So, your Instagram and TikTok feeds are filled with every celebrity, influencer, and general hot-person-on-the-internet getting a bob haircut. It was one of the biggest summer hair trends (and let's face it, overall for 2025 too), so it makes sense why it'd be everywhere. But if all these videos of perfectly tousled wavy cuts and chic flipped in chin-length situations are convincing you that maybe now is also your time to get a bob, you wouldn't be alone.
I cut my bob two summers ago, and aside from a brief stint where I tried and failed to grow things out, I've never looked back. But it can be challenging when you first cut your hair to figure out how to style it. "The bob gets a bad rap because people think it's this one-trick haircut, but it’s actually super versatile – you just need the right techniques," says hairstylist Ryan Pearl.
Sure, celebrities have access to hairstylists who can come over and make their bobs look chic and freshly chopped whenever they want. But as a beauty editor, I can also tap hairstylists for their tips whenever I want (sorta, within reason). So to finally give you all the insights on how to style your fresh bob like a celeb, or just finally convince you that the cut of the summer works for everyone, I've curated a full guide. Behold: Exactly how to style a bob, like a celebrity hairstylist.
1. Ask for the right cut
"The bob isn’t just a haircut – it’s a statement. But the key is finding a version that works for your lifestyle and vibe," says Pearl. He recommends telling your stylist that you want a bob that works with your natural texture. "That way, they’ll tailor the cut to you, not just a Pinterest photo," he says. Hairstylist Annadjid "Kee" Taylor recommends having an open conversation before the cut to really make sure you're getting what you want. "Talk about your daily habits, your styling time, and what you actually want your hair to do – the more they know, the better they can tailor the cut to you," she says.
For example, if you're not big on heat-styling, let 'em know that you want a cut that'll look good without the help of a blow-dry brush, says Taylor. "Ask for soft layers or internal shaping, especially around the crown and back, so the hair naturally falls into place without needing too much styling."
Taylor, who is an expert on working with natural hair, recommends asking for a dry cut if you have wavy or curly hair. "This way, your stylist can see how your hair actually will look when it's dry versus guessing how it'll sit once it shrinks up or expands," she explains.
2. Perfect the blowout
The core base of all of your looks is going to be a solid blowout. I know you're getting all antsy, but don't stress! Always start with a heat protectant before styling, and ideally, wait until your hair is mostly dry to avoid excess heat. With a bob, the key is to "keep the ends polished but not too tucked – that’s what gives you that cool, effortless vibe," says Pearl. Focus the majority of your blow-dry on adding volume at your roots and just finishing your ends with a slight bump (unless your go-to is a fully flipped-in, chic situation, then go forth!). "If you want a little bend, go in with a flat iron and flick just the midshaft," Pearl adds. This will make your bob look fresh and add some movement, similar to Sofia Richie Grainge's French bob above.
"If your bob has more texture or layers, or if you have wavy or curly hair, it’s all about definition and volume," says Taylor. She recommends smoothing in a curl cream section by section on damp hair, then diffusing or air drying. "Once it’s dry, scrunch in a bit of oil to break up any cast and bring out the natural movement," she adds. "A lot of people skip this step, but it makes the biggest difference in how the cut holds throughout the day."
3. Invest in the right tools
Here's the thing: Having a set of brushes and hot tools is going to change your bob life. Obvi, your kit is gonna need a classic styling brush (Pearl recommends the Tangle Teezer The Ultimate Styler, which I also use and swear by – it's great for brushing out curls and waves and adding the finishing touch). If you've got curls, coils, or waves, make sure you have a wide-tooth comb or a pick to help fluff up your roots and add volume. But you will also definitely want a round brush you can use for blow-drying and shaping. I'm a fan of the round-brush attachment on my Dyson Airwrap for this since I can essentially blow-dry and style my hair at the same time.
On the hot tool subject, a good blow-dryer is always essential in anyone's life, no matter what haircut or hair type you're working with. FWIW, all of our editors have tested the L'Oreal Professionnel AirLight Pro and fell in love – so much so, we awarded it the best hair dryer of 2025 in our Holy Grail Awards. You should also definitely get a diffuser attachment if you have curls or waves (don't worry, the AirLight Pro comes with one, as do many high-end blow dryers these days – phew). "Diffusing helps your natural pattern come through without frizzing everything out," she explains.
