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The French Roll is hair ups neat, classic and sophisticated hair style that makes good use of a few bobby pins and some backcombing.
This hair style is the one to get you a job or impress at the cocktail
party, for weddings and prom nights it is aways a favourite. The five second 'thrown up' variationof a French roll, often using a claw clip, is a simple way to get your hair off your face and offers a great alternative to the ponytail, pigtail or plait for mid to long hair lengths.
The shorter hair version of the French
roll also makes your hair look longer than it really is. When
I talk about short hair your hair would need to be 4cm (1/2 inch)
plus in the nape and long enough at the sides to pull back and
reach an imaginary center parting down the back of your head.
Tools and other bits and pieces
you will need:
- Hairspray (we love Freeze from
OSIS)
- Hair pins or grips to match hair
colour
- Paddle brush (best type of brush
for a smooth effect
- Pin-tail comb (I prefer a metal
tail comb but a plastic tail will do)
For Shorter Hair:
- To begin this hair style imagine
the center back parting we just spoke about and then backcombing the area about 2 cm (3/4 inch) either side of it.
- Using a paddle brush, smooth the
top and sides of your hair back towards this section. If you
have a fringe or shorter pieces of hair around the face you
can choose to leave them out or hairspray them into a smooth
look at the end.
- Put your brush down at this point
as it is easier with both hands free.
- Draw your hair back, by smoothing
it with your palms, into the nape of your neck. If it begins
to get 'electric', spray a little hair spray onto your palms.
- Twist the gathered hair in on
itself and upwards, the direction doesn't matter and rather
depends on whether you are right or left-handed. Any hair that
does not quite reach also does not matter, as we will deal with
that later. The trick here is low and tight into the nape, rather
like making a ponytail.
- Once you have the hair twisted
up against the back of your head you will find you can hold
it with one hand and pin with the other.
- Once you have the first few pins
in and the hair no longer feels like it will fall down if you
let go, check what it looks like using a second mirror. The
tip here is to put your back to the larger wall mirror and using
even the smallest of hand mirrors you will be able to angle
it to see everything.
- Now you can begin to use your
tail-comb (fine toothed comb with long pin like handle) to poke
in the loose bits and ends of your hair and pin. Use your hairspray
as glue for any really short bits.
NOTE: If the tips of your hair protrude
out of the top you have longer hair than you thought so follow
instructions for a long French roll.
For longer hair:
If your hair is long then the French
roll becomes so easy to do, with just a little practice, that
you may end up wearing it as often as you would a ponytail.
Tools and other bits and pieces:
- Hair pins or grips to match hair
colour
- Paddle brush (best type of brush
for a smooth effect)
- Pin-tail comb (I prefer a metal
tail comb but a plastic tail will do)
Method:
- Draw your hair away from your
face and low into the nape. For a neater look use a brush, for
a casual look simple use your hands.
- Twist the hair together firmly
as if into a ponytail. The firmness at the base of the roll
prevents it becoming loose and baggy if it rubs on your collar.
- Direct the hair upwards along
the centerline of your head and twist more loosely.
- Fold the ponytail so that is does
not stick out over the top of your head.
- Tuck the folded end under the
rest of your hair to form a base.
- Using your pins or grips secure
your hair along the folded seam so that the pins are hidden.
An alternative is to use a claw clamp
to secure the roll. I personally find these too small for really
long hair and they make the look into something far less sexy
or sophisticated than it can be.
For that casual, yet sexy feel, let
some strands fall out around the face and neck. To separate them
and give added texture, use a little gel, gloss or pomade/light
wax. Rub it through your finger tips and then stroke them through
your hair. Don't over do the products: less is more.
This very low into the nape version
of a roll could also be something you might want to try for a
variation:
Visitors to this page also went to:
Hair Up gallery
Hair styles gallery
Pony tails
Ponytail gallery
Plaiting and braiding
Styling and finishing products
Back combing
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