InStyle

Hair

30 Bob Haircuts for Any Face Shape

 

Angled, with bangs, tousled with beach waves, or super sleek and straight, you'd be surprised just how many different ways you can wear a bob haircut. Its versatility, along with the fact that it looks good on every face shape, is likely why it's one of the most popular haircuts of the past five years.

"A bob length can vary from jaw length to just off shoulder," Jenny Balding, the co-owner of the Cutler Salon x Arlo SoHo salon in New York City, says. "This means it is very versatile for all hair textures and face shapes, therefore it has become very popular again."

As far as celebrity fans go, the flattering cut is definitely well received, and can be seen on everyone from Victoria Beckham and Doris Day, to Sarah Paulson.

As for the biggest bob trend right now, Jenna Spino, Stylist at Maxine Salon in Chicago says it's the sharp bob. "The sharp bob typically has ends that align with a straight edge," she explains. "This effortlessly chic bob has super clean lines and not many layers if at all. It can be straight or angled. The length is somewhere between the chin to just above the shoulder. I love this haircut because it works well with any face shape and every hair texture. The blunt bottom emphasizes the jaw area, being extremely flattering to every wearer."

If short hair is in the cards for you, you're in luck, too. We pulled together this roundup of 31 bobs for your reference. Keep scrolling for proof that it works for each and every face shape.

Super Short with Textured Bangs

Naomi Campbell's super short bob with bangs is an edgy look. "I love it styled straight and sleek showing off the clean lines," says Spino. "I also love that her bangs are textured, it softens the bob and shows off her eyes."

Sleek and Straight

A precise center part, along with a straight style, draws attention to Lucy Hale's dimensional hair color and dark roots.

Asymmetrical Chin-Length

For this look, Charlize Theron's celebrity hairstylist, Adir Abergel decided to create a deep side-part in Theron's hair. On one side, he created four tiny braids, while the other side highlighted her shiny chin-length bob.

Flipped Out

Lucy's flippy bob is styled by flipping the hair out away from her face, opening it up. "It's great having the option to sometimes flip up the bottom of the bob instead of the typical under curl," says Spino.

Tousled Waves

The beauty of Alexa Chung's waves is that they're perfectly undone. Like bedhead, but better.

Flipped In

By curving the ends of your bob in towards your chin and styling it sleek and straight, you can completely transform the look of your haircut. Exhibit A: Regina King.

Blunt Bangs

On the shorter side of the bob spectrum, Kat Graham's chic haircut hits right above the chin. This length also looks amazing with a set of full, blunt bangs.

Short Bangs

Zendaya's short, textured bob with bangs is super cool. "Bangs draw attention to the face—with her bangs being cut short it opens up her face. This can be a more aggressive look, giving her some edge," says Spino.

Tucked Back

She's worn her bob is so many different styles and even colors, but we're digging this slicked back, wet look.

Shaggy Waves

"Jennifer Lawrence shaggy textured bob is one of my favorite bobs because it's very low maintenance and works well on mostly everyone," says Spino. "It can be styled many ways, air dried, straight, curled, waved. It's extremely versatile and easy to wear while still trendy."

A Little Dazzle

Emma Roberts accessorized her chin-length cut by pulling back a section of hair with a barrette.

Voluminous

Jane Fonda adds texture and volume to her bob with lots of layers and loose bended waves.

Layered and Curly

Tracee Ellis Ross's curly layered bob is the perfect cut for curly girls. "This bob is very layered giving it the round shape and enhancing her curls with volume in all the right places," says Spino. "The look is soft but trendy."

Half Up, Half Down

A half-up, half-down hairstyle on a bob draws even more attention to your jawline and the mod bluntness of the cut.

Side-Swept

So blunt bangs aren't your thing? Go for a side-swept version that blends into the layers of your hair, similar to Vanessa Hudgens.

Retro

Julianne Hough's bob is just like the shag, but much shorter. She paired her textured chop with piece-y, wispy bangs.

Lob

Olivia Wilde is picture proof that you can't go wrong with a wide-brim hat and a bob.

Deep Side Part

A deep side-part creates the illusion of side-swept fringe, in case you're not ready to fully commit.

Afro

Taraji P. Henson showed off her bob in her gorgeous natural curly texture.

Angled Cut

Your prime example of an updated angled bob, Jenna Dewan's bob is ever so slightly longer in the front than the back.

Short and Sweet

Amandla Stenberg wore her wavy bob with the cutest set of wavy baby bangs.

Brushed Back

Changing up the standard side-part, Emilia Clarke brushed the other section of her bob back, creating volume at the crown.

Loose Waves

They key to acing Hailey Baldwin's tousled bob is with a curling iron and a dry texturizing spray. Just don't forget to separate the curls before spritzing in your product.

S-Waves

Even as your bob starts to grow, bangs will continue to be the ultimate accessory. Case in point: Mila Kunis and her S-waves.

Old Hollywood Glam

You can never go wrong with a classic smooth and voluminous blowout.

Curtain Bangs

Beyoncé's boy bob or box bob with mini curtain bangs is a throwback to the 90s. "This cut typically has no layers and sits right around the jaw," says Spino. "I love using natural textures to enhance the boy bob. It can be an easy wash and wear cut. This works well for Beyoncé's face shape sitting right at her jaw and her thick hair shows off the blunt bottom."

Blunt and Wet

Margot Robbie's wet-looking bob has the perfect blunt ends.

Asymmetrical Waves

Flipping your hair over to one side can create a different gradation in length. One example? Jane Krakowski and her wavy, full-looking bob.

Sleek with Flipped Ends

Olivia Culpo played with two completely different finishes in this hairstyle: glossy and sleek on top, and shiny and smooth on the bottom.

Center Part and Waves

Volume, waves, and a center part? It's an all-around win, Jourdan Dunn.