What Type Of Bangs Should I Get? An Expert Breaks Down Every Trending Style, From Bottleneck To Bardot

Although a bit impractical, bangs seem to be the haircut of summer 2026. Sure, the idea of hair falling directly onto your forehead on the hottest day of the year might sound brutal. And it is! But there’s nothing quite as chic as bangs. Just look at all the celebs with them right now: Zōe Kravitz, Odessa A’Zion, Taylor Swift, Sabrina Carpenter, Megan thee Stallion—every type of bangs has seen its moment from red carpets to the front row of fashion shows to walking the streets of NYC.

Once heralded as a crash-out haircut (who else cut bangs after their last breakup?), bangs now are the "it girl" accessory. No matter your hair length or texture, there's a type of bangs out there that’ll instantly add a cool factor to your look. Curtain bangs, side bangs, feathered bangs, blunt bangs—they're everywhere, and they're taking over.

With so many bangs trends dominating 2026 right now, figuring out which type of bangs actually works for your hair texture, face shape, and overall vibe can feel overwhelming. And because bangs are anything but one-size-fits-all, I put together the definitive guide to the best bang styles and haircuts of 2026—from soft, sculpted curtain bangs to sharp micro fringes and effortless layered cuts. Ahead, you’ll also find the styling tips, maintenance advice, and insider tricks that make all the difference once you commit—because as chic as bangs look, you’re gonna have to master the styling with a few essentials.

Regardless of your hair texture, you can't go wrong with a classic, straight-across bangs look. I'm really obsessed with Taylor Swift's ultra-thick bangs above, but I have pulled off a full bang with my fine hair many times, and all it takes is some thickening mousse and a good round brush to help add some volume. If you decide to try full bangs, have your stylist trim your bangs just above your eyebrows and be prepared to go back for a quick trim every few weeks.

If you're hesitant to commit to bangs, try curtain bangs first. Consider it one step up from a subtle face-framing layered look. Parted in the middle (or slightly off to the side like Karol G’s here), this gives your hair a smidge extra volume without requiring the same level of care and finesse as a full bang. It's also easy to grow out and requires v minimal upkeep (aka there's no need to hit up your hairstylist for frequent trims). Go for longer layers around your face to recreate this look.

Side-swept bangs are basically gateway bangs. Before going all out with a bold, blunt-cut bang (especially if it's your first time), first test the type with this long, layered version that's super easy to grow out if you hate it.

These thick bangs look especially chic when slightly parted in the middle. Just like its name implies, this type of bangs is cut in the shape of an arch, with the shortest lengths skimming your eyebrows, and the longest layers curving around the edges of your jaw. The result? A beautifully flattering frame of your face that pairs especially well with a bob haircut too (simply the biggest haircut of 2025, nbd).

Hairstylists have told me that everyone has been asking for "Bardot bangs" (the cut made famous by Bridget Bardot)—and I'm calling it the Sabrina Carpenter effect. It makes sense, though (beyond how fab her hair looks above), that this swoopy trend is so popular right now. To the untrained eye, these might look the same as curtain bangs. While similar, the "Bardot" style is often shorter and more structured, with a fluffy, voluminous look that grazes your eyebrows.

If you have fine hair and want some extra oomph, try getting very light, wispy bangs to give the illusion of height and volume in the rest of your hair. Take note from Pink Pantheress, who is constantly changing up how she wears her bangs (full and frontal, parted down the middle, curtain-like and fluffy)—and it's all thanks to this haircut.

If you've got a shag haircut, you may as well add some shaggy bangs to match. Adding lots of layers to both your bangs and the rest of your hair allows you to get in on the choppy trend. Plus, because these bangs are already a little long, they're less committal—feel free to pull 'em back, move 'em to the side, do what ya gotta do.

If you're really leaning into '70s-inspired retro hair trends, this voluminous, blown-out type of bangs is for you. To keep it elevated and modern, choose a light-hold hairspray to give your hair a little more movement versus crunchy mega-hold.

This tiny-bangs type stops an inch short of your eyebrows, giving you a look that's both retro and modern, all at the same time. Make yours look grunge, though, with a dollop of hair gel to slick it down and add a wet look.

If you want to frame your face without the full bang treatment, go for soft, blended curtain bangs with more volume on the sides than in the middle. This way you can easily push them away when you aren't feeling the feathered vibe. In some lights, these can even just be considered face-framing layers—but we're not playing bang-police here.

If getting blunt, straight-across bangs feels a liiiiittle intimidating, opt for something thick and layered. Part your bangs in the middle to channel the singer, or brush 'em to the side—the longer your layers are, the more styling options you'll have.

Like, fine, eye-skimming bangs aren't the most practical of styles, but there's just something so effing pretty about long, fringey pieces. Prepare to play up your texture and volume with this look (texturizing spray is your best friend here).

No matter your curl pattern, even a few shorter curls that hit below your brows can make a noticeable difference in your overall hairstyle. Megan thee Stallion's bangs are a good reference, since they have so much volume and curl definition to seriously frame her face.

Face-framing layers that feed into your bangs make for a cohesive style. These bangs are usually styled using a round brush and hair dryer since it helps develop that rounded shape and add volume and a bit of lift at your roots. Try it if you wear your hair up often, since it helps create a piece-y look.

No bang look is as classic and classy as these short, choppy ones, which were a favorite of Audrey Hepburn. A mini flat-iron is super helpful to give these a bit of shape since you can get so close to your roots. But they also might require frequent trims, so have your hairstylist on speed dial.

Feathered bangs are similar to layered bangs, but they're often wispier and softer at the ends. They can be worn across the front of your face (like a full bang), or parted to the side like Odessa A'Zion. FYI: Of all bang styles, they're one of the most low-maintenance. As these grow out, they naturally blend with any other layers in your hair. Plus, because you can wear them a few different ways, you're not stuck with one styling method every single time.

The age-old question on everyone's minds: Are bangs right for me? According to hairstylist Gia Tovar, legit every hair type, texture, and style can get (and love) bangs. But your biggest consideration should be about the level of effort you're willing to put in. Bangs are infamously high-maintenance, both when it comes to styling and keeping up. Between heat styling and consistent trim appointments, you're gonna likely spend a little bit of time on your bangs.

Now, don't make that totally deter you. There are hella tricks (I included many above, as a life-long bang-er) to make this easier and cut down on style time. But if you're someone who really likes to air dry and run out the door with no product, maybe bangs aren't for you. Also, something no one tells you about bangs: They're not for the extremely active person who sweats a lot in hot yoga every day, unless you have a fantastic headband to pull it all back (I'm a huge fan of lululemon's headbands). And even in that case, you're gonna require quite a bit of styling to overcome the headband hair.

This article originally appeared on Cosmopolitan.com. Minor edits have been made by the Cosmo.ph editors.