I've had short hair for most of my life – bar a deeply confusing teenage intermission between roughly 2013 and 2016 when I grew it long, limp, and vaguely Tumblr-esque. The lengths were dripping, the side part was aggressive, and my relationship with a curling wand was, at best, situationship-adjacent (read: non-existent). But like all formative beauty faux pas, that era taught me an important lesson: not every trend will work for you... And sometimes your face shape is simply begging for less hair.
As an oval-faced girlie with fine hair, I can now wax rhapsodically about why shorter cuts simply work better for me. Frankly, I've earned my divaship (see also: credentials). Much like Gemma Collins declaring she's earned hers, I, too, have put in the hours: years of chin-length bobs, ill-advised fringes, strategic texture spray, and character-building salon appointments.
And whenever I get a fresh cut, the compliments flood in. Much like Paul Mescal's calves or Nancy Meyers kitchen, a truly great haircut inspires universal admiration because it feels both aspirational and attainable. These six cuts? They do exactly that. So, when you follow suit with one of the following, and your ego ascends to Love Island bombshell levels, I'll be accepting thank yous in flowers, and perhaps a small candle from Diptyque...
Textured lob
Slightly mussed, softly layered and grazing the collarbone, the textured lob creates effortless movement. If you've got a natural kink, curl, or flick to your hair, lucky you! But if not, a lil sea salt or styling spray goes a long way. It's particularly flattering on oval, heart-shaped and round faces because the undone texture elongates and softens simultaneously. Not to mention it being a godsend for fine hair that wants to look thicker without having to commit to a blocky full fringe reminiscent of the universal toddler life stage... anyone else's 90s baby pics haunt them? Just me? OK.
Collarbone cut
Everyone's clicking on...
Yep, you guessed it, this style sits exactly at the collarbone, and it's a length that manages to flatter almost everyone because it neither swamps the face (like my said 2013 cut) nor does it expose every contour with forensic intensity. It's ideal for medium-to-thick hair and brilliant on square or longer face shapes, where the gentle swing adds softness and balance.
French bob
The French bob continues its reign as one of the most all-time complimented haircuts because it makes everyone look like they belong in a chic Parisian café, reading an intellectual non-fiction book and drinking a freshly brewed cortado. It's soft, sharp and often paired with a fringe that draws attention directly to the eyes and cheekbones. So, if you've got some statement features you want to highlight, this is the cut for you!
Italian bob
The Italian bob is fuller, bouncier and more glamorous than its French cousin. Cut bluntly around jaw-length with volume very much left intact, it's particularly beautiful on those with thick hair and oval face shapes. The shape lifts the face, so much so that it's worthy of any Hollywood red carpet. Surgeons, injectables, you've got some stiff (or rather, bouncy and voluminous) competition.
Side-parted mid-lengths
Done right (and again, not like my 2013 mishap), the side part can elevate any haircut. Mid-lengths with a strong side sweep can add instant volume and asymmetry, which is incredibly flattering on round or fuller faces.
Old Hollywood bob
If it's good enough for the Hollywood red carpet, you best believe it's good enough for us. The Old Hollywood bob has long made headlines for its flattering shape and in recent years has been worn by the likes of Zendaya, Hailey Bieber and Lori Harvey. It's glossy, sculpted and holds soft, bouncy curls that bring instant glamour without veering into pageant territory.
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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.
