French twist hairstyles for winter formal events are the hairstyle that has never once been wrong at a formal event. A French twist is elegant, timeless and incredibly flattering, and it works for a winter wedding, a holiday party, a black-tie dinner or any evening when you want to look polished and confident. It keeps your hair up and out of the way, it shows off your neckline and your earrings, and it looks just as good at the end of the night as it did at the start.
The beauty of a French twist is that it looks complicated but it is actually very simple, once you know the technique. It is a twist, not a bun, and it is held in place with bobby pins, not with a hair tie, so it has a soft, sculpted shape that no other updo can match. It suits almost every hair length, from a bob to long layers, and almost every hair texture, from straight to curly, and it works with a coat, a scarf and a cold walk from the car to the venue.
In this guide you will find 13 French twist hairstyles for winter formal events, from the classic French twist to a modern soft twist, twists for short and long hair, and twists with accessories. You will also learn how to make your French twist last all night, and what to ask your stylist. Save the timeless look you love before your next formal event, and go into the evening knowing your hair will never fail you.
The Classic French Twist, Step by Step
The classic French twist is the foundation of every look in this guide, and once you can do it, you can do all of them. Start with hair that is not freshly washed, because second-day hair has more grip and holds a twist better than very clean, slippery hair. Brush your hair back smoothly, gather it to one side, and hold it in a low ponytail with one hand, without securing it with a hair tie.
Twist the ponytail up and inwards, towards the centre of your head, so it forms a vertical roll. Tuck the ends in at the top, and secure the twist with bobby pins, placing them along the seam where the twist meets your head, in a criss-cross pattern so they grip each other. Gently pull a few pieces loose around your face to soften the look, and finish with a light-hold hairspray. That is the whole technique, and it takes less than five minutes once you have practised it a few times. Practice it at home before your event, and it will become the formal hairstyle you reach for every winter.
13 French Twist Hairstyles for Winter Formal Events
These 13 French twist hairstyles for winter formal events move from the classic twist to modern, soft twists, twists for short and long hair, and twists with accessories, so you can find the version that matches your dress, your hair length and your confidence with styling. If you love a classic, elegant look, start with the classic twist. If you love a softer look, start with the modern soft twist.
1. The Classic French Twist
The classic French twist is a smooth, sculpted twist that sits vertically at the back of your head, and it is the most elegant look in this list. It is sleek, polished and very formal, so it suits a black-tie winter wedding, a holiday party or a very dressy dinner. Gather your hair to one side, twist it up, tuck the ends in, and secure it with bobby pins. Keep the top smooth, and let a few face-framing pieces fall free to soften the look. Add a little shine spray to give it a polished finish.
2. The Modern Soft French Twist
A modern soft French twist is a looser, more relaxed version of the classic, and it is perfect if you want to look elegant without looking too done. Twist your hair up loosely, secure it with bobby pins, and gently pull the twist apart a little to make it look fuller and softer. Let several face-framing pieces fall free, and do not worry about making it perfect. The softness is what makes it modern, and it suits a relaxed winter wedding, a holiday party or a dinner with friends.
3. The French Twist With a Low Bun
This look combines a French twist with a low bun, so the twist flows into a soft bun at the nape, and it is one of the most romantic twists in this list. Twist your hair up as for a classic French twist, then coil the ends into a small, loose bun at the bottom, and secure it with bobby pins. It is elegant, it sits comfortably under a coat collar, and it looks beautiful from the back in photos. Add a small, decorative pin or a velvet bow for a festive touch.
4. The French Twist With Side-Swept Bangs
Side-swept bangs soften a French twist beautifully, and they make it look more modern and more flattering. Sweep your bangs to one side, twist the rest of your hair up, and secure it with bobby pins, letting the bangs fall across your forehead. It is pretty, it frames your face, and it works with a centre part or a side part. If you do not have bangs, you can create the same effect by letting a few face-framing pieces fall free on one side.
5. The French Twist With a Velvet Bow
A velvet bow is the easiest way to make a French twist look festive, and it is perfect for a winter formal event. Twist your hair up as for a classic French twist, secure it with bobby pins, and tie a velvet bow at the side or at the top of the twist. The velvet adds a soft, winter texture, and the bow adds a romantic feel. It is quick to do, it keeps your hair secure, and it works with a velvet dress, a dark coat, or a faux-fur stole. Choose a bow in a deep winter colour, such as burgundy, forest green or navy.
6. The French Twist for Short Hair
A French twist works on short hair too, although the twist will be smaller and the style will be more subtle. Gather your hair to one side, twist it up, and secure it with small bobby pins, tucking the ends in at the top. It is elegant, it keeps your hair out of your face, and it works with a hat or a scarf, because the twist sits flat against your head. Use a texturising spray to give the short hair grip, and choose small bobby pins that will not show. It is a brilliant choice if you have a bob or a lob and you want a formal updo without extensions.
