When it comes to summer hair, few do it quite like the French. That nonchalant wave, the artfully loose up-do, the piece-y fringe that somehow survives a 28-degree metro ride? It’s all by design — though they’ll pretend otherwise.

The secret to emulating this kind of hair? Leaning into what the hair wants to do when it’s hot. Frizz? C’est la vie. The point is never perfection, but about attitude instead.

Here are some rules to follow to achieve a similar look at home:

Shampoo less often 

French women famously don’t overwash their hair in summer — just a cool rinse and a little scalp massage to revive limp roots. A mist of dry shampoo (and Hershesons Almost Everything Cream scrunched through ends) brings it all back to life. The look? Lived-in, soft and with plenty of texture. 

Do the least

Instead of fighting the elements, work with them. Sweep hair into an off-duty chignon at the nape of the neck, and secure with a tortoiseshell clip. Skip heat styling, too. Instead, try misting Air Dry Spray through mid-lengths and ends, then using your fingers to twist and scrunch sections of the hair. 

Embrace natural waves

French hair is never pin-straight. It has bends, kinks and some softness through the mid-lengths — often air-dried or diffused (try our new Sock Diffuser) for a low-maintenance wave. Air Dry Spray is great for subtle texture, Almost Everything Cream can add definition, and Zhoosh creates cool, bedhead roots. 

SPF for your strands

French women know that sun, salt, and chlorine are no friends to healthy hair. A protective mist, like Air Dry Spray, which now has UV filters, is non-negotiable. Apply it like skincare, daily, especially if you’re blonde or balayaged.

And the golden rule?

Let your hair do its thing – French women like to relax and take their time, and your hair should reflect that.