Think of a bob haircut and the 90s nostalgia will hit you instantly. From Kajol’s Kuch Kuch Hota Hai to Preity Zinta in several movies, the bob ruled that decade and is now back in trend. Introduced first by the Polish hairstylist Antoine de Paris in 1909, the bob still remains one of the most iconic hairstyles of all time. Every time bob haircuts for women are mentioned, the mind usually visualizes very short, straight hair at the back paired with bangs on the front. Although this is how all the classic bob hairstyles used to be, the style has undergone considerable evolution over the past few decades. There is now a bob to suit every kind of face cut, hair length and hair texture.
There is such a wide variety of bob hairstyles today that one is sure to get confused while choosing one amongst them. While all haircuts look amazing on fashion models and magazine covers, when getting one yourself, there are a variety of factors to consider like the maintenance required, products to be used, the effect of weather on the haircut and so on. We have compiled all the information necessary about the various bob hairstyles and who they are best suited for.
10 Bob Hairstyles To Suit Every Hair Type
1. Short Bob
The bob hairstyle has helped women with short hair the most by giving them so many hairstyle options to choose from. It is also a great hairstyle for women with longer hair who wish to do something dramatic with their hair and change their overall look. A short bob is one that ends anywhere above the shoulder. This bob is slightly more high maintenance as compared to others as it needs to be trimmed every 3-5 weeks. However, on an everyday basis, the short bob is relatively low maintenance as it does not need much attention. Women can incorporate different kinds of colour techniques, angles and cuts to their short bob in order to achieve that perfect summer hairstyle.
How To Do It:
- Divide your hair into three sections (one to the left, one to the right and one to the back).
- Decide on the exact length of your short bob.
- Choose a preferred parting for the sections on the front.
- Get the bob that fits well with the texture of the hair and the parting.
- You may enhance the look of the hairstyle by opting for hair colouring or an undercut.
2. Asymmetrical Bob
The asymmetrical bob is one bob hairstyle that has gained a lot of popularity. This kind of bob features different hair lengths on different sides of the face. An asymmetrical bob can be long or short. There are a number of combinations women can try in terms of the hair lengths when it comes to this kind of bob. It is the perfect choice for fun-loving and adventurous women, this bob hairstyle is sure to make heads turn. Although it may seem like a risky decision, this bob isn’t as scary as it sounds as the women can even out the hair lengths any time they wish.
How To Do It:
- Decide on the length of your bob.
- If you have thick hair, you can opt for an asymmetrical bob with layers.
- Give your bob an asymmetric twist by having one side of your hair longer than the other.
3. Shoulder Length Bob
A shoulder-length bob is probably the safest bob hairstyle to have. The hair length is almost perfect for women to play around with the bob. In terms of the cut, one can opt for a variety of bangs, an asymmetrical bob, an angled cut or a razor cut. You can also play around with hair colour, choosing from options like highlights, balayage or ombre. Not only this, the same shoulder-length bob can look very different on straight, wavy or curly hair. Thus, there is no end to how many combinations can be tried by women who opt for shoulder length bobs to create their own customised bob hairstyle.
How To Do It:
- Decide on the desired length of your shoulder-length bob.
- Make the necessary choices with regard to the other factors that would make your bob unique. This would include decisions related to the angle of the cut, the symmetry and layers.
- You can also decide if you want to try different hair colour techniques like balayage, highlights or dip dye to your shoulder-length bob.
4. Bob With Bangs
From Jennifer Aniston to Jennifer Lopez, a number of celebrities have experimented with different kinds of bangs over the years. From framing the face at the right angles to complimenting the best features, bangs do a lot to improve the hairstyle of women. When it comes to the bob hairstyle, getting a bob with bangs is definitely a winner because the hairstyle suits every face. If the woman is clear about the kind of hair look she aims to achieve, then choosing the right bob with bangs will be a breeze.
How To Do It:
- There are numerous kinds of bangs that can be paired with your bob to add to its beauty.
- The decision on the bangs to get should be based on the facial features you wish to accentuate.
- Another very important factor to consider while getting a bob with bangs is the kind of maintenance required to keep the look.
5. Long Layered Bob
Have long and thick hair? In that case, the long layered bob is your best bet. Not only will it allow you to keep most of your hair length, but the layers will also help distribute the weight of your hair and give it bounce and movement. There are also a lot of layering options when it comes to layered bobs, depending on what parts of your face you wish to accentuate with the haircut. A long bob with side bangs is best suited for women with a round face.
How To Do It:
- Layers can make the hair at the back look bouncy and voluminous. However, there are a lot of different kinds of layering techniques to choose from.
