French hairstyles are trending! Get the 411 on this cosmopolitan hair craze & how to work it
Add a little 'je ne sais quoi' to your look this season with these fabulously French hairstyles.
In case you missed the memo, let us make one thing clear: this season we are all about the French hairstyles. Initially spurred on by our passion for Alexa Chung-style split fringes and super short cheek-length bobs, our love affair with all things Parisian has only gone from strength to strength.
And now, with Brigitte Bardot bouffants, berets and even delicious macaroon-inspired styles joining the mix, it’s safe to say the Parisian hairstyles trend is only set to get bigger as the year goes on!
So, whether you’re a self-confessed Francophile looking to get your fix or you just want to find out what all of the fuss is about, step right this way…
7 swoon-worthy French hairstyles to try
1. French braids
French braids are a classic for women of all ages and the intricate hairstyles they can be used to create never cease to impress. Whether you go for a half-up, half-down look, double boxer braids or just a simple single braid like the one above, you’re guaranteed to wow everyone with your pro braiding skills.
All Parisian hairstyles call for an element of undone chic, so remember to pancake your braids by using your thumb and first finger to pull on your braid from either side. This will give your look a more lived-in vibe, while also helping to give a fuller look to finer hair. Credit: @chloevt
2. French twists
French girls may be known for their off-duty style but that doesn’t mean they don’t know how to pull off more formal looks, too. The French twist updo is well loved by brides the world over and you can rest assured that when you look back at your wedding photos in years to come, your hair will still look just as timeless. Credit: @ddartofhair
Editor’s tip: Set on wearing a French twist for your big day? Remember to spray your strands with a light misting of the TRESemmé Ultimate Hold Hairspray after styling to keep it securely in place all day and night.
3. Split bangs
Whether you’ve got short, long or in between-length hair, parted bangs are a super easy way to nod to the French girl hair trend, without doing anything too drastic to your look.
Inspired by ’60s French actress Brigitte Bardot, who was often photographed wearing sweeping split bangs, stars like Alexa and Chloë Grace Moretz have also started following suit – so it’s about time the rest of us caught on, too. Find out how to work this effortlessly chic fringe style yourself. Credit: @jennivaltee
4. Bardot-inspired styles
It’s not just Brigitte Bardot’s fringe that has got us shaking up our style this year, as many of her most famous hairstyles are also making a comeback for 2017.
Whether it’s her trademark half-up bouffant or effortlessly-chic head scarves, the only rule when it comes to recreating her iconic styles is the messier the better – bedhead hair is the aim of the game!
We’ve also charted some of Bardot’s best looks from over the years, which is your favourite? Credit: @jill901
Editor’s tip: The key to emulating Brigitte’s timeless styles is volume, volume, volume! If you’re naturally lacking in that department though, don’t worry.
Simply spritz a dry shampoo or texturising spray, such as the TIGI Bed Head Oh Bee Hive! Dry Shampoo into your roots before backcombing and bam – instant beehive!
5. Berets
Spotted on the Dior catwalk, as well as on the heads of fashionistas like Winnie Harlow and Sofia Richie, the traditional French beret is this season’s must-have accessory.
Best worn in bold, primary colours to mix and match with your outfits, it’s not only painfully on-trend but also the ideal way to conceal out of control hair – bonus!
If you’re not sure whether you could pull off the look, head over and discover 5 ways to rock the beret hair trend, now. Credit: @dentellefleurs
6. French bob
In terms of cuts, last season’s lob has been officially been cast aside in favour of a shorter, cheek length French haircut (think Audrey Tautou in Amélie!).
Bold but ultra easy to style, this low-maintenance look pairs perfectly with a choppy fringe or why not be a real trendsetter and tick off 2 trends in one with a pair of Bardot bangs?
You too could rock a French bob, so head over to see our edit of Instagram’s finest, here. Credit: @taylorlashae
7. Macaron buns
Who doesn’t love a macaron? The pastel-coloured tasty treats are an Instagrammer’s dream but guess what? Now you can wear them too! More wearable than space buns, low macaron buns are essentially the fashion bloggers’ alternative to a messy bun.
Easy to do and versatile enough to take you from a festival to a family day out, we can see this quickly becoming one of our favourite go-to styles.
Fancy giving this sugary-sweet style a try? Find out more about this Ladurée-inspired trend. Credit: @fashioninflux
Loved this Parisian hairstyles piece? Well, why not sign up to our newsletter, below? You’ll get all of the most up-to-date catwalks, celeb and social media hair trends sent straight to your inbox, so you’ll always have your finger on the buzzer.
