Mid Fade With Curtains: How to Get the Center-Parted Look

Quick answer: “Curtains” refers to a center-parted top where the hair falls or is swept to both sides from a middle part, resembling curtains framing a window. Paired with a mid fade, this creates a soft, effortless-looking contrast against the tight sides. It needs enough length through the front to actually part and fall on both sides, usually a few inches at minimum, and works especially well with hair that has some natural wave or texture.

Curtains had a notable resurgence in recent years after being closely associated with certain eras of pop culture, but the underlying style itself, a soft, center-parted fringe, is a genuinely flattering, low-effort look for a wide range of face shapes and hair types.

What defines the curtains look

The core feature is a middle part with hair falling away to both sides at the front, rather than being swept entirely to one side or brushed straight back. The overall effect is soft and slightly tousled rather than sharply structured, which is part of why it pairs so naturally with a fade, the contrast between relaxed, falling curtains on top and crisp, tight sides is the whole visual appeal.

How much length you need

You’ll generally need at least three inches through the front section for the hair to have enough weight and length to fall naturally to both sides rather than sticking up or looking choppy. Growing into curtains from a shorter cut takes patience, there’s usually an awkward middle stage where the front is long enough to be annoying but not yet long enough to part and fall properly.

How to ask your barber for it

Describe it directly: “leave enough length at the front to part down the middle and fall to both sides, keep it slightly longer through the front than the crown, and fade the sides at my temple.” If your hair doesn’t have much natural wave, mention that too, since it affects how the barber shapes the front section, straighter hair sometimes needs a very slight point-cut texture to help it fall more naturally rather than looking blunt.

Styling technique

1. Towel-dry hair until just damp.
2. Apply a lightweight product, a light cream or a small amount of texturizing spray, rather than a heavy pomade, since curtains work best with movement and softness, not a stiff, sculpted hold.
3. Use your fingers, not a comb, to create the middle part and encourage the hair to fall to both sides.
4. Let it air dry, or use a diffuser on low heat if you have some natural wave you want to enhance rather than straighten out.
5. A very light touch of product once dry can tame any obvious flyaways without disrupting the soft, natural look.

Which hair types suit curtains best

Wavy hair is particularly well suited to this style, since the natural wave pattern helps the curtains fall with movement and texture rather than lying completely flat. Straight hair works too but sometimes looks slightly more uniform and less textured without some help from a light wave-enhancing product or a very light perm, which some men choose specifically to add movement to naturally straight hair for this style. Curly hair can wear a version of curtains, though it typically needs more length than straight or wavy hair to achieve the falling, parted effect, since curl shrinkage works against the length needed.

Maintenance

The fade portion follows the usual mid fade schedule. The front section needs to maintain enough length to keep parting and falling correctly, so trims are often focused on the sides and back during regular touch-ups, with the front left mostly alone until it needs a more significant shape reset.

The bottom line

Curtains paired with a mid fade create an intentionally soft, relaxed contrast against the fade’s crisp sides, a look that reads as effortless despite needing a genuine length commitment on top to achieve properly. Wavy hair suits it most naturally, though straight and curly hair can both work with some styling adjustments. Keep product light to preserve the movement that makes the style work.

Frequently asked questions

How much length do you need for curtains with a mid fade? At least three inches through the front section, enough for the hair to have weight and fall naturally to both sides of a middle part rather than sticking up.

Does curly hair work with a curtains style? Yes, though it typically needs more length than straight or wavy hair to achieve the falling, parted effect, since curl shrinkage reduces the effective length available.

What product works best for curtains? A lightweight cream or texturizing spray, rather than a heavy pomade, since the style relies on soft movement rather than a stiff, sculpted hold.

Is straight hair a good fit for curtains? Yes, though it can look more uniform without some added texture or wave, which some men achieve with a light product or occasionally a subtle perm to add movement.

How is curtains styling different from a standard fringe? Curtains specifically involves a middle part with hair falling to both sides, creating a symmetrical, framing effect, whereas a standard fringe is often swept to one side or worn straight down without a defined part.