With Beach Waves
@kathleenrosehair
Your classic cut just got a fresh spin! These soft waves are just as legendary as this French bob, giving a delicate look to the blunt cut. The bangs are wispy for a softer approach to the straight cut bangs, which is an enlivening approach to the cut.
The Classic French Bob
@minhwaleehair
All blunt and sharp that is both vintage and futuristic, this is the cut that made the French bob style famous. The texture, styling, and the bangs are all licked into a shape that showcases the jet black hair color more than anything.
Modern French Bob with Bangs
@guychristiansalon
With soft curls, stacked layers, and the iconic blunt bangs, you wouldn’t mistake this for another haircut. Way to show texture and style in a cute inverted bob that gives an instant youthful look.
The Messy French Bob
@ewelina_wnek
Q&A with style creator, Ewelina Wnek
Hair Stylist @ Salon Freyja in Montreal, QC
How would you describe this look?
This messy bob is effortlessly stunning! My favorite part about this style is that it requires little to no styling and suits most people. When appropriately textured, it allows the hair to flow naturally without having to style it very much.
Any advice for someone considering it?
I suggest applying a small amount of curling cream while the hair is damp and let it air dry or dry it using a diffuser for a tighter wave or curl. My favorite cream is Love Curl Cream from Davines.
While typically executed on wavy to curly hair, this cut takes on a soberer but just as flattering look on hair with the slightest wave.
Besides regular bang trims, the French bob is a low maintenance cut perfect for anyone who wants more time for a little extra joie de vivre!
The Long French Bob
@adoremadore
Q&A with style creator, Elizabeth Madore
Sunlights Balayage Artisan Educator @ Stylist at North in Alexandria, VA
How would you describe this look?
The French bob is the most timeless yet trendy haircut there is. It is a classic look that will never make you look back at photos and cringe, but it is so versatile that you can style it to look sleek and smooth, textured and edgy, soft and beachy, curly and romantic. Do whatever you like, and you’ll always be on-trend!
I love that this cut is something everyone can wear, no matter what type of hair they have. This is great for super fine, thin hair to make it look fuller or on thick, coarse hair and make it look less bulky. It’s the ultimate classic.
Any advice for someone considering it?
If you’re considering a French bob, you should spend some time looking at photos and find one that represents your hair and the way you’d like it to look. You’ll want to find a photo of someone with the same kind of hair as yours, whether that is thick, thin, curly, straight, you name it.
If you’re unsure what type of hair you have, just find a few photos that represent different hair types, but make sure the bob in the photo is the exact length you want. By saying, “I like this but maybe an inch longer,” you’re changing the cut, and it won’t look like the photo. One inch is a big difference for a bob. By changing the length of bob even a single inch, it could be the difference between a shoulder-length or above the shoulder or the difference between chin length or cheek length. Bobs are precision cuts, and changing the length will change the look of the cut, so always keep in mind (especially when going shorter) that if you want the look, you have to commit to the length.
Also, keep in mind that a true bob is too short for a ponytail, so depending on your hair’s natural texture and your desired look, you might need to style it. Fortunately, even if you have a ton of hair, a bob doesn’t take long to style. A little trick I like to teach my guests is to take a section by putting your fingers on your temples and moving them straight back until your fingers meet at the back of your head and spend the majority of your styling time working on that top section. You don’t need to spend a lot of time on anything that falls underneath it because it will be covered by the hair in that top section anyway!
Textured for Thin Hair
@wendycuts_hair
Q&A with style creator, Wendy Newsome
Hairstylist @ David James Salons / Ceremony Salon in San Francisco, CA / Portland, OR
How would you describe this look?
The inspiration for this bob was a sort of ’90s/’20s hybrid. It was cut with a straight razor, and although it’s textured, I love how full and chunky l left the edges. It’s not super shattered and collapsed, which is nice on this client.
Any advice for someone considering it?
This is an easy style for anyone with straight or wavy textures, and the bangs can be modified to suit the individual or left out completely. It’s very easy day-to-day maintenance requiring little to no blow-drying. On this client, I used a salt spray and just rough-dried their hair and finished with a pomade for some definition.
A Short French Bob
@stylesby.roe
Q&A with style creator, Rosemarie Casano
Licensed Cosmetologist @ Arrojo Studio TriBeCa in New York, NY
How would you describe this look?
This look is a vintage romantic haircut with a twist of modern flare. My most favorite thing about it is the contrast between the precision outline and the textured bang.
