7 Chic Ways The French Twist Hair Is Dominating 2025—From Messy Rolls To Sleek Updos

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The French Twist, a classic updo that has signified elegance and sophistication for decades, is experiencing a massive resurgence and reinterpretation in the late 2024 and 2025 hair landscape. Far from the stiff, formal style of the past, this timeless look has been completely modernized, evolving into highly textured, deliberately messy, and effortlessly chic variations that are dominating runways, red carpets, and social media feeds like TikTok. This year, the focus is on versatility—it’s no longer just a bridal or black-tie style, but a perfect, polished look for the office, a casual brunch, or a glamorous night out.

This deep dive into the 2025 French Twist (also known as the French Roll) will break down the essential new techniques, the must-have tools, and the celebrity inspiration you need to master this deceptively simple, yet utterly glamorous, hairstyle. We’ll show you exactly how to achieve the modern, voluminous texture that has replaced the smooth, lacquered finish of the original classic.

The Evolution of Elegance: From Chignon to 2025’s Textured Roll

The history of the French Twist is as rich and intricate as the style itself. Originating as a variation of the ancient chignon bun, the French Twist gained prominence among European elites and became a staple of Hollywood glamour in the mid-20th century. However, it was the iconic French actress Brigitte Bardot who truly democratized the style, transforming it from an exclusive, wealthy look into a voluminous, sexy, and slightly undone updo that captured the spirit of the 1960s.

In 2025, the style is experiencing a third wave of popularity, largely driven by the embrace of texture and ease. The modern interpretation moves away from the rigid, helmet-like updos of the 80s and 90s. Instead, contemporary hairstylists are focusing on creating a "soft" or "romantic" finish, often achieved by pre-curling the hair, teasing the crown, and intentionally leaving face-framing pieces loose.

The Essential Difference: French Twist vs. French Roll

While often used interchangeably, many stylists draw a distinction that is key to the 2025 trends:

  • The Classic French Twist: Traditionally refers to a sleeker, more formal and tailored updo with a smooth, shiny finish. It’s secured tightly to create a defined pleat at the back of the head.
  • The Modern French Roll: This is the current, dominant trend. It is a more playful, textured, and "messy" version. The roll is often looser, wider, and secured with modern accessories like claw clips or decorative French hair pins rather than dozens of bobby pins.

7 Modern French Twist Variations Dominating 2025

The beauty of the French Twist in 2025 is its adaptability. It can be tailored to any hair length (yes, even short hair!) and any occasion. Here are the top variations to try:

  1. The Messy French Roll (The 'It' Look): This is the most popular trend. It requires minimal effort and is perfect for medium to thick hair. The key is to add volume with dry shampoo or texturizing spray before styling, and to pull out strands around the face and the crown for an undone, voluminous look.
  2. The Sleek Center-Part Twist: A favorite for formal events and job interviews. This variation features a sharp, sleek center part, with the hair pulled back into a smooth, defined roll. It requires a fine-toothed comb and a strong-hold styling cream to eliminate flyaways.
  3. The Braided French Twist: A romantic variation often seen in bridal and prom hairstyles. This involves incorporating a small braid (like a French braid or a simple three-strand braid) along the side or across the crown before twisting the rest of the hair into the roll.
  4. The Half French Twist: Ideal for those with shorter or thinner hair, or for a casual everyday look. Only the top section of the hair is twisted and pinned, leaving the bottom half down. This creates an elegant half-up style.
  5. The Double Twist: A more intricate, high-fashion look where the hair is divided into two sections, and two smaller, parallel twists are created vertically up the back of the head.
  6. The Claw Clip Twist: The fastest, most accessible version. The hair is twisted into the classic shape, but instead of being secured with bobby pins, a single, large, stylish claw clip holds the roll in place. Celebrities like Gigi Hadid have popularized this easy technique.
  7. The Textured Twist with Extensions: For those with fine or short hair, the use of clip-in extensions is a 2025 hack to achieve the necessary volume and length for a dramatic, voluminous French Roll, often secured with a decorative French pin.

Mastering the Modern French Roll: Step-by-Step Tutorial

Achieving the highly sought-after Messy French Roll is simpler than you think. This technique focuses on texture and strategic pinning, making it achievable for most hair types, including those with medium-length hair.

Tools and Products You Need

  • Bobby Pins: Plenty of them, preferably matching your hair color.
  • French Hair Pins (U-Shaped Pins): Excellent for securing the bulk of the twist and creating a more relaxed look.
  • Texturizing Spray or Dry Shampoo: Essential for grip and volume.
  • Medium-Hold Hair Spray: For finishing and hold.
  • Rat-Tail Comb: For teasing and smoothing the top layer.

The 5-Step Technique for the Messy French Roll

Step 1: Prep for Texture and Volume. Apply texturizing spray or dry shampoo from the mid-lengths to the ends. Use a rat-tail comb to lightly tease the roots at the crown of your head to build height. Gently smooth the top layer of hair over the tease to hide it.

Step 2: Create the Base. Gather all your hair as if you are making a low ponytail, but hold it firmly against the back of your head, slightly off-center. This is the foundation of your roll.

Step 3: The Initial Twist. Begin twisting the ponytail upwards and towards the center of your head. As you twist, the hair will naturally start to fold in on itself, creating the characteristic pleat. Continue twisting until the entire length of the hair is coiled against your head, forming a vertical roll.

Step 4: Secure the Roll. Tuck the ends of the hair neatly into the crease of the roll. Now, use your U-shaped French hair pins to secure the roll vertically along the fold, inserting the pins horizontally into the twist and then hooking them back into the hair on the opposite side. Use bobby pins along the sides for extra security.

Step 5: Finalize the Look. Gently tug on the hair at the crown and along the sides of the roll to loosen it, adding that desirable "messy" texture. Pull out a few small strands around the hairline to frame your face. Finish with a spritz of medium-hold hair spray. This soft, undone finish is the signature of the 2025 French Roll, a style recently championed by celebrities like Keke Palmer and Duchess Sophie of Edinburgh.

7 Chic Ways The French Twist Hair Is Dominating 2025—From Messy Rolls to Sleek Updos
french twist hair
french twist hair

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