by Susan Quilty

Created on: May 17, 2009

The French twist is a timeless hairstyle that is known for its beautiful simplicity. It can be worn for formal occasions or as an everyday style and it is easy to dress it up with special combs, pins, or barrettes.

While special French twist combs and gadgets are available, it is often easiest to create a French twist by simply using bobby pins. There are a few tricks to make a fuller French twist, but for the most part it only takes practice to produce this timeless style.

Before you begin, you will need:

1. Hairbrush

2. Lots of bobby pins, in a color to match the hair

3. Hairspray

4. *Optional: decorative clips or combs

For best results, create this style with dry hair.

*Classic French Twist

The French Twist is a style that works well with shoulder-length or longer hair. However, hair that is very long may be more difficult to secure with help from an extra pair of hands.

1. Gently backbrush the hair. (Lift large sections and brush the bottom few inches of hair in the direction of the roots.) This adds lift and fullness to the style.

2. Brush the hair to smooth the top layer, being careful not to brush out the backbrushing from step 1.

3. Pull all of your hair to one side of the head and make sure that the hair is lying flat and smooth from one side of the head across to the center.

4. Use bobby pins to make a straight line up the center back of the head, pinning the hair from one side flat to the head.

5. Lift the remaining hair and hold it straight out from the side of the head, gathering and smoothing it into a neat bunch.

6. Twist the end of the hair around your thumb and continue curling it in until the twist lies flat against the head, covering the previously created row of bobby pins.

7. Secure the twist in place by using bobby pins to catch sections of the twist, then pull the pin over to catch sections of the flat hair, and press the pin into the inside of the twist. You will need many pins.

8. Look at all angles of the hairstyle and smooth any stray hairs. Use bobby pins to secure as needed.

9. Spray all over with hairspray.

10. Optional: Add decorating clips or combs along the line where the twist meets the back of the head.

It may take some practice to become skilled at creating a perfect French twist, especially when working on your own hair. If hair is very fine, it may help to add mousse or a similar styling product before beginning the twist.

Once you have mastered the French twist, you will know how to create a beautiful new hairstyle for both formal occasions and everyday.

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