Yahoo

Finance

60 Bob Haircut Ideas to Try in 2024

 

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 always 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.

What is a bob haircut?

From the undone bob to the “lob,” there are so many takes on the bob cut, 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.”

Which bob haircut is best for my face shape?

If you’re worried 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 hairstylist 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 complement 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 squarer faces tend to be recommended shorter cuts since longer ones can accentuate the length rather than complement it,” he says.

How to maintain a bob haircut

Finally, there’s bob haircut maintenance: Is it really as much upkeep as it seems like? Depending on your long-term hair plans, including whether you’re planning to grow your hair out, you might not need to do any more than regular trims. But if you want to keep your hair at a consistent length, then there is definitely upkeep for your bob style.

“Having a bob requires some maintenance,” celebrity hairstylist Dimitris Giannetos reiterates. “This means getting regular haircuts and/or dusting off your ends every four to six weeks to keep the look fresh.” That doesn’t mean it’s an overall high-maintenance style, though. “Your hair is already cut into the style, so you have to do is wash, blow-dry, and style as desired,” he says.

Feeling inspired? From trendy cuts to tried and true classics, see 60 bob haircut ideas ahead.

Classic Bob

The classic bob is quite literally the blueprint, so it’s nearly impossible to go wrong. “I will always vouch for a classic bob cut. With a classic bob haircut, the length falls between the chin and shoulders. I love this length because it can look great on any face shape,” says Giannetos. “The beauty of the bob is that it can be versatile. I personally love the look of a classic, clean, and even-lengthed bob.”

Blunt Bob

“We’ve seen a good amount of celebs and It girls chop off their length in favor of a fun, short cut that clears the shoulders. It’s a playful and often drastic change, but also has an air of sophistication,” says hairstylist Cherilyn Farris. One such example is Saoirse Ronan, who just debuted her own short, sharp chop. This style looks the best on thin hair.

French Bob

According to Giannetos, the trending French bob is a shorter bob with feathered, face-framing layers. “This would be considered a less structured version of a traditional bob,” he says. “I think that Megan Fox is a perfect recent example of how to truly rock this look.” Try the look with a fiery hair color to make a bold statement.

’90s Supermodel Bob

One of the most popular bob haircuts of this year? The ’90s supermodel bob. “The cut has the line and length of the bob, but the top layers have much more texture, so it’s lighter on top and easier to flip around,” says celebrity hairstylist Marc Mena, who says that ’90s supermodel bob is the easiest—and chicest—way to instantly add volume and texture to short hair.

Italian Bob

Known for its airiness and styling ease, the Italian bob is the French bob’s European cousin. As for how it’s different? It’s longer and bouncier with more layers, a look Giannetos created for Meredith Duxbury’s blonde bob and wavy hair.

Sliced Bob

Authentic Beauty Concept advocate and celebrity hairstylist Justin Toves-Vincilione points to the sliced bob as another chic bob to consider. “It makes a huge statement with its strong, blunt shape and dense ends,” he says. “This haircut is similar to a blunt bob, but left even chunkier on the ends to maximize the illusion of volume and density. This look can work for all hair types but is best for individuals with thick hair.”

Butterfly Bob

The butterfly bob is another especially on-trend chop, which Maxine Salon hairstylist Jenna Spino, defines as “heavily layered and feathered, featuring shorter layers on top of the head and through the crown.” These shorter layers slightly resemble butterfly wings, hence the cut’s cute name.

“The short layers on top are blended through to longer layers on the bottom. The shorter layers fall at or below the chin, and the longer layers fall just past the shoulders,” Spino says of the chop. As a result, this adds tons of texture, movement, and volume to the hair.

The ‘Petit’ Bob

Dubbed the sassy sister to the French girl bob, the “petit bob” is a great option for those growing out a severe crop, says celebrity hairstylist and Evo Hair international color creative director Tom Smith.

“It creates angles and contours, which is exactly what the awkward stages of growing out short hair lack,” he says. “If your hair texture is finer or has thinned out over time, this cut is one of the best cuts you could opt for to increase the visual thickness and bulk of your hair.”

