How to Get Catherine Deneuve’s Iconic ‘60s Hair
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Fan of French cinema? Chances are you’ve been enamored by the effortlessly chic, almost ethereal beauty of Catherine Deneuve. Her iconic blonde hair, styled in that polished half-up, half-down look, is retro perfection, pure and simple.
The first time I saw the French actress was in Jacques Demy’s musical comedy, Les Demoiselles de Rochefort, where she starred alongside her sister Françoise Dorléac. The kaleidoscope of colorful costumes and mod ‘60s vibe led me straight into a film binge of Deneuve’s famous filmography, including Belle de Jour and Peau d'Âne.
But it was her role in The Umbrellas of Cherbourg, another Technicolor classic from Demy, that truly sealed her status as my ultimate beauty crush. Her subtle feline flick, radiant fresh face, and that perfectly coiffed hair: to me, she was (and remains) the epitome of vintage beauty.
If you’re just as obsessed with her golden locks as I am, you’re in the right place. Here’s your step-by-step guide to getting Catherine Deneuve’s signature ‘60s hair, from her cut and color to her timeless half-up, half-down do.
Discover more of my vintage icon style guides:
Start with the Right Cut
Getting Catherine Deneuve hair begins with the right cut. Her signature hairstyle is all about smooth, flowing layers that create a natural, effortless shape—nothing too choppy or textured. Full of body and motion, Deneuve’s locks have a lot of lift at the roots with even more volume on the crown and along the sides.
Unlike other French style icons like Jane Birkin and Françoise Hardy, Deneuve’s sought-after ‘60s hair wasn’t defined by bangs. Instead, she kept her hair elegantly styled away from her face for a more polished (rather than undone) look.
Next time you're at the salon, ask for long, soft layers with face-framing pieces to achieve the same movement and shape.
This hairstyle typically works best on medium-to-long tresses, but if you have shorter hair, you can still get the same fullness. Just look to Deneuve’s later looks, where she sported a short haircut but kept the same lift and volume.
When in doubt, save a few photos on your phone to show your stylist.
Bring on the Blonde
Catherine Deneuve's blonde hair color is one of the most iconic aspects of her look. It’s soft, natural, and warm, with just the right amount of brightness to flatter her complexion without looking flat or one-dimensional. Though Deneuve isn’t a natural blonde, she’s maintained her golden hue for years. Early on, her blonde was bolder and brighter, but over the years, she's let more of her darker roots subtly show through.
To achieve her sun-kissed color, it’s important to focus on keeping blonde hair healthy, glossy, and vibrant. Deneuve herself swears by the Christophe Robin Cleansing Mask with Lemon to keep brassiness at bay and maintain shine.
As Deneuve herself proves, the right blonde is all about creating depth and movement. For her, this means color that's rich and light, but never harsh. And her secret to maintaining that picture-perfect blonde? Deneuve visits the salon every 8 to 10 days—an inspiration for anyone who wants to keep their blonde fresh and luminous.
And while I known I’ve been tempted to go blonde myself, you don’t need her exact shade to master her French-girl hairstyle.
Prep Your Hair
For style that lasts for days, start with clean, prepped hair. To get Catherine Deneuve's same voluminous locks, begin by thoroughly shampooing your roots. Deneuve herself reaches for the Christophe Robin Cleansing Purifying Scrub with Sea Salt, a product she’s used for years to keep her hair in pristine condition. She uses it every three weeks to deeply cleanse her scalp and remove product buildup—a must for any voluminous style.
With heat styling in the mix, your hair will need extra nourishment and protection. After shampooing, apply a hydrating conditioner, focusing on the ends where breakage and split ends are most likely to happen. If your strands are delicate, consider treating them with a nourishing hair mask to strengthen and prep them before reaching for any styling products or heat tools.
Go Big or Go Home
Once your hair is freshly washed, it’s time to start styling. Catherine Deneuve’s signature look is all about volume, so reach for products that give your hair that full-bodied, lifted effect she’s known for.
A volumizing mousse will be your go-to for big, lasting volume with a firm hold. Apply it to your roots for maximum lift. However, if mousse feels too sticky for your taste, try a volumizing spray for a lighter alternative. Next, spritz on your favorite heat protectant to prevent any damage.
To create Catherine Deneuve’s voluminous mane, a round brush and blow dryer are your best friends. Start by flipping your head upside down and blow-drying your roots to create lift. Don’t shy away from adding a little extra volume at the crown—a subtle bouffant touch was always part of Deneuve’s vintage coiffure.
Work section by section, using the round brush to lift the hair from roots to mid-lengths. Then, smooth and twist the ends for a soft, loose curl. For extra staying power, wrap freshly dried sections in Velcro rollers as you go. Use the largest size for maximum lift and that large bouncy curl at the end.
