Effortless Chin Length Wavy Bob
@braxtonthomashair
Q&A with style creator, Braxton Thomas
Hairstylist @ Beauty House Hair Boutique in Regina, SK
How would you describe this look?
The best way I’d describe this look is effortless chic. My client’s hair is on the fine side, so a blunt bob with no layers is the perfect option for maximum fullness.
My favorite thing about it is how striking chin-length blunt bob looks.
Any advice for someone considering it?
I definitely advise considering the face shape. My client has a strong jawline and a longer face, so cutting right at the chin brings attention to her jawline, all while adding width to her long face. She has naturally wavy hair, so this look works perfect for her at home. She can air dry, spray some salt spray in, and go!
For clients without a natural wave, it’s easy to throw some curls in and shake the hair out for an easy, messy look. I recommend R+Co Trophy because it is both a shine and texture spray, almost like a spray wax. Use it to shake the curls up and give the hair some body. It also smells unreal!
The entire look straight is also very doable, and that’s where the striking “chic” look comes in. It’s got a more fashion-forward look to it and, when cut totally even and blunt, is extremely beautiful.
Pink and Red Chin Length Blunt Bob
@mtbstyles
Q&A with style creator, Melissa Taylor
Colour Specialist @ Artel Salon in Vancouver, BC
How would you describe this look?
This look is a chin length blunt bob with lots of texture. We bleached it out and gave it some rose and peach hues. I love the length on her and, of course, the color!
Any advice for someone considering it?
This client’s hair is quite thick and she has a lot of it. This tends to make a blunt, chin-length bob look even better! Although this length is very flattering on most, it is still something to keep in mind. Typically, if your hair has a wave or is thick it will be less maintenance and take less effort to style. If you have straight hair, use a wider barrel iron to give it a nice wave. And hairspray, of course!
This look is also super cute half up for those that work out and need it off their face!
Timeliness, Lived-in Chin Length Bob
Meagan Eldridge / Instagram
Q&A with style creator, Meagan Eldridge
Stylist @ William Edge Nashville in Nashville, TN
How would you describe this look and what’s your favorite thing about it?
This haircut is versatile and timeless. It can be worn sleek and modern or tousled and texturized for a more lived-in look, which is my personal favorite.
Which products would you recommend to help create and maintain this?
To help maintain a look like this, I always start with Brilliant Damage Control for thermal protection and ease of manipulation. To get the hold and volume I wanted to see on her silky fine hair, I followed with our Pure Abundance Style Prep and Volumizing Tonic. To finish and give it a more tousled look, I chose Shampure Dry Shampoo for more of a matte finish and added texture. I then added a thin veil of Air Control Hairspray for hold.
Which type of person would this work best for?
This style is something that any hair type or personality can enjoy. Whether you want something sassy and fun or polished and professional, this shape is easy to maintain for any lifestyle.
What’s your best tip for someone who’s considering this or already has this?
The best tip I could give anyone considering this shape or who already has it is to have fun with it! Hair is an accessory and should express to the world who you are.
How could someone recreate this style at home?
The best way to recreate this style at home would be to start with a pre-dry after applying product, then using a flat wrap technique (which is moving the hair around the head in both directions) until the hair is about 90% dry. At that point, re-section the hair and style with a flat iron or round brush to create bounce and shine. Otherwise you can flat wrap the hair until it is completely dry and use your flat iron to create some really fun texture and movement.
Fashion-Forward Chin Length Bob for Older Women
@hairbyarapp
Q&A with style creator, Amy Rapp
Hairstylist @ Elle 7 Twenty Salon & Spa in Vero Beach, FL
How would you describe this look and what is your favorite thing about it?
It’s a very fashion-forward and chic look. I love how sophisticated and classy it looks.
What products do you recommend to maintain and recreate this look?
I definitely recommend a smoothing serum or oil (depending on hair type) and an anti-humidity hairspray for finishing.
What type of client would you recommend this look for?
Any working woman or even a stay-at-home mom can rock this. This specific client had naturally curly hair that was medium/coarse. An oval face shape looks the best with a bob. If you have a cowlick in the front, I do not recommend going for the full fringe!
Punk Chin Length Bob Haircut
@stlauren_stylist
Stylist Lauren Fields created a punk-inspired chin-length bob with micro bangs framing the face.
