How to Get French Girl Hair, According to Experts

Dye With Caution

When we asked Robin what he thought was the biggest difference between how French women care for their hair versus how American women do, his answer surprised us. It wasn’t a specific hairstyling technique, but rather the act of choosing a hair color itself.

Namely, French women prefer a natural-looking color that suits their complexion and eye color, and they always, always go for the lowest maintenance shades. “They do not want to be trapped in always having to touch up their roots,” Robin says. “In France, a lot of brunettes, when they go lighter, won’t go blonde from the roots but will layer blond only at the ends. They like the kind of blond that forces respect.” (Note: Definitely use this description on your next visit to the hair salon.) It seems that recently, American women have caught on to this mindset—hence the rise of balayage, ombré, and tortoiseshell hair.

de Maigret goes one step further, advising you step away from the hair dye (almost) altogether. “Do not dye your hair, or if you do, only in your original color to highlight it or to hide any gray,” she says.