We talk a lot about Parisian fashion and all variations of French manicures, but today, let’s talk about French girl haircuts!
French women have long been one of the greatest sources of inspiration for looking effortlessly—and one’s hair is truly one of our most outward daily forms of self-expression. A scraped up ponytail, feathery layers, or a pretty accessory immediately communicates something about yourself to the world. And in this instance? It’s tu est très chic!
Now, we’re diving into a little potted history of the French girl ’do and the defining faces they frame. They’re those timeless French it-girls that span the 1960s to the 1990s and today, who remain as ever-present in 2026. And trust us: it goes far, far beyond the French bob, the Birkin bangs, or the Bardot hair bow. We’ve spent the summer surveying the streets and the salon chairs, spotting the cuts that have been back for summer 2026. Below, we breakdown each French girl haircut, which style flatters who most, and the kind of chic that’s better articulated by the flick of some well-laced layers than words.
Lily-Rose Depp: midi haircut with light layers
Photo: Getty Images
Inspiration doesn’t always have to come from nostalgia, so we’re kicking off this French girl haircut guide with Lily-Rose Depp’s ’do. The style of the French-American actress, singer, and model has evolved subtly across her short but starry career: a combination of ’90s rebelliousness with hints of Parisian minimalism, with her signature hair look nailing that too.
Depp’s dark blonde hair is midi length and full of movement. This effect is achieved with effortless waves and light layers that frame her face, cut particularly around the mid portion to accentuate her chiseled cheekbones and chin. Her roots, then, can naturally grow out and add more and more depth and dimension.
The midi cut’s soft, barely-there layers make it particularly flattering on oval, heart-shaped, and square faces, while longer face-framing pieces can help elongate rounder shapes.
Jane Birkin: long haircut with ’70s-style bangs
Jane BirkinPhoto: Getty Images
