Your Definitive Guide to Bob Haircuts

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Last summer, I blacked out and cut a foot of my hair off. When I came to, I immediately realized that I'd been denying my true identity: I am a bob person. I also learned that I didn't just have a bob—no one just has a bob. Mine was French. And as I've been letting it grow, I've had the opportunity to experiment with other types of bobs.
It's that versatility that has made the bob such a timeless cut. But there have been eras in which the look seems particularly ubiquitous, and we are definitely in one now. It feels like every third celebrity has a bob, whether they've been wearing one for years or recently joined the club.
If you're interested in becoming a member, there's a lot more to consider than 'Am I ready to cut my hair?' The right bob for you comes down to the look you like best, but also how much effort you're willing to put into styling it, your face shape, and your natural curl pattern (or lack thereof).
Meet the experts
Amy Abramite is a hairstylist and the creative director at Maxine Salon in Chicago.
Nick Arrojo is a hairstylist and the founder of Arrojo salon in New York City.
Rogerio Cavalcante is a hairstylist and the owner of the Second Floor Salon in New York City.
Julien Farel is a hairstylist and salon owner in New York and Palm Beach, Florida.
Dimitris Giannetos is a hairstylist based in New York, Los Angeles, and Paris.
Raven Hurtado is a stylist at Maxine Salon
Olya Iudina is a hairstylist at IGK in New York City.
Mia Santiago is a hairstylist and the owner of Headspace in Columbus, Ohio.
Italian Bob
'The Italian bob is full of soft waves and loose, bouncy texture,' says stylist Nick Arrojo, founder of Arrojo salon in New York City. 'Think Sophia Loren glamour, modernized.' This curvaceous cut is all about volume, which is what makes it the perfect bob for those with medium to thick hair who want to lean into the fullness.
Rogerio Cavalcante, stylist and owner of the Second Floor Salon in New York City, recommends asking your stylist for a bob that hits at the chin or neck, with a blunt or softly layered baseline. 'This bob adds body and bounce while maintaining a sleek, put-together finish,' he says.
But you're not locked into an always-polished look. 'The minimal layering in this haircut also gives some versatility when it comes to styling, so you can wear it tousled and undone,' says Mia Santiago, stylist and owner of Headspace in Columbus, Ohio.
French Bob (a.k.a. the Cheekbone Bob)
This is what most people picture as a 'classic' bob. The French bob typically hits right at the cheekbone, allowing it to sculpt the face like natural highlighting and contouring. Says stylist Dimitris Giannetos, 'It's sexy, smart, and always gives main-character energy, even with minimal effort.'
That effort is especially minimal if you're starting with straight or slightly wavy hair, and if you ask your stylist for a soft, round shape with subtle internal texturizing (in other words, no visible layers). 'A perfect French bob can carry a slightly messy look, but also look polished when it's styled slick and straight,' says Olya Iudina, a stylist at IGK in New York City.
'Consider adding bangs for an even more striking, editorial feel,' says Cavalcante. 'The result is sleek, bold, and undeniably chic.'
'90s Bob
Anyone who lived through the '90s as a teen or 20-something will remember this bob, probably from firsthand experience. (Hello, that would be me!) It's defined by a center part and curved-under shape with a marriage of smoothness and fullness. Says Giannetos, 'This is the ultimate cool-girl bob with its sleek middle part and those perfectly scooped ends that hug the jawline.'
It's ideal for those who want a polished style with a hint of edge, says Cavalcante, who recommends the look for those with straight or slightly wavy hair. 'Ask your stylist for a blunt bob with a subtle stack in the back to create lift and shape, keeping the front slightly longer for balance.'
Stylist Julien Farel, who owns eponymous salons in New York and Palm Beach, Florida, is an especially big fan of Lily Collins's 2025 take on the '90s bob. 'It gives her a more Gen Z look—trendy, sexy, and not overdone,' he says.
Meanwhile, Santiago, who says the '90s bob is ideal for rounder faces, appreciates Cate Blanchett's interpretation: 'I love the face-framing pieces that Cate has. It adds some really great movement.'
Layered Bob
The layered bob takes the classic bob silhouette and zhuzhes it a bit. 'If you want volume, versatility, and a little edge, the layered bob is your best friend,' says Giannetos. 'It adds bounce and texture that's perfect for that lived-in, I-woke-up-like-this moment.'
