How to Do a French Twist Updo in a Few Simple Steps

When you're in need of an elegant hairstyle, try the classic French twist. This gorgeous look is a common sight at proms and weddings, but you can create a looser, more casual version for everyday wear. Read on to learn how to create 4 variations of the French twist.

Steps for an Easy French Twist

Sweep all your hair to one side of your head.
Hold your hair in place with a line of bobby pins on the back of your head.
Twist your hair up along the back of your head.
Hold the twisted hair against your head and tuck any loose ends into the twist.
Use U-shaped hair pins to secure the twist along the edge.

Method 1

Method 1 of 4:

Simple French Twist

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If you want the finished look to twist from left to right, brush it to the left side; if you want it to twist from right to left, brush it to the right. Hold your hair in place with your hand.^{[1]
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2
Use pins at the back of your hair to hold it in place. This will keep the hair pulled to one side. If your hair is long, thick, and heavy, using pins will help to keep it up all day long. Otherwise, you'll find that strands come loose throughout the day.^{[2]
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- You can create several crisscrosses going vertically up the back of your head for maximum hold.
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Spray a flexible hold hairspray lightly over your hair at this stage to keep stray hairs in place.^{[3]
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Research source} This can make the style look a little stiff, but it also helps to hold it all day long.
Make sure to brush it to the side to keep it in position and not dislodge the pins.
5
Twist your hair up along the back of your head. Lightly grasp the hair and twist it up along your head in the opposite direction that you swept it. For example, if you swept it to the right, twist it to the left. If you have longer hair, fold the twist over and tuck the ends of your hair under the twist. Then, tuck the ends into the tunnel created by the twist.
- If you don’t have enough hair to fold the twist over, tuck then ends under the twist along the back of your head, or leave them loose for a more casual look.
- When you’re done, the hair should form a downward-pointing cone.
Feed the tip of the U-shaped hair pin into the place where the edge of the twist meets the hair against the back of your head. Push the pin through the edge of the twist. Then, rotate the pin to the side and push it into the hair along your scalp. Make sure to place the pins so that they’re hidden beneath the twist.
Run a bristle brush or a fine-toothed comb in the same direction as the twist to neaten the style. Use a light touch, only brushing with the tips of the bristles. Then, use hairspray to finish the style and give it extra hold.

Method 2

Method 2 of 4:

Classic French Twist

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Start with all of your hair combed back, without a part.
Use a fine-toothed comb to separate a 3 in (7.6 cm) section of hair from your forehead to the crown of your head, almost like a mohawk. Lift it above your head to keep it separated.
One section should be in the front, one in the middle, and one at the crown of your head.
Take each of the 3 sections individually and backcomb them by running a fine-toothed comb from the tips to the roots. Tease each section gently, then drop them down toward your face to hold them out of the way for the time being.
Hold the rest of your hair as if you are making a ponytail, then twist it until you've reached 3/4 way to the roots.
Make sure to press the bottom of the twist tightly against the back of your head. Then, tuck any excess hair at the top of the twist underneath the twist along the back of your head. Tuck in any loose ends. Use U-shaped hair pins to hold the twist in place.^{[4]
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Research source} Now it's starting to look like a French twist!
Pull the teased front sections of hair back over the top of your head. Twist the sections together and tuck the twisted hair along the edge of the larger twist where it meets your head. Tuck in the ends and secure them with U-shaped hairpins.
Your hair should now look like a classic French twist, with a slight lift on top where the hair is teased.^{[5]
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Use a comb to lightly smooth the top and sides of your hair. Spray your hair with strong-hold hairspray to keep it in place.

