20 Two Block Curtain Haircuts Worth Trying
Twenty two block curtain haircut variations to ask for by name — hidden buzzed sides, center-split curtain fronts, and the exact numbers to hand your barber.
In this article · 32
- What Is a Two Block Curtain Haircut?
- How to Choose Your Two Block Curtain
- The 20 Two Block Curtain Variations
- 1. The Classic Two Block Curtain
- 2. The Long Curtain Two Block
- 3. The Middle-Part Two Block Curtain
- 4. The Wavy Two Block Curtain
- 5. The Short Two Block Curtain
- 6. The Textured Two Block Curtain
- 7. The Blowout Two Block Curtain
- 8. The Feathered Two Block Curtain
- 9. The Two Block Curtain with Low Taper Fade
- 10. The Two Block Curtain with Mid Fade
- 11. The Two Block Curtain Undercut
- 12. The Two Block Curtain with Drop Fade
- 13. The Permed Two Block Curtain
- 14. The Wolf Perm Two Block Curtain
- 15. The Comma-Front Two Block Curtain
- 16. The Overgrown Two Block Curtain
- 17. The Asymmetric Two Block Curtain
- 18. The Fringe-Heavy Two Block Curtain
- 19. The Layered Two Block Curtain
- 20. The Two Block Curtain with Skin Fade
- How to Ask Your Barber
- Styling and Maintenance
- FAQ
- Can I get a two block curtain at any barber, or do I need a Korean one?
- What's the difference between a two block curtain and a regular curtain haircut?
- Does the two block curtain work on thin or receding hair?
- Which two block curtain variation reads most professional?
- Do I need to perm my two block curtain to make it look Korean?
- How is a two block curtain different from a Korean two block?
Seoul barbers stopped treating the two block and the curtain as two separate cuts a few seasons ago. Now they graft them into one shape — a hidden buzz under the horseshoe line, four to six inches on top, center part, curtain fringe that falls past the brows. This guide covers 20 two block curtain haircut variations men are asking for in 2026 — permed, faded, wolf, blowout, undercut — plus the exact numbers to hand your barber so you leave with the version you had in mind.
What Is a Two Block Curtain Haircut?
A two block curtain haircut is a men's cut built from two shapes stacked into one. The two block half handles the sides — everything below a horseshoe line running from temple to temple over the crown gets buzzed short with clippers, most often on a one, two, or three guard. The curtain half handles the top and front — four to six inches of length parted down the center and cut long enough to fall in two soft panels across the forehead.
The trick that separates it from a plain middle-part cut is the hidden layer. The top is cut long enough to drape past the horseshoe and cover the buzzed second block at rest. You see one length — a full curtain front, weight on the sides — until the wind moves it or you tuck a curtain behind your ear. Then the second block shows itself. That covered look is the K-pop signature. If you're new to either half, the parent two block haircut guide covers the base template and the short curtain haircut for men covers the fringe-forward version without the hidden buzz.
Ask for "a two block with a curtain front." Then give three numbers. The length of the top in inches. The guard number for the hidden bottom. The word "center part" or "middle part" for the split. That's the whole conversation.
How to Choose Your Two Block Curtain
Start with hair type. Straight silky hair is the target — every K-pop reference photo uses it, and the curtain panels drape cleanest when the top is heavy enough to fall from the part without lifting. Wavy hair leans into the permed and wolf variations. Curly hair needs 5 inches minimum on top and a half-guard hidden layer so the wave pattern carries the curtain shape past the buzzed disconnect.
Face shape decides the fringe length. Oval faces get every version below. Round faces want the curtain sitting just above the eyebrows and root lift for vertical height — try the permed or blowout variations. Square and angular faces soften with the feathered or wavy versions. Long or oblong faces want a fuller fringe that shortens the visible height — the fringe-heavy or 90s-leaning versions read best.
