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While the amount of beauty aesthetics and vibes today is endless, my years as a beauty editor have taught me that there’s one thing almost all of us have in common: we fawn over French beauty. From Parisian bobs to French-girl makeup and fragrances, there is something about the French aesthetic—both then and now—that has a timeless allure.
Like many, I’ve scrolled TikTok as of late to find a new haircut idea to usher me into 2025. When I stumbled across hairstylist Jayne Edo’s “French bombshell” cut, I knew I’d hit the jackpot. I’ve been trying to grow my hair out but still wanted something fresh and eccentric. If you’re in the same boat, the French bombshell hairdo might be the one for you. Ahead, more details on my French bombshell hair experience and advice from my hairstylist and hairdresser to the stars, Kennedy Trisler.
What makes the French bombshell haircut unique?
Not to “I’m not like other girls” myself, but I am always looking for an out-of-the-box style when it comes to my hair. When I showed Trisler my idea for my French bombshell hair, her first question was if I’d ever had a cut like that before—a great question! When I explained that I’d had shag hairstyles before but this one seemed different to me, she explained that what sets the French bombshell cut apart is the weight it removes from the midsection of the hair (see the TikTok below for a before and after).
Holding my hair in a half-up half-down position, Trisler explained that “the layers on the top of this cut will take a lot of the weight of the middle of your hair, and the swoopy bangs in the front will add a great frame.” I typically prefer my hair up in a clip or pulled into a half-up half-down, so Trisler assured me that the layering in the French bombshell cut would be perfect for me, adding that swept-up silhouette to my ‘do all the time.
Which hair types work best for the French bombshell cut?
According to Trisler, wavy, 2A-type hair like my own lends itself well to a French bombshell cut, as the slight texture melds perfectly with the dramatic layers. Meaning, that an air dry routine, like mine, will still do. Additionally, if you have thick hair, the French bombshell is a great option, as Trisler reiterates that the Parisian-inspired look is a great way to remove extra weight from thick hair.
I’m in my hair growth journey, and I’ve desperately tried to get my hair to exceed its collarbone length. Trisler pointed out to me that the French bombshell look actually can make the hair look longer. “The shorter layers on top let the longer, bottom layers shine through and make the hair look longer than it is,” Trisler says. So, if you want to make your hair look longer without extensions, the French bombshell haircut is also a great option.
French Bombshell Haircut Styling Tips
As with any haircut, proper styling for the French bombshell haircut is essential. One thing that drew me to the style is that it’s relatively low maintenance—most days, I just pop in some of JVN’s Air Dry Cream ($28), let my waves fall as they may and do a quick blow-dry on my bangs to help maintain volume. For a blowout, Trisler recommends R+Co’s Chiffon Styling Mouse ($38) while hair is wet and a quick spritz of hairspray to set the look in place.