Getting a bob haircut is all fun and games. But keeping a bob, however, is where the real commitment begins. I’ve had a bob for nearly a decade, and I love how chic and simple the cut is to style. But my looks are starting to get repetitive. I looked in the mirror recently and realized I’ve been wearing the exact same style every day for three straight months. Yup, even the most loyal bob devotee (it’s me, hi) finds themselves in a hairstyle rut sometimes. Lately, I’ve been on a mission to shake things up and actually explore new bob hairstyle ideas, because as simple as this cut seems, it turns out there are way more ways to wear it than I ever gave it credit for.
Why a bob? It never goes out of style, but it sure as hell does feel like the cut of the moment (celebs like Margot Robbie, Hailey Bieber, and Zendaya agree). And although it can feel like you don’t have as many styling options as, say, long layers, it’s extremely easy to come up with a handful of cute looks that you can execute super quickly. Here are a few of my faves, courtesy of some more celebs with bobs:
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Old Hollywood Waves
For a formal affair, these bold curls make a statement, no length required. Try a teeny-tiny curling iron (like the Bio Ionic 0.75 in iron), and make sure to curl in sections. I always brush out my curls with a boar-bristle brush after for that fluffy look.
Voluminous Blowout
The blowout isn’t reserved for long hair. A blow dryer and round brush (or a heated round brush… or even a Dyson Airwrap, my go-to) will help add volume at your roots and flick your ends in.
Half-Up
For the quickest style ever, just pull your hair back in a half-up half-down look (IMO, it looks even better with short hair). You can change up the look by how you choose to pull it back—a slicked-back style is more formal, while something intentionally undone with pieces out (or even just your bangs or face-framing layers) has a softer look. This is your time to show off all of your hair accessories too: barettes, claw clips, slides, etc.
Messy Updo
Although you have less hair, it’s totally doable to pull your bob into a messy updo. Just make sure you have lots of bobby pins on hand to pin down any straggling short hairs (and keeping a few out is all part of the look too).
Mermaid Waves
Use a hair waver (I love the Wavytalk Power Wave Crimper on my bob) to get these soft baby bends on your short hair. It adds so much texture and movement.
Pigtails
I’ll say it: Pigtails look even better on short hair. If you’re worried about it looking too juvenile, first, get over it, and second, keep a few pieces out around your face for a more effortless-seeming style.
Wet Look
A slicked-down, wet look is an easy way to take short hair into evening-appropriate territory. Hairstylists often use lube for this (yep, that kind), but it can be a pain to wash out. If you’re not that committed, try a hair gel, like J Beverly Hills Glaze Me Styling Gel.
Smooth, rounded ends
Could it get any chicer than a rounded bob? I don’t think so. Put your flat iron to work and straighten your hair, finishing your ends with a smooth flick for that flipped-in look. A hair oil can help add shine to polish off the look.
Bandana
When in doubt, throw a bandana on top. This became my go-to hair accessory for my bob last summer, and it’s already made its way into my rotation for spring. I opt for these tie ones from Urban Outfitters because they’re super easy to secure.
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Beth Gillette is the beauty editor at Cosmopolitan with more than seven years of experience researching, writing, and editing hair stories.
Beth Gillette is the beauty editor at Cosmopolitan, where she covers skincare, makeup, hair, nails, and more across digital and print. She can generally be found in bright eyeshadow furiously typing her latest feature or hemming and hawing about a new product you "have to try." Prior to Cosmopolitan, she wrote and edited beauty content as an Editor at The Everygirl for four years. Follow her on Instagram for makeup selfies and a new hair 'do every few months.
