Curtains vs Middle Part: Are They the Same Haircut?

6 min read · Glowmaxx

Curtains vs middle part: yes and no. Every curtains haircut uses a middle (or slightly off-center) part, but not every middle part is curtains. A middle part is just where the hair splits. Curtains is a cut: longer front sections, layered so they swoop down both sides of your forehead like a pair of open curtains.

So it's the same parting, different haircut.

If your middle part keeps looking flat and you can't work out whether it's the cut or the styling, Glowmaxx scores your hair from one selfie and tells you what to fix first. Start my glow-up

Short answer: same parting, different cut

• Middle part = a parting. Any hair, any cut, split down the center.
• Curtains = a haircut with a middle part, longer front pieces and layers that make them curve outward and frame the face.

Here's how you'd see it in real life. Two guys in your class both part in the middle. One's hair falls flat and straight down both sides of his forehead. The other's front flicks out in two soft arcs with movement. The first has a middle part. The second has curtains.

The curtains haircut has been around since the 90s (think boy bands) and came back hard thanks to TikTok's "eboy" era. That's why you'll see it called eboy curtains or 90s curtains.

What makes a cut "curtains"

Three things turn a middle part into curtains:

1. Length at the front. Usually reaching somewhere between your eyebrows and cheekbones.
2. Layering. The front is cut in layers (often point-cut) so the ends curve outward instead of hanging straight.
3. Volume at the root. The hair lifts at the part before falling, which creates the arc.

Without those, you just have a middle part. With them, you have curtains.

Curtains middle or off-center part

Curtains don't have to be dead center. An off-center part, a little to one side, is more forgiving if you have a cowlick or a slightly uneven hairline. Off-center curtains also look more natural on camera because faces aren't perfectly symmetrical.

Middle part vs curtains vs curtain bangs

Curtain bangs vs middle part

Curtain bangs are a fringe cut shorter than the rest of your hair, split in the middle. If your hair is long and you want face-framing without growing out a fringe, curtain bangs are your cut. Curtain bangs vs middle part men: guys with longer hair are increasingly getting curtain bangs cut in for exactly this effect.

Surfer curtains vs middle part

Surfer curtains are longer, wavier and messier, often reaching the jaw, with a bit of beachy texture. Messy curtains vs middle part is similar: the curtains have deliberate movement, a plain middle part doesn't.

For more on where a fringe fits, see middle part vs fringe.

Hair length and texture you need

Length

Pull the front strands down. For curtains, they should reach at least around your nose. Shorter than your eyebrows and the curtains will stick up instead of falling.

Curtains with straight hair

Straight hair is the hardest for curtains because it wants to fall flat. You'll need:

• A blow-dryer to lift the roots.
• Slightly more layering at the front.
• A light product for grip (sea salt spray or a texture spray).

Curtains wavy hair

Wavy hair is ideal. The waves create the curve for you. Often you just towel-dry, scrunch a bit, and let it go.

Curly hair

Tight curls naturally create volume but not the classic curtain curve. Curly guys often get a looser version: a middle part with curls falling to each side. It looks great, just different.

How to style curtains without them going flat

Flat curtains is the number one complaint. Here's the fix, about five minutes before school or work:

1. Start damp, not soaking. Towel-dry well.
2. Spray sea salt or pre-styler at the roots of the front.
3. Blow-dry with the part. Use your fingers to lift the hair upward at the root and push each side away from the center.
4. Finish on cool to lock it in.
5. Light product. A small amount of cream or matte paste on your fingertips, then pinch a few pieces at the ends.
6. Don't over-touch it for the rest of the day. Every hand-through flattens it.

Midday tip: if it goes flat by lunch, a tiny bit of dry shampoo at the roots brings it back.

Here's the honest problem. "Are my curtains flat or is this just how my face looks today?" is genuinely hard to judge yourself. You've seen your own hair so many times you can't see it any more.

Glowmaxx takes the guessing out. One selfie gets your hair a score out of 10 plus a short note, separate from your lighting and angle scores, so you know if it's the styling or just the bathroom light. The same photo always gets the same score, so you can test a new routine fairly. Start my glow-up

How to ask for curtains

Barbers don't all use the word "curtains" the same way, so describe it.

Curtains script:

"I want curtains. Middle part, or slightly off-center. Keep the length at the front so it reaches about my nose, add layers at the front so it curves out, and take the sides down with a low taper so it doesn't look bulky."

Growing into curtains:

"I'm growing out for curtains, so please leave the top. Just tidy the sides and the neckline and take a little weight out of the front."

Curtain bangs (longer hair):

"Can I get curtain bangs? Split in the middle, shortest at the center around my eyebrows, getting longer toward my cheekbones."

Bring a front and a side photo. If you're deciding which taper to pair them with, low taper vs mid taper explains it in two minutes.

Settle curtains vs middle part and see your score

Curtains vs middle part: one's a cut, one's just a parting, and the cut is what gives you the swoop. In the next minute, Glowmaxx can score your hair, skin, grooming, posture and angle, and light and fit from one selfie, then give you three moves for today aimed at your lowest score.

Start my glow-up

FAQ

Is curtains the same as a middle part?

Not exactly. Curtains always use a middle or slightly off-center part, but it's a specific cut with longer layered front pieces that curve outward. A middle part on its own is just the parting.

Curtains or middle part: which is better for guys?

If your hair is long enough and wavy or medium-thick, curtains look more styled and intentional. If your hair is shorter or very straight and you don't want to blow-dry, a simple middle part is easier.

How long does hair need to be for curtains?

The front should reach at least around your nose when pulled down. That's usually around four to six inches on top, depending on your hair type.

How do I stop my curtains going flat?

Blow-dry with your fingers lifting the roots, use sea salt spray or a pre-styler before drying, and finish with a little matte paste. Avoid touching it all day.

What are eboy curtains?

Eboy curtains are the TikTok version of the 90s curtains cut: a middle part with longer, slightly messy layered front pieces. It's the same haircut, just named after the online style that brought it back.