The Curtains Haircut: The 90s Middle Parting, Done Grown-Up
The curtains haircut is a medium-length cut where the hair on top is parted in the centre and falls either side of the forehead, like a pair of drawn curtains. The grown-up version differs from the 90s original in three ways: the sides are tidier and closer, the fringe is cut to sit at or just above the brow rather than in the eyes, and the top is textured so the two halves move instead of hanging flat. It suits straight or wavy hair with a natural centre parting and needs roughly four to six inches on top at the front. Getting there from a short cut takes a few months.
What changed since the 90s
The original curtains were often heavy and one-length, with a straight curtain of hair dropping from a hard centre parting and a fairly undercut back. It was easy to cut and easy to get wrong. The current version is built more carefully:
- Softer parting. The parting is found rather than drawn. It follows where your hair naturally splits, which is rarely a perfect line down the centre of the skull.
- Graduated length. The front is longest, the length reduces towards the crown, so the shape does not pile up at the back.
- Texture instead of weight. The barber removes bulk from inside the top using point cutting or similar techniques, so the two sides fall in pieces rather than blocks.
- Sides that match. Usually a scissor cut or a long taper that sits close to the head, not a sharp undercut. A disconnection is possible but tends to look more dated.
Does it suit your hair and face?
Hair type
Straight hair with some body and wavy hair are ideal. Wavy hair is arguably the best, because the movement makes the curtains look relaxed. Very fine, flat hair can split into thin strands that show the scalp at the parting. Very thick, straight hair can push the sides outwards so it looks like a helmet unless it is properly thinned. Tight curls generally will not hang as curtains, though a curly centre-parted shape is its own good look.
Your natural parting
Comb your damp hair straight back and push it gently forward. Where it splits on its own is your natural parting. If that is close to the middle, curtains will be easy. If you have a strong double crown or a cowlick at the front, the parting may fight you every morning. A barber can often cut around it, but it is worth knowing before you commit to months of growing.
Face shape and hairline
Curtains frame the face and narrow it slightly, so they tend to suit oval, long and heart-shaped faces. On a very round face, keep the sides close so the overall shape does not widen. A receding hairline at the temples is not a deal-breaker, because the curtains cover that area, but a widening parting is something to watch. If your parting looks noticeably wider than it used to, the NHS guidance on hair loss is a sensible first read.
Growing it from short hair
This is where most attempts stall. Hair grows at roughly a centimetre a month, so going from a short crop to curtains takes around four to six months. The stages:
| Roughly when | What it looks like | What the barber does |
|---|---|---|
| Months 1 to 2 | Short, slightly longer on top than usual | Tidies sides and neck only; leaves the top untouched |
| Months 2 to 4 | The awkward stage: fringe at the eyebrows, not yet long enough to part | Takes weight out so it sits down; keeps sides neat |
| Months 4 to 6 | Front long enough to part and tuck behind the temples | Cuts the actual curtains shape and texture |
The mistake is visiting a barber and saying “just a trim” during months two to four. Most of the length you have grown goes on the floor. Say instead that you are growing curtains and only want the sides and neck tidied. Our guide on growing your hair out without the awkward stage covers this stretch in more detail.
What to ask for at the barber
At Highgate Cuts on Archway Road, every visit starts with an assessment: the barber looks at your hair, the parting and the length you have, and recommends what is realistic now. To make that conversation quick, have this ready:
- The front length. Say where the fringe should fall: brow height, cheekbone, or tucked behind the ear.
- How the sides should sit. Scissor cut close to the head, a long taper, or a soft fade. Mention whether you want the ears covered or clear.
- Texture. Ask for the top to be textured so it moves, and say if your hair is thick.
- The back. Natural or tapered neckline. Tapered looks tidier for longer.
- A reference photo. One photo of someone with similar hair to yours, ideally showing the side as well as the front. Our article on useful reference photos explains what makes one helpful.
A full curtains cut is usually done mostly with scissors, so allow a bit longer in the chair than for a clipper cut. For prices, see the barber menu or email us.
Styling it in the morning
Curtains look best with a little lift at the root and a clean split at the parting. The basic routine takes a few minutes:
- Start with towel-dried, damp hair.
- Add a small amount of sea salt spray or a light pre-styler at the roots.
- Blow dry with the nozzle pointing down the hair shaft, pushing each side away from the parting. A few seconds of lift at the root makes the difference.
- Find the parting with your fingers rather than a comb, so it looks natural.
- Finish with a pea-sized amount of matt cream or light clay worked through the lengths, not the roots.
Avoid heavy wax or shiny pomade. Weight drags the curtains flat against the forehead, which is exactly the 90s look you are trying to avoid.
Keeping it in shape
A curtains cut grows out reasonably well, but the sides and neck lose definition after five or six weeks and the fringe starts to block your eyes. Most men book every six to eight weeks, with a quick neck tidy in between if they like a sharp finish. If you get bored, it converts easily into a side parting, a slicked-back style or a different medium-length cut without starting over. You can see everything we offer, from scissor cuts to beard work, on our Highgate barber page.
Questions we get asked
How long does my hair need to be for curtains?
Around four to six inches at the front, enough to reach your brow or cheekbone when combed down. The back and crown can be shorter.
Will curtains work with a receding hairline?
Often, yes, because the fringe covers the temples. If the thinning is at the crown or along the parting, a different cut may hide it better.
Do I need to blow dry it?
It is not essential, but a quick blow dry gives lift at the parting. Without it, the curtains tend to sit flat and cling to the forehead by midday.
Can I have curtains with a fade?
Yes, though a long, low taper usually looks more balanced with this much length on top. A high fade makes the top look heavy.
Book with The Highgate House
Ready for a proper cut? Email us at [email protected] with the service and the day that suits you, and we will come back to you with times.
Visit The Highgate House · The barbers
The Highgate House, Archway Road, Highgate, London N6.
