I just got bangs inspired by Penélope Cruz, and I've never received so many compliments on a winter hairstyle.

      Among the various hairstyles I've contemplated (and even tried)—like a French bob and highlights—the one I never imagined I'd actually go for is bangs. However, as I prepared for a fall trip to Paris, where the haircuts are undeniably fashionable and always trendsetting, something shifted in me. I began to notice this elegant, wispy cut everywhere, from ‘60s-inspired Bardot bangs to dreamy curtain styles. While bangs were undoubtedly one of the most popular hair trends for fall 2025, it was my muse's unique style that truly captivated me.

      As a Y2K child, I admired the stylish women whose iconic '90s hairstyles became part of their identities (think Jennifer Aniston's "Rachel" cut or Halle Berry's pixie). After being told I resembled a young Penélope Cruz in my early teenage years (I don’t fully believe it, but I cherish the compliment), I started drawing aesthetic inspiration from the Spanish actress as I developed my personal style. After impulsively scheduling a haircut with celebrity stylist Xavier Velasquez, who has styled Scarlett Johansson and AnnaSophia Robb, I compiled my inspiration images into a mood board. Most of the pictures were of Cruz, showcasing her tousled, casually chic bangs from the 2001 film Vanilla Sky—and the stylist was hardly surprised to see my Cruz-inspired hair inspiration.

      What are Penélope Cruz bangs? Velasquez describes the Penélope-inspired look as having a relaxed vibe, making it a statement that doesn’t take itself too seriously—similar to second-day hair that feels effortlessly elevated. This wispy, side-swept style draws from Cruz's romantic, cool-girl bangs of the early 2000s, featuring curtain bangs around the face perimeter and wispy fringe in the center. The remainder of the hair remains long, with scattered layers that add movement and a fuller appearance.

      In true movie star fashion, the hair's length is intentionally unrefined, with tousled ends for a lived-in aesthetic. The result is a style that my friends can't stop praising—even WWW Senior Beauty Editor Jamie Schneider remarked that I "look famous" after my brow-grazing chop.

      Why are Penélope Cruz bangs trending now? Velasquez notes that bangs are seeing a massive resurgence, showcased by pop stars like Taylor Swift and Sabrina Carpenter on tour, as well as Dakota Johnson flaunting her signature bangs in this year’s Materialists. Even Saturday Night Live acknowledged the trend with a sketch titled "Bob Army," where the "bangs" and "bob" clashed for style supremacy (the bobs prevailed, at least for now). Swift's and Johnson's styles feature more pronounced bangs than Carpenter's '70s-inspired fringe, but Velasquez sees this Cruz-inspired look as a blend of both. He characterizes it as a fusion between "a full bang and a curtain bang," with a shorter drop at the center and "drama around the eyebrows." If you're intrigued, share this exact style guide with your stylist to achieve this vintage-inspired look.

      The process: Before my appointment, I'd grown my hair from a chin-length bob to long, wavy locks that rested at my chest. Desiring to maintain the length while removing excess weight, Velasquez added delicate, lengthy layers throughout my hair for added movement.

      After that, he divided my hair into front and back sections, beginning nearly an inch away from my hairline. He considered my natural part—working with my off-center split to ensure the style would fall naturally day after day. Although Cruz often sported a center part in 2001, it’s not necessary to enforce this for the style to be effective.

      Next, Velasquez twisted the front sections and trimmed them to ear-length. After shaping the center drop and creating the curtain bang "drama," the inner section remains the shortest, falling past my eyebrows when straightened but softly covering them when styled to the side.

      More cool-girl bangs inspiration:

      Emily Ratajkowski's side-parted bangs: If the model and author doesn't already resemble Cruz, she's nearly a lookalike with her swooping, side-parted curtain bangs. On days when hair in your face feels overwhelming, sweep it toward your temples for a lovely, face-framing effect.

      Ciara's long, wispy fringe: I plan to style my bangs like Ciara's once they grow out. Experiment with lengths to achieve this fluttery fringe, letting some strands fall in front of your eyes while others drape to the side. Blow out your bangs at a forward angle and use a small amount of hair serum on the ends to help sections stick together for this look.

      Suki Waterhouse's Bardot bangs: Waterhouse’s shaggy curtain bangs are the stuff of Bardot-inspired dreams. Request thick curtain bangs from your stylist that taper slightly toward the eyes at the center; this style focuses more on length and texture rather than