15 Chic French Bangs to Screenshot for Your Stylist
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When it comes to effortlessly cool hair, no one does it better than the French. From Jane Birkin’s famous fringe to Brigitte Bardot’s sultry 70s bangs, French bangs have become a signature of the French girl aesthetic. Today’s Parisian style muses from Jeanne Damas to Louise Follain prove that this undone, tousled look is here to stay.
The appeal of French bangs is their nonchalance—they’re soft, never harsh, and in theory, easy to style. Whether you sport a short n’ chic bob or long tousled locks, there’s a style of bangs for every look.
Just be sure to consult your hairstylist before making the chop *chez vous*. Working with a professional ensures your bangs are perfectly tailored to your hair’s thickness and texture, leaving you with that dreamy, lived-in fringe.
Ready to try out French bangs yourself? Here are 15 French bangs styles to inspire your next salon visit.
French Bangs
1. French Fringe
Lily Collins’s French fringe is perfectly Parisian. Her soft, full bangs frame her face beautifully, blending seamlessly with her chic updo. While some French bangs lean into a subtle center part, Lily’s style lets the fringe fall naturally across her forehead for a piecey, romantic look. Who better than Emily in Paris herself to inspire your next French-girl hairstyle?
2. Blunt Bangs
French actress Stacy Martin’s fringe looks polished and classically French. Just like its name implies, these blunt bangs are cut straight across the forehead with no layering. In this example, they fall just above Martin’s eyes and have a soft, slightly rounded shape. The result is a bold, yet flattering frame of face that pairs especially well with her effortlessly undone curls.
3. Bottleneck Bangs
Bottleneck bangs, as the name suggests, are shaped in a curved "bottleneck" that’s shorter at the top and gradually lengthens, skimming the eyes and cheekbones. These French girl bangs have a soft, feathered look that’s heavily ‘70s-inspired. British it-girl Suki Waterhouse might not be French, but she nails this style perfectly for a chic, free-spirited vibe that pairs beautifully with tousled, wavy hair.
4. Wispy Bangs
For fine hair, light and wispy bangs are the perfect match. They typically have a lot of feathering on the ends, adding to their barely there, soft look. Jeanne Damas is the ultimate French girl hair muse for this style—her slightly messy, perfectly imperfect fringe bangs are easy and low-maintenance. Paired with her tousled, shoulder-length hair, it’s the ultimate Parisian look.
5. Curtain Bangs
Curtain bangs are having a major moment—and it’s easy to see why. They’re fairly low-maintenance, easy to grow out, and require minimal styling (all essentials of French girl hair). This iconic style, made famous by Brigitte Bardot in the '70s, features feathered layers that create a carefree, cool-girl vibe. Ask your hair stylist for longer layers and part them down the center to recreate this flawless French look.
6. Baby Bangs
Short French bangs are for the daring. These baby bangs sit just above the eyebrows for a look that’s somehow retro and modern, all at the same time. French singer Angèle pulls them off perfectly with her sleek, slightly wavy blonde hair. The contrast between the sharp bangs and the soft texture of her locks is edgy, yet effortlessly French. Styling tip: keep your baby bangs polished with a flat iron or smooth them down with a bit of styling cream.
7. Center-Parted Bangs
Daisy Edgar-Jones is serving up serious French girl vibes with her feminine fringe (and her bold red lipstick to match). Unlike other thick bang styles, hers are subtly parted down the center, giving them a soft, flowing effect that perfectly complements her wavy, medium-length hair. It's a timeless take on the French fringe that’s easy to replicate at your next salon appointment.
8. Curly Bangs
You might think textured hair and bangs don’t mix, but think again. Curly bangs are usually cut longer to prevent them from shrinking up your forehead as they curl. Regardless of your curl pattern, just a few shorter curls that fall below your brows can dramatically transform your entire hairstyle. Take a cue from French actress and singer Stéfi Celma, whose natural curls fall effortlessly, perfectly framing her face.
