What are bottleneck bangs?
Wondering the difference between bottleneck bangs vs curtain bangs? Similar to curtain bangs, bottleneck bangs are about 1 to 2 inches of wispy, lash-skimming bangs with angled, cheekbone-framing pieces on each side. However, they resemble the shape and slope of a bottleneck because they start shorter at the top and graduate to longer pieces that curve around the eye and cheek line. This type of face-framing is a hot commodity right now for multiple reasons. “I think bottleneck bangs are trending right now because of how easy they are to style,” says celebrity hairstylist Andrew Fitzsimons. “With this versatile bang, you have the luxury of being able to switch between having hair in front of your face or completely to the side.” Paul Cucinello, a New York City-based celebrity stylist and founder of Cucinello Beauty, also loves how versatile bottleneck bangs are. “The trend is having a moment right now because they’re super-flattering, easy to style, and a cinch to camouflage when you want them to disappear or start to grow them out.” (Hot tip: To prevent the bangs from looking too flat, you can ask your stylist for a choppier texture.)
How to Style Bottleneck Bangs
Just like there are numerous ways to rock bottleneck bangs, there are also multiple ways to style them. “I think bottleneck bangs are best styled in a way that mirrors the cutting technique,” says Cucinello. First, you need to apply a light blow-dry cream, like Cucinello Beauty Re:Touch Smooth Texture Upgrade ($56; cucinellobeauty.com), to smooth and hold the shape without making them separate too much. “Start with the center section and, using a medium-sized round barrel brush—like the Spornette Italian Rounder ($30; spornette.com)—dry this section out at about a 45-degree angle and then down, only rolling the brush when you reach the ends,” explains Cucinello. “Direct this section toward the bridge of your nose, then take each side-frame section and drag them forward and curl the ends back. This will create the bottleneck slopes that frame the cheekbones while encouraging lift and body.” To achieve this look, Cucinello recommends getting a blow dryer with a concentrator nozzle to keep the air focused on each section. “If you prefer a 2-in-1 hot air blow dry brush, try the T3 Airbrush Duo ($127; amazon.com) or the Revlon One-Step Volumizer Original ($39; amazon.com),” says Cucinello. Another option to style bottleneck bangs is to curl them using an iron. “First, definitely start with a heat protectant—you have to be kind to your locks,” says Fitzsimons. “Then, create the desired part, whether it is the middle, off-center, or over to the side. To exaggerate each curl, twist them around a curling iron. Finally, apply hair spray—like Andrew Fitzsimons Hard Strong Hold Hairspray ($14; ulta.com)—at the end to ensure your look stays in place all day (or night) long.”