I created this haircut with the razor, so it allows us to create a lot of internal movement, and so it can look very classic and chic. Also, if you use the right products, it can be edgy and fun!
Any advice for someone considering it?
It’s going to open up the face and elongate the neck, which could be a very sexy look.
I truly think this haircut is very versatile, depending on the products used. It could be worn on a client who is in the business or on a client who is artistic and edgy. The products change the entire aesthetic of the cut, being that it was cut with the razor.
I styled it in this pic with an Arrojo flat brush sleek and straight, enhancing the outline with a little Arrojo shine luxe oil. I also could have made it playful and enhanced the texture within it. I would have used the Arrojo Glint texture spray that adds texture and shine and some Arrojo texture paste to the bang to enhance the textured line.
The French bob could be super classic and trendy at the same time. It’s all about the tool you use to cut it and the type of product added!
The Layered Bob
@madisonvillohair
Q&A with style creator, Madison Villo
Haircutting Enthusiast @ Panther City Salon in Fort Worth, TX
How would you describe this look?
I think it’s very playful with an underlying sexiness to it. I love that the length shows off the shoulders, yet the curtain bangs bring the focus to the eyes and cheekbones.
My favorite thing about it is the ease of styling. With it sitting right off the shoulders, you don’t have to deal with the dreaded mid-length flip. Whether you wear it straight, curled or air-dried, it will look good. On lazy days, you can throw it up in a messy half-bun and still look super cute.
Any advice for someone considering it?
This cut is suitable for most hair textures. I’ve done it on a vast range of hair textures and density, but I style each differently.
If you have fine and straight hair, I would recommend blow-drying with a round brush before curling to get the most volume out of it. If your hair already has a nice wave to it, I like to diffuse with a sea salt spray (or you can air-dry) and then touch up a few waves here and there with a flat-iron or curling iron. For curly hair, I always start with a curl cream and sea salt spray at the roots for volume and then diffuse! To finish any style, I always use a texturizing spray. I like Evo She-Bang-a-Bang spray or AG Tousled Textured.
Perfect for Curly Hair
@devynhairart
Q&A with style creator, Devyn Martinez
Hairstylist @ Cutting Edge Hair and Body Salon in Goleta, CA
How would you describe this look?
This curly French bob with subtle warm blonde balayage is one of my favorite low maintenance colors and style! The low color placement and darker blonde allow for an effortless grow out while keeping the length close to the jawline makes for an easy wash and go style!
Any advice for someone considering it?
This cut and color combo can look good on curly or straight hair! I used a leave-in conditioner, serum, and curl defining cream when styling Abbie’s natural loose curls.
The most important factor when deciding if you can pull off this look is forehead cowlicks – it can be very difficult to style this short fringe with a strong cowlick present. It’s always good to study your hairline before going for bangs!
The Wavy French Bob
@tessyhair
Q&A with style creator, Tessy McSwain
Hair Designer @ House of Lange in Irvine, CA
How would you describe this look?
This is a slightly longer version of the French bob. Characterized by the length falling around the jaw and exposing the neck, paired with a soft fringe that grazes the eyebrows while framing the face – the French bob has such an effortlessly beautiful look to it.
My favorite thing about this haircut is both the texture and softness. It is low maintenance, easy to style, and grows out beautifully when shaped with a razor.
Any advice for someone considering it?
Whether you decide to wear this haircut smooth and straight with super bouncy curls or showing it off with its signature tousled waves, you cannot go wrong with any of the styles. The easiest to style and most Parisian look would be the messy tousled waves.
Kevin Murphy has amazing products for this style, and my favorite combo after air-drying the hair (or rolling out of bed) is using Powder Puff, gently tapping it into the roots for volume and a bit into the ends to create a soft, airy texture, and then I finish it off with Doo Over for lasting power to mold and form the perfect disheveled, messy texture.
Another option to achieving the look is by twisting random sized sections of wet hair, and then to emphasize the wavy texture and add volume and hold, spray Eleven Australia’s Sea Salt Spray into the roots and ends. Let air dry or diffuse.
A Chin Length Cut
@shannon_lauritsen
Q&A with style creator, Shannon Lauritsen
Co-owner / Hairstylist @ Golden Hour Salon in Old Hickory, TN
How would you describe this look?
It’s a classic bob with texture carved in. I like to leave the illusion of a one-length but razor-cut a lot of movement into the hair and help bring out the natural wave! I think that’s what truly makes a French bob – the ease of the style, giving that effortless look.
Any advice for someone considering it?