Softer and more dynamic, this look is defined by blended layers, volume, texture, and dimension, which makes it perfect for both fine and thick hair that's lacking shape. 'Ask your stylist for a bob that includes layers tailored to your hair type and face shape, whether you want a subtle lift or a more shag-inspired finish,' says Cavalcante. 'The result is effortlessly cool and easy to style.'
A-line Bob
When you picture the A-line bob, Victoria Beckham's Y2K haircut—the one she had as Posh Spice—may come to mind. But the pros want you to know that there are many more modern and less severe ways to wear this angular look. 'The A-line bob has a noticeable angle that is shorter in the nape and longer toward the face,' says Amy Abramite, creative director and stylist at Maxine Salon in Chicago. 'Layers can be added for movement and volume, or it can be one length. What matters most is the sloping angle forward.' The beauty of this style is how well it works with any length within the bob's range. Just look at the difference between Claire Danes's cut and Collins's 2024 look.
'This style adds structure and drama without sacrificing elegance, making it a favorite for those who want a modern yet timeless look,' adds Cavalcante, noting that the longer front pieces help frame and slim the face. 'Ask your stylist for a precise, graduated cut with a clean angle from back to front. Whether worn straight or with a slight wave, the A-line bob always delivers a bold, sophisticated edge.'
Bell Bob
The retro bell is perhaps the perkiest member of the bob family. As Giannetos puts it: 'It's giving modern-day Jackie O with a touch of pop star glam.'
Cavalcante says the style is defined by its sleek shape and flipped-out ends that resemble, as you might have guessed, the curve of a bell. 'Best suited for straight to slightly wavy hair, this bob adds a fun, retro-inspired flair while maintaining a clean silhouette,' says Cavalcante. 'Ask your stylist for a blunt cut at the chin or jawline, and style it with a flatiron or round brush to flip the ends outward.'
Abramite adds that rounded layers will enhance the shape but aren't necessary for the flip to take shape because 'it's all in the styling.' This is also a great way to ease into a bob without going uncomfortably short. 'Ask for a soft, structured lob with subtle undercutting or beveling at the ends,' says Arrojo. 'It gives you bob energy without going short.'
Sharp Bob
It may seem a bit intimidating, but the sharp bob—that is, a bob that features a straight, sharp line with minimum texturizing—is actually the perfect beginner bob. 'If I have a client who wants to cut a bob the first time, I would recommend this one, since it's simple and very easy to style,' Iudina advises fellow hairstylists. You can straighten it, add a bit of wave, or do nothing at all. It works on all textures, she notes, as long as the bottom cut is straight and full.
Ripped Bob
Cavalcante calls the ripped bob a lived-in take on the classic bob, thanks to its piecey texture, tousled layers, and effortlessly cool finish. 'It gives the illusion of hair that's been naturally 'ripped,' or undone, with subtle bends and a slightly irregular shape that adds movement and dimension,' he says.
Those subtle bends are what make it perfect for naturally wavy hair. 'It's not about precision; it's about movement and natural shape,' says Arrojo, who recommends asking for a midlength bob with deconstructed layers, which will allow you to use your natural wave to create volume and a cascading shape that has 'tons of personality.'
And, as you can see from Halle Berry, the ripped bob is curl-friendly too. 'Very little layering allows her to stay voluminous and in control but not too puffy,' says Farel. Ultimately, Abramite says, it's low-maintenance and can be air-dried or diffused to enhance natural wavy texture.
Shaggy Bob
Fans of the retro shag don't have to give up its free-spirited layers just because they want to go shorter. 'Featuring choppy ends, bangs, and plenty of movement, this style flatters most face shapes,' says Cavalcante, 'and works especially well with naturally wavy or textured hair.'
Says Raven Hurtado, a stylist at Maxine Salon, ask for layers that give lots of texture, and curtain bangs cut shorter in the center and longer to the end of the eyebrows. And when you think you might be ready to move on from any of the above haircuts? 'This look is great for those who are growing out their bob.'
Bob Haircut Styling Essentials
Smoothing Air Dry Cream
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Full Thickening Blow-Dry Cream
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Small Round Brush
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Hot Curling Ceramic Brush
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Liquid Glass High-Gloss Finishing Serum
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Ellnet Satin Strong Hold Classic Hairspray
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