Having trouble finding the hairstyle that’s “you”?
Well guess what? Exploring a trendy bob may just be just what you’ve been looking for. It’s easy to care for plus it helps to bring out the best the features your face has to offer.
Of course the versatile bob cut hasn’t been exactly scorching hot since former Spice Girl Victoria Beckham wowed everyone back in 2007. Which is the history of this iconic style. It’s had its “ups and downs”.
That’s because from time to time there is a huge surge of interest and it comes roaring back. During a bob revival everyone has to have the look and does. Had the 2013 remake of the Great Gatsby been more successful it might have triggered just such a revival since it put romantic bob hairstyles in the spotlight. Again.
Yet that’s not to say we aren’t asking our stylists about one of the many bob styles. We are. It’s just that it’s not the “it” style it once was, has been or will be again.
A bob is now simply a sleek way to style your hair shorter. Just not the hottest way do to so. So what?
Or as one person put it, this classic but chic cut is like the little black dress of hairstyles. It can be sexed up with accessories or left unadorned. Yet none of that changes the timelessness of the look.
Besides it’s a great cut if you want to maximize styling versatility with minimal fuss. (Short hair braids anyone?) Which I guess you could say makes it ultra practical.
So if you are feeling a bit daring and are looking for a shorter style, then a bob might be a great choice.
Bombshell Bobs
Okay so we agree that if you want to make a statement, impact or get attention this is your hairstyle. Which may be why most of us have requested one of the short bob hairstyles at some point in our lives. Or will.
It’s also a look of many guises and shades of difference. You get a versatile, easy to manage haircut. One that can create the illusion of fullness making it a great cut for fine hair. It can also look sleek and picture perfect. Or it can be controlled yet curly.
As the defining hairstyle of the 1920’s this cut has its roots in women’s independence. And being low maintenance leaves you free to worry about other things than your hair.
Still no overview of this style would be complete without at least touching on some of your options.
A Line or Blunt
The fashionable A-Line or classic blunt bob is instantly ready even if you aren’t. The straight across bang up front and consistent length all around is the classic look.
This style of bob is usually cut evenly using scissors. Since it is a great way to add the appearance of volume it is favored by those with fine hair.
Razoring the ends can minimize the bluntness with a hint of softness. Trimming the tips like this can cut down on the weight but also opens your hair up to frizzing and split ends. So weigh your options carefully. You know if you hair is prone to splits and frizz.
Day to day styling couldn’t be easier however. Air drying is fine. Or blow dry using a round brush to bend the ends in oh so slightly.
Asymmetrical
“Edgy” is a word you often see associated with an asymmetrical bob. Gorgeous would be another. You’ll know this cut because it offers different length hair on either side.
It’s short in the back and then extra-long on one side up front. That’s right. Asymmetrical bobs typically are cut short in back and leave you with the hair around your face descending past your chin. The result? A cut like this both lengthens and slims your face.
Styling is simple. Blow dry in a downward direction using a paddle brush to give your strands a sleek look.
Inverted
If you have stick straight hair you can’t go wrong with an inverted bob. This look leaves you with hair that is longer in the front and shorter in back as well. It doesn’t look much like the iconic blunt bob which has hair of the same length all around your head.
How your inverted bob is cut is open with possibilities.
You can walk out of the salon with layers of curls or straight asymmetrical layers.
It can be center parted or side parted.
Bangs are optional.
Usually all the trimming is done with a razor. Leaving you with locks that are clipped short at the nape of the neck while lengthening towards the front giving you a stylish layered look.
Even though bangs are optional, they are often used to cap off the overall effect.
Graduated
The graduated or stacked bob is said to be versatile wedge type hairstyle that’s shorter in the back. It works with most any hair texture, yet is a great way to add volume to thin or fine hair especially at the crown. Which makes sense given all the layers in this cut. It also works great with thicker haired girls though too.
Actually a stacked bob is simply a graduated bob by another name. It’s similar to an inverted bob only in this case the hair in the back is full of short, tightly graduated layers to give it a polished and fashionable flair. The blended layers are literally stacked on themselves. And it’s these layers that are used to create the distinctive shape of this particular bob while piling on the body.
You’ll often see bangs on a graduated bob. But the style works with or without them.
When it comes to styling, this is a carefree look. No heavy duty styling skills needed with this one either.
The Face of Things to Come
After that teaser, have you settled on a bob to transform our tresses?
Well before you let your stylist get too scissor happy take a good hard look at your face in the mirror. You’ll need to face facts. Not every bob is tailor made for every face shape.
