This Retro-Inspired Bob Adds Movement, Shape, and Just the Right Amount of Drama

Elle

18 hours ago

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If there's one haircut that proves the power of a fresh makeover, celebrity endorsement, and impressive PR, it's the bob. What was once a daring—and universally feared—style has become the most-requested cut of the year, with everyone from Hailey Bieber to Zendaya experimenting, and a never-ending list of bob trends taking over (see the hydro bob, myriad baroque iterations, and the blunt bob 2.0 for proof).
The next installment, according to hair-trend forecaster Tom Smith, is the bell-bottom bob. 'This new cut has minimal layers; it's flipped out at the ends and can be styled with or without bangs (fringe),' he says. 'It's cut either with perfect precision or a more undone texture and is slim to the head near the parting before flaring out with volume at the ends.'
Beyond the aesthetic itself, the real point of difference from the sea of bob trends flooding your Instagram feed right now comes down to its inspiration. The silhouette, Smith explains, is modeled on the flared cut of bell-bottom jeans—the equally nostalgic '70s favorite—which has also been enjoying a resurgence lately.
Offering a more dramatic look than your standard blunt or classic bob, Hailey Bieber, Daisy Ridley, and Anok Yai are among the famous faces who have been spotted wearing the flicked-out bell-bottom bob.
Better yet, it's versatile when it comes to styling. Case in point: If you've taken the plunge and opted for a micro-bob, simply flick out the ends to create the bell-bottom finish with a curling iron or a wide-bristle hot-air brush (the new BaByliss Air Wand includes the perfect attachment).
Likewise, you can wear it with either a side or a middle part. 'If you want to showcase a more symmetrical face, opt for a middle part and a perfectly sharp flip at the ends. If you prefer a softer look, try a side part with less-precise flicks and tuck one side behind your ear,' Smith says.
For a heatless approach, Smith suggests 'gently pre-drying the roots of your hair in a downward motion, then using a small round brush with a dollop of styling mousse, or a heat-protectant spray, to flick out the ends.'
For staying power, he recommends wrapping the flicked ends in a small Velcro roller while they cool to set the shape, then finishing with a strong-hold hairspray. 'For a softer, more wearable look, shake your hair out after styling and mist on a texture spray for an undone finish,' he adds.
Whether you opt for a messier bell-bottom style or perfectly placed flicks, heat-styling tools, or hardworking sprays, expect to see this trending hairstyle—in all its many guises—cropping up everywhere this summer.