There are 3 details that I do know to be true: You can all the time depend on an all-black outfit to make you glance trendy, the 2025 hair traits are essentially the most sublime but and that French ladies have all the time and can proceed to be the acme of elegant. From their just-kissed lips (or “bisou, as they say it), to their perfect blue jeans, our neighbours across the channel are a barometer for sophistication.
They’re shrouded in mystique, which only adds to their charm and allure. But if you ask me, one of the reasons French women are so coveted is because of this one simple trademark— their hair. Across every arrondissement in Paris, sprawling hill in Provence or coastal town on the Côte d’Azur, you’ll find a French woman whose tresses are softly tousled and beautifully undone. Indeed, it’s never overly styled or, dare I say it, slicked back. (Sacré bleu! Could you imagine!) Yet, if there is one quality of their hair that’s remained an object of our desire, it’s their fringes.
Much has always been discussed about the French girl fringe, from its low-maintenance upkeep to face-framing effect. This style has truly become a staple in the beauty industry. If you open up any hair trend report from the last few years, you’re bound to see some iteration of it, purely because it is so classic. There’s no denying its appeal, which is why when it came time for my own seasonal hair refresh, I decided to get the chop myself. There are many Gallic muses to draw inspiration from. However, the one I kept coming back to was Parisian blonde bombshell, Brigitte Bardot.
While I don’t share her colouring, pouty lips or siren eyes, there’s something about her cheekbone sweeping bangs that is so easy-going and flattering for so many hair textures and face shapes. In fact, I’d contend that the Bardot fringe hair trend is the perfect starting point for anyone who is eager to get a French girl fringe, but is concerned with the upkeep and commitment.
If you look around right now, there are plenty of A-listers who have made the Bardot fringe hair trend their signature look. Recently, Jennifer Lawrence and Bella Hadid both debuted this cut at the 2025 Cannes Film Festival (how very fitting), so if you do decide to follow in my footsteps, you’ll be in great company. And with summer on the horizon, who doesn’t want a hairstyle that makes them feel like they’re on the French Riviera? Ahead, everything you need to know about the Bardot fringe hair trend, as tried and tested by a beauty writer.
Who is Brigitte Bardot?
But before I break down the hairstyle, I need to take a moment to acknowledge the inspiration behind the trending cut. Brigitte Bardot is a French actress, model, musician and screen siren proficient in the ‘60s and ‘70s.
(Image credit: Getty Images)
Style Notes: Brigitte Bardot pictured in 1960.
A fixture of the French New Wave film movement, she worked closely with auteur directors like Jean-Luc Godard, Roger Vadim and Louis Malle. Her most notable features include her 1956 breakout film And God Created Woman and 1963’s Contempt, a movie set across Rome and Capri about an actress and playwright’s failing marriage.
What is the Bardot Fringe Hair Trend?
Like her contemporaries at the time, Bardot was recognised by her long fringe—a symbol that would become her onscreen characteristic and a pop culture fixture. Unlike Jane Birkin or Catherine Deneuve, Bardot’s fringe was parted in the middle and swept across her cheekbones. According to Hollie Rose Clarke, ambassador hair stylist for Living Proof and the talented hairdresser who transformed my own locks, the Bardot fringe hair trend is “a fuller curtain bang that perfectly frames the face”.
“The iconic look is soft with a perfectly ‘I woke up like this’ texture, shorter pieces around the bridge of the nose and textured curve around the face, which graduates into face-framing layers,” she provides. It’s a novel take at the French girl fringe as it’s much less a couple of linear minimize across the eyebrows and extra in regards to the positioning of the hair across the cheekbones and jawline. It’s those unique parts that give the Bardot fringe hair pattern “a big impact, contorting and framing the face for an effortlessly chic revamp,” as Clarke explains.
How is the Bardot Fringe Different to Birkin Bangs?
