34 Fascinating Bob Hairstyles, Haircut Ideas & Trends (Ultimate Styling Guide & Tips)

Bob hairstyles are popularly known as a bob or a bob cut. They are short, medium-length haircuts that require cutting the hair straight to the chin or jaw and then curving the tips. A classic bob is paired with a bang or fringe.

The haircut can transform your entire style and look. Bob hairstyles come in various lengths and volumes, from medium-length to short bobs. You can also add other things like highlights in black hair and other edgy elements.

The name bob cut can be traced back to the 20th century when Jeanne D’Arc defied the odds to cut her hair into a bob. Since bob haircuts weren’t welcome in past societies, women who chose bob haircuts were considered rebellious.

Bob haircuts finally became popular during World War II, when women who worked as medics chose the hairstyle since it was easy to maintain. Wearing long hairstyles was also not medically advisable, so women cut their hair short.

Bob hairstyles have since then grown in popularity and are acceptable by women of all races. This has seen the style evolve into several sleek and elegant versions that suit the modern-day era.

Bob haircuts are more common among business professionals in fierce competition for high-end jobs but also work as a classic, everyday look. A bob cut will forever be classy and trendy.

Its versatility gives it an edge over other hairstyles. If you are in the market for simple, all-time, and trendy short hairstyles for women, a bob cut is one of the best choices.

This popular hairstyle requires that your hair be voluminous and textured, but even with thin, fine hair, you can still wear a bob.
You need to invest in the right hair care products and tools.

34 Most Popular Bob Haircuts

The world of bob haircuts is diverse and multi-faceted, and there is an option for every woman. The haircut offers excellent freedom of choice; there is no way you can’t find a hairstyle to suit your personality.

We’ve even done the heavy lifting on your behalf to bring you 35 of the most popular bob haircuts for the modern-day woman.

Stacked Short Bob

The difference between a stacked bob and a traditional one is that the latter’s length reaches the jaws while the former is stacked at the nape. With a stacked bob, you get an angled haircut that’s longer at the front and has a shorter curved back.

Since it is layered, it has more volume and texture. The stacked short bob is similar to an A-line bob, except that the stacked bob starts at the back. The stacked bob hairstyle is one of the hardest to achieve, so choose a hairstylist familiar with the hairdo.

Bleached Medium Bob

The bleached medium bob is a sharp and voluminous bob haircut with uneven layers that add depth and definition. It also features a natural beige shade of blonde that accentuates the beauty of the cut.

Concave Bob

Few bob haircuts with bangs are as picture-perfect as the concave bob. It is a timeless improvement of the standard bob cut. The bangs blend with the rest of the tresses, finishing the curvy round bob with an edgy and pointed flip.

Angled Bob

The angled bob is a medium-layered haircut that works perfectly for women with really fine hair since it creates the illusion of fullness. The clean straight lines paired with the longer length at the front help soften your facial features.

The long front tresses give the illusion of longer hair which is why such bobs are categorized under long bob haircuts. What makes this haircut special is the cutting edge that helps shape the edges, making them more distinctive and fuller.

While at it, consider caramel balayage in short hair, as the high lowlights add depth and dimension.

Wavy Layered Bob Haircut

A stacked bob looks stunning, but adding waves makes the haircut a real piece of art. The body of the haircut gets shorter towards the back, thus the reason why you need to add layers. The haircut will look great if the layers look like waves.

Side-Parted Chin-Length Bob for Fine Hair

The side-parted chin-length bob combines a short haircut and a hairstyle that works wonders for fine hair. The haircut freezes your strands, preventing extra weight with a slight texturizing at the ends.

A side part helps add volume to the hair. To make the most of the combination, work some volumizing spray into your roots to make the rift created by the heavy portion steady and more defined.

Short Textured Bob

The short-textured bob is a super adorable haircut when you add side-swept bangs that fall effortlessly across the forehead. The shorter layers do an excellent job of adding volume and softening the frame of your face for a cute and girly look.

To achieve the hairstyle, wash your hair, add some texturizing cream, and then style it fun and flirty. The short-textured bob is one of the best ways of eliminating most thin hair troubles.

The once lifeless and dull look can turn into weightless airy clouds that beautifully hug your face. Apart from that, texturizing allows for different styling ideas.

Since the texture is manageable, you can switch between curly and wavy hairstyles and play around with styling products meant to spruce up the hair texture. When you style your short-textured bob, finish off with hairspray to maintain the look throughout the day.

