Miley Cyrus Does Messy Curtain Bangs Better Than Anyone

a white woman with blonde hair and dark eye makeup poses for a camera at an event

(Image credit: Getty Images)

If the start of the new year has already given you the urge to finally take the plunge and commit to getting bangs, let Miley Cyrus's new hair be your 2026 inspiration.

Over the weekend, Cyrus attended the Palm Springs International Film Festival Awards, where she showed up wearing an all-black Tom Ford suit that featured a black blazer and a plunging black blouse with white polka dots. Her outfit already gave rockstar chic, but it was her hair and makeup that really pulled it all together. The "Flowers" singer wore a brown smokey eye with a nude lip color and filled-in brows, while her honey blonde hair was styled in slightly messy soft waves with long, thick curtain bangs that hung just above her eyelashes.

a white woman with long, blonde hair wears smokey eye makeup and a plunging black shirt on a red carpet — Miley Cyrus wears wavy curtain bangs to the Palm Springs International Film Festival Film Awards on Jan. 3.

Shaggy, fringe hairstyles work best on hair that's naturally curly or wavy, which would explain why Cyrus has been committed to the hairstyle since last year. Back in April, for example, she was spotted out in New York City wearing '70s-style hair with messy waves and baby bangs. Bangs, along with shag haircuts and mullets, are predicted to be one of the bigger hair trends to emerge this winter.

"These shapes create hair that looks intentional yet relaxed," celebrity hairstylist Mia Santiago previously told MC. "They flatter wavy to curly textures or finer hair that needs shape and body. This new wave of shags and mullets embraces imperfection—hair that moves, bends, and feels authentic."

If you have curls or waves and you want to style them in a tousled-but-chic way similar to Miley Cyrus, read ahead to shop a few hair essentials.

Not Your Mother's

Beach Babe Soft Waves Texturizing Spray

Give your waves a tousled, beachy look with this lightweight texturizing spray.

OUAI

Texturizing Wave Spray

A few spritzes of this will hydrate the hair and give it a soft, non-crunchy finish.

Pattern Beauty

Palo Santo Curl Mousse for Curls & Coils

If your hair is more springy or curly, opt for a mousse that'll give you slightly more definition.

Bio Ionic

Smart-X Diffuser

Always use a diffuser attachment to dry wet, curly hair. It'll lessen the chances of your hair becoming frizzy.

Color Wow

One-Minute Transformation

Add a palmful of this non-greasy cream to your hair to moisturize and ensure a frizz-free finish.

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Danielle Jackson is the senior beauty writer at Marie Claire. She has nearly a decade of experience covering beauty, lifestyle, and entertainment and was previously the senior beauty editor at Women's Health, where she thoughtfully covered topics related to skincare, haircare, aesthetics, and wellness. Before that, she spent three years as an assistant beauty editor at PS, and in the years since, her work has appeared in titles like Vogue, InStyle, Glamour, and more. Danielle graduated from the University of Georgia with a BA in English, and has lived in Brooklyn for almost ten years. When she's not writing, you can find her reading romance novels and talking about sunscreen. You can find her on Instagram @danielleknecole.