Here’s How To Give Your Hair A French Girl Makeover

By Charlie Colville

3 months ago

It's cool, it's edgy, it's chic... Claire, it's French.


If there’s one thing the French girls certainly have got going for them, it’s their hair. Is it je ne sais quoiNon, the key to remaining as tirelessly chic as this lot lies in the styling. A walking masterclass in the ‘less is more’ philosophy, French girl hair exudes an effortless, undone – yet sophisticated – aesthetic. Looking to channel a lowkey Parisian look? You’ve come to the right place.

French Girl Hairstyles To Try Now

1. The French Bob

The ultimate French girl staple is, of course, a bob – and not just any old bob. ‘A French bob is a much more shorter, blunter  style of bob, and it’s usually paired with a fringe,’ explains Daina Maciulaite, a hair stylist at Blush and Blow London. This take on the cut is all about cultivating a quietly casual mess, without being undone to the point of sloppiness. It’s a look that says ‘I just woke up like this, but I still look pretty chic’.

Learn how to nail the look with our guide here.

 

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2. Loose Waves

The girlies over in Paris are also partial to a relaxed, loose wave. Just like the French bob, it’s all about embracing texture (maybe elevated with a little salt spray) and letting your hair fall naturally across your back and shoulders. An easy look to pull off, no matter your hair type or length.

 

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3. Birkin Bangs

Decades later, the cool French girls are still taking their cues from the OG influencer, British-French actress and singer Jane Birkin. Known for her soft, long fringe and long hair, Birkin really cultivates a relaxed, lived-in look that still remains on-trend even today. Her bangs especially have really reached new heights of popularity, and you’ll often catch influencers, celebs and normies alike wearing this soft fringe with any hairstyle.

Stylists break down the look in our guide here.

4. The Parisian Crop

Coming up hot on the heels of our favourite bob, an artfully styled crop is also a French girl favourite. The hairstyle takes us back to the 1920s Paris jazz scene, where super-short cuts were the super-chic norm. Today, you’ll find stylish Parisians wearing their hair is minimal, cropped styles, either lightly gelled into soft shapes or worn loosely to let any natural texture shine.

 

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5. French Plaits

While not actually from France, this iconic plait was named so because it was deemed so classy and stylish that it made sense to be French. And rightfully so. The three-strand braid has become a global staple, and we can quite easily picture all the French girls pulling their hair up (with one or two strands falling lazily to the front) in a relaxed take on the look.

 

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6. Messy Curls

And back to natural texture. Whether short or long, haphazard (yet artfully styled) curls perfectly channel that effortlessly put-together look the French girls strive for. Keep them loose and relaxed, and, if you fancy, add a short fringe for a playful, youthful appearance.

 

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Featured image: Berlin Fashion Week SS25 Streetstyle (c) Denis Grigorev