Blunt Lob

Looking for something a little bit longer? A blunt, long bob still makes a statement without sacrificing too much length and is especially flattering for fine hair. Pair it with a deep side part, as seen on Mindy Kaling.

“Ideal on those with wider, rounder, or heart-shaped faces, the long bob has been getting more popular throughout the year and the final evolution of this shape has straightener sides and softer ends,” Smith says. “This is almost reaching a ‘short’ long haircut thanks to the lack of blunt lines.”

Shaggy Lob

Another option is a shaggy lob, which combines the sleek length of lob with the shag’s face-framing layers for a voluminous and edgy style.

“Soft layers to long hair can help balance out the width of the cheekbones and create a more proportional look,” says Ellis. “Layers can be added throughout the length of the hair, or specifically around the face.”

Cool-Girl Bob

Equal parts edgy, feminine, and low-maintenance, the cool-girl bob is very much giving lazy-hot-girl hair in all the best ways. “The cool girl bob is effortless and a tiny bit longer in the front than the rest for subtle dimension,” says celebrity hairstylist Mara Roszak, founder of hair care line RÅ�z, who created the look for Emma Stone.

For your own chop, Roszak advises taking a photo of the cool-girl bob to your stylist, as well as requesting the length in front be a little longer than the rest of your hair. Think A-line bob, but more chic. “Ask for definition and effortless movement,” she reiterates.

Preppy Bob

“The ultimate hairstyle is the ’90s-inspired preppy bob,” says celebrity hairstylist Kieron Justin, who points to Hailey Bieber’s chop as a prime example of the look. “Not only is it one of the most on-trend haircuts at the moment, but it is also versatile and wearable.” It’s also especially low-maintenance and versatile, he adds. “This staple look can go from natural to chic in seconds and is suitable for most hair textures.”

‘Bixie’ Bob

“I’m seeing a lot of celebrities opting for shorter, piecey layered and textured shapes,” adds Justin. “We’ve seen it happening a lot on the runway, and then it filtered into mainstream with the return of the iconic pixie and the bixie, which is a combination of the bob and pixie.”

French Lob

If the French bob is a little too short or dramatic for your taste, you can test the waters with a French lob. Ellis especially loves this medium-length haircut for people with square and rectangle face shapes. “I recommend shoulder-length or shorter,” he says. “A nice lob is great or even a shorter French bob.”

Flipped Bob

Ideal for heart-shaped faces and anyone looking to open up the area around their jawline, the shoulder-length flipped-out bob is supercute, retro, and flattering.

Undone Bob

Essentially a more lived-in and textured take on the French bob, the undone bob is chic, edgy, and shockingly low-maintenance. It’s no wonder so many celebrities are obsessed: Hailey Bieber, Aubrey Plaza, Kourtney Kardashian Barker, Sabrina Elba, and more have all rocked undone bobs over the past few months.

Side-Swept Bob

When the millennial side part meets Old Hollywood waves, you get the retro sideswept bob—and it’s perfection. A go-to style for Laura Harrier, this look is flattering for all hair types and face shapes.

Chopped Bob

Wednesday star Jenna Ortega debuted this choppy bob that is set to be a huge style. Hairstylist David Stanwell, who created the textured bob, told Glamour UK, “Even though it’s choppy and maybe razored, make sure it still has balance and symmetry.”

Wolf-Cut Bob

The wolf cut was a breakout style in 2022 and shows no sign of slowing down. The bob version is a softer take on the shag haircut that relies on long and choppy layers to frame the face.

Sideswept Lob

If you don't want to lose too much length, this long bob is a great alternative. For some variety, keep your bangs long so you can sweep them to the side when needed.

Rounded Curly Bob

Embrace your natural volume with a rounded cloudlike cut. Use a lightweight cream like JVN Air Dry Cream to help retain shape and tame frizz.

