Which bob is best for you? Here's how to tell which haircut to get at your next salon trip (2024)

FAQs

What is the most flattering bob length? ›

“The most universally flattering bobs will be the slightly longer ones that sit below the jawline,” he explains. These require little styling — just a great hairdryer such as the BaByliss Hydro Fusion Hair Dryer with the diffuser attachment, which allows hair to dry naturally and end up feeling super chic and undone.

4. Haircuts to look younger: A blunt bob. A short, bob style that ends right below the ear (as shown on Kambri Crews above) is not only the perfect low-maintenance haircut that takes 5 minutes to style, it's also ultra-flattering. And pairing it with side-swept bangs brings attention to gorgeous eyes.

“The most popular version of the bob right now is the 'Italian bob,'” Bobby Michael adds. “Say goodbye to matte, beachy waves and hello to sophisticated bounce and shine.” Our advice before going all-in is to find photos of cuts you love and bring them to your hairstylist.

Consider your hair texture and thickness when choosing a bob hairstyle. Some styles may work better on thick hair, while others may suit thin or fine hair. Think about your personal style and the look you want to achieve with your new haircut. Do you want a sleek, polished look or something more casual and relaxed?

Razor-Cut Messy Bob

“Ask for a blunt bob with lots of texturizing throughout, either cut with scissors or a razor,” says Hernandez. To achieve this style, blow-dry your hair straight and curl with a curling iron or flat iron. Use a texturizing spray at the end for airy texture.

"It's got a bouffant crown and it's cut behind the ears. A lot of people with that cut over-style it and that's why it looks like a mom bob. A bob looks chic when it's not over-styled. A mom bob is not cut right.

Jack Miles and Rosie Myers have decades of experience cutting and styling hair. Between them, they have said four types of layers can age someone. These are layers that are too short, layers that are too long, layers that are too uniform, and having too many layers.

What is the most popular haircut for women over 60? We find it hard to choose between the pixie cut and the bob, both of which are very popular with women over 60. Pixie cuts have lots of sass, while the bob is incredibly versatile and can be smooth, feathered, side-parted, or flicked out at the ends.

The answer is surprisingly simple. There's an easy, and we mean easy, way to decide if short hairstyles are in your future. We call it the 2.25 rule. Practically fool proof, this rule states that if the longest part of your chin is less than 2.25 inches from the tip of your earlobe, then short hairstyles are for you.

Box Bob. Offering a more modern take on the most classic bob shape, the box bob is a box-shaped chop with blunt ends, clean lines, and little to no layers. Searches for the cut have also risen by 120% in the past year, according to data collected from Ripe Hair & Beauty, so expect to see more of them—and soon.

What is the new bob haircut called? ›

"The scandi bob is a sharp, blunt cut bob that usually sits just below the chin," says hairdresser and founder of Sta Studios, Samantha Cusick. "It gets its name as it's inspired by Scandinavian aesthetics." Think simple, minimalist hairstyles with clean lines.

"The butterfly bob is a less structured version of a traditional bob," says Wright. This playful and romantic style features heavy layers with shorter pieces that frame the face. The name "butterfly" bob comes from the shorter layers at the front of the hair, which resemble butterfly wings."

The length of a classic bob tends to be one to two inches below the chin but work with your stylist to find the length that suits your features best. The key here is reducing flyaways and ensuring plenty of volume and shape throughout the style.

"Oval face shapes are the most universal for bobs," notes Buckett. "You can do anything from blunt to short or long, and it can be done on any hair type." Bangs, layers, curls, angles—you name it. Here, Yara Shahidi's curly bob incorporates strategic layers to shape her cut while embracing her natural texture.

Chin-Length Bob

The sleek lines frame the face beautifully, bringing attention to your eyes and smile. The cut is low-maintenance and perfect for those looking for a style that's easy to manage but still packs a punch of sophistication.

If you are after a blunt bob or have an oval-shaped face the chin-length bob may be the best choice for you. Speak to your hair stylist about the exact length so your face doesn't appear too long or out of proportion. Adding a fringe to this style can also help mask a long forehead.

A bob can work on any face shape, Appleton explains, but added that an oval face shape is ideal for the classic. If you have a square face, he suggests going even shorter and for round faces, he recommends keeping the length longer.

"A blunt bob works wonders for thin hair"

One thing about the blunt bob is that it creates the illusion of more volume - which is great news for anyone with fine or thin hair. Whereas layers take away from fullness, a defined edge will remove any wispy-looking, thin ends.