The Best Brunette Bob Hair Inspiration For Summer And Beyond

Elle

21 hours ago

If you're looking for brunette bob hair inspiration for a summer switch-up, look no further. While dark hair colours have the advantage of looking generally shinier than blonde locks (deep hair tones tend to reflect light), those with brown to black hair can have a trickier time refreshing their looks as it's much easier to do an expressive colour switch-up (say adding fun streaks of pastel) on lightened hair.
One way to add interest to brunette lengths is to play around with bronde tones to lift the complexion and bring a luminosity to the overall look. But if you're ready for something a little more dramatic, it's time to consider a brunette bob haircut for summer for summer.
'Any bob with texture or movement [think a French bob or a choppy one] will always show off colour, especially a darker colour,' says John Alfred, colourist at Hershesons Fitzrovia. 'The shape and texture allows the light to get inside the hair and bring out all the different tones.'
If you're scheduling a drastic haircut and a colour change, Alfred recommends cutting the hair before seeing your colourist. 'If it's just a trim or adding texture, then you can colour first. Most of the time we colour first in the salon, unless it's a full re-style,' he adds.
Choppy, high-low layers will instantly add an edge to your dark hair. Pair it with a full fringe for an ultra-cool, modern effect.
Straight brunette strands, when kept short, tend to look their healthiest and glossiest. Lean into it with a minimalist style (an A-line bob is perfect for brunettes) with even edges. Curl some pieces inwards to add movement.
Teaming plush curls with a chin-length bob is a sure-fire way to make a polished statement. Let your hair do the talking and keep the rest of your styling minimal.
For the brunette whose summer diary is peppered with festivals (or perhaps you're just keen on embracing colour), try understated red tips. The extra detail feels unexpected yet looks polished enough for all occasions.
The laissez-faire attitude of the French bob is perfect for brunettes as the tousled styling brings some much-needed texture and movement. There's an enigmatic, almost aloof vibe to the bob with bangs hairstyle, too. Pair with a red lip and little else on the face.
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Medina Azaldin is the beauty editor of ELLE and Harper's Bazaar UK, working across print and digital features. She has more than seven years journalism experience and has previously written for Red and Good Hoousekeeping. When she's not demystifying the latest skincare ingredient, sniffing out the next big perfume trend or uncovering the science behind wellness practices, you'll most likely find her in Hatchards Piccadilly or watching a crime series with her cats. Oh, and she's a competitive cheerleader, too.