If you’re conversant in French girl fringes, you could possibly’ve heard of Birkin bangs, which is called after the overdue French-British actress’s personal uneven fringe. (Interestingly, Bikrin and Bardot each labored in combination as soon as of their respective careers. They each began in 1973’s erotic drama Don Juan, or If Don Juan Were a Woman.)
As for the principle distinction between those two cuts, Clarke tells me it comes right down to period and motion. “The Birkin bangs are shorter than the Bardot fringe, sitting just below the eyebrow with a very soft and textured finish to the ends of the bangs. These are worn forwards onto the face more like a traditional fringe but with a more lived-in finish. A great modern take on the Bardot fringe hair trend is Daisy Edger-Jones with her short look.”
(Image credit score: Getty Images)
Style Notes: Brigitte Bardot visiting London’s Regent’s Street in 1963.
(Image credit score: Getty Images)
Style Notes: Jane Birkin pictured in 1970.
Of direction, it’s possible you’ll assume that the Bardot fringe hair pattern is just some other type of curtain bangs, however as Clarke explains, “curtain bangs have a defined part and a heavier weight line to create a more dramatic shape, while Bardot fringes are softer with a more lived-in and playful texture.”
Bardot Fringe Hair Trend, Review
Despite by no means having a correct fringe earlier than, simplest mild layers via my midsection and ends, I used to be pleasantly shocked with how flexible, subtle and ethereal the Bardot fringe was once on my wavy hair.
Before Bardot Fringe Hair Transformation:
After a radical session, Clarke and I aligned on snipping out some pesky break up ends, conserving my hair lengthy so it sat simply above my waist and making sure the Bardot fringe was once flowy, angular and nonetheless had sufficient period for me to taste alternatively I really like. (Read: throwing it again in a subtle updo or blow drying it out to provide some frame and quantity to my face.)
After a meticulous wash the use of Living Proof’s coveted repair shampoo and conditioner, Clarke slowly however no doubt went in to carve out and minimize the perimeter on my rainy hair. A blow dry and attentive trim later, I used to be left with bouncy, wholesome and a sensual fringe that I will’t lend a hand however love.
After Bardot Fringe Hair Transformation:
(Image credit score: @avahgilchrist)
As I stated to Clarke within the salon, the way in which the Bardot fringe matched the herbal contours of my face and created a sublime form round my face made me really feel extra mature and relatively horny, in fact. She tells me that those attributes are in fact what makes the Bardot fringe so common.
“It’s the most iconic fringe! The Bardot fringe can be tailored to suit all face shapes and most hair textures. It gives a playful and chic change to any haircut that will look fantastic worn with hair up or down, and it’s a great way to step into a new hair era without losing hair length.”
More Bardot Fringe Hair Trend Inspiration
(Image credit score: Getty Images)
Style Notes: Jennifer Lawrence debuted her Bardot fringe alongside the Boulevard de los angeles Croisette whilst selling her newest movie, a depressing comedy horror known as Die My Love.
(Image credit score: Getty Images)
Style Notes: While Dakota Johnson is arguably some of the greatest poster ladies for purchasing a perimeter, she added in some new layers to provide her glance a extra Bardot really feel.
Style Notes: This is my favorite image of Daisy Edgar-Jones’s boho fringe and was once the fashionable take at the Bardot fringe hair pattern that I based totally my very own minimize round.
Style Notes: My personal hair development is thick and frizzy, so I continuously refer again to this image of Sabrina Carpenter relating to embracing and styling my herbal texture.
(Image credit score: Getty Images)
Style Notes: I’ve chocolate brown hair, however this symbol of Bella Hadid is convincing me to head lighter for summer time.
Style Notes: Emmanuelle Koffi is a bona fide French girl rocking the Bardot fringe hair pattern, proving that it is no passing fad.
Style Notes: Even “lob” lengths can take a look at the Bardot fringe hair pattern, as observed right here on Emily Ratajkowski.
