Bardot Bangs: The French Riviera Hair Trend That Suits Everyone

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They say you can’t be what you can’t see–but there is one exception to the rule. Those not actually living the Riviera lifestyle can still embody the spirit of the South of France via their hair–and nothing is chicer for summer than Bardot bangs. One of Google’s top trending search terms right now, Bardot bangs are inspired by Brigitte Bardot, the French actor who is synonymous with perfect hair.

Bardot in 1963.

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Lived in, slightly messy and with plenty of volume and definition, Bardot’s blonde lengths were the epitome of beachy–but it is her bangs we’re paying specific attention to today. A great example of fuller curtain bangs, in her silver screen heyday they skimmed her eyebrows (framing her deep almond-shaped eyes), and graduated into the rest of the cut, peaking in the centre of her forehead, in line with her centre parting.

The trend chimes with a wider movement in hair, says hairstylist Halley Brisker, who works with everyone from Lily James to Kaia Gerber. “We’re seeing a move away from harder and sharper looks towards softer, more gently flattering ones,” he says. “We could even narrow this movement down to a particular era: the ’70s.”

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Working on both angular and rounder faces (“they can soften sharper features or frame a rounder face,” explains Brisker), Bardot bangs are a timeless style that transcends the trend cycle. Which is why they worked so well on Bardot back in the ’60s and ’70s, and continue to look fresh–and incredibly chic–today.

The key thing to note about Bardot bangs is the texture. For a lived-in, day-two finish, Brisker loves Olaplex’s 4D Dry Shampoo to “keep bangs oil-free while plumping and providing texture along the way.”

Jamie McCarthy

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Brisker also recommends getting reacquainted with the velcro roller for optimal Bardot bang styling. “I love a velcro roller,” he enthuses. “Blow the hair out with a medium-sized round brush, then pop a small-to-medium velcro roller in–make sure to roll the hair away from the face. It’ll create flicky gorgeousness.”