After Years of Bob Haircuts, This Is the One Trend I’m Most Excited About

There was a time when I couldn't ever imagine cutting my hair into a bob. I was obsessed with growing it as long as possible, regardless of its actual health. Then, in the post-pandemic era, I finally took the plunge—and ended up with what might have been my best haircut yet: a blunt, chin-grazing bob with long face-framing layers. I was instantly hooked.

Since then, I’ve experimented with just about every iteration of the bob, from the Riviera bob to the stacked bob and, most recently, the baroque bob as my cut drifted into lob territory. But one style I have yet to try—and one that feels especially perfect for summer—is the elfin bob. With its airy shape and effortless vibe, it’s quickly becoming the haircut of the season, thanks in part to fans like Gracie Abrams and Zendaya, our reigning bob queen. Keep scrolling for all the details—plus four stunning inspo pics below.

What is an elfin bob?

The cut sits somewhere between a bixie (which itself is a hybrid of a bob and a pixie cut) and an Eton crop, the style that 1920s flapper girls wore so well. Because of its short back, it's the kind of bob you can't tie back, but the layers are perfect for those with finer hair, as they add so much movement, and your stylist can cleverly create the illusion of thickness through the cut.

Who is the elfin bob best suited to?

Versatile it is not, but flattering for all face shapes it most certainly is. Because, as I said, you can't tie this look up into a ponytail, if you have an active lifestyle, you might want to really think about this cut before you take the plunge (or the scissors). The layers, which are snipped in from the crown to the tapered nape of the neck, are flattering for all face and head shapes, as they create a beautiful silhouette. While those with thick hair can definitely look great with this style, as the layers remove heaviness, those with fine or thin hair also look fab because the layers create movement that wasn't there before.

If you do pick this cut, make sure you have time to schedule regular trims to maintain the look, especially as the neck area is tapered, sometimes with a little barbering, and can grow out quickly. Styling-wise, like with most bobs, if you don't have pin-straight or naturally wavy hair, it will need a little styling day to day, which can be a shock if you're going from long to short. But if you're going from short to shorter, it won't come as a surprise.

Elfin bob inspiration pictures:

Keeks Reid

Beauty Director

Keeks Reid is the Beauty Director at Cosmopolitan UK. While she loves all things beauty, Keeks is a hair fanatic through and through. She started her career in beauty journalism in 2013 as editorial assistant at Blackhair and Hair magazines working her way to Acting Editor of Blackhair magazine at 23 years old.  She spent much of her career working in trade hairdressing media at Hairdressers Journal, Salon International and the British Hairdressing Awards. Which is why she is a regular contributor to Cosmo's Curl Up franchise. Now, alongside her Cosmo work, she presents, creates content on social media and works with a range of beauty companies; from magazines and websites to beauty brands and salons.