7. The French Twist for Long Hair
Long hair gives a French twist the most drama, because the twist is longer, fuller and more sculpted. Gather your hair to one side, twist it up, and secure it with bobby pins, tucking the ends in at the top. It is beautiful, it photographs wonderfully from the back, and it is surprisingly easy to do, because you only have to twist once. Use a strong hair tie at the base if you need extra support, and a light-hold hairspray to keep the twist smooth. For more long-hair formal ideas, see our New Year’s Eve hairstyles for long hair.
8. The French Twist With a Pearl Pin
A pearl pin is the most elegant accessory for a French twist, and it is perfect for a winter formal event. Twist your hair up, secure it with bobby pins, and add a pearl pin or a pearl comb where the twist meets your head. The pearls add a soft, luminous shine, and they match a winter formal perfectly, because they look like frost. It is quick to do, it keeps your hair secure, and it works with a centre part or a side part. Choose a pin that matches your earrings or your necklace.
9. The French Twist With Loose Curls at the Front
Loose curls at the front soften a French twist beautifully, and they make it look more romantic and more modern. Curl two sections at the front of your hair, twist the rest up, and secure it with bobby pins, letting the curls fall free around your face. It is pretty, it frames your face, and it works with a high-necked dress or a statement earring. Use a curling iron on the front sections only, and a light-hold hairspray to keep the curls soft and bouncy.
10. The French Twist With a Sparkling Comb
A sparkling comb is the most glamorous accessory for a French twist, and it is perfect for a black-tie winter event. Twist your hair up, secure it with bobby pins, and slide a sparkling comb into the side of the twist, where it will catch the light. The sparkle adds a festive, evening feel, and it looks beautiful in photos. It is quick to do, it keeps your hair secure, and it works with a dark dress, a velvet dress, or a dress with a lot of detail, because the comb adds just enough sparkle without competing with the outfit.
11. The French Twist With a Low Side Part
A low side part gives a French twist a soft, old-Hollywood feel, and it is perfect if you want your twist to look a little more romantic. Part your hair deeply to one side, sweep the front across your forehead, and twist the rest up, securing it with bobby pins. It is elegant, it frames your face, and it works with a high-necked dress or a statement earring. Add a little shine spray to keep the top smooth, and let a few face-framing pieces fall free on the side with the most hair.
12. The French Twist With a Braided Detail
A braided detail adds a romantic, almost fairytale touch to a French twist. Braid a small section from the front, bring it back and pin it into the twist, so the braid becomes part of the twist itself. It is pretty, it photographs beautifully from the back, and it is surprisingly easy to do at home if you can braid. Use a texturising spray before braiding, so the braid has grip and does not slip, and gently pull the braid apart to make it look fuller.
13. The French Twist With a Textured Finish
A textured French twist is the most modern look in this list, and it is perfect if you want a twist that looks effortless rather than perfect. Twist your hair up loosely, secure it with bobby pins, and gently pull the twist apart a little to add texture and volume. Let several pieces fall free around your face and at the nape, and do not worry about making it smooth. The texture is what makes it modern, and it suits a relaxed winter wedding, a holiday party or a dinner with friends. Finish with a texturising spray, not a heavy hairspray, so the texture stays soft.
French Twist for Short Hair
A French twist for short hair is one of the most flattering formal updos, because the shorter length is easier to twist and pin than very long hair, and the twist looks neat and polished. If your hair is a bob or a lob, gather it to one side, twist it up, and secure it with small bobby pins, tucking the ends in at the top. It is elegant, it keeps your hair out of your face, and it works with a hat or a scarf, because the twist sits flat against your head.
Use a texturising spray to give the short hair grip, and choose small bobby pins that will not show. If your hair is very short, ask your stylist to use a few hair extensions or a small hair pad to add volume to the twist, although most bobs are long enough for a twist without any help. Add a small, sparkling pin or a pearl comb to make it look festive, and let a few face-framing pieces fall free to soften the look. A French twist is proof that short hair can be just as formal as long hair, and it is a brilliant choice for a winter formal event.
French Twist for Long Hair
A French twist for long hair is one of the most dramatic formal updos, because the twist is longer, fuller and more sculpted, and it shows off the length of your hair in a way that a bun cannot. Gather your hair to one side, twist it up, and secure it with bobby pins, tucking the ends in at the top. It is beautiful, it photographs wonderfully from the back, and it is surprisingly easy to do, because you only have to twist once, although you will need more bobby pins than a shorter twist.
Use a strong hair tie at the base if you need extra support, and a light-hold hairspray to keep the twist smooth. If your hair is very thick, ask your stylist to use a few extra pins, placed in a criss-cross pattern so they grip each other, and to leave a few face-framing pieces loose to soften the look. A French twist for long hair suits a long, elegant dress, a high-necked dress, or a dress with a low back, because the twist shows off the neckline and the back. It is the most glamorous twist in this guide, and it is the one that will make you feel like you have stepped out of a film.
French Twist With Accessories and How to Make It Last All Night
Accessories are what turn a simple French twist into a formal hairstyle, and the right one can make all the difference. A pearl pin, a sparkling comb, a velvet bow or a small, decorative clip will all add a festive, winter feel to a twist, and they will also help to hold it in place. Choose an accessory that matches your dress or your earrings, and place it where the twist meets your head, so it becomes a focal point. For more over-50 updo inspiration, see our winter updo hairstyles for women over 50.
