Have you ever spent time carefully styling your curtain bangs, only to have them start curling inwards and framing your face weirdly after a few hours? Annoying, right? Don’t worry – you’re not alone. Lots of people with curtain bangs struggle to keep them swooping outwards all day.
The good news is, with a few styling tweaks and techniques, you can stop your curtain bangs from curling inwards and maintain that cute, face-framing look you love. In this article, we’ll walk through all the possible reasons your bangs are misbehaving, along with solutions to fix them. Let’s do this!
What’s Causing Your Curtain Bangs to Curl Inwards?
Before we can fix the issue, we need to get to the bottom of what’s causing your curtain bangs to curl in the wrong direction in the first place. There are a few likely culprits:
Your Hair’s Natural Texture
If you have curly or wavy hair, the texture itself can cause your bangs to revert to a more inward curl pattern over time. Similarly, if you have very thick hair, the weight can pull your bangs forward. Thin, fine hair is more prone to getting weighed down and losing volume throughout the day.
The porosity and moisture levels in your hair also impact how well styles hold. Porous hair soaks up products and loses moisture faster, leading to shrinking and curling.
Your Styling Method
How you’re styling your curtain bangs makes a big difference. If you’re using a round brush and blow dryer, the direction of the airflow and brush strokes play a key role. For flat irons, the temperature setting, size/shape of the curl, and angle of your wrist impact the results. Other heat tools like curling irons can also lead to inward curling if used incorrectly.
Environmental Factors
Excess humidity in the air can cause waves or curls to emerge in hair as it absorbs moisture. Failing to use heat protectant sprays or serums before hot tools leads to damage over time. Product buildup on your bangs can also weigh the hair down, causing it to flatten and curl under.
Now that we know why it happens, let’s go over how to fix it!
Blow Drying Your Curtain Bangs the Right Way
Blow drying is one of the quickest and easiest ways to style curtain bangs. But the direction of the airflow and heat matters. Here are some tips:
- Set your blow dryer to a medium heat and speed. Too hot and it can damage hair. Too cool and it won’t fully dry.
- Lift your roots up and away from your face, blowing air in an upward direction.
- With a round brush, brush both sides of your bangs down in front of your face first.
- Then, roll the brush upwards to curve the hair away at an angle.
- Focus on brushing each side smoothly away from your face, not towards it.
- Finish with some tousling or brushing the bangs forward to add volume.
Using a volumizing mousse before blow drying can give your bangs extra body and bounce. And always use a heat protectant spray to prevent damage!
Master the Flat Iron for Straight, Sleek Bangs
Flat irons are ideal for getting sleek, smooth curtain bangs that swoop to the sides. But improper curling technique can cause them to flip inward. Follow these steps:
- Set your flat iron to 350-400°F, based on your hair thickness. Use the lower end for fine or damaged hair.
- Section your bangs cleanly from the rest of your hair. Divide bangs horizontally.
- Clamp the top layer in the iron and form a wide, loose “C” shape curl facing outward.
- Keep your wrist angled slightly away from your face as you curl.
- Repeat on the lower layer, with a tighter “C” curl.
- Allow to fully cool before gently brushing out.
Be patient and only curl small sections at a time. Rushing can lead to sloppy inward curls. Letting each one set prevents frizz.
Curling Irons and Rollers Can Work with Caution
While curling irons and rollers may seem counterintuitive for straight curtain bangs, they can help when used properly.
For curling irons, wrap hair around the barrel away from your face, not towards it. Let cool completely before brushing out. With rollers, gently roll dry bangs out and back, not forward, while heating with a blowdryer.
The key is moving in the opposite direction of the inward curl you’re trying to avoid. Allow hair to cool completely before removing rollers or irons.
Heatless Styling is Ideal for Curly Bangs
If you have naturally wavy or curly hair, limiting heat tools is best to maintain texture. Here are some tips for heatless styling:
- Air dry your curtain bangs after showering, using a holding product like mousse.
- Braid or pin your bangs to the side while drying to train the shape over time.
- Sleep with your bangs rolled or twisted away from your face.
- Use silicone-free oils or creams when styling to reduce frizz.
Let your hair work with its natural tendencies, rather than fight them. Embrace those luscious locks!
Keep Your Bangs Looking Fresh In-Between Styling
Consistency is key when it comes to keeping your curtain bangs sweeping to the sides. Follow these maintenance tips:
- Use heat protectants religiously before any hot tools to prevent damage.
- Only style freshly washed bangs – product buildup causes issues.
- Get a trim every 2-4 weeks to manage growth and shape.
- Adjust your styling technique as your bangs grow out.
- Wash bangs separately if they get oily faster than your hair.
Remember, curtain bangs frame your gorgeous face, so keeping them in tip-top shape is a must! Don’t hesitate to ask your stylist for styling advice for your hair texture and type.
Time to Say Bye-Bye to Inward Curling Bangs!
Now you’re armed with expert tips to keep those fabulous curtain bangs right where they belong – angled outwards to frame your face, not curled inwards.
It may take some trial-and-error to find the best styling method for your hair type and texture. Don’t get discouraged if they don’t turn out perfectly the first time.
The most important thing is keeping your bangs healthy and avoiding too much heat damage. So be patient, use products to protect your hair, and work with your natural texture.
With a bit of practice, you’ll be able to style swoopy, bouncy curtain bangs that last all day. So grab your favorite hair tools and get styling! Those face-framing locks will have everyone doing a double-take.