- The feathered bob is a modern take on the 1970s feathered hairstyle—soft, layered, and full of movement and volume.
- It’s best suited for fine to medium hair and flatters oval and heart-shaped faces, creating lift and a light, airy texture.
- To style, use a round brush and blow dryer for bounce, and finish with a lightweight hair oil.
Feathered hair was a popular hairstyling technique used during the 1970s, and today, we're bringing it back! This time, however, it's paired with the oh-so-on-trend bob, making for a style with heaps of bounce and volume.
To bring us up to speed on what exactly the feathered bob is, who it's suited for, and how it's best styled (not to mention inspo pics to persuade you to try the trend), we spoke to hairstylist and salon owner Samantha Cusick, who shared her expertise.
Ahead: everything you need to know about the feathered bob—from how it channels that effortless retro cool vibe to the modern twists that make it fresh for 2025.
What is a feathered bob?
Whether you're after a subtle nod to the 1970s or a full-volume revival, the feathered bob can be tailored to suit your needs. It's the softer, more romantic sister of the classic bob with layers cut at an angle. The harsher the angle, the more feathered your bob will appear. "It’s all about movement, texture, and that effortless 'cool girl' vibe," Cusick says.
"The layers are light and airy, giving the hair shape and flow without it feeling too done. Think volume at the crown, wispy ends, and a finish that looks like it just happened naturally," she adds.
Who is best suited to a feathered bob?
Layers aren't for everyone; however, feathered layers can "create body and lift to the hair", Cusick shares. So, if you've got fine to medium hair and want to create the illusion of thicker strands, this might be the technique for you.
In terms of face shapes, Cusick says, "Oval and heart-shaped faces look especially great with this cut as the softness flatters the cheekbones and jawline. It’s one of those universally flattering cuts that can be personalised to your texture."
That all said, if your hair is very thick or coarse, your feathered bob might need some tweaking. "Too much layering can make it puff out rather than fall softly. I’d always recommend chatting with your stylist about how to adapt the shape to suit your hair density so it feels balanced and light, not bulky," Cusick advises.
How is the feathered bob best styled?
With a professional hairstylist at our very disposal, we asked Cusick how the feathered bob is best styled. She recommended using a round brush and a hairdryer to give that perfect airy bounce. "I love finishing with a few drops of Olaplex No.7 Bonding Oil for shine and Cusick adds.
The beauty of this cut? It should never look too perfect, just perfectly effortless, so make of it as you will!
Feathered bob inspo
Lia Mappoura (she/her) is the Beauty Writer at Cosmopolitan UK. Covering everything from viral celebrity hair and makeup news to the latest trend predictions, she’s an expert in recognising the season’s next big beauty look (before it ends up all over your social media feeds). You’ll usually find her putting TikTok’s recent beauty hacks to the Hype Test, challenging the gender-makeup binary and social stereotypes, or fangirling over the time Kourtney Kardashian viewed her Instagram Story (yes, it’s true). Find her also on LinkedIn.