Then the honest question: how many minutes will you spend on it every morning? Two minutes gets you the classic and short variations with air-drying alone. Five minutes with a round brush and a light cream gets you the middle part, feathered, or textured versions. Ten minutes plus a perm gets you the wolf. Pick the routine you'll actually run — a two block curtain that gets ignored reads as messy sides and greasy roots, not a modern cut.
The 20 Two Block Curtain Variations
Every variation below is a two block curtain hybrid your barber will recognize with a photo. Numbers matter — inches on top, guard number on the hidden sides — so bring both.
1. The Classic Two Block Curtain
The template every other version bends. Top runs 4 inches, parted straight down the center, cut long enough to fall in two soft curtains grazing the eyebrows. Hidden buzz on a two guard, scissor-blended around the ears. No fade, no undercut, no extras. If you're not sure which two block curtain to try first, this is the default — SEVENTEEN's Wonwoo and TXT's Yeonjun have both worn variations of this exact shape.
Best on straight hair with medium density. Oval, long, and square faces.
Ask for: "Classic two block curtain, 4 inches on top center-parted, two guard hidden underneath at the horseshoe line, front cut long enough to fall past the brows."
Styling tip: light cream through damp hair, blow-dry each panel outward from the part with a round brush, cool shot to set. Two to three minutes total.
2. The Long Curtain Two Block
Top layer pushed to 5 or 6 inches, past the eyebrows in front and past the collar at the back. The hidden buzz keeps the sides from puffing outward so all that length sits where you want it — draped and heavy. Jungkook wore this exact shape through the "Butter" era. If you already like the long two block haircut shape, this is its curtain-front cousin.
Best on straight-to-wavy hair with density to spare. Oval and heart-shaped faces.
Ask for: "Long two block with a curtain front, 5 to 6 inches on top center-parted, one guard hidden underneath, keep the weight in the front so the curtains fall past the brows."
Styling tip: leave-in conditioner while damp, air-dry to about ninety percent, then split the curtains with your fingers from the part. A drop of hair oil through the mid-lengths.
3. The Middle-Part Two Block Curtain
The K-drama lead default. A firm center part built into the shape rather than styled fresh every morning — your barber cuts the front with a clean vertical split so the two curtain panels sit by default. Sides stay hidden under the panels. NCT's Jaehyun runs a variation of this as his signature; most K-drama male leads default to it on camera. The base sits inside the wider middle part haircut for men family.
Best on oval, square, and heart-shaped faces. Round faces need extra crown volume to balance.
Ask for: "Two block with a hard center part, 4 to 5 inches on top with the front cut to hold a middle split, one guard hidden underneath, weight left in the front so the curtains drape."
Styling tip: comb the part while wet, blow-dry with a round brush pulling each panel outward from the center, cool shot from the roots to set. Pea of cream through the mid-lengths.
4. The Wavy Two Block Curtain
For hair with a natural bend. Your barber cuts the top with the wave pattern in mind — heavier where the wave falls, lighter where it flips up — so the curtain panels form intentionally instead of splitting unevenly. Sides go hidden on a one guard, shorter than the straight version so the buzz doesn't peek through when the wave lifts. This is the version that looks best when you skip styling entirely.
Best on type 2A through 2C hair. Oval, heart-shaped, and square faces.
Ask for: "Wavy two block with a curtain front, cut the top with my wave direction, 4 to 5 inches at the longest point, one guard hidden underneath."
Styling tip: sea salt spray on damp hair, scrunch by hand, air-dry. Split the panels with your fingers only after the hair is dry — a brush kills the natural texture.
5. The Short Two Block Curtain
The shortest version that still qualifies as a real curtain. Top runs 3 inches — just long enough for the front sections to reach the brow line when parted. Reads office-safe from the front, K-pop from the side. Sides stay on a one guard, scissor-blended so the two lengths meet cleanly at the horseshoe. Most K-drama corporate leads wear this exact length so the shape stays legible on camera.
Best on round or square faces because the low top height balances the head shape.
Ask for: "Short two block curtain, 3 inches on top center-parted, one guard on the sides, front just long enough to graze the eyebrows when parted."