Making a French twist last all night is about preparation and pins. Start with hair that is not freshly washed, because second-day hair has more grip. Use a texturising spray at the roots before you twist, and use bobby pins that match your hair colour, placed in a criss-cross pattern along the seam of the twist. Finish with a light-hold hairspray, not a heavy one, because a heavy spray can make the twist look stiff and can flake as the evening goes on. Pack a few extra bobby pins in your bag, so you can fix a loose piece in a few seconds, and avoid touching your twist too much once it is set. A good French twist will look better as the evening goes on, because it softens a little and looks more relaxed, which is exactly what you want from a formal hairstyle.
Frequently Asked Questions About French Twist Hairstyles for Winter Formal Events
How do I do a French twist step by step? Brush your hair back smoothly, gather it to one side, and hold it in a low ponytail with one hand, without securing it with a hair tie. Twist the ponytail up and inwards, towards the centre of your head, so it forms a vertical roll. Tuck the ends in at the top, and secure the twist with bobby pins, placing them along the seam where the twist meets your head, in a criss-cross pattern. Gently pull a few pieces loose around your face, and finish with a light-hold hairspray. Practice it at home before your event, and it will take less than five minutes.
Does a French twist work for short hair? Yes, a French twist works for short hair, although the twist will be smaller and the style will be more subtle. Gather your hair to one side, twist it up, and secure it with small bobby pins, tucking the ends in at the top. Use a texturising spray to give the short hair grip, and choose small bobby pins that will not show. It is a brilliant choice if you have a bob or a lob and you want a formal updo without extensions, and it works with a hat or a scarf, because the twist sits flat against your head.
Does a French twist work for long hair? Yes, and long hair gives a French twist the most drama, because the twist is longer, fuller and more sculpted. Gather your hair to one side, twist it up, and secure it with bobby pins, tucking the ends in at the top. Use a strong hair tie at the base if you need extra support, and a light-hold hairspray to keep the twist smooth. If your hair is very thick, ask your stylist to use a few extra pins in a criss-cross pattern, and to leave a few face-framing pieces loose to soften the look.
How do I make a French twist last all night? Start with hair that is not freshly washed, because second-day hair has more grip. Use a texturising spray at the roots, use bobby pins that match your hair colour in a criss-cross pattern along the seam of the twist, and finish with a light-hold hairspray. Pack a few extra bobby pins in your bag, so you can fix a loose piece in a few seconds, and avoid touching your twist too much once it is set. A good French twist will look better as the evening goes on, because it softens a little and looks more relaxed.
Save Your Timeless French Twist Look
French twist hairstyles for winter formal events are proof that some hairstyles never go out of fashion. Whether you choose a classic French twist, a modern soft twist, a twist for short or long hair, or a twist with a pearl pin, a velvet bow or a sparkling comb, the best twist is the one that makes you feel elegant, confident and ready for the evening.
Save the pin below before your next formal event, practice the classic twist at home, and go into the evening knowing your hair will never fail you. The French twist has never once been wrong at a formal event, and it will not be wrong for you either.
Love making your own pins? Try our free Pinterest Caption & Pin Generator to create a pin caption and pin image for your own hair ideas.
Follow Nova Fashion on Pinterest for more hair colour ideas, winter hairstyles and easy everyday looks, and save this guide so you can find your timeless French twist again before your next formal event.
A final note on wearing a French twist in winter is worth remembering, because a French twist is one of the few hairstyles that actually gets better in cold weather. It keeps your hair up and out of the way of your coat collar, it does not get ruined by wind or rain on the walk from the car to the venue, and it looks just as good in a warm, crowded room as it did when you left the house. A loose, down style can be flattened by a coat or frizzed by cold air, but a French twist is secure, sculpted and calm, and it will hold its shape all evening.
It also helps to think about your whole outfit, not just your hair, because a French twist is part of a formal look. A high-necked dress suits a classic twist, because it shows off the neckline and the earrings, while a strapless or off-the-shoulder dress suits a softer twist with face-framing pieces, because the hair frames the shoulders. A velvet dress, which is a classic winter formal choice, looks beautiful with a twist and a velvet bow, and a dark, elegant coat looks beautiful with a twist and a pearl pin. Take a photo of your whole outfit, hair included, a few days before your event, and look at it with fresh eyes. If the hair and the dress are working together, you will see it immediately, and if they are fighting each other, you will have time to change one of them.
Finally, remember that the best formal hairstyle is the one that lets you enjoy the evening. You should not spend the whole night worrying about your hair, checking it in every mirror, or avoiding dancing because you are afraid it will fall out. Choose a French twist you feel confident in, secure it well with bobby pins, pack a few extra pins in your bag, and then forget about it and enjoy the event. Your French twist is timeless, elegant and dance-proof, and the right twist will make you look polished in every photo, from the first drink to the last dance, without you having to think about it at all.
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