These 19 French Women Always Have the Chicest Hairstyles

It's hard to put my finger on exactly what it is about French women that we find so damn alluring. Perhaps it's their ability to build a timeless capsule wardrobe that always looks stylish or their penchant for a basic makeup product that will stand the test of time. There's definitely something about their fondness for "boring" basics that is appealing to those of us who are maximalists at heart.

Between classic trench coats and French pharmacy moisturizers, I also look to French women for hairstyle inspiration. Whether they're stepping out with long locks or short strands, French women always lead the way when it comes to chic, simple hairstyles that look like they haven't taken any time at all. In fact, a few of these styles only take 30 seconds to create.

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(Image credit: @FRANNFYNE)

Here are 19 French women I always come back to for chic hair inspiration, from messy buns topped with elegant hair scarves to side-swept 'dos and disheveled waves.

Andrea Mun

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(Image credit: @ANDI_MUN)

Bangs can be intimidating, but it doesn't mean they have to be high-maintenance. Andrea's choppy fringe looks so laid-back and pairs perfectly with another classic hairstyle—the humble ponytail

Léna Farl

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(Image credit: @LENAFARL)

Léna is the Parisienne queen of the headscarf, and it always looks so chic on her. It's a playful way to add print and color to a simple outfit and also shields hair from the elements.

Aria Di Bari

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(Image credit: @ariadibari)

Can we take a moment for Aria's tumbling curls? The side parting gives her hair amazing volume.

Franny Fyne

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(Image credit: @FRANNFYNE)

I'm all kinds of obsessed with Franny's curly bob-and-fringe combo, which looks effortlessly chic.

Leia Sfez

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(Image credit: @LEIASFEZ)

When it comes to bringing their bang A-game, French girls like Leia know where it's at. Her center-parted bangs look great with her long lengths.

Camille Charrière

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(Image credit: @CAMILLECHARRIERE)

The key to re-creating a French-girl hairstyle at home is to remember one key rule: Don't try too hard. Camille's gorgeous updo can be twisted up quickly at the back of your hair and secured with a tortoiseshell clip. The more flyaways and escaped strands, the better.

Hanna Lhoumeau

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(Image credit: @HANNALHOUMEAU)

Proving that balayage isn't going anywhere, Hanna's blonde-tinged curls look so good.

Claire Most

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(Image credit: @CLAIRE_MOST)

When French girls aren't opting for easy waves and tiny tendrils, they're stepping out in elegant updos like Claire's chic, braided low bun.

Jeanne Damas

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(Image credit: @JEANNEDAMAS)

Jeanne Damas has that effortlessly tousled "I woke up like this" hair vibe down to a fine art. I'm totally obsessed with her wonderfully feathered bangs, too.

Marissa Cox

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(Image credit: @RUERODIER)

Our resident Brit girl in Paris, Marissa Cox, embraces a French-girl staple hairstyle: breezy beach waves.

Marta Cygan

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(Image credit: @LIFEOFBOHEME)

Marta's short, wavy bob is making me want to cut all of my hair off right now.

Syana Laniyan

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(Image credit: @syanalaniyan)

Syana has worked out the formula for French-girl hairstyle perfection. Beret + braids = a match made in style heaven.

Xiayan Guo

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(Image credit: @GXIAYAN)

Getting the hair accessories right is half the battle when it comes to re-creating French-girl hair at home. Xiayan's hair scarf looks simply stylish tied around a low ponytail.

Clémentine Desseaux

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(Image credit: @BONJOURCLEM)

French girls embrace one of two parting styles: the classic center part or the relaxed side-sweep, as demonstrated by Clémentine. 

A-J Alingué

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(Image credit: @AUDE_JULIE)

Let's face it—a topknot is a hairstyle that looks good all over the world. A-J's is super high, slicked back, and utterly chic.

Anne-Laure Mais

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(Image credit: @ANNELAUREMAIS)

Cool girl Anne-Laure always delivers on hair inspiration, and I can't get enough of this '90s-inspired ponytail complete with micro plaits.

Sabina Socol

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(Image credit: @SABINASOCOL)

A ponytail takes seconds to do but always looks good. Sabina's scrunchie looks so cute with her minidress.

Ellie Delphine

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(Image credit: @SLIPINTOSTYLE)

Parisian Ellie reveals the key to styling a short pixie cut like a French girl is to add in some hair accessories. Her hair-clip duo on the side adds instant cool points.

Chloé Harrouche

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(Image credit: @LOULOUDESAISON)

If you remember one thing about the best French hairstyles, make sure it's to embrace your natural hair texture. Chloé leaves the natural bend in her hair to reign supreme in this simple center-parted style.

This post originally appeared on Who What Wear UK.

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Mica Ricketts

Mica Ricketts is a freelance beauty editor, copywriter and regular contributor to Who What Wear UK. She also writes for titles including Marie Claire Refinery 29 and Cosmopolitan, and previously worked at Who What Wear UK as Beauty Editor. With experience in both editorial and content management, she also works with beauty brands and small businesses on brand messaging and content strategy. As a busy mum of two, she is passionate about finding efficacious beauty products that can disguise all signs of tiredness with minimal effort.