Bobby Pin Bob

An asymmetrical bob looks extra edgy dressed up with bobby pins. Hairstylist Lacy Redway created this intricate design, tucking hair behind the ear for Sarah Paulson’s short bob.

Coily Bob

Keeping your natural curls healthy and hydrated is key. A curl cream like Pattern Beauty Styling Cream or leave-in conditioner like Adwoa Melonberry Hair Milk can be used on both wet and dry hair to condition strands.

Streaky Bob

Mix and match hair dyes to enhance the texture of your bob. To create this look, hairstylist Maggie Phan used a combination of Schwarzkopf Professional salon colors to layer bright orange onto navy.

Shaggy Bangs 

Some bright blonde highlights and long, shaggy curtain bangs make for a very 2023 twist on the bob.

Emo Bob 

Kourtney Kardashian’s angled bob is the perfect complement to her new edgy style.

Outgrown Bob 

The outgrown bob—or hair that falls somewhere between a bob and a lob—is the perfect length for the indecisive. It’s still short enough to pass as a bob but leaves you with the option to pull your hair back if you please. It’s also the perfect first step to going even shorter. Try it with an ombré dye job.

Sharp Curly Bob 

Curls also look great in a sharp bob. It’s all about playing up angles. And don’t forget the wispy bangs, which add even more visual interest. (That’s right, the side part isn’t going anywhere, no matter the discourse around it.)

One-Length Bob 

If you want a low-maintenance look, something like Margot Robbie’s cut is your best bet. “Depending on the texture of your hair, I find that a one-length bob just above the shoulders is easiest to style—the haircut should do the styling for you,” Brown says.

Layered Bob 

When it comes to curls, it’s all about layering. “Curly bobs can easily become too wide if a light, long layer isn’t created within the bob line,” Brown says. Have your stylist take some weight out of the main bob line to help it lay effortlessly while still maintaining the overall shape.

Pushed-Back Bob Braids 

Pushed-back hair is effortlessly cool. This breezy look is perfect if you’re looking for something simple and low-maintenance.

Rounded Bob

The rounded bob is certainly having a moment—Kim, Khloé, and Kylie have all tried the style on for size. “A rounded bob is fantastic because it flatters nearly every face shape,” says Andrew Fitzsimons, celebrity hairstylist, who loves this cut for its retro look. The best length, he says, depends on which features you want to highlight.

Side-Parted Bob

A soft side part can make a blunt bob seem less harsh than a middle part would.

Drama Bob 

Kaia Gerber showed off her classic bob on Instagram and aptly labeled it the Drama Cut, probably because it pulls all the attention to her face and has a vintage Hollywood vibe.

Cropped Bob

A super-short bob looks incredibly chic slicked back behind your ears.

Box-Braid Bob

There are endless ways to style a braided bob hairstyle. One of our favorites? Add multicolored beads to the ends to give the overall look a younger, more playful vibe.

Shaggy Lob 

Shag haircuts are still going strong for 2023, and it’s not hard to see why. “Depending on your hair texture, the shag is a cut that can be worn extremely messy or seamlessly straight,” says stylist Anh Co Tran. The cut looks amazing with just about every length and texture, but as Taylor Swift shows here, it’s particularly excellent with a few rough waves that hit right above the collarbone.

Asymmetrical Bob 

To play up the proportions of this short curly bob, slick one side behind your ear as Taraji P. Henson did.

Modern Diana 

If Spencer has you thinking about a Diana-inspired chop, you’re not alone. Ryan Trygstad, celebrity hairstylist and cofounder of New York’s Mark Ryan Salon, says he’s been giving his clients a modern take on the princess’s iconic haircut. “It’s such a fresh look and exudes confidence and style,” he says. “The cut itself is a mixture of a very short layered bob edging toward a pixie.”

Bettie Page Bangs 

Some micro-mini bangs pair perfectly with a sharp cut. Play with varying lengths, styles, and textures to make it your own.

Piecey Bob 

Lucy Boynton’s piecey ends create such a cool voluminous look. To get a similar texture, ask your stylist to use a razor on the ends of your hair.

