Some things, like croissants, beret hats, and the Eiffel Tower, are just inherently French. But no one in history sums up that je ne sais quoi quite like Brigitte Bardot. The blonde beauty was first and foremost an aspiring ballet dancer, but quickly caught the eye of directors and film crews. In the ’60s and ’70s, the beach babe pioneered an ultra-feminine style that was at once ladylike and playfully innocent.

It goes without saying that her famous hair and makeup helped rocket the doe-eyed darling into style icon status. Her cat-eye liner was so noir, you could probably see it from space (a slight exaggeration, of course!). And, whether she was sunning herself in Saint Tropez or at a swanky soiree, you can bet her tresses were voluminous and elicited many oh-la-la’s. Her affinity for ribbons (perhaps an homage to her dancing days?) birthed one of our fave Bardot looks: The half up, half down with a black bow, as seen in Viva Maria. That, paired with a slick winged eye is pretty much the most universally flattering hair-and-makeup combo on the planet (that, we’re not over-exaggerating!). Say “bonjour” to your new signature style! If you don’t think you can pull off the bow, that’s okay! The voluminous bounce paired with pulling a little hair off of your face is a little more wearable for every day. Here’s how it’s done!

1. Start with clean dry hair.
2. Part the hair from your ear straight up on to the top of your head.
3. Part the other side and join them together on top of your head.
4. Use a ponytail holder (same color as your hair or a clear elastic) and secure the small pony on top of your head.
5. Smooth any baby hairs using hairspray and the fine side of your comb.
6. If you don’t need extra hair, skip to step 9! If you do need a little extra umph, part the back of your hair in a horseshoe shape going from ear to ear.
7. Tease the section where you’re going to clip in extensions.
8. Add a clip in track of extensions. We used a extensions that are one shade lighter than our hair to add some demension.
9. This is what it looks like once the ponytail is up and the extensions are in.
10. Add a little thickening spray or setting spray before curling. We used Oribe Thickening Spray.
11. Put all of your hair in rollers. Don’t worry about dents– if you get them you can gently tap them out with a flat iron later.
12. Once the rollers have cooled, remove them and spray a veil of flexible hairspray.
13. Use a soft brush to brush out the curls.
14. For a less “roller set” look, lightly flatiron the ends!

Finish the hair with a little texturizing paste if your hair is super soft or fine, or serum if your hair is more on the dry side.