Waterfall bangs are simple to style—here’s how to achieve the perfect look.

From the shag cut to long, soft waves paired with '90s bangs, there’s no shortage of effortlessly cool, on-trend hairstyles. Among the latest styles making a comeback, waterfall bangs are a shaggy, ‘70s-inspired twist on curtain bangs.

And it’s not just us—celebrities like Gigi Hadid, Rihanna, Anne Hathaway, and Yara Shahidi have all embraced this simple yet stylish fringe. Want to try it too? Keep reading for all the tips on how to style waterfall bangs and what to ask for when you visit the salon.

What Are Waterfall Bangs?

Jenna Spino, a stylist at Maxine Salon, explains that waterfall bangs are a cross between curtain bangs and straight-across bangs. "The bangs feature different lengths, with the longest reaching the cheekbones and blending seamlessly into the rest of your hair," she says.

These bangs are shorter in the center, allowing them to be styled like a shaggy straight-across bang, while the sides grow longer to integrate with the rest of your hair. Crucially, waterfall bangs aren’t blunt—they offer a wispy, textured vibe that calls back to the ‘70s.

What makes waterfall bangs so appealing is their versatility—this style works with nearly every hair type and face shape. According to Spino, the layered and textured nature of waterfall bangs makes them easy to personalize. Plus, the way the pieces fall inward and the wispy fringe naturally frame the face creates a flattering look.

Waterfall Bangs vs. Curtain Bangs: What's the Difference?

Both of these retro-inspired bangs help frame the face but offer distinct looks. Waterfall bangs are softer and more textured, with shorter lengths in the middle that blend into longer sides, giving a natural, tousled vibe. Curtain bangs, on the other hand, part evenly down the middle for a more symmetrical and polished finish. While both styles are versatile, the right choice for you depends on your personal style and how you want to accentuate your facial features.

How to Customize the Cut With Your Stylist

Waterfall bangs require minimal upkeep and look just as great on naturally curly hair as they do post-blowout. "On finer hair, they can add fullness by creating volume in the front," says Spino. "On thicker hair, they help reduce the weight in the front." Whether your hair is straight, wavy, or curly, the bangs will give you a slightly different look.

Spino recommends doing your homework before committing to the cut. Make sure to find images of waterfall bangs on people with a similar hair texture and style to yours. With the right customization, waterfall bangs can complement any hair type.

Since waterfall bangs can vary in length, it’s important to be clear with your stylist. The more reference photos you bring, the better. Simply ask for shaggy, textured bangs with a rounded center and face-framing layers that seamlessly blend into the sides of your hair.

How to Style Waterfall Bangs for Every Hair Type

When styling waterfall bangs, Spino suggests using a round brush or rollers to add volume. If you're in a rush or don’t have many styling tools, simply blow-dry the bangs downward (away from your face) for that extra zhuzh and flow. Here’s how to style waterfall bangs based on your hair texture.

Thin Hair

For thin hair, aim to add volume when styling. "Use a round brush or Velcro rollers," says Spino. "This will create volume, and you can finish by refreshing with a texture spray to give the bangs some hold and highlight their wispy texture."

Thick Hair

For thick hair, style waterfall bangs in a way that lightens the look around the face. "I recommend blow-drying the bangs with a round brush or flat brush, either straight down or away from the face. This will smooth them just enough to highlight the texture in the bangs," says Spino.

Curly Hair

Unlike some other bang styles that need constant upkeep, you don’t have to blow out or straighten waterfall bangs for them to look great. Let them fall naturally, framing the face effortlessly.

"For curly hair, there are options," says Spino. "You can treat them like the rest of your curls, applying curl cream and either air-drying or diffusing. Alternatively, you could blow them out for a sleeker finish."

Wavy Hair

Just like with curly hair, there's no need to style your waterfall bangs daily. Let them naturally fall into whatever shape the waves take. For frizzy hair, apply some product. "I love waterfall bangs wavy," says Spino. "Use an anti-frizz product to enhance the wave and let them air dry. You can blow them out, but they look so great wavy, so why bother?"