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 French 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.
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
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.
2. Messy Bun
I think that Aria's messy bun would make the perfect wedding-guest hairstyle.
3. Headscarf and Braids
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.
4. Curly Jaw-Length Bob
I'm all kinds of obsessed with Franny's curly bob-and-fringe combo, which looks effortlessly chic.
5. Long Hair With Bottleneck Fringe
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.
6. Curly Balayage
Proving that balayage isn't going anywhere, Hanna's blonde-tinged curls look so good.
7. Claw-Clip Bun
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.
8. Braided Bun
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.
9. Feathered Fringe
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.
10. Beach Waves
Our resident Brit girl in Paris, Marissa Cox, embraces a French-girl staple hairstyle: breezy beach waves.
9. Wavy Bob
Marta's short, wavy bob is making me want to cut off all of my hair right now.
10. Low Ponytail
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.
11. Side-Parted Shoulder-Length Hair
French girls embrace one of two parting styles: the classic centre part or the relaxed side sweep, as demonstrated by Clémentine.
12. Topknot
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.
13. Low Ponytail With Micro Plaits
Cool girl Anne-Laure always delivers on hair inspiration, and I can't get enough of this '90s-inspired ponytail complete with micro plaits.
14. High Ponytail With Scrunchie
A ponytail takes seconds to do but always looks good. Sabina's scrunchie looks so cute with her minidress.
15. Curly Pixie
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.
16. Long, Centre-Parted Hair
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.
17. Cropped Pixie
Nothing says French chic like a cropped pixie haircut.
18. Air-Dried Lengths
Effortless to recreate, but oh-so-chic, Anne-Victoire's subtle waves are soft, shiny and low-maintenance. The epitome of French girl hair.
19. Micro-Fringe
Alyssa's pairing of a micro-bob and micro-fringe gives off major French girl vibes.
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
Mica Ricketts is a freelance beauty editor, copywriter and regular contributor toBest Knockoff Luxury Clothing UK. She also writes for titles including Marie Claire Refinery 29 and Cosmopolitan, and previously worked atBest Knockoff Luxury Clothing UK as Beauty Editor. With experience in both editorial and content management, she also works with beauty brands and small businesses on brand messaging and content strategy. As a busy mum of two, she is passionate about finding efficacious beauty products that can disguise all signs of tiredness with minimal effort.
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