Short Shaggy Bob

Thank God for whoever discovered short shaggy bobs. The haircuts are designed to make singled hair dreams come true. You can confidently rock a short, shaggy bob even with thin, fine hair. As you know, there aren’t bad hair types, just wrong haircuts.

When you feel like your hair needs more volume and life, think about shaggy layers. The volumetric result, full of definition and movement, is to die for – the shaggy bob pairs well with blonde hair color, including dirty blonde hairstyles.

Voluminous Angular Bob Haircut

A voluminous angular bob haircut is a good and stylish haircut on its own. If you want to take it further, make it a two-toned hairstyle. Anything from balayage to soft highlights will enhance the cut’s shape due to its dimensional finish.

A-Line Bob Haircut

The A-line bob haircut is similar to the stacked bob since they follow the same graduated pattern. However, the A-line bob varies in length and the perimeter of the haircut.

Also, it features angles at the front, which give it a nicely shaped and precise body despite the length. It is the perfect choice for women who don’t want to go too short but want a well-balanced modern look.

Layered Lob for Thick Hair

If you are a Friends fan, you may remember seeing the layered bob a few times on some characters. The haircut features curvy cascading layers that frame your face from the forehead to the chin.

The haircut is popular due to its versatility and ability to adapt to thin, thick, and fine hair. If you have thicker locks, the haircut works perfectly to whip them into a lively, carefree shape that is easy to style. It will require some maintenance every few months, but that’s about it.

Wavy Asymmetrical Long Bob

The wavy asymmetrical long bob is another timeless bob haircut. Every lock in this haircut stands out, and every little wave comes off well-defined.

The front strands are usually thick enough to give the forehead area a volumetric flip and thin enough for an airy yet manageable texture. If you have naturally wavy hair or want to sport a wavy hairstyle, adding waves makes the haircut fun and chic.

Side-Swept Bob Style

Depending on how you part the hair, you can make any bob haircut flattering. The right part can give a medium bob hairstyle a charming and attractive vibe.

Sweeping the tresses to the side is an excellent way to add volume for an effortless look. Add layers throughout the entire length to give the haircut as much volume as possible and a flirty vibe.

Textured Bob Haircut With Caramel Highlights

The texture bob haircut with caramel highlights is perfect if you are going for a sexy and chic look. Textured hairstyles do an excellent job of framing the face while adding a bounce and volume that’s fun and flirty.

It is an excellent choice for women with long hair who want a drastic change in hairstyle. For a playful look that is versatile and low-maintenance, tuck one hair behind the ear and allow the rest to frame your face softly.

Middle-Parted Lob

One of the best things about bob haircuts is how you can easily transition to another style. The middle-parted lob is the perfect choice for women with straight hair who deem it too plain or flat.

The haircut features a slight curve at the edges with the middle part, dividing the hair evenly to add volume for a balanced overall look.

Medium Length Bob With Tousled Layers

The medium-length bob is timeless, especially when paired with wavy, tousled tresses. Rock loose layers or pin your hair back for a more sophisticated look. The haircut also looks stunning in a messy updo.

Bob Cut With Bangs

If you want to add some face-framing while still keeping up with the volume of your hair, try a bob cut with bangs. However, one thing you should remember is to choose a fringe based on the shape of your face.

For instance, if you have a broad forehead, you are better off with baby, curtain, or wispy bangs. Try long side bangs if you have round cheeks or a sharp jawline.

When it comes to the bob, you need not worry about it since it will look great regardless of the type of bangs you choose. A long bob cut with bangs works perfectly for women with round face shapes.

You can style the side locks of the bob to frame the face at the cheek area. The fringe will enhance the framing by connecting the side locks to the soft layers at the top.

Classy Inverted Bob

The classy inverted bob, also called a graduated bob, features stacked layers in the back. The best thing about this bob haircut is that it isn’t as sharp as an A-line bob but has a nice round shape that works for all face shapes.

It is ideal for women who prefer well-balanced short bob cuts or hairstyles featuring drastic angles and elements. In addition, it is an awesome hairstyle since you can easily customize it to suit your face shape and hair type.

The layers do all the work. If you want the cut to work for your face, ask your stylist to adjust the front tresses so they frame your face a little. To style your short inverted bob, make the lightweight tresses the center of attention by tousling the crown.