Textured Inverted Chin Length Bob
@lilyjeanne
Stylist Lilly Gervasi created an amazing wavy inverted bob haircut on short hair for this new bride.
Adorable Chin Length Asymmetrical Bob
@justinedeal
Q&A with style creator, Justine Deal
Colorist / Stylist @ Tribeca Salons in South Tampa, FL
How would you describe this look?
I feel like this is such a fresh cut. It’s perfect for my client due to her coloring history. She has done so much previous coloring and bleaching, and it was great for her to get rid of those dry ends! I love the asymmetry of it and I feel that that complements the new color perfectly.
Any advice for someone considering it?
I think the ideal client for this cut would have straight or wavy hair. This cut is very versatile and can be worn smooth or with beach waves. If you have wavy hair, you could easily blow dry this using a paddle brush and round brush to get a smoother look. If you like the asymmetry, make sure the stylist has at least 3″ of length difference from the left to the right side. Any less and it just looks like a mistake!
Flawless Chin Length A-Line Bob
@rebeccaatthehive
Q&A with style creator, Rebecca Llewellyn
Owner & Master Stylist @ THE HIVE at Citizen Salon Studios in Calgary, AB
How would you describe this look?
This is a modern, fun bob with an interesting twist.
I definitely love the color most. On her highlighted blonde hair, the pink tone adds some personality, but because of the different porosities in her hair, this pink turned out more dimensional than one flat color.
For this client specifically, we wanted a low commitment color, so once this temporary tone fades out, she will be left with her original rooty blonde highlights.
Any advice for someone considering it?
The pink tone is temporary so be ok with the fade, but the modern, clean A-line bob cut will be the star of the show when the color goes away.
For those with thick hair, I would recommend a small undercut in the back to remove a lot of weight and to get a more uniform a-line. This client has that, you just can’t see it.
For those with less than thick hair, the undercut isn’t as necessary. I love a good strong bob and believe that there’s a shape for almost any face shape and hair type.
Fresh Chin Length Choppy Bob
@_kpstylist
Q&A with style creator, Kasia Pawluk
Hairstylist / Colorist @ Gallery of Hair in Chicago, IL
How would you describe this look?
I love that almost everything was cut with a razor. I was trying to give the client as much texture as I could.
This client, in particular, has always thrown funky ideas my way, so it’s always a good time cutting and styling her.
Any advice for someone considering it?
The wilder the better. Texturizing spray and volumizing powder are my go-to’s for any type of short fun hairstyle. The short bangs complement the client’s style. They don’t have to be cut on everyone.
New Wave Chin Length Bob with Bangs
@wowcoolwow
Q&A with style creator, Ashley Wylie
Hairstylist / Barber @ Melrose & Mcqueen Salon in Atlanta, GA
How would you describe this look?
I describe this look as a new wave approach to a blunt cut 60s bob.
I like that the look is somewhat classic, but throws in a modern touch with the bob undercut shaved all the way around. This also takes a lot of weight out of my model’s very thick and heavy hair.
Any advice for someone considering it?
The thicker the hair, the better. A lot of my model’s thickness was taken out where we shaved it underneath, therefore if a client has thinner hair, it’s going to completely take away from the bluntness we achieved with the rest of her cut.
I also look for someone with straighter hair for a cut like this. It’s much easier to give straight hair texture than it is to smooth out curlier hair to show the blunt bob line at the chin. Because my model has the straight hair, it’s very easy for her to manage this style on her own.
If you’ve got the straight, thick, almost coarse hair that my model has, I would achieve the style by using a couple of different products. Right now I’m loving EVO hair products all around. I threw in Day of Grace leave-in and also some End Doctor (which is a smoothing sealant) before blow drying. Get the hair dry with a round brush and blow dryer, but only smoothing out the parts of the hair that tend to get fuzzy.
Once it’s dry, then you can worry about getting that undone texture with Salty Dog salt spray, also by EVO. Scrunch just a bit into the hair in sections, let dry, then use a flat iron to create a slight bend all over the head by pulling straight down a section of hair with the iron while slightly bending the iron in and out. Rake through the hair with your fingers and you’re done!
