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- A french twist is a style where the hair is pulled back and twisted into a vertical coil.
- Audrey Hepburn was one of the first stars to wear the elegant style (most notably in the iconic film “Breakfast at Tiffany’s”).
- Whether you have short, medium, or long hair, this easy updo is for everyone.
Experimenting with your beauty look can boost your confidence. Regardless of what your signature hairstyle is, it’s always fun to mix it up and add new hair ideas to your rotation. Whether you’re attending a special occasion like a loved one’s wedding or just want to try a cute updo, we’ve got the perfect style for you: the french twist. While there are various cool hairstyles, including chic braids and Hailey Bieber-approved buns, the french twist hairstyle is a classic.
This style is extremely similar to the french roll. It looks elegant, shows off your neckline and shoulders, and even serves as a protective style where you don’t have to worry about your hair getting in your face. To learn how to do a french twist, we called on stylist Gina Schiappacasse of Hairstory, a cool downtown members-only salon. Here, she gives a french-twist-updo tutorial so you can master the look at home.
Hairstory Studio
How to Do a French Twist: Step 1
In order to begin achieving a perfect french twist, prep is important. Before blowdrying wet hair, add some texture or mousse, like Virtue’s Volumizing Styler, ($60) to give volume and hold. Once dry, dry shampoo or volumizing spray, like Oribe’s Gold Lust, Dry Shampoo, ($68) will provide texture, and minimise slip. Then, start by sectioning off the front of your hair into a triangular shape using fingers or a comb. Take this piece and gently twist it once, while pushing it forward from where it naturally lies on your head. This creates a slight pompadour. You can get more or less volume by adjusting the placement of this twist, so experiment to see what looks best on you. Once you’ve found a placement that you like, secure it with a few bobby pins, like the Lady Jane, Super Hold Contoured Bobby Pins, ($8)
Hairstory Studio
How to Do a French Twist: Step 2
With just your hands, gently gather back the rest of your hair into a low ponytail. Using a finger on your right hand as an anchor, pull the end of the tail taut with the left to your left side. With the anchored right finger, twist your hair clockwise toward the back of your head twice and lay against the back of your head. While twisting, be sure to continue to hold the ends of your hair securely with the left hand until they are all wrapped up in the french twist.
Hairstory Studio
How to Do a French Twist: Step 3
On the left-hand side of your french twist, slide in several bobby pins, making sure that it’s secure.
Hairstory Studio
How to Do a French Twist: Step 4
Pull a few pieces of hair free on either side of your temple, and separate by rubbing them between your thumb and forefinger. These tendrils add a delicacy to the french twist style and create a little softness around the face, allowing for a look that is perfectly lived in. You can even gently curl them with the super-fine ghd, Thin Wand Hair Curler 14mm, ($250) finish with some strong hold hairspray, like the Redken, Quick Dry 18 Instant Finishing Hairspray, ($36)
Hairstory Studio
How to Do a French Twist
And there you have it. You’ve officially created a gorgeous french twist hairstyle.
Hairstory Studio
How to Do a French Twist
Here is a look at the french twist from the side.
Hairstory Studio
How to Do a French Twist
And here it is from the front. The volume around the top makes the french twist flatter.