Styling tip: a fingertip of cream, run front-to-back and then split from the center. No product on the crown — it weighs the curtain down.
6. The Textured Two Block Curtain
Point-cut ends across the top layer break up the flat, blunt-curtain look and turn the panels into piecey, moving sections. The textured finish reads modern and slightly disheveled by design. RM from BTS wears a textured variation on off-days; TXT's Beomgyu has cycled through several textured curtain shapes.
Best on straight, medium-to-thick hair that would otherwise fall too heavy at the curtain edges.
Ask for: "Two block curtain, 4 inches on top with heavy internal texture through the front, two guard on the sides. Point-cut the curtain — don't blunt it."
Styling tip: matte clay through damp hair, blow-dry with the nozzle aimed down each panel, then pinch the ends by hand to define the piecey sections.
7. The Blowout Two Block Curtain
Same cut as the classic — 4 inches on top, hidden two-guard sides — but styled with maximum volume. A round brush pulls the roots up and back before the curtains split from the part, so the panels sit off the forehead rather than falling flat against it. Reads K-pop stage-lit, magazine cover, TXT choreography rehearsal. Adds visible height for round-face wearers.
Best on straight hair with medium density. Round, oval, and square faces.
Ask for: "Two block curtain with a blowout finish, 4 inches on top, two guard hidden underneath, cut the front for maximum front weight."
Styling tip: mousse at the roots on damp hair, blow-dry from underneath with a round brush lifting up and back, then split the curtains from the part with cool air. Light hairspray from twelve inches away.
8. The Feathered Two Block Curtain
The 90s Titanic-era curtain reengineered on a two block base. Your barber razors or slide-cuts the curtain panels into soft, wispy layers instead of a blunt cut, so the panels feather at the ends and flow into each other at the sides. Softens sharp jaws and cheekbones. Wonwoo from SEVENTEEN has worn this in soft-shape variations.
Best on straight or lightly wavy hair with fine-to-medium density. Square, angular, and long faces.
Ask for: "Two block with a feathered curtain, 4 to 5 inches on top, razor or slide-cut the ends to feather the panels, one guard hidden underneath."
Styling tip: mist the panels with a light leave-in, then finger-comb from root to tip. A pea of cream through the ends only. Air-dry.
9. The Two Block Curtain with Low Taper Fade
The most conservative fade variation on the list. The hidden buzz sits at its usual guard length, but only the last inch above the ear and neckline tapers down to skin. Reads professional under strict dress codes and lasts 3 to 4 weeks before the fade line goes soft. If the fade half is new to you, the low taper fade guide covers the shape in detail.
Best on every face shape. Works especially well for guys balancing K-pop taste with a corporate workplace.
Ask for: "Two block curtain with a low taper fade, 4 inches on top center-parted, two guard hidden underneath, only the last inch fading to skin at the sideburn and neck."
Styling tip: keep the top matte and controlled — this is a subtle cut, don't push the front loud. A soft cream through the panels, nothing on the crown.
10. The Two Block Curtain with Mid Fade
The mid fade splits the head visually in half at the temple. Paired with a two block curtain, it removes bulk exactly where thick hair fans out worst and keeps the curtain drape from getting weighed down. Reads sharper than the classic hidden version, cleaner than a full skin fade. San from ATEEZ has worn a mid-fade variation with a heavier curtain.
Best on thick straight hair with square, oval, or long faces.
Ask for: "Two block curtain with a mid fade, 4 inches on top center-parted, blend from a two guard at the horseshoe down to skin at the ear."
Styling tip: cream and pomade in equal parts. Cream controls, pomade adds shine, and together they defeat the puff you get from thick hair alone.
11. The Two Block Curtain Undercut
The line between the two blocks is sharp and disconnected — no blend, no fade, no taper. A single clipper guard runs straight down from the horseshoe line to the skin. When the curtain drapes forward it covers the disconnect completely; when you tuck a panel behind your ear, the hard line shows. Signature 2020s K-pop look. Compare the softer fade haircut family if you want the same shape without the disconnection.
