Whether you’re ready to commit to the complete chop or just want a few inches taken off the ends, a versatile bob is the universally flattering haircut that never seems to go out of fashion.
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With variations of the style suited to every face shape and hair type, the hardest decision isn’t whether or not you should get a bob, but which one to choose.
Here’s a roundup of our most-loved bob hairstyles..
Chin-grazing bob
Sitting just a few inches below the ears, this cut is long enough to tuck hair pieces out of the way, which incidentally helps to create a soft texture while drying.
Tousled bob
This fresh-out-of-the-ocean bob is made up of textured pieces and wispy bends for an undemanding style that’s all about volume, beach waves and a clean middle part.
Curly bob
Create your curly bob using a small tong to ensure a tighter bounce rather than a looser beach wave. Flick hair over into a deep side part to create even more volume at the roots.
C-curl bob
If you’ve got the patience to softly blow out your bob every other morning, this style is for you. Finish the look by angling your hairbrush and dryer inward toward your face, creating rounded C-curl ends.
Glass hair bob
The sleek, glossy bob (also known as ‘glass hair’) is achieved by running a hair straightener precisely over small sections, before misting all over with a shine spray.
S-wave bob
The S-wave bob creates flattering dimension for rounder face shapes, with flicked out ends to accentuate the cut. Show off your ‘best side’ by tucking behind the ear, leaving the other side to fall softly over the face.
Slick bob
Worlds away from her long blonde locks in Game Of Thrones, Emilia Clarke’s short slicked back bob is the ideal inspo for those who love a statement pair of earrings.
Old Hollywood bob
For a dose of Old Hollywood glamour, try this deep side-part and softly defined wave.
Shaggy bob
If there were ever a poster for the cool-girl hair, it would be this shaggy, bedhead fringe cut.
’90s bob
This ‘90s inspired bob is ideal for those who can’t decide between sleek and shaggy. Julianne Hough’s hairdresser, Riawna Capri, described it to InStyle as being “simple and chic, thick, blunt, classic bob, but the modern twist is the way you style it to not be super perfect and just have a little flare.”
Wispy bob
Keeping the hair shorter at the back with longer pieces framing the face, this tousled wispy style has major movement, volume and texture.
Shoulder-length bob
Keep it simple with a shoulder-grazing cut, with loose bends to create texture. Add blonder highlights throughout to create dimension.
Main image credit: @gentlehairdos
Which is your favourite?
Natalie Portman's hair is my favourite
Some fabulous Bob hairstyles I already have a Bob with a swept back fringe, parted on the right side.
Even a Bob can be a lot of maintenance to look after, mine is to keep it nice all day.
Get really annoyed when it is high humidity, no matter what I use I still have to fix it up all the time.
I love the bob and will love to have it this summer.
Ooh, I love the glossy bob!
Thanks for all the bobby inspo. Love the shag and textured bobs.
Now that Melbourne hairdressers have reopened, I want my hair cut into a lob.
I wear my hair like Natalie Portman's look except I also have a fringe. I find it suits my face shape.
Gosh they all look gorg!
Love the cut
Love Alexa Chung and Nina Dobrevs hair!
I like Natalie Portman's the most for myself. Love all the others but I don't have the faceshape for a shorter bob length. I wish I did though!
Not a good time to be reading this article. I have been considering cutting my hair, but I like my long hair too much.
My hair is so fine that if I have short hair and its a windy day……well…..nightmare. Long hair at least gives it a little weight so that its not such a knotted mess in windy weather
I like the last bob the best. I think its Natalie Portman.
I think when I'm 80 I'll love that can't decide between shaggy one… but that's some time away! Hopefully I'll get to 80!
I recently had my hair cut into a textured bob, unfortunately my hair never looks sleek!
I prefer to wear my hair very long. It's so versatile because I can wear it up or down.
I'm in love with the more messy textured bobs at the moment. I haven't had a hair cut for AGES but I'm inspired now.
Natalie Portman's is lovely. I had a bob as a teenager but also have a fringe. I think bobs look better without fringes.
I'm so ready to get a bob. I really like these styles – they all seem like they'd be easy (lol – I know how much effort went into to making these styles look effortlessly perfect!)
They look beautiful , it's difficult to pick up one.
Every time I see a pic of Natalie Portman her hair looks great! Love the colour and the style 🙂
Love the textured bobs.
All lovely but some of them would take a lot of work to look that good. My hair is hopeless.
Bobs are took much maintenance for me because my hair grows so quickly. I have had a lot of Hairdressers say this to me.
I'm not really into bobs, I think they can look good on other people but some people can wear a bob better than others.
Summer look!
My hair is not suited to a bob cut but they do look stylish on others
Love a good bob…
They all lovely and trendy looks.
They look good, but wouldn't suit my curly, frizzy hair 🙁
I like these styles, i need to learn how to style my hair a bit different now its longer
Oh I love my fringe
Is Bob hairstyles a trend now? I keep seeing them at my workplace.
love the 'Glass hair' but would take some maintenance for sure.
Good for you lgauci, hope it looks fantastic.
I like a nice bob, particularly a shaggy one, although like most shorter styles they can be high maintenance.
I love Kim and Khloe Kardashians bobs but they aren't on the list. Hair goals for sure
Love Bobs but don’t think it would suit me
love my messy shaggy bob cut, won't go back to any other style now!
had a bob throughout my school time, miss it now as it never looked shabby and never had a bad hair day with that.
I do like bobs. I had long hair and I had it cut into a bob, but now I regret it. I’m trying to grow it out. Right now it’s sitting on my shoulders so it’s getting there.
I do like the 'cool girl' shaggy one!
Love
Id love to give the curly bob a go but its not easy keeping the hair contained