But don’t despair. There is likely one that will have you looking all hot and sexy in no time.
Square Face
The Look: Both broader jaw and forehead.
The Locks to Get: Try a graduated bob. Short in the back and swings longer in the front.
The Logic Behind Why It Works: The softening layers that skim past your jawline help to balance your face and make your jawline recede from view.
Bob Don’ts: Any bob that features a wedge or strong angular lines like asymmetrical.
The Low Down: Such a cut puts emphasis on your jawline creating a bit of a boxy look. That’s the last thing you want to do.
Heart Shaped
The Look: Wider forehead with a narrow tapering chin.
The Locks to Get: Try a lob or long bob with ends just gracing your collar bones. Think a couple inches below your chin.
The Logic Behind Why It Works: This lengthens your look by framing your face. Any added length in front will also highlight your cheekbones.
Bob Don’ts: Anything with center part or a blunt bang.
The Low Down: Such a part calls attention to your forehead. Not what you want.
Round
The Look: Wider in the middle with a rounded chin.
The Locks to Get: A layered cut that extends beyond your chin. A piecy side swept fringe is a good addition.
The Logic Behind Why It Works: Layers falling below your chin create the illusion of length.
Bob Don’ts: Chin length bobs.
The Low Down: Strands cut too short draws unwanted attention to those fuller cheeks that are characteristic of round faces.
Long
The Look: Reach from your hairline to your chin.
The Locks to Get: Any bob that adds width is more flattering. Which means shop from the shorter bob list. Side swept bangs would be a flattering accent.
The Logic Behind Why It Works: The bangs and added width are face slimming.
Bob Don’ts: A chin length bob and a middle part are not a dynamic combo for you.
The Low Down: Such cuts elongate your face nicely.
Bob Upkeep
By definition a bob is a cut that falls above the shoulders. While bob hairstyles are low on upkeep that doesn’t mean they need no upkeep. Yet the bare essential styling products come down to shampoo and conditioner.
Using the proper shampoo, one formulated for your hair type, can help your locks stand out for all the right reasons. When you have less hair on display this obviously becomes more important too.
Don’t go blow dryer crazy either. This applies to all hair types I know. But it never hurts to be reminded of the fact you want to squeeze as much water you can out of your mane before firing up the blow dryer to finish the job.
Should you need to amp up the volume you can sprinkle the roots with dry shampoo and tousle that in using your fingers.
Styling Possibilities
To get a perfectly straight bob you’ll want to blow dry and then flat iron in the smoothness for a sharp looking finish.
Still if you are styling challenged right now, let’s cue up the video. This one offers the mother lode of styling possibilities. Answering the question “What can I do with a bob haircut to make it look different?”
Quick & Easy Hairstyles for Short Bobbed Hair
Changing up your bob is possible. In fact as this video shows it can often be accomplished in four bobby pins or less. So if you are stuck for quick and easy ways to effortlessly get a new look keep watching. You’ll get some things you can try other than extensions to broaden your hair style horizons.
If you have short hair anything you do to your bangs is going to look like a different style. Pinning them straight back and off your face gives you a different way to wear your bob. It looks different. It comes off as if you did something with your hair that is different. Must be different.
A variation is to twist your hair off your face.
Pulling as much hair as you can back and securing with a clip is another style. You can clean this up and secure more hair with a bobby pin. Then use the tail of a comb to carefully pull the hair up a little to add some volume. A misting with hair spray will help hold it in place.
A variation would be to pull the hair on one side of your head to the back. Pin that in place with a couple of bobby pins.
Or you could pull all your hair back into a little pony tail using an elastic. Use a thin, stretchy head band to hold your hair in place. Tease the hair on your crown forward just a little to add in some body. Viola!
Also a more rigid headband is a good styling accessory to have on hand. Don’t forget there are some great no headache headbands sold by Vidal Sassoon that you might want to check out. Anyway a headband is another great way to produce a different feel to your style. You can soften things up by pulling a few pieces out to frame your face.
A side braid using the front hair on one side is another cute style you can use with even a short bob.
See? You gotta love your options, right? Even a short cut like this doesn’t have to mean you are locked in to the same old same old style day after day. You now have some fun ways to switch up how you wear your hair. Yaaaaaay.
In any case, bob hairstyles whether long, short or in between are in no danger of going out of style. This is a sleek, chic look that makes you instantly noticeable. Not only that, it’s a sexy haircut with many styling options that is capable of actually making your life easier!
Need picture perfect short hairstyles to bring to your stylist? Visit our Pinterest board loaded with cute shorter styles. While you’re at it could you please follow us too?
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