Best on straight hair with strong density. Angular, square, and oval faces.
Ask for: "Two block curtain undercut, hard line at the temple, one guard straight down all the way around, 4 to 5 inches on top center-parted."
Styling tip: keep the curtain polished — the disconnection carries the edge, don't add more with messy product. A drop of hair oil through the panels finishes the look.
12. The Two Block Curtain with Drop Fade
The drop fade curves down behind the ear rather than running straight across the head — the fade line dips low behind the ear and rises again toward the nape. Paired with a two block curtain left slightly messy, it reads relaxed and asymmetrical. Sharp at the perimeter, loose everywhere else. Popular with fourth-gen idols cycling off the classic hidden version.
Best on straight-to-wavy hair with medium density. Oval, oblong, and square faces.
Ask for: "Two block curtain with a drop fade, 4 inches on top center-parted, drop the fade line behind the ear."
Styling tip: rough-dry with your fingers, no comb. Split the panels loosely from the part. A finger of matte paste twisted into random sections at the front.
13. The Permed Two Block Curtain
Korean stylists' default recommendation for straight, flat-lying hair that won't hold curtain volume by lunch. A regular two block curtain plus a light setting perm at the roots only — the perm adds gentle lift so the panels don't collapse against the forehead, but the ends stay straight enough to drape cleanly. K-pop styling teams run this on almost every idol with silky straight hair. The Korean haircut for men guide has more on setting perms.
Best on straight hair that falls flat. Every face shape.
Ask for: "Two block curtain with a setting perm at the roots only, 4 inches on top center-parted, two guard hidden underneath. Cut first, perm second, same appointment."
Styling tip: air-dry or diffuse on low, scrunch in a curl cream, leave the shape alone. Setting perms hold for three to four months if you don't over-brush.
14. The Wolf Perm Two Block Curtain
Hyunjin from Stray Kids and Yeonjun from TXT wear the reference variations. A two block curtain base — hidden buzz still runs under the horseshoe — but the top gets heavily layered and permed with a wolf-style wave that defines every strand of the curtain panels. Maximum-effort version on the list. Also the one with the biggest visual payoff. Reads edgy, stage-ready, and a full step past the classic two block curtain.
Best on straight hair that won't hold volume. Oval, square, and long faces.
Ask for: "Two block curtain with a wolf perm, heavy layers through the top starting at the temples, one guard hidden underneath, light wave — not tight curl — through every layer. Cut, then perm."
Styling tip: wash-and-go. Diffuse damp hair on low heat, scrunch in a curl cream, leave it alone. Brushing kills the pattern within a week.
15. The Comma-Front Two Block Curtain
A comma haircut grafted onto a two block curtain base. Top runs 4 inches, center-parted, but each curtain panel is cut long enough to hold a curled comma hook that punctuates toward the outer edge of each eye. Sides stay hidden under the panels. V from BTS and Jimin have both worn this in soft-shape variations across BTS eras. Reads playful and polished at the same time.
Best on straight-to-lightly-wavy hair. Oval, oblong, and heart-shaped faces.
Ask for: "Two block curtain with double comma fronts, 4 inches on top center-parted with each panel cut long enough to hold a curl, two guard hidden underneath."
Styling tip: point a 1-inch round brush at your temple, roll each panel inward toward the outer eye, hit each side with cool air. A pea of curl cream to set. Ninety seconds per side.
16. The Overgrown Two Block Curtain
A two block curtain let out for six to eight weeks. The top pushes past 6 inches, the buzzed sides grow into a soft scissor-blend, and the curtain panels drape all the way to the cheekbones. Hyunjin, Yeonjun, and half of fourth-gen K-pop cycle through this phase between comebacks. Reads relaxed and slightly rebellious — halfway between a two block curtain and a wolf cut.
Best on straight-to-wavy hair with density to spare. Oval and square faces.
Ask for: "Grow-out shape from a two block curtain — leave the sides where they are, cut only the top into soft layers so the curtain panels still fall from a center part."
