50 Stylish French Twist Updos

Everyone loves a French twist updo, especially when it’s paired with formal or office wear. Few hairstyles look so picture perfect with a sheath dress and heels. For your next little black dress occasion, try out one of these forty hairstyles for yourself.

All Modern Variations of French Twist Updo

Everyone knows how to make a twist, but how to make it interesting and unhackneyed? Messy texture, braided elements, buns, bouffants, etc. will help you to diversify your casual twist updo.

1. Elegant Twist with a Bouffant

Here’s a French twist updo with the perfect balance of messy and formal. The look twists tightly in the back, leaving that small amount of freedom up top for the messy look that’s become a modern go-to.

2. Short-Haired Twist

This low hanging twist is easy and can be pulled off even with the shortest hair. The look exudes ease and effortlessness, as it tucks away even the most stubborn locks, no problem.

3. Low-Hanging Twist

With loose strands framing the face, an effortlessly poofed bouffant and a tight, twisted bun hanging low in the back, this look has many layers to play with, and you’re going to love the outcome.

4. Polished Peek-a-Boo Twist

The peek-a-boo twist is an easy take on the twist updo. It leaves out a piece that’s commonly hidden inside the twist. With a slight bump on top and a sleek, glossy finish, this look is the epitome of formal hairstyles.

5. Classic Twist with an Accent

It doesn’t get much more traditional than this. Another unique French twist updo features a messy, twisted bun in the back and enough room for your personal touch. Stick a flower or sprigs into the twist on one side, and you’ve got an elegant look that’ll leave them speechless.

6. Low-Hanging Swirl Twist

Finally, much like in the last updo, here the twist sits much lower and leaves out a few wisps of hair for a messier finish. The updo also features a swirled look that falls directly into the low twist, adding a unique touch to the overall appearance.

7. French Twist Updo for Holidays

New Years is all about starting the new year off right. If you don’t bring in the next year with a look you’re crazy about, you’ll be setting yourself up for many more boring styles to come. Make it your resolution—to experiment more often with cool hairstyles. Start by ringing in the year with this fabulous French Twist.

8. Sleek Updo with Curls

Here is a polished updo style for fans of refined, hair-to-hair hairstyles. The curls on one side will give you a beautiful profile; plus your hair is going to look flawless and really show off that lovely coloring.

9. Brigitte Bardot Beehive Updo

Check it out—here’s another version of a French Twist inspired by a beauty icon. This Brigitte Bardot-esque style is a perfect addition to the French Twist family. The beehive shaping manages both volume and texture for the perfect updo harmony.

10. Messy Casual French Twist

This twist has flawless texture on none other than first-day hair. Everyone knows the texture commonly doesn’t start to feel right until the second-day status when your natural oils begin to spread through to the ends. To get this textured updo, try out the Textur Texturizing Iron. It creates volume and texture in thin or recently washed hair.

11. Braided French Twist with Dazzling Accent

The romantic glittering headpiece adds a hint of glamour and lends an exciting vintage beauty to this graciously different French twist braid updo, while the low sitting roll accentuates the slender neck. This is a classic and a very traditional look for brides with a romantic side and love for pure elegance.

12. Chignon with Flower Accent

This French twist is partially braided to give it a pretty shape, just perfect for long thick hair. The dainty flower accessory completes the low bun that is tempted to slide down the neck. This would be a stunning hairstyle for any special occasion!

13. Sophisticated and Elegant Updo

This up style is what brides’ dreams are made of! It is one of the most exciting wedding hairstyles you could think of. Sexy sleek hair is pulled back where it is arranged like a huge skein of the finest silk along with curls and swoopy texture. The style looks effortless but with purpose and sophistication. The hair is skillfully and beautifully pulled away from the face into a neat roll, amazing not only thanks to its shape, but its lovely balayage color as well.

14. Graceful Swoopy Updo

Looking for an impressive updo? This asymmetrical roll is sharp yet soft, tousled and wavy yet elegant. The final look is anything but boring thanks to the cleverly crafted twisted bun done for the beautifully highlighted hair. The tousled texture full of air adds volume and grace to the updo, ensuring that when you arrive at the party you will be noticed. The delightful asymmetry and dimensional details distinguish this look as a terrific way to make an impression.

15. Sleek and Sexy French Twist

Say it with a diamond accent! A perfect wedding hairdo, styled into an elegant twist with some teasing underneath and pins to hold the mysterious whirled bun. The shiny, dangling head piece (or is it an earring?) lends even more to the dramatic and breath-taking French twist updo.

