Bob or Pixie? Here's How to Choose the Cut That Works Best for You

Elle

3 days ago

Getting the chop and trading long, lustrous tresses for a bob or a pixie cut is undeniably transformative. Both styles have graced the heads of celebrities like Emma Stone, Kim Kardashian, and Selena Gomez.
The pixie cut and bob have both endured shifting trends and stood the test of time. A darling of the silver screen, Louise Brooks took the bob from a lowly marker of rebellion to the pinnacle of Hollywood glamour in the 1920s. It was in the 1950s that the pixie cut as seen in Audrey Hepburn on Roman Holiday became a sought-after style.
With the current buzz around crops, you may find yourself confused as to what all the cuts, from pixies, to bixies (a hybrid pixie-bob) and bobs, actually are. We've detailed all there is to know about each style, including who best suits each, and how they differ.
A bob is a classic, short-to-medium crop. '[A bob] can fall anywhere from the jawline down to just above the collarbone,' notes hairstylist Eugene Smith at John Frieda Salon Mayfair. The bob has been touted by everyone from Keira Knightley to Pamela Anderson, who paired the blunt cut with a side part and choppy bangs.
The bob is no stranger to a renaissance and has adapted with each resurgence. 'It can vary in different styles, such as the graduated bob or slanted A-line bob,' says Smith. This season, the most buzzy styles include the box bob, the French bob, and the choppy bob.
Becky Lennon, a stylist at Nicola Clarke hair salon, describes the bob as a renegade style. 'Despite its modern associations, it gained popularity in the 1920s as a symbol of female independence and modernity,' she explains.
Given its numerous iterations, there is a bob out there for everyone. 'The bob is a very versatile hairstyle which can be adapted to suit any hair type or face shape, and can be worn at any age,' says Lennon. 'A bob is great for anyone who is looking for a chic and sophisticated look,' adds Smith.
Due to the sharp and striking nature of a bob, it's best to work with the angles of your face. 'When cutting a bob, you should always follow the jawline,' advises Lennon.
A bob also works for those with fine or damaged hair. 'It's a great style for someone with fine hair who wants to make their hair look fuller,' explains Smith. 'You can refresh the hair by cutting all of the damaged hair from mid-lengths to ends.'
A pixie cut is an uber-short crop that sits close to the head. A pixie is slightly longer on top, and its sides fall by the ears and nape of the neck. Lennon clarifies that 'the defining feature of a pixie cut is a short, layered structure creating a textured, tousled appearance.'
For those with fine hair, a choppy, textured finish can add volume and movement. Look to the likes of Iris Law for a longer version with bangs or Zoë Kravitz for a more polished, minimal pixie cut.
A pixie cut exposes your face and makes it the center of attention. 'It [generally] suits those with a strong bone structure and jawline,' says Lennon. Despite your face shape, confidence is key. 'A pixie is great for the person who isn't looking to hide behind her hair and is confident in letting her other features shine,' adds Smith.
Those with very thick hair might need it thinned out; very fine hair could benefit from layers for body. In terms of hair texture, a pixie best cooperates with straight, wavy, or lightly curly textures.
A bob and a pixie cut, while both cropped hairstyles, are very different. Both styles evidently differ in length, shape, and 'overall vibe,' as Lennon puts it.
'Bobs can be very versatile by adding layers, graduation, and face framing,' continues Lennon. But a pixie cut lacks the versatility of a bob. Smith explains that 'when [a pixie cut] grows out, you need to work with a few unflattering lengths (which require more styling) in order to get you through the growing out process.'
Getting a pixie cut and subsequently growing it out, can pose a troubling quandary for this very reason.
That said, a pixie cut is not all woes. 'From a styling aspect, a pixie haircut is easier to maintain,' says Lennon. 'However, it requires regular visits to the salon in order to retain its shape.'
The bob, on the other hand, is much less awkward of a haircut to grow out. 'Because a bob looks great at so many lengths, the growing-out process is easy,' says Smith. 'Once you get past the collarbone, it's time to consider whether to grow it out, or cut it back to the length.' Hence, a bob is better suited to those unsure if a change as extreme as a pixie cut is right for them.
Gracie Abrams is a great example of how striking, yet effortless the box bob can be. The simple, one-length nature of this cut makes it a graphic addition to anyone's look. Hair-cutting specialist Vivienne Johns, explains: 'It's cut with no layering and no elevation, which gives it that strong, geometric, boxy shape.' The expert says it's a clean, sharp silhouette that is a failsafe way to define the jawline.
If there ever was a haircut to be worn by a chic, jaded, Parisian painter's muse, it is the French bob. Joel Goncalves, senior stylist at the Nicola Clarke x John Frieda salons, says, 'It's worn in a short, bluntish line that's cut to just above the jawline. It's very relaxed and effortless.' The look is distinct in its undone, tousled appearance, and Laura Harrier is a prime reference point.
The pixie cut is a bold and timeless hairstyle, full stop. A subtle tweak in finish that skews your crop on its side, will give the legacy hairdo some edge. Taylor Russell, Florence Pugh, and Taylor Hill have had their crop cut on the bias.
A pixie cut with baby bangs is equal parts playful and gamine. Iris Law's peroxide chop is a testament to the pixie cut at its most classic. Law's hair stylist Syd Hayes says: 'I regularly cut it, but we change the shape and play with the texture to create different styles and mainly have fun!'