It's Official: Curly Bangs Are the New Cool-Girl Hair Trend
From RiRi's summer-ready 'dos to backstage at DVF.

Just over a month ago, fresh off the hair study that was my Making a Murderer binge, I declared curly bangs a terrible idea. Yes, I said it. And now? I'm swallowing my words.
Let me explain—I have super curly hair and thus have always had an inherit fear of bangs, associating them with the bad kind of frizz AKA the '80s. So even when I spotted Rihanna over the summer rocking ringlet fringe with her bouncy curls, I chalked it up to the fact that it was, well, Rihanna. Like her sleeping bag coats and royal blue lipstick, they couldn't possibly work for us mere mortals.
It wasn't until Valentine's Day that I saw the light. It began backstage at Diane von Furstenberg Fall 2016, where each model had their own '70s-inspired 'do. Among them was new-model-on-the-block Alanna Arrington, who sported a shoulder-length head of ringlet curls complete with glossy curly-Q bangs. They were perfect.
Then, that night, I watched the premiere of Vinyl, Martin Scorsese and Mick Jagger's new '70s-era HBO drama, and became completely obsessed with Juno Temple. Full disclosure: we have the exact same frizzy blonde hair, so I'm a little biased. But I loved everything about her rock 'n' roll style, including her unapologetically kinky bangs.
At that moment, I realized that curly bangs are 1) Becoming a thing and 2) That I totally should have seen this coming because we're in the midst of a natural texture renaissance. Why shouldn't bangs be getting in on the fun?
While I'm not brave enough to go for the fringe chop just yet, I'm already contemplating investing in curly clip-in bangs and have no doubts that fringe will continue to become more crimped, corkscrewed, permed, and spiraled.
Follow Marie Claire on Instagram for the latest celeb news, pretty pics, funny stuff, and an insider POV.
Stay In The Know
Get exclusive access to fashion and beauty trends, hot-off-the-press celebrity news, and more.
Lauren Valenti is Vogue’s former senior beauty editor. Her work has also appeared on ELLE.com, MarieClaire.com, and in In Style. She graduated with a liberal arts degree from Eugene Lang College, The New School for Liberal Arts, with a concentration on Culture and Media Studies and a minor in Journalism.
-
A 'Titanic' Child Star Says a Devastating Scene Was Cut: "Heavily Rejected by Moms"
“You're still my best girl, Cora.”
By Lia Beck Published
-
Selena Gomez Takes Makeup-Outfit Coordination to Rarely-Seen Levels
She heard "lady in red" and ran with it.
By Halie LeSavage Published
-
All the Details on Princess Kate and Prince William's Seriously Luxe Mustique Vacation
From a $42k villa with a private butler to a celebrity-fave bar, the Waleses are enjoying some fun in the sun.
By Kristin Contino Published
-
New York Fashion Week’s Fall/Winter 2025 Best Beauty Moments Are a Lesson in Juxtaposition
The week's best beauty looks were a maximalism master class.
By Ariel Baker Published
-
Nécessaire's Extra-Strength Deodorant Outlasts an Editor's Sweatiest Test: Fashion Week
Even with my hectic schedule, I've never smelled better.
By Halie LeSavage Published
-
Lily-Rose Depp’s Cool-Toned Makeup Is So ‘90s Coded
Clean girl meets grunge.
By Ariel Baker Published
-
The 13 Best Foundations for Mature Skin, Tested by Women Over 50
It's perfect for mature complexions.
By Siena Gagliano Published
-
Gray Hair Was the Hottest Accessory at the 2025 Golden Globes
Gray hair is chic, period.
By Hannah Baxter Published
-
25 Brown Nail Designs To Instantly Elevate Winter's Hottest Polish Trend
Luxury at your fingertips.
By Emma Aerin Becker Published
-
20 Beauty Stocking Stuffers Guaranteed to Please Your Pickiest Family Members
Beauty editor-tested and approved.
By Ariel Baker Published
-
24 Luxury Beauty and Wellness Gifts for Your Pickiest Self-Care Obsessed Friends
Guaranteed to please even your pickiest friends and family.
By Hannah Baxter Published