Playful Yet Professional Bob
@roshambo_nancy
Q&A with style creator, Nancy Roberts
Owner / Stylist @ Ro Sham Bo Salon in Medford, OR
How would you describe this look?
This look encompasses the complexity of all that characterizes a bob. It’s precise yet deconstructed, playful yet professional, and classic yet creative.
My favorite thing about this cut is the wide smile that developed as I placed the mirror in her hand. I love creating bobs because they seem to reveal something more than just the neck or lines of the collarbone. It’s as if the alter-ego comes out to play when I cut a bob on my guest.
Any advice for someone considering it?
I remind guests that wherever we place a line is where we will create a focus. On this cut, I created a line just below the jawline, mimicking her defined jaw shape and playing against her long, sleek neck. Had she not liked her neck, that may have led us to consider a long bob. Alternatively, if her neck and jaw were so striking that we wanted to fully expose them and her favorite feature was her great cheekbones, we may have considered cutting an even shorter bob.
In addition, we added a fringe. I carved in a textured side bang to hit at the eye. You cannot see it in this photo, but this gal smiles with her eyes. I wanted to enhance and focus on her beautiful, authentic “smize.” The addition or absence of a fringe heavily impacts what your bob says about you and your personality.
Another option to consider is if you want your bob to be cut with or without texture. Personally, I like to implement some form of texturizing after creating my shape. This can help to increase my guest’s time between appointments and to make styling at home a bit easier. If you are a pro at styling and love seeing your stylist every four to six weeks, go for the bob with little to no texture. If eight to ten weeks and/or “wash and wear” is more your style, let your stylist add some texture to soften the shape as it grows out and make styling as simple as can be.
Think about where you part your hair. If your part is versatile, consider having your stylist cut your bob down the middle so you can easily wear the bob three different wats (left part, center part, right part). However, if you have worn your hair parted on the same side for the last 23 years, make sure your stylist cuts your hair using that part. If not, you will always struggle with a piece hanging on the wrong side that’s too long. Just remember that your bob doesn’t have to be totally even on each side to look amazing! Part your hair differently to play with asymmetry and tuck one side back to play with balance and proportion.
I love styling my chin-length bobs using medium tension, a Denman brush, and Your Hair Assistant Primer by Davines sprayed onto damp hair. Using a “flat wrap” technique, brush your hair back and forth using the round of your head as a giant roller to create movement, smoothness, and volume. Once completely dried using that technique, I spray some Your Hair Assistant Definition Mist (also by Davines) onto my hands and tousle through. I love it because it adds a weightless sheen and soft definition.
Now for the best part. Have your stylist hand you the mirror and say hello to whoever you want to be.
Blunt Chin-Length Bob
@madelinebrownhair
Q&A with style creator, Madeline Brown
Hairstylist @ Polite Society in New Orleans, LA
How would you describe this look?
This is a blunt, chin-length bob with a dark glow. I love the versatility of this look for my client because she has wavy hair. The ends are texturized just enough to release the wave in her hair for air drying and make styling straight a breeze.
I also love the color. I used L’Oreal Diarichesse demi-permanent color to darken her to a 3/4, then added a splash of copper/gold. This gives her hair incredible shine.
Any advice for someone considering it?
This look is great for oval, heart or inverted triangle face shapes. It broadens the jawline and chin for those face shapes with a slighter chin. I’ve done this cut on a variety of hair types, but I would hesitate to do this cut on someone with extremely thick and/or curly hair.
Clients with wavy hair should not be afraid of this cut! The versatility of going from straight to wavy is so fun. To style look this wavy, I would scrunch in a thick mousse. I love Aircraft Pomade Mousse from R+Co. To style this look smooth and straight, add some styling cream before you blow dry. I love R+Co Park Ave Blowout Balm.
Blunt Cut Bob with Straight Bangs
@nikitadutson
Q&A with style creator, Nikita Dutson
Creative Stylist @ Lunatic Fringe Salon in St George, UT
How would you describe this look?
I would describe this style as a blunt cut bob with blunt bangs. My favorite thing about this cut is how it presents the person wearing it classy and edgy with a little sass. It will always stand out in a room.
Any advice for someone considering it?
The chin-length bob is great for showing off a strong jawline and cheekbones. It’s good to determine your face shape when considering a bob. For round or square face shapes, you want your bob to be no shorter than mid-neck to draw attention away from the jaw or cheeks.