16. Teased and Textured Chunky Twist

The hair is teased, pulled back and gathered into a messy chunky twist that displays motion and romance while the front is graced with wispy pieces falling out of the updo around the face. The dirty blonde base of the hair brings an additional chic touch to the already gorgeous updo.

17. Disheveled Casual Updo

Royal mess. The crazy twist on a French bun. And above all, it is easier to create than it appears in its knotted, messy beauty. The up style is made by twisting hair in the back and leaving some rebellious strands hang out on both sides. Quite an untamed gypsy look.

18. Warrior Princess Updo

How to do a French Twist? Pull all your hair back like when you make a low ponytail, twist it once and tuck the freely hanging ends under the twist shaping a roll and pinning in place. You can go all out on your creativity with the French roll updos. Twist and turn, pin and tie it up. A few strands are left looped, some are wild, others remain straight. It’s all about fun and expression. There are no rules and no limits to your imagination!

19. Large French Twist for Long Hair

With a classic French Twist you begin to twist your hair low starting at the nape of your neck, but this take on the traditional look suggests a reverse twist completed with a loose side bun. It’s a lovely updo idea for long hair.

20. Voluminous Low-Hanging Bun

This full-volume low bun is simple-looking but it builds a dramatic loose French twist that’s anything but a plain, unremarkable updo. Wear with a casual floral dress or try it even for a special occasion. Looking effortless is very on-trend and appropriate in any setting.

21. Romantic Textured Bun with Bouffant

Nothing is more charming and romantic than a classic French roll, but today it’s popular to customize traditional things, giving them your personal twist. If you have long fine hair, try to create an impression of natural flow with wispy texture, extra volume and even a bouffant. It’s usually flattering with French twists.

22. Tight Diagonal French Twist

This lovely roll is completely different to what we are used to imagine when we think of the classic twist updo. It’s tight yet soft, and its asymmetrical placement is really what makes the look stand out. Fine blonde highlights in the light brown hair accentuate the beautiful shape and movement of this divine look.

23. Stylish Updo with Accent

The hair is styled into an easy and smooth, elegant low updo. The retro shape is modernized with a distinct texture of the bun and bouffant, dimensional color and a set of hair accessories. A few loose curly pieces contribute to the charm of this gorgeous bun and make it just a bit less perfect, which is a big plus for modern updos.

24. Wavy Hair Twist

Blonde hair is glamorous all on its own even when rumpled! When twisted and twirled into a casual French twist hair style, it becomes a sensuous statement of irresistibility. The light blonde hair with curls displays an extra amount of dimension and glow.

25. Funky Vintage Updo with Curled Ends

Okay, this is not your average bun. This conical updo will surely be one of the most unforgettable hairstyles you have ever worn. Strands of multicolored hair with alternating pink, blue, green and purple magically turn this roll into an exotic peacock. Play with colors and pick your own favorites!

26. Unkempt Knot for Short Hair

Hair with a rebellious attitude – beautifully untamed and sensuous. Lovely short hair in the color of a mid-summer day is pulled into to a loose twist. On the sides, wavy strands are let free for a playful and happy appeal.

27. Side Rolled Ponytail Updo

This French roll hairstyle is fairly easy to create with long hair and it looks exceptionally wonderful and effortless. It is a great style to be dressed down, as it goes very well with a casual, relaxed outfit. The hair is twisted into a messy asymmetrical roll with the ends sticking out, exuding a carefree attitude.

28. Lilac French Twist Beehive

Soft hair sophistication and radiant elegance are the attributes of this gorgeous voluminous updo. The strands are teased for maximum volume and pulled into a twist with ends invisibly tucked in. The hair is smooth and well-controlled with a lot of shine.

29. Low Hanging Twist with a Swirled Top

Sculpted like a fine work of art and bathed in a caramel blonde shine, this elegant updo will get many heads turned! From thousands of pictures with a bun updo, this one absolutely stands out with its concept and perfect implementation.

30. Relaxed Bedhead Updo

This unkempt twist updo may look complicated, but you can very easily create it with messy shorter hair. First, tease the hair at the roots and pull it backwards. Twist softly in the lower neck area and pin. Pull out the curly ends here and there, and done!

31. Messy Mohawk Updo

This modern French twist updo not only features a classy look perfect for any elegant event, but it also has a messy, big haired touch, inherent for a standout style. The updo suggests tousling and twisting your hair and then pinning it into the chic final product.

32. Unique Woven Twist

If you’re looking for an absolute showstopper, you’ve found it. Featuring a gorgeous back bun with single strands seemingly woven through each other, this look is a fantastic and completely unique take on the more traditional twist.

