Half French Twist Step by Step Tutorial
links + loves
The half french twist (pictured above) is more than likely my most worn style whenever I need something a little bit chic and fancy. It’s easy, can work perfectly on any texture or hair thickness, and once you master hiding the bobby pins, it will look like hair art.
You may have heard of this style before because I originally shared it back in 2011! And I wore my hair like this on my wedding day too, so it’s been a favorite for a long time & for many different reasons!
Whether your hair is straight or curly, using a bit of texture spray will help give your hair a bit of hold when you pull it back. And the right bobby pins make all the difference, so get yourself some of these immediately!
To start, section off hair from in front of your ear on the side you part on. You can see through the section I’m working with, and that is okay if it’s that thin. Just soften the hair afterwards to cover any of the areas that you can see through. But the point, though, is to take as thin of a section as you can without being able to see through too much.
Pull that section around to the back and insert two bobby pins, zig zag side down, vertically.
Next, starting near the crown, pull another thin section towards the bobby pins you just inserted, fold over your finger, and then slip a bobby pin into the fold. You’ll repeat this motion a few times until you get to the front of the hairline.
The bobby pins should be inserted right where your thumb and pointer finger are holding the section.
Finish with a bit of hairspray and you are all set! I really love this look on straight hair but it would also look fantastic on natural curly hair too!
Share your photos of the half french twist on Instagram using #smallthingshair !
See the original half french twist tutorial, a full french twist tutorial, and some basic tips for how to best use bobby pin!
comments
I like this option between casual and super fancy!
Have you tried the living proof dry volume blast? I’ve seen the ads and it has caught my interest. Wondering how it works.
So pretty, and looks simple enough to master! Thanks for sharing. I ordered those Diane bobby pins from Amazon, and returned them. The quality was awful… Some didn’t have the little soft tips that bobby pins normally do; the box had an overpowering metallic odor like something you’d smell at a hardware store; and there was some sort of dark residue all over the box/bobby pins! I was suprirsed, but am sticking to Mega Grip bobby pins I found at Sally’s. They are very strong, and the quality is consistently great!
Cute and doable – just what I look for. Perfect for those of us with only 5 minutes in the morning to do their hair.
This is wonderful, thanks for sharing.
I noticed you didn’t include a head shot of this look. I struggle wth styling the front of my hair with hair styles like these. I would be so appreciative if you could include some tips on how to style one’s hair when it’s pulled up or back.
I will try to add a front shot asap!
Such a beautiful and simple style! SO pretty!
xx Tess | Sequins are the New Black
This is great Kate. I was able to figure it out but much easier when you do a video.
Hi Amanda! We linked to the original video tutorial in the post as well – you can find it here: https://www.thesmallthingsblog.com/2011/12/half-french-twist/. Glad you enjoyed the tutorial!
Hi Kate! I am desperately looking for some professional suggestions on a new hair dryer and flat iron. I have thin, curly hair, but I have a lot of hair. Its not course but can be dry; if I use a good amount of conditioner and fix it right after I get out of the shower its fairly easy to work with and soft to the touch even with hairspray.
I’m looking for a good dryer that uses a diffuser attachment to make my hair curl better and not frizz as much. For the flat iron, I have always used a CHI but I am finding lately that the CHI is not working as well with my hair making it frizz and just overall seems to be burning my hair even if I only do 1 pass on the strand. My CHI is only maybe a year old, but I am looking for a better, “smoother” brand that is better for my hair and allows the strands to “flow” better between the heat plates (if that makes sense).
Any suggestions you have would be GREATLY appreciated!
ALSO – If its not too much more to ask – what products would work well with fine, curly hair to help cut down frizz and boost volume (I don’t have much)? I don’t really have a problem with my hair actually curling, but I do battle frizz and limpness.
LOVE this. I can usually master your hair tutorials- but only in video form. Could you PLEASE video doing this style on yourself? It also helps to see you do it on yourself instead of someone else. I have missed hair tutorials. They’re my fav!!
Ditto!! I struggle with written instructions and photos, not sure why.
Videos are more work I’m sure but so appreciated!!
Hi Kelly! We linked to the original video tutorial in the post as well – you can find it here: https://www.thesmallthingsblog.com/2011/12/half-french-twist/. Glad you enjoyed the tutorial!
I agree! It’s been awhile!
Hi Melissa! We linked to the original video tutorial in the post as well – you can find it here: https://www.thesmallthingsblog.com/2011/12/half-french-twist/. Glad you enjoyed the tutorial!
totally agree! —this is VERY confusing –> “Next, starting near the crown, pull another thin section towards the bobby pins you just inserted, fold over your finger, and then slip a bobby pin into the fold. You’ll repeat this motion a few times until you get to the front of the hairline.” ?????????????
Also, is there a reason you don’t show the style from the front? While I want the back to look pretty, lets be honest, it’s really about how it looks in front. I need to see how to style the front. do you leave “bangs” down? pulled back?
I agree…The hard part is where you say “Next, starting near the crown, pull another thin section towards the bobby pins you just inserted, fold over your finger, and then slip a bobby pin into the fold. You’ll repeat this motion a few times until you get to the front of the hairline.” It just doesn’t make sense to me in pictures! Thanks!!
Hi Elizabeth! We linked to the original video tutorial in the post as well – you can find it here: https://www.thesmallthingsblog.com/2011/12/half-french-twist/. Glad you enjoyed the tutorial!
Hi Tiffany! We linked to the original video tutorial in the post as well – you can find it here: https://www.thesmallthingsblog.com/2011/12/half-french-twist/. Glad you enjoyed the tutorial!
This is so great! But for me videos are better <3
xo,
http://www.saharacouture.com
Hi Sahara! We linked to the original video tutorial in the post as well – you can find it here: https://www.thesmallthingsblog.com/2011/12/half-french-twist/. Glad you enjoyed the tutorial!
Love this style can’t wait to try it!
Absolutely beautiful!! You are always so chic and stylish! I love it!
Mel | http://www.thegossipdarling.com
The hair style looks so sweet and comfortable, Thanks for sharing this to us.
This is such a beautiful hairstyle!
Loving this! It looks so good, great photos!
Anika | anikamay.co.uk
I love you hairstyles so much and they are so helpful with my short hair! You’re awesome!
OMG I absolutely love it. Thanks for being so awesome 😀
Hi, Kate,
Can you please do a actual video on the half french twist
Thanks it would help a lot