There’s an endless appeal to French girl style. From the famed low-maintenance French pharmacy beauty to the chic femininity of French girl style and even the romance of French girl interiors (for example, last summer’s The EDIT cover star, Chloé Crane-Leroux). It’s no surprise that a French-girl hair routine is also the key to effortless summer hair.
Effortless summer hair might seem like a pipe dream. It might be tempting to throw your hair up in a bun all summer and never think about it again. So how do French girls manage their signature loose locks in the summer?
According to experts, it starts with choosing the right style and maintaining your hair health so it lasts through the season. So I spoke to Kat Thompson, celebrity hairstylist, on how to achieve effortless summer hair — and whether French girl hair is a myth.
Feature image by Michelle Nash from our interview with Chloé Crane-Leroux
An expert’s guide to effortless summer hair
Summer is here, and it’s hot. In some places, hotter than ever — the last thing I want to do is any high-effort routine I’ll soon sweat out. I’ve pared back on all my routines, adopting a hydrating summer skincare routine and a low-maintenance beauty routine.
But I still spend too much time on my hair. Trying to balance hair health and convenience, I find myself spending more time making sure my strands are hydrated and my hairstyles last the day. According to Thompson, you should work with your hair, not against it. How? By choosing a low-maintenance cut, styling by hair texture, and adopting practical French-girl-inspired routines by protecting your hair health.
Read on to discover the French girl secrets to achieve effortless summer hair by choosing the right haircut and styling routine for their face shape, hair texture, and lifestyle.
How to choose the right French girl haircut
French girls are known for their signature haircuts. Amelie’s pixie. Audrey Hepburn’s transformation in Sabrina. The ubiquitous French braid. Even curtain bangs and the modern shag cut have an air of the French je ne sais quoi to them.
But how to pick a style that works for you? According to Thompson, it’s not about complete reinvention — it’s about working with what you have.
“I always look at how someone’s hair naturally falls and how much time they realistically want to spend on it,” says Thompson. “If you have to spend 30 minutes styling it every morning, it’s probably not the right cut.”
Choosing a cut then is a surprisingly simple formula: texture + lifestyle = cut. Instead of feeling overwhelmed by choices, narrow down what is feasible for your hair type and go from there.
“Soft layers, longer face-framing pieces, or lived-in curtain bangs can all give movement without requiring constant styling,” says Thompson. You can even take summer to try a big chop or a pixie for a universal cut that takes no time at all. “The goal is hair that still looks intentional even when it’s air dried.”
French girl hair for different hair textures
“I think the French-girl approach is less about creating a specific hairstyle and more about enhancing what you already have while keeping it chic.”
Just like French girl beauty is about adding drama — something rouge, something sexy — rather than trying to hide your features, French girl hair is about embracing your texture instead of trying to change it.
Here’s how Thompson approached different textures:
- Straight hair: Embrace that effortless, slightly undone texture instead of trying to force volume.
- Wavy Hair: Let those waves do the work with a lightweight styling product that enhances them rather than weighs them down.
- Curly/Coily Hair: Focus on defining your natural pattern and keeping it healthy and hydrated.
“The common thread is working with your texture, not fighting it.”
The styling secret to French girl hair
If healthy hair is the building block of effortless summer hair, intentional styling is what gives it that French girl look.
“I think people assume French-girl hair is about looking perfectly undone,” says Thompson, “but I actually think it’s about having healthy hair that doesn’t need much styling in the first place.”
Her styling secret? Less is more.
“Don’t overstyle it,” says Thompson. When you embrace your natural texture, choose a cut that makes styling feel effortless, and focus on hair health, your day-to-day routines can shrink.
“Stop styling right before you think it’s finished. If every wave is perfect and every hair is in place, it can actually look overdone. Leaving a little softness and movement is usually what makes it feel effortless, and that’s my personal favorite look.”
Instead of choosing styling products that weigh your hair down, opt for lightweight products that nourish in just a few spritzes.
Low-maintenance maintenance, like a French girl
Getting a cut is one thing. Styling is another. But how do you keep that just-left-the-salon look for longer?
Maintenance is about listening to your lifestyle. What small upgrades can you make to your haircare routine without adding extra steps? With a few adjustments, you can protect your hair health and keep your hair routine simple without sacrificing chicness.
Thompson’s expert tips include:
- Air dry when you can
- Sleep in a loose braid for effortless texture
- Lounge in styles like a messy bun, sleek low bun
- Brush your hair before you wash it to keep your natural texture intact
- Embrace the lived-in look!
French girl tips for healthier summer hair
Hair health makes summer hair prone to dehydration, which is probably sabotaging your summer styling.
“Once the hair gets dry, the cuticle starts to roughen up, which leads to frizz, tangles, and eventually breakage,” she says. “A lot of people think their hair is just frizzy in the summer, but most of the time it’s actually just in desperate need of hydration.”
Here’s the secret: effortless summer styling starts with hair health — which comes from doing more with less. You might think that rebuilding your hair health will take many steps, but according to experts, summer is the best time to adopt a more minimalist hair care routine.
Thompson says start with these simple tips to “think about prevention instead of trying to repair damage after it’s already happened.”
- A quality hydrating conditioner every wash day
- A deep conditioning treatment once a week
- Leave-in conditioner (especially before getting in the pool or ocean)