Although many hair trends come and go, there’s one look that will never go out of style: a bob haircut. Short hairstyles might be intimidating, but it’s a classic for a reason. Going chin-length is immediately attention-grabbing and puts all the focus on your face; plus, it’s just way less hair to deal with. But of course, no matter how convenient—and cute—short haircuts may be, it’s important to do your research when looking into making a major hair change. Here’s everything you need to know about the trending chop before you make your salon appointment. From the undone bob to the “lob,” there are so many takes on the bob cut that it’s hard to keep up. So what exactly is a bob if there are so many lengths and styles? Generally speaking, a bob is a short hairstyle cut at the neckline, typically going along the jawline, says hairstylist Laurabeth Cabott. In more recent years, however, the bob haircut has evolved, and many stylists consider the shoulder-length lob, or a long bob, to fall within the bob category as well. There is no one “best” length for a bob, since what looks good primarily depends on your own personal taste. “Bobs vary in length and can be longer depending on the desired look,” Cabbott says. “Deciding whether you want a more chic style or something that you’re able to play around with and style differently from day to day can help you determine what length to cut your bob.” If you’re wondering whether a bob haircut will suit your face shape, you’re in luck: Bob haircuts are considered to be one of the most universally flattering styles. “A classic bob haircut, where the length falls between the chin and shoulders, can look great on any face shape,” says celebrity hairstylist Jennifer Korab. “A bob can be customized with different lengths and textures to suit your individual style.” For example, if you have a round face shape, Cabbott says that having a bob can help elongate your features. If you have an oval face, however, Dan Williams, expert hair stylist and colorist, recommends a chin-length, blunt bob with waves. “You’re really going to want to accentuate the texture and pull the hair out a bit to compliment someone’s elongated jaw,” he says. For a heart-shaped face, which is defined as a broad forehead and cheekbones with a narrow jawline and chin, you might want to consider a short bob haircut that flips outward at the jaw. “What works best is a bob or lob-length cut that opens up the area around your narrow jawline,” says Michelle Cleveland, master color expert and owner of Hair Addict Salon. “Avoid short haircuts that close in the chin, such as a graduated bob.” If you have a square or rectangle face, however, celebrity hairstylist Glenn Ellis recommends a shoulder-length French bob or a lob with blunt bangs. “People who have square faces tend to be recommended shorter cuts since longer ones can accentuate the length rather than complement it,” he says. Looking to freshen up your bob haircut with some of the latest trends? Here are some of the bob haircuts that are making waves!
A-line Bob Haircut
The point of the A-line bob haircut is that it has no length restrictions and, at the same time, forms a nicely angled hair body with a flawless framing effect. As the name of the cut suggests, the hair at its front is longer than in the back. In this way, you can have the desired volume at the crown and frame your face with front locks that beautifully highlight your chin.
All-Beautifying Layered Bob
Whether you struggle with your hard-to-tame thick locks or super weak and thin tresses, a layered bob haircut knows how to sort things out. It can bring the needed volume back to thin hair, with its various lengths throughout the hair. And, it will also lighten the texture of thick chevelures, thus bringing it to a decent shape.
Classy Inverted Bob
The medium bob you see above is an inverted bob cut. It’s also known as a graduated or stacked bob, as it features stacked layers on the back. One of its best features is that it’s not as sharp as the A-line bob, but still has a nice round silhouette that works for any face shape.
Blunt & Sharp Bob Haircut
The texture of this layered bob above is changed only at the lower portion, yet, it’s enough to lift up the overall look and give a bit of an edge. Well, no wonder they’re considered the greatest bob haircuts for thin hair of all time: they can reveal the movement you never thought your hair had.
Side-Swept Bob Style
Now we’d like to focus on some common styling tricks that can make your bob even more flattering. This medium bob hairstyle looks so charming and attractive due to the right parting. Sweeping one of the sides is a nice way to get a voluminous and, most importantly, effortless look.
Razored Blonde Chin-Length Bob
This haircut is a sleek and modern blunt bob, cut perfectly straight at the jawline, enhancing a chic, minimalistic style.
Side-Parted Feathered Lob
This hairstyle is a multi-dimensional chocolate brown bob with a gentle inward curl, ideal for softening angular features and enhancing medium to olive skin tones. The subtle layering and side-swept bangs create a sophisticated yet effortless look, perfect for those with a busy lifestyle seeking a low-maintenance, yet stylish haircut.
Blue Colored Sleek Bob
This hairstyle features a bold and vibrant asymmetrical bob with a stunning gradient of electric blue melting into a deep purple at the roots. It’s a statement look that pairs well with cooler skin tones and can bring out the brightness in light or dark eyes, perfect for those wishing to express their personality through vivid hair color.
Two-Toned Blunt Bob
This blunt cut is sleek and stylish and is great if you are growing out your hair. If you want to add some volume, we suggest curling the ends in to softly frame your face. This classy look is created by hair stylist and colorist Sarah Marie and this combination of color and cut is her favorite one, so we can truly believe this is a great choice for any woman.
Messy Layered Hairstyle
A bit of messiness is the secret of absolute harmony in a casual look! And we’d like to share one essential tip: messy looks can’t do without layers. Your hair should have at least a couple of layers on the top. Otherwise, the messy hint will fall in less than an hour. This particular haircut is designed by the renowned stylist Salvador Salcedo, known for crafting haircuts for celebrities. Salvador Salcedo specializes in adding volume and messiness to hair, giving it that effortlessly chic look that’s adored by many.
