How to do a French knot, step-by-step

Using both hands, gather your hair and pull it back to the nape of the neck, or where you want the knot to sit. “Hold it with one hand like a ponytail; don’t pull tight — you want some natural volume,” Hong says. If you’re a beginner, you might want to add a hair band here for extra hold.

With your free hand, twist the length of the ponytail outward and upward, away from your face. Keep the twist fairly tight, so it coils up easily.

Form the knot by looping the twisted ponytail up and around the base to create a knot or bun shape. Once you’ve wrapped the twisted hair all the way around, continue wrapping it in the same direction until you reach the end.

Tuck the end of your hair underneath the knot, using your thumb to push the inside of the bun toward the centre. Feel around the knot for any loose ends, and tuck them under the shape you’ve formed. If you used a hair band earlier, you can tuck the ends over or under the hair tie for added hold and security.

Secure the knot with long bobby pins. Insert at least four pins into the knot — one at each quadrant — pushing them in so they cross at the base (forming an X shape). Place additional pins where the knot feels loose, hiding the pins inside of the bun.

Refine the shape. “Gently pull a few face framing pieces or loosen the knot slightly for a softer look if you want it more relaxed. For a formal look, smooth edges with a brush,” Hong says.

To ensure that your French knot will hold, hit it with a light mist of flexible-hold hairspray — “enough to lock the shape without making it stiff.”

Will a French knot work with my hair?

Hong says that a French knot will generally work with any hair type or texture, as long as it’s at least shoulder-length. “Medium to thick textures hold particularly well, but with the right prep and products, finer hair can also achieve the look,” he says. If your hair is naturally straight, adding some simple waves with a hot styling tool may make styling easier.

How to make a French knot last all day

If you’re struggling to form your French knot in a way that feels secure, Hong suggests adding more dry shampoo and lightly teasing the hair. “The biggest mistake is under-prepping the hair,” he says. “If the hair is too soft, silky, or straight, it becomes very difficult to mould. Always build texture before styling.”