Short Hair Calling Your Name? Try One of These Celeb Bob Styles

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published 23 October 2020

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We get it: The idea of chopping off almost all of your hair can be terrifying. But rest assured, bob haircuts are a super chic, low-maintenance, and universally flattering no matter your face shape. “The bob is absolutely one of my favorite haircuts. It’s a timeless and classic look that can be incredibly versatile. Whether you want something elegant or edgy, the bob can be crafted to suit your style,” says TEMUR, premier hairdresser and owner of TEMUR in New York City.

The best thing about the bob? There continues to be so many different interpretations of it and named depending upon how it's styled. “The Cowgirl Bob is a tousled, chin-length cut with shaggy layers and curtain bangs. The Classic Bob is chin-length and sleek, while the Blunt Bob is sharp and edgy with zero layers. The Asymmetrical Bob adds drama with one side longer than the other, and the Layered Bob creates texture and movement, great for thicker hair. The French Bob is cropped short with soft bangs—effortless and très chic. There’s also the Lob (long Bob) for those who want the look but with extra length. Regardless of the type of bob you get, this cut evolves with your personality,” says celebrity hairstylist and colorist Dimitirs Giannetos.

Whether you're looking to get a lob or contemplating a full-on hair reboot with a big chop, “going shorter can be a great way to re-set your hair health. Don’t be intimidated—it will eventually grow out!” says Anabel Santos senior stylist at Sally Hershberger NoMad. We've rounded up the best interpretations of the classic bob in various lengths, colors, and textures (from fine hair to curly) to get you inspired.

Just remember, before you move forward with the big chop, consult with your stylist. “The key is finding a style that will complement your features and work with your hair texture,” says TEMUR. A layered bob, for example, can help elongate and balance your face shape and facial features. Or, “if you have a long or oval face, a shorter bob with bangs can create the illusion of a more proportional shape. It’s all about customizing the cut to complement your natural features,” says TEMUR.

Ready to elevate your look? We rounded up a grand total of 60 celeb-inspired examples to dispel every short-hair worry. From a bold, bleach blonde blunt cut to a look that works for girls with braids, there's a cut suitable for every style and comfort level. Get ready to find your perfect cut.

Taylor Swift

For wavy to curly hair, Swift's bob with bangs will be right up your alley. Her 'do is choppy and works well for hair with some texture. The side-swept bangs keeps the look fresh and fun.

Demi Lovato

Lovato's wavy bob can be achieved using a curling iron to create texture. After the curls are created, brush through them for a wavier feel.

Viola Davis

Davis' curly bob can be achieved either with a curling iron, or even by sleeping with braids. Braid your hair the night before, then unravel them for a beautifully textured bob.

Dua Lipa

Lipa's two-toned bob made waves–literally. With an intense center part and shoulder-scraping lengths, Dua's look is enviable. This look can be mimicked with a curling wand and some texture spray.

Barbie Ferreira

For a glamorous look, this sleek bob that Ferreira rocks is easy to achieve. Slicking down the hair with gel, tuck the ends behind the ears for a look that's super high fashion.

Jennifer Hudson

With a flat iron, you can copy Hudson's sleek bob. Couple it with a side part to truly get the look down.

Saoirse Ronan

For some extra drama, go for this wet look looks good on everyone. Right before wash day, come some gel from roots to ends for an easy yet high-end look.

Rashida Jones

Jones' jawline-length bob is trés chic. Using a flat iron, curve the bottom edge of the hair inwards. French, piecey bangs help complete the look.

Selena Gomez

For hair with volume, Gomez's bob is super versatile. To replicate it, it's important flip the bottoms of the hair inwards towards the chin with a flat iron.

Kat Graham

Graham plays up her dark chocolate bob by adding subtle fringe bangs that fall right above her brows. To replicate this look, add a few bends with a medium barrel curling iron for an effortless vibe.

Cate Blanchett

If a no-fuss short style suits your lifestyle, try Blanchett's a-line bob, which falls right below the ear. It's a low-maintenance classic cut that's perfect for the spring and summer months.

