair shears
- Rat-tail comb
- Sectioning clips
- Wide-tooth comb
Step by step
Prepare the sectioning
Part your hair in the center and create a triangular section from the highest point of your head down to the outer corners of your eyebrows. Ensure the hair is completely dry and styled in its natural wavy state. Brush the section forward toward your face to establish a clear perimeter.
Tip: Use a rat-tail comb to ensure the parting is perfectly symmetrical.Establish the center length
Isolate a small central piece of hair, approximately one inch wide, right at the bridge of the nose. Hold the hair between your fingers without pulling it taut; you want to maintain the natural bend of the wave. Cut the hair at the level of your cheekbones to allow for the inevitable bounce-up.
Tip: Always cut a half-inch longer than your goal length to start.Create the diagonal sweep
Divide the remaining triangular section into two halves. Pull one side toward the opposite cheekbone to create a diagonal line. Cut from the center guide outward toward the outer corner of the eye, following an angle that mimics the sweep of a curtain. Repeat this on the opposite side, ensuring the length matches.
Tip: Use the outer edge of your eye as your length marker for the longest point.Texturize for movement
Point cut vertically into the ends of the bangs to remove bluntness. Because wavy hair is prone to stacking, this thinning prevents the ends from becoming too thick or heavy. Keep the scissors vertical to ensure you are only removing weight and not altering the structural length.
Tip: Close the shears only halfway to avoid removing large chunks.Style and settle
Using a wide-tooth comb, distribute a small amount of light hold product through the bangs. Scrunch the bangs upward with your palms to encourage the wave pattern to reform. Allow the hair to air dry completely without further manipulation to verify the symmetry of the wave.
Tip: Avoid twisting the hair with your fingers while drying.
Trouble
The bangs appear too short
Wavy hair can shrink more than expected when dry. Ensure you cut with zero tension and never pull the hair downward when measuring.
One side looks longer
Check your center part. If the part is crooked, the bangs will reflect that asymmetry. Re-part the hair and re-align the two outer sections.
The ends look heavy
Perform additional vertical point cutting on the ends. Focus specifically on the corners where the bangs meet the longer layers.
Frizz develops after cutting
Frizz in wavy hair is often caused by over-handling. Use a light cream and allow the hair to dry without touching it once styled.
The wave dictates the cut, not the hand.
Dry cutting is the only reliable way to manage wavy textures.
See also: curtain bangs, wavy hair and cut and style.