If you have curly hair and don’t like to wear it curly, there will be a lot of work involved in styling this cut. Any bob can be worn with curly hair textures and look fierce. Clients with straight hair can have this cut and it is very low maintenance.
When deciding if you want bangs, keep in mind the upkeep of cutting them often and styling them daily. I love styling this cut with a thermal protectant cream, a lightweight oil for shine, and a moisture mousse for a touchable style.
Sci-Fi Bob
@meganlacydoeshair
Q&A with style creator, Megan Lacy Sullivan
Hair / Make-up / Lash Artist @ Megan Lacy Does Hair in Mentor, OH
How would you describe this look and what is your favorite thing about it?
This is my own interpretation of the “Sci-Fi Bob”. It is a blunt, slightly angled razored bob with internal layering to reduce bulk. The hair on top should be long enough to accentuate the blunt ends and style easily.
I love how this cut is a little different with each person. Using a razor gives me the ability to sculpt and shape the cut to each person’s bone structure and hair texture. It’s a wash and wear, low maintenance styling dream. However, to maintain the exact look, shape up appointments are required more often.
What products do you recommend to maintain and recreate this look?
I used IGK’s Car Service to protect and give control during the blow dry. When the hair is almost dry, use a paddle brush and dryer to wrap the hair to one side, then to the other. This will ensure the hair lays with your head shape. Use a 1-inch curling iron to curl just the top half of your hair to maintain the length of the hair. When curling, leave out the last one inch of hair to blend with the bottom layer.
Set the style with IGK’s Intern Hairspray for a touchable hold, and work in a drop of Expensive to break up the curls and add a piecey shine.
What type of client would you recommend this look for?
This look is ideal for anyone who doesn’t like to spend much time styling, but is looking for something trendy and easy to recreate at home. This client in particular has finer hair that tends to lay flat. By taking her hair shorter it creates a balance that give the illusion of fuller hair.
Sophisticated Yet Sexy
@rachelklinehair
Q&A with style creator, Rachel Kline
Stylist / Colorist @ Lotus Hair Artisans in Atlanta, GA
How would you describe this look and what is your favorite thing about it?
This is a chin length bob with a slight angle. I love this look because to me it is sophisticated yet sexy.
What products do you recommend to maintain and recreate this look?
I used Oribe products to achieve this look. After blow drying the hair out completely smooth and straight, I used a flat iron to give a slight bend, focusing on the pieces framing her face. I then used Oribe’s Dry Texturizing Spray all over for volume and texture.
What type of client would you recommend this look for?
This is a great look for someone with thin/fine hair because it gives the appearance of fullness. My client was wearing her hair in a ponytail every day and felt she had no style. This is why we decided to chop off seven inches and give her a fun, chic bob that was easy to style and keep up with.
Texturized Blunt Bob
@parrucchiera_zoe
Q&A with style creator, Zoe
Hairstylist @ Twig Salon in Boulder, CO
How would you describe this look and what is your favorite thing about it?
This haircut is classy, but still low maintenence. Since there is a lot of texture but not a ton of layering, it doesn’t require a lot of styling. This look is perfect for any client with wavy or curly hair that wants to embrace their textured hair. I love that it accentuates the client’s natural texture while still looking put together and playful.
The short fringe gives this look a softer face frame to complement the square shape of the bob. Since it is cut entirely with a razor, it has a more lived-in look.
What products do you recommend to maintain and recreate this look?
To replicate this style at home, I recommend the client start with a few sprays of Unite’s 7 Seconds leave-in conditioning spray. It helps re-moisturize the hair since most curly textures lack moisture. The use Unite’s Boing curl cream, which is a light hold styling cream to help form the curls together and reduce frizz.
To finish it off, I love R+Co’s new salt spray, Sail. It’s more of a wet aerosol spray that roughs up the curls just enough, while still leaving them soft and not crunchy. You can also use Sail on dry, second-day hair to restyle the waves!
What type of client would you recommend this look for?
This style would work best on someone with naturally curly or wavy hair that likes to air dry or diffuse their hair. It’s great for low maintenance clients that still want a fun style.
I also think a classic bob is perfect for any face shape since you can modify the length or the type of fringe slightly to complement their unique features.