Kaia Gerber

Although Gerber has had several hair transformations within the past year, this might be our favorite. Her face-framing asymmetrical bob is the perfect compromise between her current look and a shoulder-grazing lob.

Camila Coelho

Breathe life into a classic blunt bob with a few tousled bends using your flat-iron. And play up your look even more with a fashionable hair accessory like Coehlo.

Lucy Hale

Let your roots grow out like Hale's blonde bob. Just tuck your hair behind your ears for a polished look and spritz some hairspray on for added shine.

Lucy Boynton

Doesn't Boynton's bleach blonde bob make you want to go to a beach? Those waves, though! For effortless volume, separate your hair into sections and add a few bends throughout until you get your hair this wispy.

Sarah Paulson

The uniformity of Paulson's sleek, salt and pepper blonde bob is what makes it look so timeless. You can do the same by slightly curling your ends under with a hair straightener and tucking one side behind the ear.

Yvonne Orji

Orji rocks a bone-straight, blunt bob like it was made for her. Just look at how this chin-grazing style gorgeously accentuates her jawline.

Olivia Wilde

Wilde's side-swept bob has an effortless, bed-head vibe we can get behind. A few waves and an easy hair tuck will do the trick.

Jennifer Lawrence

JLaw is known for experimenting with pixie cuts and lengthy extensions, but this face-framing blonde bob goes down as one of our favorites the actress has ever worn.

Michelle Williams

Williams stuns with this wavy blonde bob featuring flipped ends and a deep side part. Sweep one side behind the ear and add a few soft waves to achieve this sleekness.

Kerry Washington

Washington keeps it classic with a side part dark brown bob hitting right below the chin. To add a bit of volume to your curled under bob, blow dry your hair with a rounded brush.

Kelly Rowland

Style your bob with a sophisticated hat like Rowland if you really want to look like the coolest person in the room.

Jenna Dewan

Yes, I-just-left-the-beach waves on bobs work well together. All you need is a good sea salt spray, like Ouai's Wave Spray ($26), to give this style longevity. Take Dewan's effortlessly tousled texture as an example.

Tessa Thompson

Thompson's wet texture has a glossy shine that's practically blinding. The S-wave swoop in the the front gives this style a timeless, old Hollywood vibe.

Yara Shahidi

Let's set the record straight: bobs aren't only for straight hair. 1) Curly bobs are absolutely gorgeous. 2) Curly bobs with curly bangs are next-level, which makes this such a standout style for Shahidi.

Mila Kunis

Add dimension to a wavy bob with piece-y, face-framing bangs like Kunis. And no, your bangs don't have to all be one length. Fringe bangs will give your style more texture and personality.

Amanda Brugel

A sleek, bunt bob can easily feel stiff, but Brugel keeps the movement intact by cutting long, layered bangs that skim her eyebrows.

Tao Okamoto

If you want to fake a bob with slightly longer hair, like Okamoto's doing here, loosely curl the ends, spritz them with hairspray, then roll and pin sections of curls to the nape of your neck.

Christina Ricci

A platinum-blonde shade is not for the faint of heart (especially if you have naturally black hair like Ricci does). But when your breakage gets bad, ask your stylist for some feathered bangs to mask the damage.

Vanessa Hudgens

Hudgens looks every bit the fairy tale princess with a soft, wavy blowout and a white, ribboned dress.

Katie Holmes

The classic bob: pretty, easy to pull off, and easily enhanced by your hair tucked behind your ears. Pin back your hair with bobby pins if you want to keep layers securely in place.

Alesha Dixon

If you're a natural brunette, take on a striking style by opting for a platinum hue (the shorter length will make it easier to maintain the lighter tones, and there'll likely be less breakage involved).

Christina Hendricks

Hendricks knows how to nail a dramatic moment, and the Old Hollywood curls aren't the end of this vintage style. Top off your bob with a chic little pillbox hat like hers in the colder months.

Milla Jovovich

To add even more volume to a wavy bob, choose a deep part, blast your hair at the roots, and round brush the sections closest to your face.

Karrueche Tran

A blunt cut looks even more striking in creamy platinum hues and beachy waves.