Layered Voluminous Bob

The classic bob is one of the few hairstyles that never go out of style. Anyone can rock this timeless haircut regardless of their face shape and texture. It, however, looks excellent with naturally straight hair and balayage tones.

The layered voluminous bob is the ideal choice for women with fine hair. This type of bob amps up the body thanks to its short volumetric layers at the back of the head.

The silhouette will be less airy but still soft and well-rounded if you have thicker hair. You can never go wrong with this haircut, especially pairing it with a harmonic balayage.

Rocker Chic Look

The chic rocker look is a slightly shaggy bob that gives off an edgy vibe with many volumes. It looks good on women with round, oval and heart-shaped faces. To achieve the look, apply a light texture cream to slightly damp hair, then blow-dry it with a paddle brush.

Finish by applying pomade to lift and separate the strands to add depth. The fearless haircut allows experimenting with color, so try ombre pink hairstyles or three-toned balayage.

Sleek Layered Bob With Side Bang

If you want to make changes and step out of your comfort zone, consider the sleek layered bob cut with side bangs.

Messy Layered Hairstyle

If you are going for a casual look, consider messy haircuts. The messy layered hairstyles will help you spruce up your everyday look.
One thing about messy looks is that layers are vital. Your hair should have a few layers at the top; otherwise, your messy look will look weird.

Balayage Bobs

Bold hair colors are undoubtedly beautiful. However, effortless combinations of brunette and blonde always steal the show.

A natural balayage bob features waves on stacked layers that look harmonic and well-balanced. To achieve this look, choose between balayage or foil highlights.

Bob With Side Bang

A one-length haircut doesn’t mean you can’t achieve a distinctive, sharp look. A blunt and sharp bob haircut is an ideal choice.
Texturizing the ends will enhance your blunt bob.

The texture is changed only at the lower sections, but it works wonders to lift the whole look and give it an edge. That’s why blunt bobs are considered the best bob haircuts for thin hair. They are the best wash-and-go hairstyle if you are going for a natural, carefree look.

Edgy Layered Bob

The edgy layered bob stands out when you add some color. The eggy layers give the haircut a fun and reckless look, perfect for a professional setting and a fun night out of town.

Choppy Ends With Long Side Bangs

The choppy ends with long side bangs are the perfect haircut for women with naturally wavy hair. It is a classic wash-and-go hairstyle. The waves are easy to style, thanks to the choppy ends.

You need to spritz some sea salt, style the bangs to your preferred side and you are good to go. Choppy layers can enhance all bob haircuts, from long to short.

Pastel Ombre Bob

Ombre hair is in season, and this subtle fade from lilac to pale lavender to white is a stunning look if you want to step out of your comfort zone. The haircut features slightly uneven ends that do an excellent job of adding texture to an otherwise plain bob.

Wispy Inverted Lob

Inverted haircuts, no matter the length, are always distinctive and flattering. They are the perfect choice for a unique haircut without going for outrageous crops.

With inverted bobs, the layers are shorter at the back and gradually become longer towards the front. It is the perfect face-framing hairstyle if that’s what you want. Pair it with wispy ends to add more edge and definition.

Middle-Parted Purple Bob

The middle-parted purple bob is a sleek and sharp haircut that will draw attention to your hair thanks to the noble shade of purple.
If you want every detail of the haircut to stand out, highlight the front strands.

Long Bob for Curly Hair

Curls never go out of style – they are demanding, unpredictable and easy to manage. Ensure that your hairstylist knows how to handle curly hair, like working with dry rather than wet hair. Bangs are a great addition to curly bobs, so consider letting a few curls fall on your forehead.

Asymmetrical Bob

The asymmetrical bob features one side that is longer than the other. This simple trick can drastically change your overall appearance by drawing attention to prominent facial features.

An asymmetrical bob can be as long or short as you want. On top of that, you can easily regulate the contrast by adjusting every side to your desired shape.

Shaggy Layered Lob

Try the shaggy layered bob if you want a hairstyle that gives you lots of styling freedom and is still light. It can be a perfect choice if you have thin hair that is difficult to style.

The layered bob adds volume and not to mention can take your favorite updos, waves and messy hairstyles to another level.

Sexy Over-the-Shoulder Bob

The sexy over-the-shoulder bob is achieved by cutting the hair slightly on one side to get longer as it reaches the other side gradually. The sophisticated look gives you the appearance of wreathing your hair over your shoulder.

