Here’s How to Style the “French-Girl Fringe” This Summer

Reported by Harper's Bazaar.

The French have always had an unfair advantage — not because of some mythical genetic gift, but because their entire beauty philosophy is built around doing less and looking better for it. No seven-step routines, no over-engineered styling. Just the kind of effortless that takes exactly as much work as it looks like it doesn't. This summer, that ethos is showing up at the salon in the form of the French-girl fringe — and according to Harper's Bazaar, it's having a serious moment.

The look has roots as deep as French cool itself. Brigitte Bardot wore it. Jane Birkin made it iconic. Now Alexa Chung serves as the modern blueprint, and Dakota Johnson's soft, eye-skimming version has become one of the most-requested salon references of the season. Cara Delevingne even debuted a tousled, French-inspired take at Cannes this year — which, if that's not a cultural co-sign, nothing is.

What It Is and How to Get It

What separates this from a standard bang is the intentional imperfection. Luke Benson, founder of Luke Benson Hair, describes it as "soft, airy bangs and face-framing that instantly makes simple hair feel styled" — cut with a point-cutting or razor technique to avoid anything blocky or stiff. Stylist Jake Unger of Larry King Marylebone goes further: the modern French fringe is supposed to look slightly undone. Humidity, texture, a little separation — these aren't problems to fix, they're the whole point. It works best on mid-length to longer hair, is especially flattering on oval and heart-shaped faces, and grows out gracefully into face-framing pieces rather than an awkward in-between phase nobody wants to deal with.

When you sit down in the chair, be specific: ask for a wispy, soft fringe with longer edges that blend seamlessly into the rest of the cut. No blunt lines. No heavy weight. Bring reference photos — Unger and Benson both stress that visuals are non-negotiable for communicating what "effortless" actually means to you versus your stylist. For styling at home, skip the hot tools. Benson recommends leaning into your hair's natural texture, especially if you have medium to thick hair with a slight bend. Unger suggests a texture spray — he points to Larry King's Ride Or Die — applied at the end to enhance movement without forcing it into anything too polished.

The French-girl fringe isn't a dramatic reinvention; it's a small, considered edit — and that restraint is exactly what makes it feel so right for where fashion's head is at right now.

Read the original at Harper's Bazaar.