Katy Perry

Perry does her best Cleopatra impression with a rounded bob and blunt, brow-skimming bangs.

Karlie Kloss

Kloss looks like the picture of a '20s flapper with short curled ends and and side-swept bangs.

Rose Byrne

This English actress keeps it interesting with cropped bangs and curled-under edges (blowout your hair with a round brush to achieve the look).

Alexa Chung

Chung keeps her bob from looking dowdy with a blunt cut and an ombre gradient.

Beyoncé

Bey's chin-length chop was fleeting, but will forever be on our list of must-try haircuts.

January Jones

Take your bob from day to night by sliding a curling iron from the roots to the ends and experimenting with a curving part.

Kate Bosworth

Switching up the part on your bob can give it this cool asymmetrical look, especially if you ask your stylist for longer layers in the front and shorter ones in the back.

Michelle Williams

Williams is perpetually platinum, but plays with length—pixie, lob, or bob. Here, sea salt texture helps keep her fine hair from falling too flat.

Mindy Kaling

While promoting her book, Why Not Me, Kaling showed off a chin-length coif—and thanked her stylist for the "dreamy cut."

Kristen Stewart

Stewart's side-swept bob, paired with her signature smoky eye, avoids looking overly precious or perfect.

Rachel McAdams

McAdams uses texture and a little bit of heat to achieve the subtle flick in her hair.

Rosamund Pike

Pike's asymmetrical bob is ever-changing. Wavy one day, stick-straight the next. She proves there is nothing boring about this timeless cut.

Dianna Agron

Agron goes the bedhead route with piece-y bangs for a youthful night-out look.

Jennifer Lopez

Lopez goes short, but still keeps it glamorous as ever with chin-length curls. Pin one side back for a little intrigue.

Margot Robbie

Robbie's punkish slicked-back bob is a take on the "wet hair" look we can fully get on-board with. For days when you just can't deal with shorter layers in your face, straighten the sides and slick the top back.

The Italian Bob is undoubtedly the cut of the season. "It’s that perfect balance between polished and undone, making it ideal for spring’s fresh, playful energy vibe. This cut channels the timeless elegance of Italian icons like Sophia Loren and Monica Bellucci," says global hair artist Ricky Mota.

Cardi B's recent Grammy's look is giving Old Hollywood glamour. Her deep red bob with perfectly set curls exudes sophistication.

A bob style (and color) that lives up to her last name, this tousled, sexy look is also super playful. The perfect inspiration if you're ready for a dramatic chop, but you're ready to fully commit.

Known for her signature blonde curls and fringe, Carpenter's recent award show made us gasp as she debuted the Faux Bob. Truly for the person who cannot commit to the chop but wants the illusion of the bob, keep your layered, shorter pieces in the front and pin the rest back.

Khloe Kardashian's bob is all about fullness, soft waves, and that effortless texture. "Request a longer, blunt bob with minimal layering. Apply Matrix Setter Mousse to damp hair for volume, then blow-dry with a round brush. Use a 1.25-inch curling iron for loose waves, focusing on face-framing sections. Finish with Matrix Vavoom Extra Full Dry Spray for touchable volume," says hair colorist George Papanikolas.

Zendaya's teased curl lob not only looks incredible on her but is fairly easy to achieve at home. Blow dry the hair using a round brush to enhance volume. "Once you are done with the blow dryer, you are going to want to tease the hair using a teasing comb. Lift small sections at the crown, gently tease the roots and smooth the top layer over it," says celebrity hairstylist and brand founder Andrew Fitzsimons.

Gabrielle Union's asymmetrical cheekbone-grazing bob is effortlessly cool with a slight tousle. Ask your stylist for an asymmetrical bob with one side slightly longer than the other

A bob list would be incomplete without the dedicated, bob-queen herself, Anna Wintour. Her sleek, pageboy bob is neat and blunt and has a personality all its own. Of all the bobs on this list, it requires the most upkeep due to the clean, cut nature of the style.

What's old is new again. Raye helped to revive the set bob look, made popular in the 1950s. Grab your round brush and heated rollers to set this super retro look.

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