9. Layered Bangs
For those who want the look of bangs without the full commitment, layered bangs are a très chic choice. With varying lengths that seamlessly blend into the rest of your hair, you can style them however you please—parted down the middle or swept to the side. Naomi Scott’s layered bangs feel especially French with soft, feathery ends and subtle texture.
10. Long Bangs
When your bangs grow longer than planned, they can still look effortlessly chic. Sure, eye-skimming bangs might not be the most practical, but there’s something undeniably cool about embracing those long, piecey strands. When paired with French long hair, they flow seamlessly into the rest of your hair and frame the face. Be sure to spritz some texturizing spray for a little lift and tousled finish.
11. Choppy Bangs
French bangs are meant to look lived-in, and this choppy style is the ultimate example of this. They’re textured and typically cut at varying lengths to give bangs more definition. Style them straight to emphasize the uneven layers, and you’re well on your way to nailing the “I woke up like this” aesthetic that French girls are known for.
12. Beach-Bound Bangs
These beachy bangs are blasé and breezy, perfectly complementing tousled waves and salty air. Mélanie Laurent pulls off this style effortlessly, with her French bangs swopping just above her eyes and slightly piecey at the ends. It’s the perfect low-maintenance fringe that you can wear to la plage and beyond.
13. Full Bangs
Full bangs are a French classic. Nina Dobrev effortlessly masters this straight-across style, which perfectly frames her face and draws attention to her eyes. While this look works beautifully with naturally thick hair, those with finer locks can achieve the same fullness with a bit of thickening mousse and a round brush. The result? A polished, voluminous style that’s both chic and versatile. If you decide to try full bangs, be prepared to go back for a little trim every few weeks.
14. Micro Bangs
These micro bangs are pure Amélie vibes with a fresh, modern edge. They’re like baby bangs, but even smaller, hitting somewhere in the middle of your forehead. They do require a little upkeep, but the payoff is undeniably chic, especially if you love a little structure. Whether you pair them with an easy updo like Cara Delevingne or a pixie cut à la Audrey Tautou, this French-inspired fringe is oh-so-sophisticated.
15. Subtle Bangs
If you're looking for a subtle way to change up your look, soft, blended curtain bangs are the way to go. Adding more volume on the sides than in the middle makes them versatile—you can effortlessly sweep them back when you're not in the mood for a full-fringe moment. Anne Hathaway’s French girl bangs aren’t in your face (nor hers). They’re understated yet elegant, perfectly complementing her long hair with just the right amount of softness and balance.
FAQs
What are French bangs?
French bangs are known for their easy, effortless style. They’re typically low-maintenance and don’t need to be styled to look chic—in fact, they often pair perfectly with a tousled hair texture. Most of the French bangs styles on this list are versatile enough to work with various hair lengths and face shapes too.
French bangs vs. curtain bangs: what’s the difference?
French bangs are typically shorter and softer, often falling just above the eyes. Curtain bangs, on the other hand, are parted in the middle and sweep to the sides.
Are French bangs high-maintenance?
In theory, no! They’re meant to look slightly tousled, so you can skip the constant touch-ups. A quick blow-dry or air-drying works beautifully. However, shorter bangs and sleek styling might require some extra maintenance. Also keep in mind that you’ll need to get frequent trims if you want to maintain the length of your French fringe.
Can I try French fringe bangs with curly hair?
Absolutely! French fringe bangs can look incredible with curly hair. Ask your stylist to cut them dry to ensure the right length and shape.
From bold, blunt cuts to soft, feathered layers, these French fringes embody the “je ne sais quoi” allure that French women are known for.
I’ve tried my fair share of bang styles over the years, but shorter curtain bangs have been my personal favorite. Yes, they take a bit of styling each morning, but since I usually style my hair most days, it’s not much extra work for me.
Right now, my bangs have grown into longer, face-framing layers, but I’ve been tempted to go for the chop again. Maybe it’s because I’ve been seeing the Sabrina Carpenter bangs everywhere? I just know that post-bang regret is real, so I’m still undecided—maybe for the New Year, I’ll try out something new!
Which French bangs are your favorite? Let me know in the comments below.
