There are three things I know for sure: an all-black outfit never fails to look stylish, the 2025 hair trends are among the most elegant we’ve seen yet, and French women will always remain the definition of chic. From their effortlessly tinted lips, or “bisou” as they say, to their perfectly fitted blue jeans, our neighbours across the Channel continue to set the standard for sophistication and timeless style.
They are surrounded by mystery, which only makes them more charming and attractive. But in my view, one of the biggest reasons French women are so admired is something very simple—their hair. From the streets of Paris to the hills of Provence and the beaches of the Côte d’Azur, French women are often seen with hair that looks naturally tousled and effortlessly undone. It is never too perfectly styled or overly fixed in place. And if there is one feature that always draws attention, it is their fringe, which remains soft, natural, and endlessly desirable.
The French girl fringe has been widely talked about for years, especially for its easy maintenance and soft, face-framing look. It has become a true classic in the beauty world. If you look at any recent hair trend report, you’ll almost always find some version of it because it never goes out of style. Its charm is undeniable, which is why, when I decided to refresh my hair for the season, I chose to try the cut myself. There are many French style icons to take inspiration from, but the one I kept returning to was the Parisian blonde icon Brigitte Bardot.
While I don’t have her skin tone, full lips, or striking eyes, there is still something about her cheekbone-grazing bangs that feels relaxed and flattering on many face shapes and hair types. In fact, I’d say the Bardot fringe is the ideal place to start for anyone who wants a French girl fringe but is worried about maintenance or making a big commitment.
Right now, a number of A-list celebrities have embraced the Bardot fringe as their signature style. Most recently, Jennifer Lawrence and Bella Hadid were seen debuting this chic haircut at the 2025 Cannes Film Festival—perfectly on theme for the occasion. So, if you’re thinking about trying it yourself, you’ll be in very fashionable company. With summer just around the corner, it’s hard to resist a hairstyle that instantly brings to mind the effortless glamour of the French Riviera. Ahead, here’s everything you need to know about the Bardot fringe trend, as experienced and reviewed by a beauty writer.
Who Is Brigitte Bardot?
Before I explain the hairstyle in detail, I want to highlight the inspiration behind this trending cut. Brigitte Bardot is a French actress, model, and singer who became a major screen icon during the 1960s and 1970s.
Image credit: Getty Images
A well-known figure of the French New Wave cinema movement, she frequently collaborated with acclaimed directors such as Jean-Luc Godard, Roger Vadim, and Louis Malle. She gained major recognition for her breakthrough 1956 film And God Created Woman and later starred in the 1963 classic Contempt, which is set in Rome and Capri and explores the breakdown of a marriage between an actress and a playwright.
What Is the Bardot Fringe Hair Trend?
Like many of her contemporaries, Bardot became instantly recognisable for her long fringe—a defining feature that went on to become her signature on screen and a lasting pop culture symbol. Unlike Jane Birkin or Catherine Deneuve, her fringe was styled with a centre parting and softly swept across the cheekbones. According to Hollie Rose Clarke, ambassador hairstylist for Living Proof and the expert who also styled my hair, the Bardot fringe trend is “a fuller curtain bang that beautifully frames the face.”
“The look is soft and has that effortless ‘I just woke up like this’ feel, with shorter strands around the bridge of the nose and a gently textured curve that flows around the face, blending into face-framing layers,” she explains.
This style offers a fresh twist on the classic French girl fringe, focusing less on a straight eyebrow-length cut and more on how the hair is shaped around the cheekbones and jawline. These key details give the Bardot fringe trend a strong visual effect by subtly reshaping and framing the face for an easy, elegant style update.
How Is the Bardot Fringe Different From Birkin Bangs?
If you’re familiar with French girl fringes, you’ve probably heard of Birkin bangs, named after the late French-British actress whose signature look featured a soft, choppy fringe. Interestingly, Birkin and Bardot even crossed paths professionally once in their careers, both appearing in the 1973 erotic drama Don Juan, or If Don Juan Were a Woman.
The key difference between the two styles, according to Clarke, comes down to length and movement. “Birkin bangs are shorter than the Bardot fringe, usually sitting just below the eyebrows with a soft, textured finish at the ends. They fall more directly onto the face like a classic fringe but still keep that effortless, lived-in feel.”
A more modern interpretation of the Bardot fringe can be seen on Daisy Edgar-Jones, whose shorter cut puts a fresh spin on the timeless style.
Image credit: Getty Images
Style Notes: Brigitte Bardot pictured on London’s Regent Street in 1963.
Image credit: Getty Images
Style Notes: Jane Birkin captured in a 1970 photograph.