Alternative Bob
@candystylz
Q&A with style creator, Candace Cook
Hairstylist @ Illussions Hair Design in Bowie, MD
How would you describe this look and what is your favorite thing about it?
I would describe this look as an alternative to the classic bob. By cutting the bob chin-length and graduating the nape, gives it a chic and trendy air. My favorite thing about this look is the deep side part with a heavy fringe which gives drama to the cut.
What products do you recommend to maintain and recreate this look?
As for products, I recommend a light serum to give the hair sheen so the hair will have movement without being weighed down. To recreate this look, the hair should be shampooed, conditioned and wrapped with a styling foam. The client should then be placed under dryer before dry combing the hair down and flat ironing.
What type of client would you recommend this look for?
This look can be recreated with all textures of hair!
The Beach Girl Bob
This beach girl bob style has movement but is still very casual. It can be done in minutes and will show off your color nicely.
How-to Steps:
1. Start with clean, dry hair and part it to the side, or down the middle, which ever you prefer.
2. Secure your hair up, leaving out a section to begin curling.
3. Spray each section with a light, working hairspray.
4. Curl large pieces using a 1 and 1/4″ curling iron.
5. When the whole head of hair is curled, run your fingers through everything, giving it a messier, less polished look.
6. Spray everything with a light or a heavy hold hairspray, depending on your hair’s ability to hold curls.
Recommended Products:
I like L’oreal Professional Infinium 3 Hairspray for a working spray. I also finish off all of my curl clients with this for a gentle hold.
Best Face Shapes and Hair Types:
If you have fine, straight to wavy hair, this style is perfect for you. You will find it easy and quick to create loose beach waves. I truly think this style is great for all face shapes because the waves soften your jaw lines and flatter any face!
Tips:
With this style, I think the messier, the better! No need to worry too much about each curl/wave being perfect.
The Straight-Sassy Girl Bob
The two colors of this hairstyle are complemented perfectly with this straightened out look. It can be great for any occasion, fancy or casual. It is simple to create and works with EVERY hair type!
How To Steps:
1. Start with clean, dry hair, which has been prepped with a root boosting spray or mouse and the ends treated with a smoothing serum.
2. Secure hair up leaving one section down to begin straightening.
3. Use a flat iron to go over each section of hair.
4. Finish with a smoothing polish product.
Recommended Products:
I think the key to this style is creating smoothness, but not flat, limp looking hair. It’s always great to use a thickening spray when the hair is wet, such as Thickening Spray by Bumble and Bumble. For a finishing product, I love Moroccan Oil.
Best Face Shapes and Hair Types:
Round face shapes will look great with this sleek style. Naturally straight hair will create more ease when creating this style, but thick hair can certainly work for this style as well. It will just take a little more work!
Tips:
Be sure your flat iron isn’t too hot. Never use a temperature over 450 degrees, and if your hair is fine, it should be much lower, somewhere around 250 degrees.
The Funky-Fun Girl Bob
This style looks great on hair that has some fun, peek-a-boo highlights or is all one color. It can give a lot pizzazz to an ordinary bob, and is perfect for a night out!
How-to Steps:
1. Start with clean, dry hair that has been prepped with mouse or root boosting spray. Part it to the side, or down the middle, which ever you prefer.
2. Secure your hair up, leaving out a section to begin straightening.
3. Straighten each section using a flat iron.
Recommended Products:
The key to this style is volume! I love Unite Expanda Dust. Sprinkle a tiny bit on your roots, rub your fingers on your scalp and ta-da! Plenty of volume in seconds! I also would finish with a strong hold hairspray such as Moroccan Oil Heavy Hairspray.
Best Face Shapes and Hair Types:
If you have thick hair, this is the style for you. Also, the more layers, the better. An added bonus is having shorter layered tresses through the back, which can sometimes be called “stacked” layers, or graduated layers. A round face would be complemented by this style.
The Round-Brushed Bob
This style can be worn by all women. It is especially complemented by a deep part and swoopy bangs.
How-to Steps:
1. After shampooing, towel dry your hair. Ideally, you should allow your hair to dry naturally until it is about 50-75% dry.