Method 3

Method 3 of 4:

French Twist with a Comb

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Tie it about 1 in (2.5 cm) from your neck.
2
Twist the ponytail up toward the top of your head. Holding the base of the ponytail against the back of your head, twist and fold down any excess hair and tuck it against the base of the twist. Hold it in place with your hand.^{[6]
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- If your hair is very long, fold up and twist any hair that extends past the bottom of the twist after the first fold. Tuck it against the twist.
3
Use a French twist comb to smooth your hair back. Using the back side of a curved French twist hair comb, follow the direction of the hair moving toward the twist. When you reach the edge of the twist, catch some of the hair with the tips of the comb’s tines.^{[7]
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Insert the comb into the twist to secure it. Flip the comb so it rests along the curve of the back of your head. Then, push the comb gently but firmly into the twist.^{[8]
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Research source} This secures the twist so your hair will stay neatly in place.
- If you have very long or thick hair, you may need to use two combs: one on top and one on the bottom for a more secure twist.

Method 4

Method 4 of 4:

Modern Messy French Roll

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1
Start with unwashed hair or add texture with products or styling. A modern French Twist (also called a French Roll) looks best when the hair is a little bit dirty or has texture. But if you’ve just washed your hair, don’t worry! Use dry shampoo or curl your hair to give it a messier texture.^{[9]
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- Volumizing hairspray can also help give your hair more texture.
- Lightly teasing your hair at the roots with a fine-toothed comb is another way to create texture.
2
Sweep your hair to one side and pin it in place. Use your hands to gather the hair and pull it to one side of your head. Hold the hair with one hand. With the other hand, secure the hair with bobby pins that roughly match your hair color. Slide the pins into your hair from the bottom in the center of the back of your head.^{[10]
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- It’s okay to use bobby pins that don’t match your hair, but they may be more visible in the finished style.
- If your hair is thick or coarse, use larger bobby pins to hold it in place.
- The idea is to make the style messy, so don’t use a brush or hairspray to smooth your hair.
3
Roll your hair back toward the pins. Starting at the ends, roll the hair into a messy tube, moving back toward the bobby pins.^{[11]
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Research source} When you reach your head, hold the roll tightly over the bobby pins with one hand and use the other to make any adjustments or tuck in ends. Remember, it doesn’t have to be perfect!
- Use two fingers to start the roll or make a small loop of hair near the end of your hair and secure it with a hair tie, then roll the hair around it.^{[12]
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- This style is called a French Roll since you roll the hair instead of twisting it like you would when making a classic French Twist.
4
Place pins on the inside of the roll to secure it. Once you have the roll positioned how you like it, pin the edge of the roll along your head with bobby pins.^{[13]
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Research source} Use more bobby pins if you have thick or heavy hair.
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Pull pieces of hair along the hairline out of the roll. After securing the roll, gently pull small strands of hair out to give it a sexy, undone look. Loosen pieces in the front or at the nape of your neck so it looks like they naturally fell out of the style on their own.^{[14]
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- Give the loose pieces a little extra oomph by styling them with a curling iron.
- If you want extra hold, spritz the style with hairspray to finish.

Community Q&A

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Question

Where do I find a brush cone to make a French twist?

Community Answer

You can find it at a hair/cosmetics/beauty shop, if not, you could order online.

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Question

What size bobby pins do I need?

Community Answer

The thicker your hair, the bigger bobby pins you may need. If you have thin hair, use small bobby pins.

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How do you put a French twist into short hair?

Community Answer

Your hair would need to be long enough to put into a low ponytail. Create the ponytail, then pull the hair tie out just a little bit so the ponytail is loose. Next, flip the ponytail through the base, behind the hair tie. Use bobby pins to hold loose sections in place if necessary.

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Things You’ll Need

Hair brush
Bobby pins
U-shaped hair pins or French twist hair comb
Hairspray
Fine-toothed comb
Hair tie (optional)
Dry shampoo (optional)
Curling iron (optional)

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Tips

For a looser style, don’t brush the hair so neatly into place or tuck the ends of the hair so perfectly into the cone. You might even hold the whole thing to your head with a large alligator clip.

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This hairstyle is best for longer hair but can work for any length that can be put into a ponytail.

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You will need a lot of pins for a tight hold.

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