Styling tip: sea salt spray, scrunch, air-dry to about ninety percent, finish by splitting the panels with your fingers from the part.
17. The Asymmetric Two Block Curtain
Cut with the part offset by about an inch off-center — so one curtain panel sits heavier and longer than the other. Your barber cuts the top asymmetrically so the shape sits by default without styling. Reads more contemporary than a perfect center part and slightly softer than a hard side part. Sits close to the side part hairstyles for men family but keeps the two block hidden layer.
Best on straight or wavy hair. Oval, square, and diamond faces.
Ask for: "Asymmetric two block curtain, 4 inches on top with the part offset about an inch to my left, heavier panel on the right, one guard hidden underneath."
Styling tip: comb the offset part while wet, blow-dry each panel outward, keep the heavier panel flowing across the forehead with your hand as it dries.
18. The Fringe-Heavy Two Block Curtain
The curtain panels are cut extra thick — your barber leaves the front section denser than the rest of the top layer so the curtains fall heavy and full across the forehead rather than wispy. Best for guys with high or wide foreheads because the fringe covers exactly what you don't want to show. Reads mysterious, K-drama villain, moody magazine editorial.
Best on straight or wavy hair with medium-to-thick density. Long, oblong, and heart-shaped faces.
Ask for: "Two block curtain with a heavy fringe, 5 inches on top, extra weight left in the front sections so the curtains fall full past the brows, one guard hidden underneath."
Styling tip: blow-dry the panels forward and down over the forehead first, then split them from the part with your fingers. Light cream through the mid-lengths. Never comb dry.
19. The Layered Two Block Curtain
Rather than one flat top length, the top layer is cut in stacked layers — shorter at the crown, longer at the front curtain panels. Adds movement and depth to hair that would otherwise sit like a helmet over the hidden buzz. The layered structure keeps the curtain panels floating rather than lying flat. Suits medium-to-thick hair that has been growing out for a few months.
Best on straight-to-wavy hair. Oval and heart-shaped faces.
Ask for: "Two block curtain with layers on top, 5 inches at the front curtain, stepped down to 3 inches at the crown, one guard hidden underneath."
Styling tip: blow-dry with a round brush lifting from the roots at the crown, then split the curtains from the part. Pomade worked through the ends only, never the roots.
20. The Two Block Curtain with Skin Fade
The loudest variation on the list. Instead of a hidden buzz, the sides fade all the way down to skin — usually mid-height at the temple. The curtain sits dense on top, dramatically contrasted against the naked skin at the sides. When you tuck a panel behind your ear, the full skin fade shows in one clean sweep. Reads editorial, high-fashion, K-pop rookie showcase. Least conservative pick here.
Best on straight hair with medium-to-thick density. Angular, square, and oval faces.
Ask for: "Two block curtain with a mid skin fade, 4 to 5 inches on top center-parted, fade from a two guard at the temple down to skin at the ear."
Styling tip: keep the top glossy — a light pomade through the panels balances the skin at the sides. Blow-dry each panel outward from the part before you touch the product.
How to Ask Your Barber
Two block curtain vocabulary still trips up non-Korean barbershops, and the wrong translation gets you a middle part with buzzed sides — not a real two block curtain. This is the script that gets you the version you had in mind:
- Bring three photos — front, side, and three-quarter of the exact variation you want. One photo lets the barber guess; three photos remove guessing.
- Say "two block" and point to the horseshoe line. Touch your temple where you want the hidden line to sit. Most barbers know the term now, but the horseshoe placement is the visual that removes ambiguity.
- Say "curtain front" and point to your eyebrow. The panels need to reach past the brows to form real curtains. Show your barber the target length with your finger on your face.
- Give the top length in inches, not adjectives. "Five inches on top" is unambiguous. "Medium-long" is not.
- Give the side guard number. One, two, or three. Say it out loud with the number.
- Specify the perimeter finish. "Scissor-blended around the ear" for the classic hidden version. "Low taper" or "mid fade" for the fade hybrids. "Hard-line undercut" for the disconnected version. "Skin fade" for the loudest one.
