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Beyoncé’s old Hollywood bob is the coolest way to wear short hair this autumn

Beyoncé has spoken, and the Old Hollywood bob is officially — and literally — the biggest haircut trend for autumn 2024.

Queen Bey proved this herself at the US GLAMOUR Women of the Year Awards 2024. Attending in support of her mother, Miss Tina Knowles, even Beyoncé couldn’t help but shed a tear (or a few) during her mum’s acceptance speech. As a beauty writer, however, I couldn’t keep my eyes off Beyoncé's larger-than-life bob haircut (well, and the fact that her makeup stayed perfectly in-place despite her crying).

Beyoncé’s take on the trend isn’t the first we’ve seen this season. In the past few weeks alone, Sabrina Carpenter has worn a Marilyn Monroe–inspired Old Hollywood bob, Kendall Jenner has chopped her “old money” blonde hair into a lob, and Sydney Sweeney wore the style for her US GLAMOURamouramour Woman of the Year cover shoot. Clearly, the Old Hollywood bob isn’t just trending, but is here to stay.

“We’re seeing a resurgence of Old Hollywood and vintage-inspired haircuts because there’s a craving for timeless elegance and glamour,” Helen Reavey, celebrity hairstylist, certified trichologist, and founder of of Act+Acre, tells GLAMOUR. “With the fast pace of trends today, many are drawn to these iconic styles that evoke a sense of nostalgia and sophistication. It’s versatile and polished while still standing out."

While the Old Hollywood bob is having a moment, it’s not the first history-inspired hair trend of the year: In February, GLAMOUR reported that big hair was making a comeback, as inspired by icons like like Brigitte Bardot, Donna Summer, Dolly Parton, Diana Ross, Tina Turner, and Cindy Crawford. Unsurprisingly, Beyoncé was one of the present-day pioneers; it’s just that now we’re opting for shoulder-length for fall and wintertime.

“A lot of people are looking for more versatile styles that can be easily adapted for different occasions, and longer bobs and mid-length cuts offer more styling options,” says Reavey. “It’s a great in-between length — short enough to feel fresh but long enough to be styled in curls or waves. As we head into cooler months, people also want the flexibility of pulling hair back or layering it under scarves and coats."

Also of note? A mid-length lob like this is great for all face shapes and hair types, so you really can’t go wrong. “What makes this haircut so major is that almost every hair type, texture, and face shape can wear this style with a lot of ease,” says Gregory Patterson, celebrity stylist and DIY expert at Sally Beauty.

And of course, it doesn’t hurt that it looks so chic. “It says ‘Material Girl,’ or in the vintage sense, ‘Diamonds are a Girl’s Best Friend,’” Amy Abramite, creative director and stylist at Maxine Salon, says of the look’s evolution over the past few months. She’s right on point, too: Carpenter’s own Old Hollywood bob look was inspired by both Marilyn Monroe and Madonna.

“It’s velvety, ultrafemme, and touts high end luxury,” Abramite continues. “It looks glossy, feels silky, and comes with an expensive price tag, just like the woman who’s wearing it.”

Of course, nostalgic fashion and beauty-cycling is forever a constant, and as celebrity master hairstylist Clariss Rubenstein points out, Old Hollywood–inspired beauty is “something that has consistently shown up on the red carpet.” The main difference this time? “Some stars are now bringing it to more of their regular look,” she says.

In fact, some pros don’t even classify this look as particularly Old Hollywood or retro, proving that it’s versatile enough to wear everyday — even for non-celebs. “For me, this cut itself isn’t vintage. It’s more of an everyday, all-day mid-length cut that works for a lot of hair types and textures, and what gives it that vintage vibe is the styling,” says Patterson. You can especially see this with the way Kendall Jenner has been styling hers.

What’s more, variations on both the bob and lob have always been around. “Every now and then it has a big moment, adding different elements depending on the trend, such as bangs, angle of cut, or layers,” she says. “A lob is a great way for the long-haired girlies to get a different look without going for the full chop.”

Feeling inspired? Here’s what to ask for at the salon. “The haircut is a long bob with or without bangs and long layers for volume and movement,” says Abramite. “While the haircut shape is important, the heat styling is where the vintage glamour is created.”

While lobs are known for working well with all face shapes, you can also customise the length accordingly. “One of the great things about these vintage-inspired cuts, especially the lob, is that they can be tailored to suit almost any face shape," says Reavey. “A longer bob with a slight wave or a side-part can soften angular features, while a sleek, straight lob elongates rounder face shapes."

In terms of hair types, Reavey says that these cuts work best on hair with some texture — fine to medium thickness. “However, if you have very thick or curly hair, working with layers or thinning techniques can help achieve the look without adding bulk,” she says.

Finally, there’s styling — which depends on the look you’re going for. For this look to shine, it’s important to heat-protect, hydrate, and infuse moisture into your hair to ensure those curls have the bounce they need, so jaws will drop as you walk past,” says Patterson. “Fall is the time to get cosy with your self-care routine, and really lean in to your hydration masks and add some steam or heat for deeper penetration.”

His advice? “To lock in moisture and hydrate your hair while you repair any damage from the summer sun, try an intense hydration mask," he says. And use a heat protectant.

Once your hair is prepped, Abramite says, the secret to unlock this look is to go old-school. “The look can be created with a blow-dryer and a round brush, hot rollers, Velcro rollers or a curling iron,” she says.

“Section the hair and use a large-barrel curling iron or hot rollers to create soft, structured waves,” Reavey says. “Brush through the curls gently using a boar-bristle brush to give the waves a smooth finish. You can always add a lightweight curl spray like Act + Acre Cold Processed Curl Spray to enhance the waves and add a defined, glossy look without weighing down the hair.” Finally, finish with flexible hairspray for a touchable hold.