In honour of Bastille Day, Anthony Nader talks us through nailing the ultimate French Girl hair. 

There are few beauty aesthetics as enduring as French girl hair. A perfect balance of polished and undone, it’s a look that’s inspired countless Pinterest boards, salon requests and editorial shoots. 

In honour of Bastille Day, editorial hairstylist Anthony Nader shares why the secret to achieving authentic French hair has less to do with styling and more to do with knowing when to stop.

“The real French girl hair- and while we’re at it, French boy hair too- is all about texture,” explains Anthony. “First and foremost, it’s an aesthetic. It’s healthy, lived-in hair that effortlessly looks beautiful. A hair texture that is quietly confident, cool and calm.”

Rather than chasing perfectly polished waves, Anthony believes embracing your hair’s natural movement is what creates that unmistakably Parisian finish.

His first piece of advice? Put the hot tools down.

“Air dry whenever possible,” he says. “French girls and boys embrace their natural texture and rarely rely on heated styling tools.”

When it comes to texture products, restraint is equally important. “Never overdo the texture spray- less is always more. If you do use one, spray it into your palms first before working it through the hair. You’ll get a much softer, more natural result.”

Do away with immaculate curls, too. Instead, Anthony recommends embracing bends, kicks and irregular movement that feels as though the hair has naturally evolved throughout the day.

“French manes are very rarely curled,” he explains. “You want visible movement, uneven texture, natural bends and even a few flyaways. Embrace your natural growth patterns and cowlicks. The more you overwork the hair, the more glamorous it becomes- and that’s the opposite of what you’re trying to achieve.”

It’s this understated approach that defines French beauty, where confidence comes from authenticity rather than perfection.

For Anthony, the ultimate references remain some of fashion and film’s most iconic faces, including Anja Rubik, Lou Doillon, Harris Dickinson and Louis Garrel- each known for hair that evokes that illusive ‘woke up like this’ look and feel. 

Anthony’s hero product for achieving that signature effortless finish?

“Hands down, it’s David Mallett’s No. 2 Le Volume Spray,” he says. “I use it constantly on shoots because it creates movement and natural lift without feeling stiff. Hair should always feel touchable.”

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