The best thing about the sexy over-the-shoulder bob is that it can work for almost all face shapes. Apply a thermal protectant to dry hair, then make loose waves using a large curling iron. Add some texture cream and finish with a medium-hold hairspray for added movement.

Short Bob With Blunt Bang

The short bob with blunt bangs is a classic French bob for the modern-day woman. It features a sharp angle drawn by the precisely straight fringe that works wonders for a round face and helps balance out the cheeks.

How to Style and Maintain Bob Hairstyles

Short hairstyles have become increasingly popular due to their sophistication, versatility, and easy-to-maintain vibe. Many women will go for variations of the bob cut from chin-length to shoulder-length bob cuts.

A bob haircut is the most logical choice when transitioning from long hair. There are many ways of styling a bob. However, you also need to consider maintenance.

Here are ways to style and maintain your chosen bob haircut:

Step 1 – Choose the right one

If this is your first time sporting a bob haircut, the most important thing to consider is your hair type and texture since the bob isn’t a low-maintenance haircut. Picking the look based on your natural hair texture guarantees style longevity.

For instance, a blunt or sleek bob will last between washes. On the other hand, naturally, wavy or curly hair works great with a textured or layered bob since these enhance your hair’s natural texture.

Step 2 – Crucial styling tips

When styling a bob haircut, the most important thing to remember is to get a regular dusting where the hairstylist snips away at the tips and damaged areas of your hair.

With a bob, consider using your fingers to comb the hair since it helps distribute the natural oils throughout it. Since bob haircuts accentuate your face more, change your makeup to suit your hairstyle.

Lastly, consider styling your hair without heat. Heat can damage all hairstyles, so consider using a flat iron and if you must blow-dry, keep the blow-dryer at least 12 inches from your hair.

Step 3 – Maintain your chosen style

We all want easy-maintenance haircuts, but the truth is that no matter what hairstyle you choose, you must work to maintain it. If you have fine to medium hair, you can shampoo it daily. As for thicker hair, two or three times a week will do.

How about prolonging your styling? If you don’t have naturally wavy or curly hair but want volume, use strong-hold hair products to repel the humidity.

Avoid brushing your hair too much, as this can lead to breakage, which will be much more challenging to hide now that you have short hair. Lastly, you can expect some frizz as your freshly cut bob adjusts to the newfound weightlessness.

So, consider using products meant to tame frizzy hair.

Step 4 – Best products to use

The products you will use will depend on the type of bob haircut you have. Invest in texturizing volume spray for textured bobs to give your hair that extra lift and volume. If you go for a blunt bob, a prime mist will help prevent split ends while prolonging your styling.

If your hair is prone to frizz, which is likely with a bob cut, invest in straight and shine shampoo and conditioner to moisturize and soften your strands for easy styling.

FAQ

Which face shapes do bob hairstyles suit best?

The best face shapes for bob hairstyles are oval face shapes. However, since the bob haircut is so versatile, your face shape won’t matter. There are many bob haircuts, including blunt, short or long bobs.

You can also add color, bangs, layers, curls and angles to suit your face shape.

Who should avoid wearing a bob hairstyle?

Anyone can pull off a bob hairstyle, including those with thin hair. However, there are different styling tricks to suit different face shapes and hair textures, so consider that. Avoid a bob haircut if you want long hairstyles that allow you to experiment with updos.

What is the difference between a blunt cut and a bob?

A blunt bob can be of any length and works for all face shapes and hair types, while a bob cut reaches between or until the tips of the ear. It works on people with oval and heart face shapes and women with straight, fine or textured hair.

Which celebrities are famous for their bob hairstyles?

Halle Berry, Kylie Minogue, Chrissy Teigen, Serena Williams, Kate Middleton, Jennifer Lopez, Kelly Clarkson, Selena Gomez, Reese Witherspoon, Eva Mendes, Bella Hadid, Kerry Washington, Lucy Liu, Jameela Jamil and Penélope Cruz are some of the celebrities who’ve rocked stunning bob hairstyles at some point.

How do you choose the right bob hairstyle for yourself?

The best way to choose a bob hairstyle is to consider your hair texture and face shape.

What are some cons of having a bob haircut?

Most bob cuts are generally short, which makes it difficult to tie back your hair with hair clips or ribbons. At the same time, it’s so easy to end up with a mess if your hair stylist isn’t familiar with styling bob haircuts. Besides that, it is one of the best short hairstyles for women.