We admire them for their joie de vivre, and being effortlessly chic and sophisticated just comes naturally to French girls. Ever since we read French Women Don’t Get Fat and saw Amelie, we’ve tried to eat, shop, and dress like them… and now we’re after their tres chic tousled tresses. Keep scrolling for 12 ways to get well-coiffed without having to travel abroad.
1. French Braid: These perfectly-imperfect Parisian plaits are your new go-to ‘do for those windy, wintry days. Have you teased it ’til your arms hurt and still can’t get your braid to look like this? Layer in extensions to zhush up the volume and length. (via Barefoot Blonde)
2. DIY Lazy Girl Blowout: To achieve this messy, #iwokeuplikethis look, it’s all about texture (read: day-old hair is best). Amp up the volume for these bedhead tresses with a couple spritzes of Drybar Mai Tai Spritzer Sea Salt Spray ($25). (via Pop Sugar)
3. Chop, Chop: There’s so much bob inspo, what with everyone from Lauren Conrad to Beyoncé chopping inches away. If you’re seriously contemplating trading in your long layers for a low maintenance lob, here’s what to tell your stylist. (via That’s Not My Age)
4. Messy French Twist: If you’re a Francophile getting ready to tie the knot, you’ll want to take this pic to your stylist. Prep your hair with Bumble and bumble Surf Spray ($26) and quickly blow dry on cool for a few seconds. Tease the crown and gather the hair to start rolling it in the direction you want your updo. Bobby pins and hairspray secure the shape of this beehive bun. (via Once Wed)
5. Half Updo: Achieve iconic Bardot hair in just a few DIY-able steps. Don’t forget to use Kerastase Resistance Double Force Hairspray ($36) to protect your style from windy weather. (via Good Good Gorgeous)
6. Never Overdone: French model and music producer Caroline de Maigret rocks the easy, breezy windswept waves that we want. Her stylist Vinz tells Harper’s Bazaar, “It’s important to start with healthy hair. French girls are obsessed with hair masks, and the very chic ones like lots of shine.” (via Harper’s Bazaar)
7. Just Roll With It: To get maximum va-va-voom volume in your crown (without looking like Snooki), gather a few inches of hair around a velcro roller on the top of your head and leave it in while you make coffee, eat a croissant and catch up on Instagrams. (via Into the Gloss)
8. The Everyday French Twist: As we’ve said before, texture is everything when it comes to getting the French Girl look. This updo works best on second (or third, or fourth)-day hair. But if you just gave your scalp a rub-a-dub-dub, use a dry shampoo ($20) to pump up the volume. (via A Beautiful Mess)
9. Twist and Tuck: This one’s a French twist for those mornings you hit snooze one too many times. Part your hair into 3-5 sections, twist and pin back with bobby pins to gather at the nape of your neck. (via Beauty High)
10. Natural Ombré: This incredibly subtle ombre, or Balayage (the official term for the hair dying technique) is a French term that translates into “sweeping.” If you want to go au natural for a few months, try growing out your color job to let those darker roots peek through, adding dimension without damage. (via Bloglovin)
11. Sideswept: If you’ve been rocking a center part for a few years, try changing it up with a side part. Sweep your strands to one side and tuck your wispy bangs for a new look. (via Jolie)
12. The Original: This roundup wouldn’t be complete without a tutorial for Brigitte Bardot’s bouffant. You’ll get an arm workout with the amount of teasing needed to achieve this look, but the results are totally worth the bombshell glam. (via Stylelist)
Do you say “oui” to any of these French-inspired ‘dos? Let us know in the comments!
Getting the word out about your brand takes time, drive, and ingenuity. And it doesn't come easy for many entrepreneurs. As part of our collaboration with Office Depot, we're chatting with Selfmade alum Taylor Morgan McPherson, founder of Sustainable Sparkle Bar, about ways in which she scored press as a solo startup brand and what she learned from Selfmade to take her brand marketing up a notch.
B + C: How did you know Sustainable Sparkle Bar was your business to start?
Glitter has always been my thing, so when I started my event company I decided to make it my niche. I started telling people I threw glitter-themed parties where people would get sparkled with glitter body art and makeup. Six months after that I applied to my first festival and to work with SUR restaurant in West Hollywood.
B + C: What's one strategy that's helped you start your business?
I honestly can't say that I've had a specific strategy that I've followed when it comes to getting my business off the ground. I have a PR background so I was just constantly pitching new business and posting on social media.
B + C: What's the biggest challenge you face as a small business owner?
I would say creating a stable income and revenue stream. With a seasonal, event-based business it can be very up and down.
B + C: What was your most valuable takeaway from Selfmade?
The relationships I made and the push to start an email database.
B + C: How do you stay motivated?
I love what I do and I believe in myself 100%. Staying motivated isn't the hard part. Pushing myself to do the work and staying accountable is the hard part.
B + C: What's your best organizational tip? Do you use any apps that help you manage your business?
I keep multiple to-do lists, hand-written and digital. I also tell clients and partners that I will have something to them by a certain time or day so I have to stick to it.
B + C: What's one piece of advice you would give to female entrepreneurs on the brink of starting?
Just do it, take the leap. And don't worry about what anyone else says to thinks.
B + C: Who inspires you in the entrepreneurial space?
Issa Rae, I'm so inspired by everything that she's created being a creative and a black woman. It's my dream to have my own show one day based on my life and where I give advice and talk about the world. She's doing it and making people laugh and giving people joy. And it's based in LA. Watching Insecure only further cemented my dreams of wanting to live in LA.
B + C: How did you hear about the Office Depot scholarship?
One of my friends that I met through Camp No Counselors saw an IG ad for it and nominated me.
B + C: What has receiving the scholarship to Selfmade done to help you start/grow your business?
It's completely helped me level up and take my business to another level. Selfmade helped me host my first virtual event and taught me how to set up my website to sell tickets to events and get RSVPs.
B + C: How have Office Depot services or products helped you accomplish more in your business?
I got new cards to send in all of my orders with my discount code on them. I also bought a really cool 4K camera that I now use for my social media.
Thanks Taylor! You really know how to sparkle. We love her colorful, creative vibe. You can follow Sustainable Sparkle Bar on Instagram @sustainablesparklebar.
Let Office Depot OfficeMax help you stand out in the crowd. From signs, posters & banners to promote your business, to marketing materials to keep your customers informed, Office Depot OfficeMax offers a full suite of business services & solutions to help you & your business get noticed.
Head to Office Depot's Selfmade page to check out even more amazing business resources (and discounts!) to help you accomplish more on your entrepreneurial journey. These offers are available for a limited time only, so be sure to take advantage of all this goodness while supplies last. Want to join the next Selfmade cohort this summer? Check out all of the scholarship details right here.