- Choose the right kind of layers required for your bob based on your personal preferences and the texture of your hair.
- Ensure that the layers and the bob complement one another.
6. Short Bob With Angled Bangs
Short bob hairstyles are accompanied by bangs more often than not. Bangs accentuate the face cut of the woman and add a nice definition to the bob hairstyle. Bangs are also a good option for people with big foreheads. It is amazing how different kinds of bangs can change the look of the same short bob. Hairstylists are able to recommend the kind of bangs that will be suited for a woman depending on their face cut, hair texture and the amount of time she is willing to spend on her hair each day. While most bangs are easy to style, there are some which need to be curled or blow-dried each day to retain their shape. Women can choose their short bob with bangs after taking the above-mentioned factors into consideration.
How To Do It:
- Get a short bob at an angle that complements your face best.
- Pick a style of bangs that suit your face cut and look good with the short bob.
- Decide on whether you want to further add to the look with other techniques like an undercut or a hair colour.
7. Messy Bob
The bob version of bed head, this hairstyle is a great and creative choice for women. The messy bob can be chosen for any kind of hair length or hair texture. The purpose of this hairstyle is to have the hair fall freely instead of having it look put together all the time. Beach waves, layered cuts, razor cut ends and hair products are some ways to make the bob look messy. Unfortunately, frizz is a common problem faced by women with messy bobs. Hence, they are recommended to use frizz controlling products on a regular basis.
How To Do It:
- The choice of the kind of messy bob is highly dependent on the texture of the hair. Ideally, these bob hairstyles look best on people with wavy or curly hair.
- To make the messy bob more edgy, adventurous angled cuts are commonly chosen.
- If you are getting a bob for the first time, you could choose to get a slightly longer messy bob, take some time to get accustomed to the new hairstyle and experiment with angles as you go.
8. Long Angled Bob
Also popularly referred to as the ‘lob’, this haircut is ideal for women who like to have their hair at a length where it can be pulled back and tied easily. If you are looking for long bob hairstyles which require low or no maintenance, then the long angled bob is your best option. Although the best way to flaunt this bob is to use a blow dryer or a hot iron, the hair looks great even when it has been air-dried. Such bobs usually sit just above or below shoulder level. However, one is free to choose any length that they think works best for them.
How To Do It:
- A lob is the safest hair makeover. This means that while a long angled bob can be a complete style change, it is easy to chop the length in a situation where one is uncomfortable with the cut.
- Decide on the kind of lob you need and research the various angles that can be chosen from.
- Take advice from your hairstylist with regards to which one of the angles will look best on your face.
9. Curly Bob Haircut
The bob hairstyle was always associated with poker-straight hair until women with wavy hair started rocking the curly bob look. There is a variety of curly bob haircuts for women to choose from depending on their hair length and preference. Curly hair has a natural bounce which should be taken into consideration while choosing the hairstyle. One must remember that the texture of the hair will prevent the straight cuts from being as prominent as they would for straight hair. However, a curly bob haircut with an A-line cut is a very classy look to opt for. There are many ways to add depth and style to the curly bob including hair colours, few long tendrils, asymmetrical cuts and so on.
How To Do It:
- Decide on the length of your bob.
- Curly hair tends to ride up so the hair should be cut a little longer than intended to prevent unpleasant surprises.
- Similarly, for bangs, women who intend to get a curly bob with bangs should keep their bangs on the longer side unless they plan to straighten their bangs on a regular basis.
10. Long Bob With Side Bangs
Bangs are the easiest way to enhance your long bob hairstyle (lob). There are many different kinds of bangs and it is very important to choose the one that is best suited for your face. When it comes to bangs, it is suggested that women consider their preferences before blindly following trends. Blunt bangs end just above the eyes and are a classic choice. Side swept bangs are a comfortable option as the hair can be pinned on the side if required. For thick and wavy hair, choppy bangs work best because they distribute the thick hair all across the forehead. Each one of these bangs can change the look of the long bob hairstyle completely.
How To Do It:
- Side bangs look good on almost every face cut. Thus, choosing side bangs only requires one to make a decision on the length of the bangs.
- A long bob with side bangs is a pretty safe hairstyle choice as very little can go wrong with this style.
With so many varied bob haircuts for women, there is no reason why women should shy away from this versatile, fun and flattering cut. Be it the red carpet, movies, fashion shows or corporates, celebrities are rocking the bob like a boss and you should too. All you need is to choose the kind of bob that will suit your hair and personality (and the right hairstylist).
