French bangs are all about effortless glamour. Here’s everything you need to know and all the inspiration you need to find the perfect set for you.

French bangs are all about the illusion of nonchalance. “The allure of French girl bangs is that ‘just woke up’ effortless look,” says hairstylist Andrew Fitzsimons. A combination of blending, length, and shape team together to create the French-inspired bang, which looks like an incidental and utterly romantic step in the grow-out process. “The ‘almost in your eyes’ look is the key element here,” says hairstylist Mara Roszak. “Think Jane Birkin in terms of thickness and Brigitte Bardot in terms of shape, longer and tapered off to the sides so they frame the cheekbones while opening the face in the middle.”

Though exact shaping may vary, French bangs are never harsh. “There is nothing overly blunt or straight about these bangs,” says Roszak. “Soft is key!” Now, let’s talk about the style’s illusion of ease. “They are not meant to look perfectly styled, but in reality, they take a lot of effort to maintain,” says Fitzsimons. “You may have to schedule more trips to the salon to upkeep your fringe, so bear that in mind if you have a busy schedule before you make the chop.” 

Both Fitzsimons and Roszak recommend consulting with your stylist before cutting bangs, which will help you determine which subtle iterations will work best with your hair type and routine. “While at-home haircuts can be fun in theory, this style is notoriously hard to recreate on your own, especially if you’re not using professional shears,” says Fitzsimons. “Your stylist will be able to take your hair’s texture and length into account to determine how your hair will lay once cropped short.”

Here, 25 celebrity takes on the French bang to inspire you (and your stylist).

The In-Her-Face Bangs

Consider Carla Bruni your prototype for French girl bangs. Bruni and fellow icons like Jane Birkin and Françoise Hardy boast the sort of in-her-face fringe that oozes insouciance, a hallmark of the French aesthetic.

The Rounded French

As with Bruni, Suki Waterhouse has earned an eponymous style in the French girl bang bank. The Brit has an inherent understanding of the power of slightly over-grown fringe, unwittingly championing the curtain bang well before the trend was named.

Easy French

“French girl bangs are meant to look effortless,” says Fitzsimons. Jeanne Damas’ bangs are the ultimate example of this, parted pieces sweet and seamless enough to inspire an immediate salon session.

Full French

Leave it to Zendaya to show off a glamorous variant of the classic style. “Wispy ends and full, voluminous roots are trademarks of the French girl bang,” says Fitzsimons. “Oftentimes, they are shorter in the middle and longer towards the temples.”

New Classic

Phoebe Tonkin’s recent interpretation of the French girl bang includes all of the essential elements with some present tense texture. The generous lash-skimming fringe paired with an air-dried finish feels decidedly fresh.

Bouffant Bang

Emily Ratajkowski is a consistent proponent of the French girl bang, but this version (worn for a floating seat at Jacquemus' fall 2023 show at Versaille) is her most dramatic to date. This is due to its tousled finish and the slight Bardot-esque bouffant at the back.

Brit Girl Bang

A mid-parted bang is a part of Alexa Chung’s forever aesthetic, but this cut is a touch more in her face than most. Though slightly shorter than a quintessential French girl bang, Chung’s Brit girl interpretation packs the same ease that makes the style so appealing.

Rumpled and Romantic

Taylor Swift’s bangs are French for their air-dried, romantically rumpled texture. Though they may not fit the exact shape, the spirit is undoubtedly present, particularly when paired with an undone faux bob.

Coquette Bangs

Penelope Cruz has embraced the artfully overgrown bang for years and this Chanel-ready styling — replete with bouffant and black ribbon — relies on the fringe for its flirty finish.

Framing Fringe

French bangs are better when accompanied by face-framing layers. Margot Robbie’s understanding of the assignment is evident, her fringe frame coupled with a low and loosely bound ponytail (another hallmark of the nonchalant set).

Rock ‘n’ Roll Fringe

French girl bangs lend to an undone look, one that can be expounded upon for a rockstar aesthetic. Take a cue from Behati Prinsloo and lean into your mussed, overgrown fringe with smudged liner and some attitude.

Chunky French

While the bulk of French girl bangs are defined by delicate wisps, Lou Doillon’s interpretation relies on thickness and texture. Doillon’s bangs are still piecey and blend well into face-framing layers, but with a bit of weight that will appeal to those who prefer a stronger look that still feels effortless. 

The Grow Out

“A French girl bang is a longer bang that covers the eyebrows,” says Roszak. “It looks almost overgrown.” Halle Berry’s bangs are a perfect representation of this — and prove that growing out existing fringe can provide an opportunity to adopt a French-inspired style.

Parted and Polished

“Unlike blunt bangs, French girl bangs have volume at the root and thin out towards the ends,” says Fitzsimons. Selena Gomez’s bangs are so long that they insist on a part while offering the ideal amount of updo accessorizing.

Fresh Frenchie

Anne Hathaway’s French-inspired bangs have played a major part in her recent renaissance. Her extra-long wisps are undeniably chic, trimmed to fall into her eyes and playing well with her glossy brunette lengths.

Pretty and Piecey

One part French and one part ‘90s-inspired, Elizabeth Olsen’s bangs play well with long,  face-framing layers.

Piecey in Paris

“Some women style their French girl bangs with a subtle center part, while others simply let them fall across their forehead,” says Fitzsimons. Lily Collins falls into the latter camp, her piecey, straight-across cut giving way to romantic tendrils.

Soft Drama

French girl bangs may be nonchalant by nature, but they can also bring the (soft) drama. Kerry Washington’s romantic high ponytail makes a stronger statement when paired with full fringe that tapers out to tendrils.

Full-On Fringe

“French girl bangs are typically longer, and go past one's eyebrows for a lived-in look,” says Fizsimons. Jenna Ortega embraces the moody and mysterious nature of her fuller French, the perfect framing device for smudged liner and long lashes.

French Shag

As with Doillon’s take, Georgia May Jagger’s fringe features a touch of thickness while retaining that French girl feel. This style plays well with blowouts, and air dries well, too.

Old Hollywood Bangs

Leighton Meester’s French girl fringe owes something to Old Hollywood, the subtle curvature reminiscent of styles favored by Audrey Hepburn and more.

Delicate Fringe

Daisy Edgar-Jones’ French fringe is a study in understated delicacy and ease, the perfect approach for those who prefer a timeless take on the trend. “These bangs are very flattering and feminine,” says Roszak.

The Cool-Girl French

Billie Eilish may not be immediately synonymous with French girl beauty (or bangs), but a second look reveals a lean toward pared-down glamour and the sort of effortless fringe that Frenchies favor.

Beach-Bound Bangs

Sienna Miller’s take on the style is center-parted and extra long, the perfect pairing for an event-ready topknot or a beachy vacation ponytail. The best part? The strands are long enough to incorporate into a slicked-back style if you so choose.

Barely-There Bangs

Not quite ready to commit to full fringe? Make like Camille Rowe and opt for a bohemian bang that cuts subtly at the cheekbone. This blendable layer is easily camouflaged into your lengths and can be pulled out for a framed updo — a fantastic way to test the waters or get the urge to snip out of your system.