I’m keen to believing the French invented the whole idea of “chic.” Whether it's makeup, nails, fashion, or in this case, haircuts, It’s all got a certain ~je n’ais sais quoi~. Enter: The French bob. It’s breezy and cool, all the while requiring kinda minimal effort and maintenance. Some might even call it the best of both worlds. And the French bob is easily the trendiest haircut we’re seeing this summer.
We've seen “it girls” including Cosmo cover stars Gracie Abrams, Sydney Sweeney, and Ariana Greenblatt rock the jaw-grazing length. But with so many bob haircuts (read: the stacked bob, the sof-swing bob, and the choppy bob), what differentiates the French bob from all the others? Let me explain, with the help of hairstylist Samantha Cusick. But I’m also running down nine ideas to screenshot for your hair appointment, because I already know you’re thinking about making one after seeing these.
What is a French bob?
As its name suggests, the French bob draws inspiration from the Parisian chic look. "A French bob is that effortlessly cool, jaw-skimming cut that just screams Parisian chic," Sam says. "It’s short, sharp and always looks like you’ve made zero effort (in the best way)."
But what differentiates it from its bob counterparts? Well, the length! "It’s all about that blunt jaw-length chop," Sam says. "Sometimes you’ll see a bit of subtle layering to give it some movement, but the shape is what really makes it." Think: sharp and thick yet still loose and airy.
Will a French bob suit your face shape?
Here at Cosmo Beauty, we don't like subscribing to the idea that you've got to have a certain haircut just because you have a specific face shape. However, if you are seeking the most flattering 'do to enhance your features, fear not, because the French bob works for just about everyone.
"Honestly, it’s super versatile," Sam tells us. "It works beautifully on oval and heart-shaped faces because it draws attention to your cheekbones and jawline. But with the right tweaks, most people can pull it off."
As a baseline, Sam suggests asking your stylist for a "blunt bob that hits around the jawline." If you have a more rounded face, the key is to elongate and add structure, so consult your hairdresser about asymmetrical layers. A slightly asymmetrical French bob (shorter at the back, longer at the front) introduces flattering angles without adding width to the cheeks.
French bob styling tips:
The best thing about the French bob is, arguably, how low-maintenance it is. "This look is all about low-effort styling," Sam says. The beauty of the style lies in its ability to work with your hair's natural texture, so letting it air dry can give you that undone finish.
Sam recommends adding a pea-sized amount of the OLAPLEX No.6 Bond Smoother into damp hair before drying. "Or, if you want a bit more polish, run your ghd Chronos Hair Straightener through the mid-end lengths to add soft bends and enhance the shape," she explains.
French bob inspiration:
Taylor Lashae’s Cheekbone-Grazing French Bob
Middle-Parted French Bob
Keke Palmer’s Sharp Blunt Bob
Pamela Anderson’s Retro French Bob
A Classic Flipped French Bob
Hailey Bieber’s French Bob With Subtle Bends
Ella Purnell’s Wavy French Bob
Keira Knightly’s Tousled French Bob
Kelly Rowland’s Sleek Side-Parted French Bob
Meet the expert:
Samantha Cusick is a hairstylist and hair color expert and the founder of her namesake salon in London.
Why trust Cosmopolitan?
Lia Mappoura is a beauty writer at Cosmopolitan UK, where she covers hair, makeup, nails, skincare, and more across print and digital.
Beth Gillette is the beauty editor at Cosmopolitan with eight 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.
Lia Mappoura (she/her) is the Beauty Writer at Cosmopolitan UK, with over four years of experience reporting across the brand's print, social, video and digital platforms. Lia covers everything from emerging trend analysis to viral celebrity hair and makeup moments, making her an expert at spotting the season’s next big beauty look (before it takes over social media feeds).
In 2025, she was named The Rising Media Star at the Love Perfume Awards with The Perfume Shop, recognised for her outstanding digital fragrance content and for building genuine authority within the space. She is passionate about challenging outdated beauty stereotypes, championing inclusive representation in beauty, and educating readers on the trends, products and conversations shaping the industry today. Follow her on Instagram or find her on LinkedIn.