Sharp Bob 

“I think the best haircuts for women will be all about structure,” Riawna Capri, co-owner of Nine Zero One in LA, told us earlier this year. She says to expect more sleek styles of all lengths, as well as “more blunt, thick lines in haircuts.”

Curved Bob 

Although J.Lo’s rounded ends look incredibly cool, they also serve a purpose. “Bobs that lay right on or just past the shoulder are going to be the most work, since it’s tough to prevent your hair from flipping out on your shoulders,” Brown says. “Round-brushing or flatironing your hair under will help fight the flip.”

Sleek Bob 

A chin-grazing cut is perfect for showing off your cheekbones, and it gives you ease to stretch out your haircuts if you’re hoping to go to your stylist less. 

Wavy Bob

Rihanna’s cool wet-look waves are edgy and feminine at the same time. This is an ideal look for anyone who prefers air-drying their hair.

Rounded Bob

A chin-skimming length and subtly flipped-under ends feels so fresh and pretty. It’s perfect for pairing with a middle part.

Extra-Short Bob 

If you have straight hair, Brown recommends a super-blunt cut like Saoirse Ronan’s, since it will be the easiest to style.

Fulani Braids Bob

Fulani braids don’t have to be long. As Danai Gurira proves, they look incredible when they hit just above your shoulders. Flared ends make the style even cooler.

The Shiv

While you wait for season four of Succession, why not go for the Shiv—the shoulder-grazing bob haircut Sarah Snook’s character, Shiv Roy, got in order to represent her newfound power in her dad’s billion-dollar media company. What sets it apart is its slightly off-kilter length (a little longer on one side than the other), and its ability to go from tousled (as seen here) to sharp and slick, like in the show, says Snook’s hairstylist Helen Reavey.

Pink Tips

Never one to follow the crowd, Charli XCX makes a bob her own with thick bangs and cool dipped ends. This is a perfect way to experiment with a pop of color.

Shaggy Bob 

Channel the ’70s with a choppy lob and plenty of salt spray. The shaggy bob and lob are also perfect for people with round, oval, and heart-shaped faces.

Full Curls 

Size does matter, and when it comes to curly hair, stylists agree that bigger is better. “Together, the length and shape of the cut help to build really stunning volume for natural girls,” says César DeLeön RamiÌ‚rez, Mizani global artistic director and celebrity stylist. On Kerry Washington, her hair’s soft rounded shape sets this apart from your average lob.

Platinum Bob

An extreme blond dye job and a super-sharp bob like Michelle Williams’s are a match made in heaven. We especially love the Old Hollywood wave.

New-Wave Bob 

Make like Dakota Johnson, and add in Birkin bangs for a bohemian ’60s feel. It’s giving French girl bob…but with a twist.

Side Swoop

An extreme side swoop adds some classic glam to a shorter cut. This is ideal for anyone who’s having trouble saying goodbye to their side bangs.

Mini Curtain Bangs 

Going shorter with your length? That means you can get away with shorter bangs. Have your stylist cut the same shape as classic curtain bangs, but ask for them to hit by your brows instead of your cheekbones.

’90s Crop 

Emma Roberts’s hairstylist Chris McMillan (and the man behind Jennifer Aniston’s iconic Rachel cut) called this short chop a hairline bob, probably because it looks so good slicked back. Paired with sunnies and stripes, it’s giving us total Winona Ryder in Reality Bites vibes.

Baby Bangs 

A short and choppy fringe that falls just above your browline amps up the edge on a blunt bob. Just know it’s a style that requires a lot of upkeep. 

Tapered Bob 

This is a perfect example of a bob haircut that can be styled both straight or wavy, Brown says. Ask your stylist for a blunt chin-length bob with a slight angle that’s longer in the front to get a similar look.

Multicolor Bob Braids

If you’re one of those people who can’t decide what color you want to do your hair, why not do multiple? Amandla Stenberg’s chin-length brown, black, and red braids are great inspiration.