My honest advice is to take the stylist’s lead. Often times, with shorter cuts, some clients are nervous about going too short – whatever that means to them. Talk it out with your stylist and ask them what length will give you that French Bob look and flatter your bone structure.
If you play it too safe with your length, you’ll lose the impact of the cut! Sometimes you need to step out of your comfort zone to get something you love. If you can embrace your natural texture and appreciate a little mess, you’re going to rock the hell out of a French bob.
I love to cocktail Mr. Smith Paste & Mr. Smith Serum and use it to pinch and piece the hair into place. Exaggerate just the front section of your part to make it a little deeper – it looks hot on everyone!
Cute Bob with Fringe
@rebeccajacqueshair
Q&A with style creator, Rebecca Jacques
Senior Stylist @ Bad Apple Hair in Birmingham, UK
How would you describe this look?
This is the French bob. This look is now very popular, especially through social media. It would carry the hashtag #instahair. It’s modern, chic, and effective if worn with confidence (like my beautiful model @_meglacey).
I love the simplicity. It’s the definition of “less is more.” It’s a cool and current bob. My favorite thing about it is that it’s timeless, it suits different ages of women, and the way it’s blow-dried is just so stylish. It’s no longer just about the hair – it’s fashion.
Any advice for someone considering it?
If you’re happy with shorter styles or looking for a change, before you explore anything shorter than a bob, definitely give this look a go!
Believe it or not, my client in the image has a finer hair type. So using the correct products and techniques, it gives the hair a fuller look, a lot more volume in the right places, and padded the hair out. This gives the illusion the hair is thicker.
If your hair is naturally thicker, it’s an easier process. I’d advise you to blow-dry this style with a small-medium round brush. This adds height at the root but, most importantly, a bevel in motion through the ends, encouraging the iconic flick!
If your hair is naturally wavy or curly, it can also look super effective with this cut. I’d always, though for a style like this, recommend Schwarzkopf Professional products, whether it’s a shampoo or conditioner or styling product for blow-drying and finishing the hair when dry.
For this look, particularly we used Schwarzkopf Bonacure Collagen Volume boost shampoo and conditioner (voted best shampoo and conditioner – award-winning) and a styling product called Miracle15, a balm that is a multipurpose solution that nourishes, protects, and styles your hair, formulated with 15 benefits to protect and care for your hair.
I think the beauty of this hairstyle is to pull it off – your age doesn’t matter. As long as you’re confident with yourself and care about your identity, style, fashion, etc., it looks incredible. Even if you have a pop of color in the hair, the cut itself is striking!
Flattering for a Round Face
@carmenwaltz
Q&A with style creator, Carmen Waltz
Salon Owner / Hair Stylist @ Chelsea Salon in Portland, OR
How would you describe this look?
This look is a classic French bob that gives a little throwback to the ’70s but still feels modern and fresh.
I love it because it can be styled in so many different ways to achieve a variety of looks. As for the color, we wanted to create a natural platinum rather than a cool white. I’m seeing a lot of clients move away from ashy shades in favor of warmer tones, which complement and brighten up the skin.
Any advice for someone considering it?
Consider your particular hair texture and density and make sure that you are comfortable with a shorter length.
The shape here is more square than round, which I like on finer and more delicate hair textures. Because you keep more density on the ends, it wears very well on hair that is lacking fullness and may feel a little heavier on someone with very thick hair.
I love this cut for straight hair, but it’s suitable for wavy and curly hair with a few modifications.
The color will help this style stand out. For an edgier feel, I’d opt with a platinum or pastel color, or for a softer look, rich chocolate or deep copper would be amazing!
What clients love about this cut is that styling is as easy as you want it to be! It’s great for someone who has a busy or active lifestyle but also fantastic for someone who wants to look stylish even with minimal effort. Honestly, even though it’s a short cut, there are so many different options when it comes to styling this look.
This could be blown dry into a sleek bob using a smoothing styling product and round brush (I love Kevin.Murphy Smooth.Again for a smooth frizz-free blow-dry). Alternatively, you could use a curling wand to add random pops of texture or for an all-over wave or curl pattern. Here, we utilized a center part, but this could also be styled with a deep side part to add more volume and to create a different vibe.
When styling Harley, I was inspired by Debbie Harry and wanted something that felt done but undone at the same time. I did a rough blow dry with Anti.Gravity Lotion (Kevin.Murphy) for volume, directing the hair with my hands and a Denman brush, then utilized Doo.Over (a dry powder spray by Kevin.Murphy) to create more volume on the mid to end lengths rather than at the root.
