The French Twist Is Set To Replace The Slicked-Back Bun
It feels like we’ve been living in the era of the slicked-back bun for years and, well, there’s a good reason for it. Coinciding with the rise of the ‘clean girl aesthetic‘ in 2021, we’re now more than ready for a fresh twist on the go-to updo (pun intended). Enter: The French twist. Donned by celebrities and trending on social media, here’s everything you need to know about the new style du jour.
Donned by Anne Hathaway during red carpet season, along with similar iterations spotted on Hailey Bieber at Paris Fashion Week, Millie Bobby Brown, Greta Lee, and Cate Blanchett, it’s safe to say the French twist is on the rise. While there’s an art in mastering the deceptively effortless finish, once you’ve got it down, you’ll be able to finesse the look in less than a minute.
Over on TikTok, tutorials are also amassing millions of views, illustrating the accessible nature of this low-key beauty trend. So how do you do it? Read on for our step-by-step guide and an instructional how to video.
Tutorials are also amassing millions of views, illustrating the accessible nature of this low-key beauty trend.
How to do a French twist
Start by detangling your hair from root to end and then group your hair into a low ponytail at the base of your neck. Loop the ponytail around your finger before twisting in upward direction, creating a tight loop of hair. Once the base of the ponytail meets the bottom of your neck, tuck the ends into the fold along with any flyaways. Finish by securing the style with a long French pin from the top of the twist and down its length.
If you don’t have a French pin, you can also fix the style in place with a claw clip.
Tips for mastering the style
I’ve tried this style at home several times and am still working on my technique, but two things I’ve learnt so far are:
1. If your hair is too clean, the style will likely slip out, so it’s recommended to try this on hair that hasn’t been freshly washed or, if you want to achieve extra grip with day one hair, try a texturising spray.
2. Make sure to keep the tension in your hair. The pin will fall out if the hair isn’t tight enough.
French twist pins
The products on this page have been selected by our editorial team, however, The Handbook may make a small commission on some products purchased through affiliate links.