2. Secure hair up, leaving out a one-inch section to start round brushing.
3. Using a round brush 2 inches in diameter, smooth out each section by holding a blow dryer approximately 1 inch from the section. Use a boar bristle for smoothing out thick, coarse hair, or a metal round brush to create body in fine hair.
4. Finish with a smoothing serum.
Recommended Products:
I like Unite Boosta Spray for body at the roots. Enjoy Hair and Skin Treatment Oil is also great to put in before and after the blowout to smooth hair.
Best Face Shapes and Hair Types:
People with fine, straight hair will certainly find it easier to round brush hair. Kinky, curly, frizzy hair poses more of a challenge. This hairstyle will soften round face shapes.
Tips:
You will have a much easier time round brushing if you start when your hair is a little bit dry. I recommend letting hair air dry before starting. Be sure to over-direct hair when round brushing.
The Full-Fringe Bob
With this style, the focus is all on the front! Even if you don’t have specific bangs already cut, you can still make this style work, because with a chin length bob your hair is already fairly short.
How-to Steps:
1. After washing and conditioning hair, create a very deep part on either side of your head. Be sure to do this before you dry your hair.
2. Begin with drying the bangs. A flat brush works well. Blow dry the bangs with the flat brush the OPPOSITE way of how you want them to lay when they are dry.
3. When the bangs are about 80% dry, begin drying them to the correct side. This technique ensures that you will smooth out any cowlicks, and it also creates the “swoopy” look.
4. Finish drying the rest of your hair.
Recommended Products:
A good finishing hairspray will be crucial for this style. I like Kenra Volume Hairspray 25.
Best Face Shapes and Hair Types:
This style is great if you have fine hair, because the focus is all on the bangs! This style also shows off color very well. It can slim down longer face shapes as well as hide foreheads.
The Mohawk Bob
This style is absolutely perfect for a night out on the town. With surprisingly little work, you can completely transform your day hair to night hair!
How-to Steps:
1. Start with dry hair. (If your hair is a little dirty, even better!)
2. Begin by hair spraying, and then back-combing (teasing) small sections of hair on the top of your head for the Mohawk of this style.
3. Once the top section of your hair has ample volume, secure the sides of your hair back with a bobby pin on either side.
4. Smooth the front of your Mohawk section and do your best to blend a few pieces in the back so that the bobby pins are covered.
5. Finish with a generous amount of holding spray.
Recommended Products:
I like Big Sexy Hair Powder Play to use for back-combing. Bumble and Bumble Classic Hairspray is great for finishing.
Best Face Shapes and Hair Types:
This style will elongate tiny faces. Thick, coarse hair may hold better in a Mohawk, however with the right products, fine hair will hold too!
Tips:
A good back combing brush will do wonders for you in creating this style. Check out the Spornette Little Wonder Brush.
The Big Sexy Curled Bob
This style can transform an everyday bob into something fancy shmancy in no time!
How-to Steps:
1. Start with dry hair. Be sure to leave out your bangs to copy the style shown above.
2. Secure hair up, leaving out a one-inch section to start curling. A 1″ curling iron is perfect for this hairstyle.
3. Spray each section with a light hairspray prior to curling.
4. Finish with a strong hold hairspray.
Recommended Products:
Bumble and Bumble Does It All Hairspray is great for spraying on hair before you curl.
Best Face Shapes and Hair Types:
This style will work well for everyone, as the curls will soften any face shape.
Tips:
Be sure to avoid damaging your hair by keeping the curling iron on a lower heat. Typically, the middle heat setting on curling irons works well for most hair types. If your hair is coarser, you may need to turn the heat up just a bit.
The Flipped Out Bob
This simple to create style is perfect for everyday wear, and will give your chin-length hair some instant sass! If your hair has some layers, this style will become an instant favorite.
How-to Steps:
1. Start with clean, dry hair, and a deeply set part on either side of your head.
2. Using a flat iron, take small sections on one side of your hair and flip out each end.
3. Finish with a strong hold hairspray.
Recommended Products:
I like Moroccan Oil Strong Hairspray for a polished final look!
Best Face Shapes and Hair Types:
While this hairstyle will work on any face shape, it will be hard to create if your hair is all one length. Layers will give you more to work with for this specific style.
Having short hair is no excuse for monotony. Hopefully you can now see that a chin length bob can be one of the most versatile styles out there!
