Did you know that one in three adults will have a bob at some point in their lives? You didn't, obviously, because I just whipped up that statistic, but honestly, it feels true. It's the haircut that refuses to die, lingering like a bad cold, except far more flattering and significantly more photogenic!
Every few months, we swear we're growing it out (guilty!), and a few weeks after that, we're back in the salon chair telling our stylists to "just cut it all off, actually." It's a rite of passage to rebuke the grow out and flirt with the chop.
For 2026, however, there will be no umming and ahhing because the bob isn't just sticking around; it's thriving with four different trending styles. It has officially entered its role as the haircut of the decade, and according to hairstylist Jordanna Cobella, 2026's twists on the classic bob will be softer, airier, and far more expressive. Think movement. Think texture. Think volume.
Intrigued? Well, here's everything Jordanna predicts will be trending in the world of 2026 bobs...
The laser line bob
Best for: Oval and heart-shaped faces; can be adapted longer for rounder face shapes
The laser line bob is 2026's answer to quiet luxury: a sharply executed, jaw-grazing shape that instantly elevates any minimalist wardrobe. Jordanna says this cut is all about precision. "It's that clean, jaw-grazing silhouette that gives quiet luxury and the illusion of a longer, more oval face," she explains. The only exception? Rounder face shapes. Because the classic length hits at the face's widest point, Jordanna notes that "taking the bob a little longer is always more flattering."
This is the haircut for people who love structure, symmetry, and a sculpted finish that never looks overdone.
The airwave bob
Best for: All face shapes
The airwave bob celebrates softness, movement, and the kind of effortless chic that suggests you woke up like this (and actually did). Designed to work with your natural texture, it's ideal for anyone with wave, curl, kink, or bend who wants a shape that air-dries beautifully.
Expect floaty layers that encourage width, enhance pattern, and create that intentionally undone, off-duty finish. As Jordanna puts it, "It's soft, airy, and has movement–and absolutely no stiffness. It's perfect for anyone embracing their natural texture." But she's quick to add that this trend isn't one size fits all: it won't deliver the same magic on straight or limp textures.
It's the anti-precision bob: relaxed, airy, and deeply wearable.
The hyper gloss bob
Best for: All face shapes; straight, fine or thin hair types
If 2026 has a beauty theme, it's shine – but not the regular kind. The hyper gloss bob takes the classic blunt bob and amplifies it with a liquid-glass finish that borders on reflective. Think glass skin, but for hair.
The cut stays one-length and ultra-smooth, making it a dream for straight, fine, or thin hair, where the gloss can steal the spotlight. It's versatile too: sleek with a middle part for minimalists, deep-parted for quiet drama, or slicked back for high-shine evening polish.
Innovation is driving this trend, with next-gen treatments paving the way. Jordanna highlights one in particular: "Wella's Glass Liquid Layer creates a glossy, frizz-resistant barrier that lasts up to three washes and gives that true glass-like reflection when you blow-dry it."
Shiny, simple, impossibly chic–and tailor-made for the hair-health era.
The retro sass bob
Best for: All face shapes
As its name would suggest, the retro sass bob is the 'fun one' of the lineup. With vintage influences and playful ends that flick out or under, it taps into the resurgence of nostalgic styling while still feeling fresh. It sits between blunt and layered, giving enough structure to hold shape but plenty of freedom to move.
This versatility is what makes it so flattering. The flick can be tailored to contour, soften, or add lift depending on your face shape and desired vibe. Whether you want coquettish '60s bounce or a subtle retro attitude, this bob delivers.
Jordanna sums it up perfectly: "It has this playful, vintage feel—the ends give it its signature sass. It's a joyful, expressive bob for anyone who wants their hair to have personality."
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.