Style Notes: Don’t omit the perennially enviable French bob! Just trim the longer strands to regulate to the shoulder-grazing chop.
How to Style the Bardot Fringe Hair Trend
The toughest a part of any haircut is conserving that salon-worthy feeling at house. I’m rather of a styling beginner myself, so I tapped Clarke’s intensive wealth of data to make sure I knew precisely learn how to stay my Bardot fringe in excellent situation alone. Here’s what she needed to say.
“There are two easy methods to styling the Bardot fringe hair pattern: the blow-dry method and the lazy-girl model.” Regardless of whether or not you might be air drying or the use of hair equipment, each processes will start the similar manner. “Prep your hair with something that will give structure to the hair, such as Living Proof Volume & Root Lifting Spray,” Clarke explains. “This will cut back frizz by way of 86% and upload herbal definition to the hair.
If the use of a hair dryer, you will want to “blow dry your fringe forwards with out lifting the foundation, stay the perimeter with reference to your brow”. Once it’s 90% dry, “pop your fringe into your required section and blow dry clear of the face,” Clarke continues. Finally, “wrap the top of your fringe away out of your face and create a gentle flick.”
For those who want to avoid excess heat, you’ll want to begin the styling process by removing any excess moisture and dampness. Once 70% dry, Clarke advises to “upload a no-dent hair clip to stay the parting of the perimeter from opening an excessive amount of.”
“Either tuck the ends of your fringe at the back of your ears with out pressure or use some other no-dent clip to create an over-exaggerated flick up on the ends of the perimeter. We need to see a ‘U’ form.”
Shop Products to Style the Bardot Fringe Hair Trend
Living Proof
Full Dry Volume & Texture Spray
“The holy grail for an effortless French-girl look is Living Proof Full Dry Volume & Texture Spray to give you that perfect, lived-in in dishevelled Bardot signature finish,” Clarke explains. “It adds a playful texture and hold. This is an absolute kit and personal hair routine favourite of mine for adding that WOW factor.”
Living Proof
Full Volume and Root-Lifting Spray
“I mentioned prep earlier in the blow-dry breakdown, but this is a key step not to be skipped and will build the foundations for your style to hold,” Clarke says. “Living Proof Full Volume and Root-Lifting Spray will be your partner in crime when it comes to nailing the bang blow dry. It enhances the look of fullness and body without any stiffness or sticky residue. The formula is created with a unique resin blend and hydrating emollients to offer a strong yet flexible hold while maintaining the feeling of softness and movement. This also has built-in heat coverage.”
Dyson
Supersonic Hair Dryer Copper
Hair mavens and editors alike swear by way of the Dyson Supersonic for the swiftest, very best and fastest blow dry in their existence.
Living Proof
Style Lab Flex Hair Spray
Hold the whole thing in position with this robust however soft-to-the-touch hairspray. It’s long-lasting and formulated with heat-protective parts, making it the easiest completion.
Living Proof
No Frizz Vanishing Oil
For that luxe and shiny outcome, use a couple of droplets of this frizz-reducing hair oil. Not simplest does it cut back extra sebum manufacturing, but it surely additionally protects in opposition to humidity.
What Hair Type is Best for the Bardot Fringe Hair Trend?
As Clarke already identified, the Bardot fringe hair pattern is appropriate for many hair varieties. Just be sure you’re talking for your hairdresser to make sure the glance is being adapted for your wishes, however extra on that under.
What to Ask Your Hairdresser if You Want the Bardot Fringe Hair Trend
“Always have a thorough consultation with your stylist to discuss what will work best based on you’re your hair type and lifestyle,” Clarke recommends. “Consider asking for bangs that start around the bridge to mid nose and soften into face-framing layers.
“Make certain to speak over your house styling regimen along with your stylist to evolve the Bardot fringe to fit how a lot or how little time you need to be spending in your hair. I’d additionally suggest a typical fringe trim each 5-6 weeks.”
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