Tease, Please
A lot of Catherine Deneuve’s volume comes from the blow-drying process, but some teasing will also make a big difference. If you’re after that ‘60s half-up, half-down look, teasing the roots will give you a more dramatic lift.
Start by sectioning off the top layer of your hair, from your temples to your crown. With a fine-tooth teasing comb, gently backcomb small sections of hair, starting about an inch from the roots and gradually working your way outwards. A quick spritz of light-hold hairspray as you go will help lock in the volume without weighing your hair down.
Keep checking your progress as you tease. Sometimes less is more, and you want height without a tangled mess.
Once you’ve teased your way to a retro bouffant, use a soft brush to lightly smooth the top layer of hair and hide any tangles or frizz. Seal the deal with a light mist of hairspray to hold everything in place.
If you prefer to skip the back brushing, Roan McClean shows how to get the same sky-high volume using a Bumpit—no teasing required. Watch her tutorial below:
Tie It All Together
Now that you’ve nailed the volume, it’s time to lock in this dreamy ‘60s-inspired style. Gently pull back the top section and secure it with a clear elastic at the crown. Placement is key here—too far forward risks looking a bit juvenile, while too far back will hide that perfectly voluminous pony.
Once secured, ensure the sides are sleek and polished. Deneuve uses Christophe Robin's Intense Regenerating Balm, a product she always keeps in her bag. It's a lightweight balm that smooths flyaways and gives the front of her hair a sleek finish, without feeling greasy. Use a small amount of balm to smooth any frizz and refine those front pieces.
Now for the fun part: accessories! What better than a bow to channel Catherine Deneuve? There are plenty of ways to incorporate this chic accessory. Keep it classic with a dainty ribbon tied around your clear elastic, or go for a ready-made bow hair tie to nail the perfect shape with zero effort. Prefer something even easier? Add a bow barrette just above your pony to cache your elastic. However you choose to wear it, this little accent is the pièce de résistance, adding just the right amount of playful, vintage elegance to your look.
No bow? No problem. Wrap a small strand of hair around the elastic to conceal it, tucking the end underneath and pinning it in place with a bobby pin.
Enhance Your Curls
With your pouf perfected, you might want to touch up your ends. If your they’re looking a little limp, grab a large-barrel curling iron to amp up those soft, voluminous waves on the bottom half of your hair. For Deneuve’s iconic ‘60s hair, you don’t want tight curls; you’re going for loose, soft waves that gently curl under.
Make sure to leave the last couple of inches of each section out of the curling iron to keep the curls soft. The curls should follow the natural movement of your hair.
When you’re done, gently run your fingers through the waves to loosen them up and add that bouncy, natural texture. Finish it off with a lightweight hairspray to lock everything in place without weighing your hair down.
Maintain the Look, Deneuve-Style
Catherine Deneuve’s gorgeous hair didn’t just happen by chance. They were the result of an impeccable hair care routine. To recreate her timeless ‘60s-inspired glamour, maintaining your hair’s health and structure is just as crucial as styling it. For Deneuve, the key is using high-quality products, particularly those from Christophe Robin, her long-time colorist.
Day-to-Day Care
Deneuve’s looks were always perfectly polished, and yours can be too with a little morning upkeep. Spritz a texturizing spray to revive body and lightly comb through any flattened areas.
You can also extend the life of your voluminous ‘do with a gentle dry shampoo between washes. This not only keeps your roots fresh but also preserves that enviable lift. When it’s time to wash, use shampoos and conditioners formulated for blonde or color-treated hair to maintain brilliance and tone.
At night, protect your style just like the French star would. Use a satin scrunchie to loosely secure your hair, keeping the teased crown intact. A silk scarf or pillowcase can prevent frizz and protect your strands from damage while you sleep.
Long-Term Maintenance
Protect your strands from heat damage with a quality heat protectant, and limit heat styling to once a week. On gentler days, swap your blow dryer for Velcro rollers to achieve that soft, voluminous texture without stressing your hair. Incorporate protein treatments and nourishing masks into your routine to keep your strands healthy and resilient. A balanced diet, exercise, and sleep can also go a long way in maintaining your hair’s health.
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Et voilà—your ultimate guide to mastering Catherine Deneuve hair: polished, poufed, and effortlessly glamorous. With the right cut, a little tease, and a bow on top, you’ll feel like your own French muse.
I will definitely be wearing this hairstyle to many upcoming holiday parties. It’s sophisticated, and with a velvet bow, perfectly festive for the season!
Are you planning to try this Catherine Deneuve hair tutorial? Let me know in the comments below.
