French Bangs: How to Get the Chic Parisian Look

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Channel your inner Brigitte Bardot with side-swept bangs swept dramatically to one side. This stylish and sexy cut brings focus to your eyes while accentuating your cheekbones. Bangs swept to the side require some styling but give you a tousled, bedhead look that oozes French-girl cool.

Bardot bangs draw attention to your eyes while still allowing your hair to have body and movement. Ask your stylist for longer bangs that can be swept sideways and secured in place with a bit of product. Bardot bangs look especially chic on heart-shaped faces.

The Straight Birkin Bangs

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For a bold yet low-maintenance look, opt for straight bangs cut just above your eyebrows. This blunt cut, named after Jane Birkin, creates a dramatic frame for your face and eyes. Straight bangs require regular trims to maintain their shape but need little daily styling. Just wash, blow dry, and you’re ready for a café au lait.

Made famous by Jane Birkin, the Birkin bangs are cut straight across the forehead at the eyebrows. They give a chic and effortless look while still framing the face. To get Birkin bangs, ask your stylist to cut blunt bangs that fall around eyebrow level. They're versatile and pair well with any face shape, hair type, and hairstyle.

Shaggy Bangs

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For an effortless undone style, shaggy bangs are your answer. Choppy, uneven bangs swept haphazardly across your forehead embody the French je ne sais quoi attitude. Shaggy bangs are versatile and can be styled messy and tousled or smoothed down for a sleeker look. They require little maintenance but frequent trims to avoid a shaggy dog look.

Whether you opt for side-swept drama, blunt Birkin bangs or a shaggy undone style, French-girl bangs are the perfect way to get that chic Parisian look. Now all you need is a striped shirt, ballet flats and a café crème to complete the picture.

The Blunt Bangs

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For bold, straight-across bangs, blunt bangs are the way to go. Cut straight at the eyebrows, blunt bangs make a statement and highlight your eyes, cheekbones and jawline. However, blunt bangs require high-maintenance styling and frequent trims to avoid a heavy, shaggy look. Blunt bangs pair well with oval or long faces, but may overwhelm smaller face shapes.

Getting French-girl bangs is an instant style upgrade that makes you feel like you just stepped off the streets of Paris. Whether you go for Birkin, Bardot or blunt, French bangs are always chic, stylish and oh-so-effortless. Now, all that's left to do is practice your nonchalant pout and "je ne sais quoi" attitude. Voila, you're ready to take on the world with your new Parisian hairstyle!

How to Style French Bangs Like a Parisian Girl

The Side-Swept Bangs

To get a casual yet stylish look like Anna Hathaway's character in “The Devil Wears Prada”, go for side-swept bangs. Brush your bangs to the side and let them sweep across your forehead for an effortless style. Use a round brush to give the ends a slight bend under and finish with a light-hold hairspray to keep them in place. This style works best for straighter hair types and oval or heart-shaped faces.

The Straight Birkin Bangs

For a bold statement, cut your bangs straight across to channel Jane Birkin's iconic hairstyle. Have your stylist cut your bangs just above the eyebrows in a blunt line. Style them by blow drying them straight down towards your eyebrows. You can also use a flat iron to smooth any flyaways. This style looks striking on diamond or square face shapes.

Styling Tips

A few additional tips to style your French bangs like a Parisian:

• Get regular trims every 4 to 6 weeks to maintain their shape and length. Bangs that are too long can look messy and unkempt.

• Use a round brush and blow dryer to add volume at the roots of your bangs. This will give them a stylish pouf.

• Carry small scissors, a comb, and hairpins in your purse for quick touch-ups on the go.

• Use a light serum or styling cream to tame flyaways and keep your bangs looking smooth all day.

• For an evening out, pin back one side of your bangs with an eye-catching bobby pin or hair clip. This simple trick transforms your daytime hairstyle into something more glamorous.

• Consider your face shape and features when choosing between side-swept or blunt bangs. Bangs can either accentuate or downplay certain features, so select a style that complements your natural look.

Tips for Maintaining Your French Bangs

Trim as needed

The key to keeping French bangs looking stylish is regular trimming. You’ll need a trim every 4 to 6 weeks. Use professional hair scissors and a comb to trim your bangs. Take small snips, checking your work in a mirror as you go. Trim just a little at a time until your bangs reach your desired length.

Style daily

French bangs require styling each day to look their best. After showering, blow dry your bangs while brushing them forward and slightly to the side. Once dry, you can leave them as is for a casual look or style them to the side for a dressier style. Use a round brush and hair dryer on a low, hot setting while brushing to the side and slightly upward. Finish with a spritz of hairspray to keep your bangs in place all day.

