These 19 French Women Always Have the Chicest Hairstyles

It's hard to put my finger on exactly what it is about French girls that we Brits find so damn alluring. Perhaps it's their ability to build a timeless capsule wardrobe that always looks stylish or their penchant for a basic makeup product that will stand the test of time. There's definitely something about their fondness for "boring" basics that's appealing to those of us who are maximalists at heart.

Between classic trench coats and pharmacy moisturisers, there's something else I always look to French girls for: hairstyle inspiration. Whether they're stepping out with long locks or short strands, French women always lead the way when it comes to chic, simple hairstyles that look like they haven't taken any time at all. In fact, a few of these styles only take 30 seconds to create.

French girl hairstyles: Jeanne Damas wearing cropped cardigan and jeans

Photo:

@FRANNFYNE

From messy buns topped with elegant hair scarves to side-swept down 'dos and dishevelled waves, here are 19 French girls I always come back to for chic hair inspiration.

1.  Waves and Fringe

Andrea Mun
French girl hairstyles: Andrea Mun with waves and fringe

Photo:

@ANDI_MUN

Fringes are back with a bang ahead of 2024, but it doesn't mean they have to be high-maintenance. Andrea's choppy fringe looks so laid-back and pairs perfectly with another of summer's most popular hairstyles: The humble ponytail

Smooth this lightweight lotion through dry hair to reduce flyaways and boost shine.

2. Messy Bun

Aria Di Bari
French girl hairstyles: Aria Di Bari wearing mid-height bun

Photo:

@ARIADIBARI

I think that Aria's messy bun would make the perfect wedding-guest hairstyle.

The key to a truly carefree hairstyle is making sure you don't spend all day readjusting it. This spray from Sam McKnight is a strong-hold mist that will keep that bun in place.

3. Headscarf and Braids

Léna Farl
French girl hairstyles: Léna Farl wearing headscarf and denim dress

Photo:

@LENAFARL

Léna is the Parisienne queen of the head scarf, and it always looks so chic on her. It's a playful way to add print and colour to a simple outfit and also protects hair from the elements.

Inspired by Gucci's 'Flora' prints from the 1960s, this bold silk scarf makes for a fresh and modern take on florals. 

4. Curly Jaw-Length Bob

Franny
French girl hairstyles: Franny Fyne wearing beige suit

Photo:

@FRANNFYNE

I'm all kinds of obsessed with Franny's curly bob-and-fringe combo, which looks effortlessly chic.

This luxurious conditioner leaves curls so hydrated and smooth. 

5. Long Hair With Bottleneck Fringe

Leia Sfez
French Girl Hairstyles: Leia Sfez with bottleneck fringe

Photo:

@LEIASFEZ

When it comes to bringing their fringe A-game, French girls like Leia know where it's at. Her centre-parted bangs look great with her long lengths.

This conditioner has a loyal following (just check the hundreds of five-star reviews) for its ability to leave hair soft without weighing down hair.

6. Curly Balayage

Hanna Lhoumeau
French girl hairstyles:Hanna Lhoumeau wearing neon top and trousers

Photo:

@HANNALHOUMEAU

Proving that balayage isn't going anywhere, Hanna's blonde-tinged curls look so good.

This styling gel leaves curls defined and smooth, with a long-lasting hold that doesn't feel crunchy.

7. Claw-Clip Bun

Camille Charrière
French girl hairstyles: Camille Charriere claw clip bun

Photo:

@CAMILLECHARRIERE

The key to re-creating a French-girl hairstyle at home is to remember the one key rule: Don't try too hard. Camille's gorgeous updo can be twisted up quickly at the back of your hair and secured with a tortoiseshell claw clip. The more flyaways and escaped strands, the better.

This claw clip is on the larger size, making it ideal for long or thick hair.

8. Braided Bun

Claire Most
French Girl Hairstyles: Claire most with slicked-back bun

Photo:

@CLAIRE_MOST

When French girls aren't opting for dishevelled waves and tiny tendrils, they're stepping out in elegant updos like Claire's chic, scraped-back low bun.

Keep your hair and scalp protected from UV rays with this protective spritz infused with conditioning shea butter, coconut oil and vitamin E.

9. Feathered Fringe

Jeanne Damas
French girl hairstyles: Jeanne Damas wearing hair down

Photo:

@JEANNEDAMAS

Jeanne has that effortlessly tousled "I woke up like this" hair vibe down to a fine art. I'm totally obsessed with her wonderfully feathered fringe too.

What better way to achieve relaxed French girl hair than with a lightweight, texturising sea salt spray from Jeanne Damas's very own beauty line?

