There's something in the Italian [pasta] water because not only is there food elite, but so are their hairstyles. Case in point: The Italian bob.
Similar to how the French bob draws inspiration from Parisian chic, the Italian bob gets its name from the glamour of icons like Sophia Loren, Monica Bellucci, and Gina Lollobrigida. Think confident, rich, and effortlessly elegant. But what defines the glamorous haircut, and how is it best styled? Well, we spoke to Philipp Haug, a hairstylist and co-founder of Haug London Haus, who shared everything there is to know about the Italian bob.
Get ready, folks, because with this haircut, you'll be living your best la dolce vita lifestyle... To the Amalfi!
What is an Italian bob?
As mentioned, the Italian bob draws inspiration from Italian Hollywood icons but, in terms of length and style, differs from the conventional chin-length cut. "The Italian bob is a longer, fuller take on the classic bob," Philipp says. "Traditionally, it sits just below the chin or at jawline level, with lots of shape and movement."
It's all about volume but with a polished feel, so it's equal parts glamorous and effortless.
Italian bob vs French bob?
The main difference between the French and Italian bobs is the length. "The French bob is usually cut slightly shorter, often at chin length or above, with a softer, more undone, and playful finish," Philipp explains, "By contrast, the Italian bob tends to be longer, with more weight, body, and bounce."
The French bob is also often styled with a straight fringe or a lived-in texture, whereas the Italian bob has more volume and is sometimes paired with a curtain fringe.
Read more about the differences here!
Who is best suited to an Italian bob?
Got thick, coarse hair? Well, you're in luck because Philipp says this is the style for you! "The Italian bob works brilliantly on those with thicker or coarser hair, as it enhances natural body and volume," he says. "It’s also ideal for wavy or curly textures that benefit from shape and weight," Philipp adds.
That said, the Italian bob can also work well for finer hair types due to its blunt ends, which create the illusion of thicker hair. Do, however, avoid excessive layering, as this can make fine hair look thinner. If you have finer hair and are opting for an Italian bob, you're going to want to style it in the correct way. But more on that below!
In terms of which face shapes the Italian bob suits, Philipp says it's versatile. There are no hard and fast rules, however, "It especially flatters oval, heart-shaped, and longer faces, as the length and volume create beautiful balance," Philipp tells us.
How to style and maintain an Italian bob
For styling the Italian bob, volume is everything. If you have thicker hair, achieving volume can be as simple as blow-drying—a round brush is key for this. On the other hand, if you have finer hair, "Using a volumising mousse or spray at the roots helps to build lift, and finishing with a glossing product adds the luxe finish that defines the look," Philipp says.
Italian 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.
