How to Achieve Effortless French-Girl Hair, According to a Parisian Stylist

When it comes to French-girl hair, the philosophy remains consistent: The less you do, the better. French girls have a knack for making their hair work around their lifestyle. Another day of dry shampoo? Pas de problème! Overslept? Embrace the bedhead! They're always exuding an effortless, undone aesthetic that never looks like they've tried too hard.

In order to pull off this low-key yet chic hair, there are certain signature haircuts (and products) that French women are utterly devoted to. We tapped French celebrity hairstylist Rudy Martins in NYC and Parisian-based hairstylist Stéphane Bodin to get the full rundown on what types of haircuts we should be asking our stylists for if we want to achieve that nonchalant French-girl hair. To see everything from short bobs to blunt bangs to soft waves, scroll below and channel your inner Carine, Clémence, Lou, or Jeanne.

1. Messy Bob (With or Without Bangs)

"A short bob is a very popular and in-demand hairstyle right now," explains Bodin. "There are plenty of variations of the cut that you can choose to suit your face shape. It works with so many types of hair, so it's easy to play!"

Martins adds, "The addition of short bangs gives the cut a youthful look, and it's super easy to style and upkeep."

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(Image credit: Dominique Charriau, Getty Images)

Achieve the look:

2. One Length + Bangs

This one is inspired by '60s Jane Birkin, and it continues to be seen all over the streets of Paris. According to Martins, "French girls love this style because it looks effortless yet still sophisticated."

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Achieve the look:

3. Long Wavy Bob + Bangs (AKA the "Collarbone Bob")

This timeless French cut is in between a long and short hair length and features soft, textured layers, exuding a nonchalant French-girl look. "It's called the collarbone bob because it stops at the clavicles," explains Bodin. "It's a very easy-to-manage cut, and you can refresh your length without sacrificing a ponytail or bun."

Martins adds, "It can be easily styled with a curling iron and some dry shampoo. French girls adore this style because it gives volume to their hair quite naturally without looking like they've spent too much time on it."

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Achieve the look:

4. Messy Curls

This style exudes the typical Parisian vibe. "French girls don't like to look that they've spent too much time on their hair—the idea is to find the balance between néglige (messy) and sexy without looking too hippie," says Martins.

Bodin adds, "this is a very french look—the kind of style with easy texture and effortless waves with no major definition."

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(Image credit: Daniel Zuchnik/Getty Images)

Achieve the look:

5. Bowl Cut (Short Bob) + Short Bangs

According to Martins, "Most French girls had this haircut as children in Paris (often cut by their own mothers). While the cut has a sweet and innocent touch, it's also innately cool without trying too hard."

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(Image credit: Claudio Levenia, Getty Images)

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Achieve the look:

Up next, 20 gorgeous hair cuts that will make you want to chop all your hair off.

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

Judith Jones
Senior Fashion Market Editor

Judith is the senior fashion market editor at Who What Wear and has worked in fashion for nearly a decade. Judith started on the Shop Who What Wear team, creating content and managing a team of merchandisers for the Who What Wear shopping app. She later crossed over to the editorial team, where she shares the coolest, most desirable fashion market finds and brands in her shopping-focused stories and social takeovers. She has become one of the top affiliate earners during her six plus years at Who What Wear. Before working in fashion, Judith was a TV host on the PBS travel show Globe Trekker (airing on Netflix and Amazon Prime) and shared her passion for travel and food. She studied at the prestigious London Academy of Dramatic Arts as well as Stella Adler Studio of Acting in New York. She later studied fashion merchandising and design, which laid the foundation for her career in fashion.


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