- Book the follow-up before you leave. 4 to 5 weeks for the classic and short versions, 6 to 8 weeks for long, overgrown, and permed variations.
Styling and Maintenance
The two block curtain does most of its work in the barber's chair. Home styling should be minimal — the shape is the shape whether you touch it or not — but five small habits keep the curtain panels falling correctly.
Wash and rough-dry first. Rough-dry until your hair is damp, not wet. Product goes in damp — soaking wet dilutes it, dry hair fights it. A sulfate-free shampoo twice a week for oily scalps, once for dry. Skip anything with silicones on permed variations — they coat the curl and drop the pattern within a week.
Blow-dry from the roots out to the ends of each panel. Point the nozzle down each curtain from the part outward, not straight down onto the crown. This trains the panels to sit off the forehead instead of gluing to it. Two minutes with a hairdryer beats ten minutes of product every time. A cool shot from underneath sets the split at the center part.
Match the product to the finish. A light cream or curl cream for the classic, middle-part, and permed versions. A matte clay for the textured, messy, and wolf variations. A drop of hair oil for the silky and skin fade versions. Sea salt spray for the wavy and overgrown ones. One product, small amount — Korean styling is subtractive, not additive.
Set with a light-hold spray, never strong-hold. Two block curtains should look intentional, not lacquered. A mist from twelve inches away is enough to lock the panels without freezing them. Skip aerosol on any style you want to reshape during the day.
Keep the hidden layer clean between cuts. The buzzed second block is what makes it a two block. As soon as it grows past a fingernail's length, the curtain stops covering cleanly and the shape starts reading soft. A quick clipper touch-up on the sides at week three — home or barbershop — stretches the cut a full extra week. Pick up a solid pair of clippers if you're doing it at home.
Sleep on it right. A silk or satin pillowcase saves the round-brush work overnight, especially on permed and blowout variations. Guys with wolf perm versions should also skip touching the shape between washes — every hand-run drops the curl pattern a little.
FAQ
Can I get a two block curtain at any barber, or do I need a Korean one?
Any barber can cut it — both the two block and the curtain have crossed over. Bring three photos, use inches and guard numbers, and point to the horseshoe line at your temple. For the perm variations, book at a Korean-owned salon specifically. The technique and solution for Korean setting perms differ from the standard American men's perm.
What's the difference between a two block curtain and a regular curtain haircut?
A curtain haircut cuts everything on top to a similar length, parts it down the center, and blends the sides softly with scissors or a light taper. A two block curtain has the same curtain front but keeps the sides buzzed short with clippers under a hidden horseshoe line. The two block adds a sharper barbershop finish under the K-pop drape on top.
Does the two block curtain work on thin or receding hair?
Yes, with a shorter top and heavier internal texture. Keep the top at 3 to 4 inches, ask for razor-cut or point-cut layers through the panels to build visual mass, and drop the hidden layer to a half guard so nothing peeks through. The Korean haircut for men family covers more thinning-hair-friendly shapes.
Which two block curtain variation reads most professional?
The short two block curtain, the classic two block curtain, and the two block curtain with a low taper fade all read office-ready. Keep the top under 4 inches, the curtain panels above the brows, and the sides scissor-blended or lightly tapered. Skip the wolf perm, skin fade, and undercut variations for strict dress codes.
Do I need to perm my two block curtain to make it look Korean?
No — the classic, short, and middle-part versions read Korean without a perm as long as the shape is right and the finish is glossy. The perm becomes important on straight, flat-lying hair that won't hold curtain volume by lunch, and on the wolf and blowout variations that live on texture and lift.
How is a two block curtain different from a Korean two block?
A Korean two block covers the general family — any two block cut with a Korean silhouette on top, including bowl cuts, comma fronts, side parts, and curtain fronts. A Korean two block haircut can wear any front. A two block curtain specifically means the two block base with a center-parted curtain fringe on top. All two block curtains are Korean two blocks, but not every Korean two block is a curtain version.
