On the hairstyle spectrum, bangs, in their many different versions, have shifted from a styling decision influenced by a life change or a go-to forehead concealer to a versatile, artistic addition to any hair look. In light of at-home bang-cutting horror stories that can still be found on TikTok For You pages and Reddit threads warning of less-than-perfect DIY results, it’s both a smart and safe idea to leave bangs to the professionals.
2021 saw the rise of the curtain bangs trend, which began when celebrities like Zooey Deschanel, Hilary Duff and others donned the easy, breezy and grown-out-looking bangs style on red carpets and in paparazzi photos. Curtain bangs also gained popularity because of their versatile nature, making them the best choice in bangs for most hair lengths, types and textures. However, 2022 brought with it a fresh style of fringe called bottleneck bangs — the cool little sister of curtain bangs. It’s trending everywhere right now, and the Salonory content team breaks down everything you need to know — from inspiration and cutting techniques to the best professional hair styling products to use on the finished look.
What Are Bottleneck Bangs?
With hair trends coming and going (and coming back again), it can be hard to keep up. As a direct response to curtain bangs, the bottleneck bangs trend shares some characteristics with the earlier style while defining itself in a whole new way. Bottleneck bangs create a chic, shaggy look and frame the face in an effortless, retro-inspired way much like curtain bangs do. However, bottleneck bangs differ in their overall shape, which mimics the skinny-to-wide outline of a long-neck bottle. The shape works well for almost any hair type and provides a flattering outline for any face shape.
Bottleneck bangs have been spotted in a range of different lengths, though the most popular and iconic versions (a la Margot Robbie on the cover of British Vogue, for example) share a certain length and shape. The shortest strands are located in the middle of the forehead and are snipped just above the eyebrows. From there, the bangs get longer as the bangs move outward on the hairline towards the outer edges of the face, hugging the cheekbones and tapering off near the middle of the face. The result is a super-flattering style of bangs that adds dimension to any length of hair.
How to Cut Bottleneck Bangs
As mentioned above, bangs in general can be tricky to pull off at home, especially when cutting one’s own hair. Clients should leave this one in the hands of a stylist and their professional salon tools for the very best results. Prior to the appointment, make sure to define your intended results and bring photos or examples to the salon.
For stylists, cutting bottleneck bangs should not differ too much from traditional bang techniques. Start by sectioning off all the hair that will be included in the bangs section, combing evenly through the section of hair and making sure each side has the same amount of hair. Cut the middle section first and create a streamlined length that spans from one inner corner of the eye to another. From there, allow the length to stay longer as you cut the section of hair nearing the side of the face and taper the hair length when it reaches the cheekbone. To add shagginess to the look, make small cuts in an upward motion all over. Style with salon-quality texture hair products to add a bit of shaggy look.
How to Style Bottleneck Bangs
The shape of bottleneck bangs also makes styling and maintenance a rather easy process. Because the bangs are cut short above the eye area, clients can allow their bottleneck bangs to grow out for a while or return to the salon every few weeks for a touch-up appointment.
The best part about this hairstyle is that there are lots of ways to style it. With the help of some professional hair care products, bottleneck bangs can ensure there are no bad hair days in sight. Be sure to use an anti-breakage or moisture-replenishing shampoo to avoid split ends, dryness or dullness as a result of styling with hot tools and hair products. When it comes to styling products, utilize anything that can turn up the texture, messiness and volume for a classic bottleneck bangs look and go for a texture spray that allows for movement and a soft overall look. If using a hairspray or finishing spray, go for something with light to medium hold that will keep the hair looking healthy and natural all day long.
