These 19 French Women Always Have the Chicest Hairstyles

It's hard to put my finger on exactly what it is about French women 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 is appealing to those of us who are maximalists at heart.

Between classic trench coats and pharmacy moisturizers, I also look to French women 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

Here are 19 French women I always come back to for chic hair inspiration, from messy buns topped with elegant hair scarves to side-swept 'dos and disheveled waves.

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

Photo:

@ANDI_MUN

Bangs can be intimidating, but it doesn't mean they have to be high-maintenance. Andrea's choppy fringe looks so laid-back and pairs perfectly with another classic hairstyle—the humble ponytail

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

Photo:

@LENAFARL

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

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.

Franny Fyne
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.

Leia Sfez
French Girl Hairstyles: Leia Sfez with centre parting fringe

Photo:

@LEIASFEZ

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

Camille Charrière
French girl hairstyles: Camille Charriere wearing updo

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 clip. The more flyaways and escaped strands, the better.

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.

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

Photo:

@CLAIRE_MOST

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

Jeanne Damas
French girl hairstyles: Jeanne Damas wearing hair down

Photo:

@JEANNEDAMAS

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

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.

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

Photo:

@LIFEOFBOHEME

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

Syana Laniyan
French girl hairstyles: Syana Laniyan wearing beret and braids

Photo:

@syanalaniyan

Syana has worked out the formula for French-girl hairstyle perfection. Beret + braids = a match made in style heaven.

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 low ponytail.

Clémentine Desseaux
French girl hairstyles: Clémentine Desseaux wearing yellow maxi dress

Photo:

@BONJOURCLEM

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

A-J 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. A-J's is super high, slicked back, and utterly chic.

Anne-Laure Mais
French girl hairstyles: Adenorah wearing bun with hair tie

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.

Sabina Socol
French girl hairstyles: Sabina Socol wearing high ponytail

Photo:

@SABINASOCOL

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

Ellie
French girl hairstyles: Ellie wearing kimono dress with hair accessories

Photo:

@SLIPINTOSTYLE

Parisian Ellie reveals the key to styling 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.

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 bend in her hair to reign supreme in this simple center-parted style.

This post originally appeared on Who What Wear UK.

Next up: A French Girl's Five-Piece Wardrobe for 2022