The French Girl’s Guide to Bangs, According to 3 Parisian It Girls

Lauren Valenti

Much like worn-in Levi's 501s or Breton stripes, bangs just seem to look better on French women. The secret to pulling them off with a dose of that je ne sois quoi? A come-as-you are attitude. Here, three Parisian It girls showcase different takes on laissez-faire fringe.

The Straight Birkin Bangs

<cite class="credit">Courtesy of Louise Follain / @louisefollain</cite>
Courtesy of Louise Follain / @louisefollain

With her pyramid cheekbones, fluttery lashes, and full chestnut brown fringe, it's no wonder model Louise Follain's beauty draws comparisons to Jane Birkin. Tapping into the breezy spirit of the '70s icon, Follain puts a Parisian twist on straight-across bangs by trimming them herself once they start grazing past her lashes. “It’s not always well done when I do it myself,” she says. And therein lies the secret to blunt—but not too blunt—French fringe.

The Side-Swept Bardot Bangs

<cite class="credit">Courtesy of Sabina Socol / @sabinasocol</cite>
Courtesy of Sabina Socol / @sabinasocol

Sabina Socol also sees the beauty in imperfection with side-swept, Brigitte Bardot-esque wisps that look even better slept in. "I’m not into super straight schoolgirl bangs," she says, adding that she loves an "undone" looking set "because they frame the face and have a romantic vibe." Pairing well with a headband or scraped-back ponytail, Socol also appreciates them as a welcome distraction from a dull complexion come fall. "They drive the attention elsewhere," she laughs. "In French, you could call it a cache misère." Translation? A temporary fix for a messy situation...but a chic one at that.

The Grown-Out Corkscrew Bangs

<cite class="credit">Courtesy of Mélodie Vaxelaire / @melodievaxelaire</cite>
Courtesy of Mélodie Vaxelaire / @melodievaxelaire

For model Mélodie Vaxelaire, it's about punctuating her halo of natural onyx curls with a curtain of corkscrews. Contrary to the belief that fringe is high maintenance, the extra shape and definition allows Vaxelaire the kind of Gallic wash-and-go ease she's always admired of her idol Françoise Hardy. "Bangs help me look like I've already styled my hair," she explains, adding that she embraces the grow out period, only cutting her hair every two months. Curly-haired Francophiles, take note.

See the videos.

Originally Appeared on Vogue