But Pearl and Taylor are also on team flat iron if you just cut a bob. "It can help create soft bends or add a little polish when you need it," says Pearl. Look for one with rounded edges – like Mane The Three-Way Multi-Use Flat Iron — to help smooth your hair without making it look flat, as well as make soft waves and curls easily.
4. Come up with your go-to styles
"Bobs are surprisingly versatile once you start playing around, and once you find your go-to routine, it becomes so easy to maintain," says Taylor. Which is why it's so important to come up with your own arsenal of go-to looks to make getting ready easier (I did this, and now doing my hair is basically an afterthought, yet it almost always looks good). Here are a few ideas Pearl and Taylor suggest:
- A middle part, tucking each side behind your ears – Pearl says it's "super clean and editorial." You can use a drop of hair oil or smoothing serum to get a glassy finish, adds Taylor.
- Try a half-up pony, bun, or claw-clip style, which Pearl says "shows off the cut and gives a little lift."
- "For curly bobs, I love a defined shape with volume," says Taylor. "After styling your curls with a moisturising cream, diffuse and fluff at the roots once dry, then flip your part to the opposite side for added lift," she explains. "It gives that pretty rounded bob silhouette, and you can separate the curls a bit more with hair oil for shine and softness."
- Slicked-back buns might have been your long hair go-to, but the same sleek look can easily work on a bob. Even if you can't pull your short hair fully back into a bun, just slick all of your hair back with gel and smooth it into place with a brush, leaving the rest of your hair down (feel free to rake gel through the ends too if you want a full wet-look).
But also, "don’t forget that bobs are all about intentional styling while your hair is still wet," says Taylor. "Whether that’s tucking it behind your ears, flipping it for volume, or pinching a few pieces forward, those small details make the style look finished and give your hair a little direction while it's damp."
5. Don't overlook accessories
Clips, barettes, scrunchies, pins, headbands, scarves — they look better on a bob! Not sorry about it! Without the length getting in the way, hair accessories really get a chance to shine. Plus, they don't require too much styling around, so long as you have your basic blow-out or air-dry situation nailed down.
6. Make styling creams, serums, and mousses your friend
If there's one thing I've learned as a person with a bob, it's that I use way more styling products now than I did with longer hair. Why? Well, your bob just needs a lil more directing than when gravity is naturally pulling all of your hair down a bit more. Taylor recommends always smoothing or spritzing on a leave-in conditioner for hydration (you can find one for any hair type). But afterwards, it's all about the style.
There are a plethora of styling creams now that work on a variety of hair textures. This can help slick down flyaways, give your hair some extra hold, and make it easier to get everything in the exact place you want it (bangs positioned all Sabrina Carpenter-esque, ends flipped in, waves and curls separated).
You can also play around with different formats, of course. Hair oils are great to finish with and give your bob a sleek, shiny look (Taylor recommends Hask Coconut Oil Nourishing Hair Oil). If you prefer a more imperfect, tousled bob, try a mousse on damp hair or texture spray on dry hair (Matrix Builder Wax Spray is great for getting serious volume and grit at the root, says Taylor). "Don’t sleep on a good lightweight texturising spray or cream – that’s your shortcut to giving the bob that undone, model-off-duty energy," says Pearl.
Final verdict
The overall consensus amongst both hairstylists: Don't overthink it. "The right bob should work with your natural hair, not force you into a routine that doesn’t fit your lifestyle," says Taylor. And they're both fully convinced there's a bob for every hair texture, whether that's a curly shag with a fringe, a French bob, a blunt chin-length cut, a lob (!), or one of the other gazillion types of bob haircuts. "If it’s your first time going shorter, give yourself time to get used to the new shape," says Taylor. "Try different partings, tuck it, clip it, fluff it – it’s such a fun, confident cut to have."
Meet the experts
- Ryan Pearl is a hairstylist at Ollin Salon based in New York, NY, and Miami, FL. He's the creative director at Tangle Teezer and is known for his work with celebrity clients like Hailey Bieber and Sophie Turner.
- Annadjid "Kee" Taylor is a hairstylist based in Philadelphia, PA. She's the owner of her own salon, Deeper Than Hair, and is also the author of a children's book called All Hair Is Good Hair, teaching young people to love their natural hair texture.
Why trust Cosmopolitan?
Beth Gillette is the beauty editor at Cosmopolitan with seven years of experience researching, writing, and editing hair stories that range from low-porosity hair products to reviewing K18. She regularly tests and analyses hair products while working with the industry’s top hairstylists to research new trends.
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.