Of course, you might assume the Bardot fringe hair trend is just another version of curtain bangs, but as Clarke explains, “Curtain bangs have a defined part and a heavier weight line that creates a more dramatic shape, whereas Bardot fringes are softer, with a more effortless, lived-in and playful texture.”
Bardot Fringe Hair Trend Review
Even though I had never had a proper fringe before—only subtle layers through my mid-lengths and ends—I was pleasantly surprised by how light, versatile, and airy the Bardot fringe looked on my naturally wavy hair.
After a detailed consultation, Clarke and I decided to remove a few stubborn split ends while keeping my hair long, just grazing above the waist. We also made sure the Bardot fringe stayed soft, airy, and long enough to style in different ways—whether swept up into a polished updo or blow-dried for extra volume and face-framing body.
Image credit: @avahgilchrist
Following a careful wash with Living Proof’s popular Restore shampoo and conditioner, Clarke began shaping the fringe on my damp hair with precision. After a smooth blow-dry and a final refined trim, I was left with a bouncy, healthy, and effortlessly sensual fringe that I can’t help but adore.
After the Bardot Fringe Hair Transformation
Image credit: @avahgilchrist
As I mentioned to Clarke at the salon, the way the Bardot fringe followed the natural shape of my face and formed such an elegant frame made me feel more mature—and honestly, quite sexy. She explained that these are exactly the reasons this style is so loved.
“It’s one of the most iconic fringes,” she says. “The Bardot fringe can be customised to suit all face shapes and most hair textures. It adds a playful, chic update to any haircut and looks great whether your hair is worn up or down. It’s also a perfect way to transition into a new hair era without sacrificing your length.”
More Bardot Fringe Hair Trend Inspiration
Image credit: Getty Images
Style Notes: Jennifer Lawrence debuted her Bardot fringe on the Boulevard de la Croisette while promoting her dark comedy horror film, Die My Love.
Image credit: Getty Images
Style Notes: Although Dakota Johnson is widely known for her signature fringe, she added a few new layers to give her hairstyle a softer, more Bardot-inspired feel.
Image credit: @daisyedgarjones
Style Notes: This is my favourite photo of Daisy Edgar-Jones’s boho fringe, and it shows a modern version of the Bardot fringe hair trend that inspired the haircut I chose for myself.
Image credit: @sabrinacarpenter
Style Notes: My hair is naturally thick and tends to get frizzy, so I often look at this picture of Sabrina Carpenter for inspiration on how to embrace and style my natural texture.
Image credit: Getty Images
Style Notes: My natural hair is chocolate brown, but this photo of Bella Hadid is making me seriously consider going lighter for the summer season.
Image credit: @emmanuellek_
Style Notes: Emmanuelle Koffi, a true French style icon, is effortlessly embracing the Bardot fringe hair trend, showing that it’s far from just a passing fashion moment.
Image credit: @emrata
Style Notes: The Bardot fringe hair trend also works beautifully on lob-length hair, as shown here by Emily Ratajkowski.
Image credit: @frannfyne
Style Notes: The always-chic French bob is another timeless option—simply trim the longer pieces to suit a shoulder-grazing cut.
How to Style the Bardot Fringe Hair Trend
Maintaining that fresh-from-the-salon finish can be the trickiest part of any haircut. As someone who isn’t exactly a styling expert, I turned to Clarke’s deep knowledge to learn how to keep my Bardot fringe looking its best at home. Here’s her advice.
“There are two ways to style the Bardot fringe hair trend: the blow-dry method and the low-effort, lazy-girl approach,” she says.
No matter which method you choose—air-drying or using heat tools—the process starts the same way. “Begin by preparing the hair with a product that adds structure, like Living Proof Volume & Root Lifting Spray,” Clarke explains. “It helps control frizz by up to 86% while enhancing natural definition and shape.”
Blow-Dry Method
If you’re using a hair dryer, start by blowing your fringe forward without lifting the roots, keeping it flat and close to your forehead. Once it’s about 90% dry, section it into your preferred parting and direct the airflow away from your face. Finish by gently wrapping the ends of the fringe outward to create a soft, face-framing flick.
Low-Heat Styling Method
If you prefer to avoid too much heat, begin by gently squeezing out excess moisture from your hair. When it’s around 70% dry, use a no-dent clip to hold the fringe in place so the parting doesn’t open up too much.
You can then either tuck the ends behind your ears without pulling too tightly or use another clip to lift the ends slightly, forming a soft, exaggerated curve. The goal is to achieve a subtle “U” shape at the ends for a relaxed, lived-in finish.
