Why Your Bangs Aren't Curling + How to Fix It

I’ve suffered through this as well.

So, bangs are actually really high-maintenance.

It’s incredibly frustrating because sometimes bangs look great – it curls beautifully and frames your face making it smaller and cuter.

And sometimes, they’ll just hang limp or stray on the side or stand at some odd angle.

I get it – despite your best efforts, they remain frustratingly straight and reduce to curl.

You’re not alone.

In this blog post, I’ll explain why your bangs are no longer curling and I’ll talk to you about how you can get it to curl again.

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Why are my bangs not curling?

Because bangs are at the top of the head and mostly in the front, it tends to be the most damaged area on everyone’s head. Frequently pulling it back behind the ears, touching it, or even tying it in a ponytail, bun or pineapple will disrupt the curl pattern.

Additionally, exposure to the sun and dry weather conditions can make your bands dry out and this is why your bangs are not curling or become resistant to curling.

Heat damage can also play a role

Moreover, if you’ve used heat (to blow-dry and comb your bangs or even used a curling iron), then your bangs may also be suffering from heat damage.

I used to constantly use the straightener and twist my bangs in the front to get my bangs to curl inward – this caused my bangs to stand awkwardly and it wouldn’t curl like the rest of my hair.

Added to the humidity of the place I was staying in – it would stand like I was electrocuted – that was not a pretty sight at all.

How to get your bangs to curl again? How to fix bangs that won’t curl?

1. Do a deep conditioning treatment

If your bangs are hanging limp and refusing to curl – stop the heat for a little while. Heat is only going to damage your hair more.

Let your hair recover.

And moreover, do a deep conditioning treatment for your hair or just your bangs.

My theory is, if you’re deep conditioning your bangs, you might as well do it for your whole hair.

Deep conditioning will help restore moisture, repair the damage and improve the overall health of your hair – basically, your bangs will get their curl pattern back because the hair mask will penetrate your hair shaft deeply and restore the moisture your bangs have lost.

I’ve used many hair masks, but the only one I highly recommend that has worked for my hair (and so many others) is the Argan Oil Hair Mask and Deep Conditioner for Dry and Damaged hair.

I’m not kidding when I say, that this is a miracle worker. My hair became soft, silky and so easy to manage – even my tangles disappeared because this really helps make your hair soft and glossy.

You’ll notice that your bangs curl easily after deep conditioning (you may have to do it 2-3 times if your hair is very damaged, but it works!

Check out the hair mask here.

Now, here’s how you use it:

Start with clean, damp hair: Begin by washing your hair with a gentle shampoo to remove any dirt, excess oils, or product buildup. Rinse thoroughly and gently squeeze out excess water until your hair is damp. Remember, it should not be soaking wet, otherwise, it won’t be able to absorb the hair mask.
Apply the deep conditioner: Take a generous amount of the deep conditioner and evenly distribute it through your hair, focusing on the mid-lengths and ends, which tend to be drier and more damaged. Also, focus on your bangs since that’s the part that needs nourishing. Don’t apply to your scalp – it’ll just make it greasy.
Massage and comb through your hair: Gently massage the deep conditioner into your hair, ensuring that every strand is coated. Use a wide-toothed comb or your fingers to detangle any knots or tangles, starting from the ends and working your way up to the roots. This helps to distribute the product evenly and ensures that it reaches all parts of your hair.
Create heat for better absorption: Heat helps to open up the hair cuticles and allows the deep conditioner to penetrate deeply. You can create heat by wrapping a warm towel around your head or by using a shower cap or plastic wrap to cover your hair. I just use a shower cap – it’s plain and simple.
Allow time for deep conditioning: Follow the instructions on the product regarding the recommended duration for deep conditioning. I usually leave it in for 30 minutes. Some people prefer to leave it on for even longer or overnight for an intense treatment but I haven’t done that, so I’ll leave it up to you.
Rinse thoroughly: After you’ve let it sit in your hair for at least 30 minutes, rinse your hair thoroughly with lukewarm or cool water. Make sure to remove all traces of the deep conditioner from your hair, as any residue can leave your hair greasy.
Style as desired: Once you have rinsed out the deep conditioner, you can proceed with your regular styling routine. You’ll see how soft your hair is now.

Do this every week and notice how beautifully your bangs will curl now.

Now, you can follow the other steps to get your bangs to curl.

2. Use flexi rods or perm rods

I always find a workaround that doesn’t involve heat.

Since your hair is always bending backward, flexi rods or even perm rods will help your hair form natural curls and ringlets.

Just curl your hair using these rods and you can keep them overnight or for a few hours and your bangs will form natural curls!

These work and you don’t need to use any heat.

If you’re having trouble getting the curls to stay, then simply use some curly hair gel or use a curl activator or cream with a stronghold.

I personally use Cantu Cream because I have been using it for years and I love the hold it gives me.

Here’s a video I found that explains how to use flexi rods to get those tight curls in bangs:

3. Finger-coil your bangs

This method works like a charm for me.

While your hair is still damp, just apply a little hair cream to your bangs (make sure all the bangs are coated evenly with hair cream) and then finger-coil it.

Then go over it with gel if you need a stronger hold. If I’m going out, I usually apply a little curly hair gel because I want the bangs to hold and not stray badly.

If you’ve moisturized your hair with deep conditioning, then this method is going to work beautifully.

And your bangs will curl, I promise.

4. It may just be too short to curl

If you have curly or wavy hair and not coily hair, then chances are that your hair might just be too short to curl.

Grow your bangs to the tip of your nose – this will allow your bangs to curl and reach the end of your forehead.

Until then, use bobby pins to pin your hair to the back so that it doesn’t look awkward.

You don’t want to walk around like Courtney Cox in Scream 3 – those bangs were outrageous!

5. Don’t tie your bangs in a tight ponytail or pineapple

Avoid these hairstyles, because it’s going to put a lot of stress on your bangs and will render them lifeless.

Your bangs will lose their curl pattern if you continuously keep tying them in a ponytail or putting it behind.

That stress adds up – believe me.

Even if you have to tie your hair in a bun, do a loose bun and use satin hair scrunchies – these are very soft and silky and reduce the stress on your hair.

My hair fall dropped drastically after switching to these and my hair doesn’t tangle like before.

So, deep-condition your hair every week and make sure that you minimize heat (or avoid it altogether) so that your bangs retain their curl pattern and curls when you use flexi rods or the finger-coiling technique.

Conclusion

I hope your bangs curl after using these techniques.

Do be patient with your hair – sometimes damaged hair takes a while to recover so it might take 2-3 weeks of deep-conditioning to restore that moisture to your bangs.

I hope that helps!

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