by Kimberley Heit

Created on: December 16, 2008   Last Updated: December 19, 2008

The French twist is a classic hairstyle that can take you from the office boardroom, to cocktails and beyond. If you haven't yet mastered this style, it is about time you learn. Their popularity does come and go, but they can always be tweaked to suits the trends at the time.

Here we will discuss the tools you require, the technique you need to master and some variations for making the style look modern and up to date.

-Tools-

Hair pins which match the color of your hair

Hairspray

Brush

Hand held mirror

Gel or product with hold

-Technique-

Firstly, it is a good idea to plan ahead if you'd like to wear your hair in a French twist. You don't want to wash your hair on the day you plan to create this hairstyle. Unwashed hair is easier to style in an up do because natural oils help the hair to hold a style.

Step One

Stand in front of a mirror in the bathroom and gather all the tools you require in front of you. This style requires the use of both hands at once so trying to rummage through draws later on to find things will only make it more difficult. The hand held mirror is useful so that you can check out your hair from behind.

Step two

Brush your hair well to remove any tangles. Then consider what type of look you would like at the front. Would you like to have volume on the top of your head? Perhaps a deep side part? Or you might like to leave some loose tendrils out to soften the look. To get a full looking French twist you'll want to backcomb the hair all over with a teasing brush before starting. This will create that puffed look.

Step three

If your hair is layered, the next step is to smooth down the mid lengths to ends with a firm hold gel to ensure the hair will roll up well.

Step Four

Now you want to drape the hair over the left shoulder. Then slightly off center towards the left you need to create a line of criss-crossed pins from crown to neck which hold the hair towards the left. You may find that you need to practice a few times to get the positioning right because when the pins are in the wrong place your roll will not end up covering them.

Step Five

Now you want to pull the hair around to the right rolling and twisting it with the ends facing upwards toward the roof. Lay the hair against the back of the head, and with your free hand pin into position. You will have some free ends at the top. Tuck these ends under the roll and down towards the base of your neck.

Step Six

Spray your hair with hairspray and you are done! A shine style hairspray gives a nice finishing effect.

This style is a very elegant and purposeful way to wear your hair up. It doesn't look like one of those messy buns you throw in when you are having a bad hair day. If however, you would like to do a quick casual version of the French twist you can skip the step where you apply a row of pins towards the left and simply twist you hair up and set with a few pins.

MODERN UPDATES

There are many ways to modernize the French twist. You can decorate it with diamante hair jewels or hair stenciling for a special occasion, or perhaps do something different with the ends. Instead of tucking them under to form a neat knob you could spike them out and tease them up, or curl them.

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