The bob haircut’s everlasting appeal comes down to versatility. Its short-to-mid length flatters a range of face shapes, hair textures and styles. While longer and asymmetrical cuts have dominated over the past few years, the bob has also seen a surge. Ongoing interest in the 1990s and Y2K trends certainly helps, as has demand for lower-maintenance haircuts.
By definition, the bob hits between the chin and shoulders, perhaps curling around or flaring out from the jawbone area. It’s short without being a full-on pixie and adds enough length to experiment with texture. Yet while past decades felt defined by one or two types, today’s bob haircut highlights an array of possibilities. Here’s how to try it out.
Retro Bobs
The 1990s bob – straight, curling around the jaw and with minimal layers – is the very definition of wash-and-go hair. At the same time, we’re noticing a revival of the 1920s bob fused with a strong Millennial side part. The result pairs an asymmetrical form with large, more defined waves.
Add Some Shag
The emergence of the wolf cut a couple of years ago brought to light the possibilities of shag textures and the bob was no exception. At the same time, the layers of a pixie cut have found their way to the bob, resulting in a choppier appearance.
More Texture
Despite its versatility, the bob continues to be associated with straight hair. Today’s revival applies it to a greater range of hair types and textures. Use the length to showcase your own natural waves or add some with a medium-barrel curling iron. You can also incorporate fringe with a center part and curtain bangs.
At the same time, those embracing their curls will find that the bob’s shape creates a flattering, face-framing style with minimal maintenance outside of your curly-girl routine.
More Volume
In a nod to the 1980s, layering and back-combing a bob deliver a medium-length cut that’s heavy on volume. In this direction, ask for “stacked” layers – a blunter approach to further amplify this effect.
Rounded and U-Shaped Cuts
The silkier, smoother and almost seamless silhouette cast by the universal U-cut easily fuses with the bob, creating a shorter version that grows out well.
Blunt Bobs
Ultimately, you have two options for a blunt bob. One eliminates the layers completely, opting for a single length with hard edges. Glass hair takes this up a notch with or without layers. It adds defined, razor-sharp edges from all angles with an extra shine and sleekness.
As a variation, a chopped bob adds multiple blunt layers in a tiered, symmetrical formation, perhaps with some shag for texture.
Angles
Angels define the cut being called a “French bob”, a shorter, wedge-shaped variation that fans out from the back of the head to the chin and incorporates some texture.
Flipped
Rather than have the bob’s edges curl around your face, this cut flares them out from the jawline, adding some 1960s inspiration in the process.
Thinking about a bob haircut? Have our team of hair stylists help you try out this shorter length! To schedule an appointment, contact Catherine & Company today.