How to Curl Bangs

Last Updated: October 21, 2021

Curly bangs are totally in, and can add immediate flair to just about any hairstyle. Best of all, there are countless takes on the look. There are long, curled bangs that flow into your hair, and shorted curved bangs that lay across your forehead. If you want something more chic, then the vintage pinup bangs might be right for you!

Method 1

Method 1 of 3:

Using a Curling Iron on Long Bangs

1
Brush your hair so that it is free of knots and tangles. This style works best on medium to long hair with long, layered bangs. It is a great option if you plan on curling the rest of your hair for a blended, flowing look. Your hair should be dry.
2
Create a side part. Use the handle of a rat-tail comb to part your hair. Begin the part above your eyebrow, and angle it back towards the back-center of your crown.^{[1]
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3
Gather an angled section of hair from the wider side of the part. Place the handle of your rat-tail comb on the part, a few inches/centimeters from your hairline. Drag it straight down in front of your ear, and gather everything that is in front of it. This should include your bangs, and it may include some of your hair a well.^{[2]
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- Tuck the rest of your hair behind your ear to keep it out of the way.
4
Spray the section with heat protection spray. Run a fine-toothed comb through that section to distribute the spray. Wait a few seconds for the spray to dry before proceeding.^{[3]
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5
Wrap the section around a wide-barreled curling iron. Clamp the iron behind the section so that it is resting on top of your hair. Wrap the rest of the section around the iron while rotating the barrel backwards and away from your face. Keep going until all of your hair from that section is around the iron.^{[4]
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- The iron should be horizontal and parallel to the top of your head.
6
Pull the iron out and roll the curl into a pin curl. Wait about eight seconds first, then loosen the clamp and slide the barrel out of the curl. Quickly roll the curl back into shape on top of your head, and secure it with bobby pins or hair clips. You are essentially creating a pin curl here.^{[5]
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7
Style the rest of your hair while the pin curl cools. Use your curling iron to curl the rest of your hair to your liking. This will give the pin curl enough time to cool and retain its shape.^{[6]
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8
Remove the bobby pins and run your fingers through the curl. This will help loosen the curl and blend it into the rest of your hair. Do not disrupt the side part!^{[7]
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9
Set the style with hairspray, if desired. If your hair holds styles well, you may not need this at all. If your hair doesn't hold styles well, however, give it a light misting of hairspray.

Method 2

Method 2 of 3:

Using a Round Brush on Short Bangs

1
Brush your hair and separate it from your bangs. Brush out your hair so that it is free of knots and tangles first. Next, pull your hair back and secure it with a hair tie, leaving your bangs loose. If you hair is short, you can clip your hair out of the way instead. Your hair should already be dry at this point.
- This method works best on bangs that are about cheekbone-length. It will give you simple, curved bangs that cover your forehead.
2
Apply a heat protection spray to your bangs. Run a brush or comb through your bangs to help distribute the spray, then wait a few seconds for it to dry. If your hair is very fine and you'd like more volume, you can apply a volumizing mousse or spray in addition to the heat protection spray.
3
Place the round brush under your bangs. Hold the round brush horizontal and parallel to your front hair line. Bring it under your bangs. Smooth your hand over the top of your bangs.^{[8]
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- You can also use a thermal round brush instead of a regular round brush and a hair dryer.^{[9]
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4
Aim a hair dryer at your bangs. Fit a wide, flat nozzle attachment onto the hair dryer. Position the hair dryer so that the nozzle is just behind the curve of the brush under your bangs. It should be almost touching your hair. Make sure that the nozzle is oriented horizontally.^{[10]
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- If you are using a thermal round brush, rest your hand over the bristles instead.
5
Blow dry your hair on low while moving the brush forward and back. Pull the brush towards the ends of your bangs, then roll it back towards your hairline. Do this a few times until your bangs are curled to your liking.^{[11]
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6
Style your bangs with a fine-toothed comb. Brush your bangs over your forehead with the comb. Use your fingers and the comb to adjust the strands so that they lay nicely and to your liking.^{[12]
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- Remove the hair tie holding back the rest of your hair when you are done.

Method 3

Method 3 of 3:

Doing Vintage Pinup Bangs

1
Brush out your hair and bangs. This style is suitable for medium to long hair. Your bangs should fall past your cheekbones. If you have not already, take a moment to mist your hair with a heat protection spray.^{[13]
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2
Separate the top section of your hair from the rest of your hair. Use the handle of a rat-tail comb to gather a U-shaped section of hair from the top of your head, spanning from eyebrow-to-eyebrow, from your hairline to the back of your crown. This section should also include your bangs.^{[14]
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- Pull the rest of your hair back and secure it with a claw clip or a hair tie.
3
Split the gathered section in half horizontally. Use the handle of a rat-tail comb to separate the upper layer from the bottom layer. Brush the upper layer back and out of the way. The rest of your hair is already gathered out of the way, so you don't have to worry about it mixing in.^{[15]
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4
Curl the bottom layer with a large curling iron. Clamp large curling iron down on the bottom layer, and run it towards the ends to smooth any frizz or flyaways. Rotate the curling iron downward, back towards your hairline. Hold the iron for a few seconds, then release it.^{[16]
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5
Repeat the process on the upper section of your hair. Take the section you brushed back earlier. Smooth away any frizz with a brush, then clamp the curling iron down on it. Pull the iron towards the ends, then rotate it downwards towards your hairline. Hold it for a few seconds, then release it.^{[17]
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- Curling the upper and bottom layers will give you more volume.
6
Spray and tease your curled hair. Lift the upper layer up, spray the underside, then tease the roots with a fine-toothed comb. Use the handle of a rat-tail comb to divide the bottom layer horizontally, then spray and tease the underside.^{[18]
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- You can repeat this step as often as you'd like to create more volume. Do not tease the top of the upper layer or the underside of the bottom layer.
7
Join the layers together. Smooth them down with a soft, bristle brush, taking care not to take out the curl or teasing.^{[19]
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8
Use your fingers to coil the curled section into a tube. Follow the shape and size of the curl as best as you can, and make sure that you are rolling it downwards. Keep the hair on the top of the roll straight and horizontal; don't let it angle or slope too much.^{[20]
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9
Secure the tube on each side with bobby pins. Use your fingers to pull the ends of the tube back at slight angles, then secure them with more bobby pins. If the back of your head is at the 12 o'clock position, you'd want the ends to be at 10 o'clock and 2 o'clock. This will give the bottom edge of the tube a slight, downward curve.^{[21]
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- Use bobby pins that match your hair color.
10
Let down the rest of your hair. At this point, your bangs are done. You can set them with hairspray and call it a day, or you can wrap a folded bandana around your head for a vintage look. You could even curl the rest of your hair, if you'd like.^{[22]
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- If you are going to use a folded bandana, make sure that it matches your outfit.
- Put on some red lipstick, false lashes, and dark eyeshadow to complete the vintage look!

Warnings

Using heat to style hair often can cause damage or breakage. For every day styles, try to avoid styling methods that use heat.^{[23]
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Expert Source

Christine George
Master Hair Stylist & Colorist
Expert Interview. 10 January 2020.}

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