Use product

The right products can enhance your French bangs. Use a lightweight leave-in conditioner or styling cream after washing to add moisture and softness. For extra volume, apply a mousse at the roots before blow drying. Finish with a flexible hold hairspray to keep your bangs in place without feeling stiff or crunchy. You can also use a dry shampoo on non-wash days to absorb oil and add texture.

Get regular touch-ups

As your hair grows, your bangs will start to look shaggy and unstyled. Get a trim from your stylist every 4 to 6 weeks to maintain their shape and length. In between trims, you may need bang touch-ups which involve trimming just your bangs to freshen up your style. Some stylists offer complimentary bang trims with a cut and color service. Ask your stylist about options for keeping your French bangs looking chic between salon visits.

With regular maintenance and TLC, your French bangs will stay stylish for months. Keep them trimmed, styled daily, use the right products and get periodic touch-ups. Your bold Parisian-inspired bangs are sure to turn heads!

Famous celebrity with french bangs hairstyle

Anna Hathaway

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The princess diaries actress, Anne Hathaway is well known for her effortless french girl style. Her side-swept bangs and face-framing layers are the epitome of Parisian chic. Whether she's on the red carpet or strolling the streets of New York, Hathaway's bangs are always perfectly tousled and lend an air of sophistication to any outfit. If you want to channel your inner mademoiselle, Hathaway's bangs are the perfect style to emulate.

Alexa Chung

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British model and television presenter Alexa Chung is a contemporary style icon who's synonymous with French-girl cool. Her choppy bangs and shag cut ooze nonchalance in the chicest way possible. Chung's bangs are swept to the side and artfully mussed, with choppy ends that graze her eyebrows. This daring yet undone style complements her bohemian esthetic and is ideal for anyone looking to make a fashion-forward statement.

Marion Cotillard

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The stylish French actress Marion Cotillard is renowned for her elegant and effortless style. Her side-swept bangs are a key part of her signature look. Cotillard's bangs are swept casually to one side, softly grazing her eyebrows with choppy ends. This minimal style is the epitome of understated Parisian chic and complements Cotillard's natural beauty. If you want timeless bangs that work for both day and night, Cotillard's simple yet chic style is one to emulate.

Whether you opt for Hathaway's tousled side-swept bangs, Chung's choppy statement bangs or Cotillard's minimal chic bangs, choosing a celebrity style that you personally connect with is a great way to find inspiration. Their versions of the french bang hairstyle will ensure you achieve a chic and stylish look.

Conclusion

So there you have it - everything you need to know to get those effortlessly chic French bangs! With so many stylish options like the Bardot, Birkin, or curtain bangs, you can definitely find a look that flatters your face shape and hair texture. Just remember to find an experienced stylist you trust to get the cut just right. Once your new fringe is in place, have fun playing with different parts, swoops and styles to create that je ne sais quoi Parisian flair. Getting the look is easy - rocking it with confidence and nonchalance is up to you! So grab your beret and get ready to turn heads with your glamorous new French girl bangs!

French Bangs FAQ

How long does it take French bangs to grow out?

The good news is French bangs tend to grow out quickly. You can expect them to grow about 1/2 inch per month. Bangs that are cut straight across at the eyebrows will need trimming every 4 to 6 weeks to maintain the style. Side-swept bangs may need trimming every 6 to 8 weeks. If you decide you want to grow out your bangs completely, it will take several months for them to blend in with the rest of your hair.

How do I style French bangs?

The key to styling French bangs is keeping them straight and smoothened. After washing your hair, blot your bangs with a towel to remove excess moisture. Then use a round brush and blow dry them while brushing to the side. Flat iron your bangs if needed to achieve a sleek finish. You can finish with a spritz of lightweight hairspray to keep flyaways in place. For extra volume, flip your bangs up at the ends or tease the roots.

Do French bangs suit every face shape?

French bangs tend to look most flattering on oval, round and square face shapes. They help create the illusion of width on oval faces and balance proportions on round faces. For square faces, French bangs soften the jawline. Bangs that are cut straight across at the eyebrows work best for these face shapes. Side-swept bangs also suit heart-shaped faces by camouflaging a wider forehead.

What products should I use for French bangs?

Invest in high-quality products to keep your French bangs looking their best:

• A good shampoo and conditioner for your hair type (fine, color-treated)
• A blow dryer with concentrator nozzle for precision styling
• A small round brush to blow out and smooth bangs
• A flat iron (with lower heat) to touch up as needed
• A lightweight hairspray, mousse or pomade to finish and reduce flyaways

With some patience and practice, you'll be rocking stylish French bangs in no time. Stay on top of regular trims and invest in quality products to keep them chic and full of Parisian flair.