10. Beach Waves

Marissa Cox
French girl hairstyles: Marissa Cox wearing jeans, blazer and beach waves

Photo:

@RUERODIER

Our resident Brit girl in Paris, Marissa Cox, embraces a French-girl staple hairstyle: breezy beach waves.

Infused with salt and sugar, this volume-boosting spray adds texture to even the finest of hair types without drying it out.

9. Wavy Bob

Marta Cygan
French girl hairstyles: Marta Cygan with wavy bob hairstyle

Photo:

@LIFEOFBOHEME

Marta's short, wavy bob is making me want to cut off all of my hair right now.

A blend of minerals and sea botanicals gently cleanse hair while delivering that tousled French-girl feel to clean strands.

10. Low Ponytail

Xiayan
French girl hairstyles: Xiayan wearing ponytail with scarf

Photo:

@GXIAYAN

Getting the hair accessories right is half the battle when it comes to re-creating French-girl hair at home. Xiayan's hair scarf looks simply stylish tied around a simple low ponytail.

This high-shine spray gives hair an expensive-looking glossy finish.

11. Side-Parted Shoulder-Length Hair

Clémentine Desseaux
French girl hairstyles: Clémentine Desseaux Side Parted Shoulder-Length Hair

Photo:

@BONJOURCLEM

French girls embrace one of two parting styles: the classic centre part or the relaxed side sweep, as demonstrated by Clémentine. 

Klorane is a French hair favourite, and this dry shampoo instantly refreshes roots without any residue, and it also adds body and volume to lengths.

12. Topknot

AJ Alingué
French Girl Hairstyles: A-J Alingué wearing top knot

Photo:

@AUDE_JULIE

Let's face it—a topknot is a hairstyle that looks good all over the world. AJ's is super high, super slicked-back and utterly chic.

Keep hair slicked back with this rich gel, infused with coconut, comfrey and lemongrass oils for shine and hydration.

13. Low Ponytail With Micro Plaits

Anne-Laure Mais
French girl hairstyles: Adenorah ponytail with plaits

Photo:

@ANNELAUREMAIS

Cool girl Anne-Laure always delivers on hair inspiration, and I can't get enough of this '90s-inspired ponytail complete with micro plaits.

Secure mini braids with these teeny-tiny hair elastics that are so discreet.

14. High Ponytail With Scrunchie

Sabina Socol
French girl hairstyles: Sabina Socol with high ponytail and scrunchie

Photo:

@sabinasocol

ponytail takes seconds to do but always looks good. Sabina's scrunchie looks so cute with her minidress.

These oversized silk scrunchies not only look incredibly chic, but they won't damage hair if it's been tied up all day.

15. Curly Pixie

Ellie
French girl hairstyles: Ellie wearing kimono dress with curly pixie

Photo:

@SLIPINTOSTYLE

Parisian Ellie reveals the key to rocking a short, pixie cut like a French girl is to add in some hair accessories. Her hair-clip duo on the side adds instant cool points.

Replenish curls, coils and waves with this rich shea butter hair mask that gets to work in 30 minutes.

16. Long, Centre-Parted Hair

Chloé Harrouche
French girl hairstyles: Chloe wearing Miu Miu dress and centre parting hair

Photo:

@LOULOUDESAISON

If you remember one thing about the best French hairstyles, make sure it's to embrace your natural hair texture. Chloé leaves the natural kink in her hair to reign supreme in this simple, centre-parted style.

Keep your natural hair in top condition with this strengthening serum that protects hair from heat damage and minimises split ends.

17. Cropped Pixie

Dominique
French Hairstyles: @pomelokiwie cropped pixie haircut

Photo:

@pomelokiwie

Nothing says French chic like a cropped pixie haircut.

This hydrating pomade cares for hair with a whole host of hydrating natural ingredients while adding definition and hold.

18. Air-Dried Lengths

Anne-Victoire Lefevre
French Hairstyles: @vikilefevre air-dryed lengths

Photo:

@vikilefevre

Effortless to recreate, but oh-so-chic, Anne-Victoire's subtle waves are soft, shiny and low-maintenance. The epitome of French girl hair.

Work a small amount of this through freshly-washed hair then leave strands to dry naturally. They'll be left soft, smooth and shiny while showing off your natural texture.

19. Micro-Fringe

Alyssa's pairing of a micro-bob and micro-fringe gives off major French girl vibes.

Keep your fringe looking fresh (without the need for a daily wash) by using these innovative hair cleansing wipes. Perfect for throwing in your handbag for on-the-go fringe maintenance—oh and don't worry, they're biodegradable.

 

This post was originally published at an earlier time and has since been updated. 

Next Up: 40 Blunt Bobs That Are Making Me Completely Rethink Having Long Hair