33. Low Twisted Ponytail

If you want a much more relaxed long-haired look that still maintains a classic feel perfect for any special occasion, this French twist updo will work just fine. The hair is pulled tight in a twist at the back of the head, with the ends not being hidden inside as in the classic twist updo, but let out into a loosely waved ponytail for a more relaxed look.

34. Messy Short-Haired Twist

It’s wispy, messy and perfect for short hair, so you’re going to love it. The updo is quick and easy, featuring hair twisted low at the back of the head with a few loose strands framing the face. It’s an easy, no-hassle style.

35. Three-Layered Twist

Tripling the traditional twist updo, the next look features three layered twists at the back of the head, one on top of the other. It‘s a perfect style for long hair with good thickness.

36. Braided Twist Updo

Braids are just universal, and this braided French twist updo is a brilliant idea to update your favorite classic twist style. Simply pre-braid a side section of hair and feed the braid into your twist.

37. Chunky Twist with Bangs

This updo is special, as it has a few different dimensions. Boasting a messy look both in the loose strands framing the face and in the back twist, everything is brought together with a clean, pulled together middle poof. The result is a classy, beautiful hairdo.

38. Asymmetrical Twist

The asymmetrical twist shows off those highlights as well as puts a unique spin on the classic twist updo. Everything is pulled together in back, giving the wearer a fantastic profile and gaining the look a standout style descriptor.

39. All-Around Twist

One of the more unique looks in this list, this twist completely encompasses the wearer’s head, providing an all-around flawless look that is beautiful at any angle. The look is great for long hair, and all the pieces are pulled tight, leaving no room for fly-aways.

40. Relaxed Twist with Curls

Many women want a busier look, something to add pizzazz to their style. And for women with a monochromatic hair color, there isn’t a better look out there to gain that extra depth. The updo is messily pulled back into a twist in the back, with bangs and a few loose strands curled around the face.

41. Classic Twist for Short Hair

If you have shorter hair, twist updos become a bit harder to pull off. The key is a twist that falls low in the nape of your head. Even the shorter hairs in the back fittingly blend into the style, so baby hairs don’t become problematic, but rather add to the look.

42. French Braided Twist Updo

You won’t believe how easy it is to recreate this hairstyle at home. Simply French braid your hair as you normally would and then pin the braid into an updo! To achieve the volume of this braided style, be sure to tease the roots before you begin braiding.

43. Retro Inspired Side Ponytail Updo

This French Twist with a pony is one of the most unique variations of the trend. If you prefer to keep some hair down even when you’re pulling your hair back, pass on your usual low ponytail or half-up/half-down look. This is the new go-to updo style for you to turn to.

44. Triple Bun Updo

Starting from the top section, pull your hair back, twist it into a tiny bun and pin it into place along the back of your head. Do this all the way down until you’ve used all of your hair, which could be as little as three buns or as many as six.

45. French Twist Updo with a Big Bouffant

Sometimes all it takes to spice up a dull and dreary hairstyle is to add in your own special flare. Headbands are a great addition to hairstyles if you wear them well. Don’t choose one too big for your head or a bright color that might distract from your wardrobe. Something unassuming and classy will do.

46. Casual French Twist

To all you beginners out there that usually just let your hair do its own natural thing hanging freely on each side of your face, there’s hope for you yet! Start off your hairstyle trials with this easy rendition of a French Twist. It’s a simple step in the right direction.

47. Basic French Twist Updo

Try this elegant version for your next formal occasion. It can be worn anywhere, from an anniversary dinner to a night out at the bar with your friends from work. No matter where the night takes you, this style will be sure to catch everyone’s attention and envy.

48. French Twist Ponytail

Everyone loves to turn to a simple ponytail when in doubt, but there are so many other options to consider if you want something a little different. This style combines a French Twist updo with a low ponytail for a match made in the hairdo heaven.

49. Undone French Twist Updo Hairstyle

These days, it’s all about looking perfectly undone. Kempt, but unkempt at the same time. Your hair should look messy, but only if it’s flawlessly messy, you know? Makes total sense, right? If you’re not sure what that means, take a look at this messy yet chic hairstyle for inspiration.

50. Simple and Quick French Twist Updo

This beautiful and classic take on the French Twist is the version you should turn to if you want it simple and classy. Say you have to go but don’t have much time to style your hair; this will do the trick. It’s an especially great look for work.

You’ve done it; you’ve mastered the French Twist! Now take your French Twist diploma and go forth with your new chic updo style!