french curl

A braid that stops halfway and leaves a curl. Braided at the top, curled from the middle down.

Family: Braided base, curled ends
Chair time: 4-8 hrs
Range: $250–350
Lasts: 4–6 weeks

the BASICS

French curl braids are knotless braids with a soft curl left at the end, usually from the middle of the length down. The curly hair is added as the braid finishes, so the top reads clean and the bottom reads loose.

It's close to boho and it isn't the same thing. Boho leaves curls loose along the whole braid, french curl braids all the way and then releases into a curl. Salons list both, separately.

It came up through French and West African braiders and moved fast, which is why the name is French but the technique is not new.

The curl is the whole style, and the curl is also the fragile part. Handled too much it loses its shape well before the braid does.

Neat at the root, soft at the ends.

the VARIATIONS

french curl braids

the technique: Knotless braid down the upper half of each strand, then stops — pre-curled silky extensions flow from there.
the feel: Structured on top, weightless at the ends. Silky curl needs gentle handling.

install

4–8 h

SF baseline

$250–350

french curl twists

the technique: Same voluminous silky curl, but on a two-strand rope twist base instead of a three-strand braid.
the feel: Rounder, rope-like near the scalp. Half the take-down time of the braided version.

install

4–7 h

SF baseline

$230–330

french curl bob

the technique: Braided shaft stops higher on the head so most of the visible hair is silky curl. Length ends at the collarbone or shoulder.
the feel: Light. Curl-forward. Frames the face. Almost no braided section visible.

install

3-5h

SF baseline

$200-300

the UPKEEP

washEvery three weeks. Diluted shampoo on the scalp, let it run down, don't scrub the curls.

sleepSatin scarf or bonnet every night. Loose curls on cotton is how they frizz.

lastsFour to six weeks. Around six, the curls have had their moment.

edgesLight oil on the scalp and edges only. Never on the curls, it weighs them down.

who DOES it · sf

We're still sourcing braiders for this style — check back soon.