The layered bob is summer's most flattering hair trend: 40 styles that work for every face shape
Cute ‘n’ choppy!
Listen, I may be a Beauty Writer about to wax lyrical on 40 different bobs, but I don't actually have one myself. I know – shocking. Blasphemous, even. Like someone in fashion who owns sensible shoes... *shudders*. But (!!) that doesn't stop me from being completely obsessed with them on other people.
Working in beauty means keeping one eye permanently on Selena trained on the haircut zeitgeist, and if there's one thing I've learned, it's that the bob never really goes out of style. And for summer 2026, there's a clear frontrunner: The layered bob.
“The key to nailing a layered bob is really understanding how the cut complements your face shape and hair texture; it’s not a one-size-fits-all haircut,” says hairstylist Chloë Swift. “For example, the jellyfish haircut is such a bold choice when it comes to layers, with a short, blunt bob layered over longer flowing lengths.”
“For something more wearable day-to-day, I’m obsessed with Gracie Abrams’ jaw-skimming bob,” she continues. “It’s sleek, centre-parted and styled with that subtle flip at the ends. It’s especially flattering on oval and heart-shaped faces because it draws attention to the cheekbones and jawline for a beautifully balanced frame.” Meanwhile, subtly-layered bobs are a great choice for oval or longer face shapes, or square if they fall past the jawline, she adds.
From short bob hairstyles to long bob haircuts, these are the layered looks we’re loving RN…
Thick rounded bob
This bob on Gaga is ticking a lot of boxes – super round silhouette, flicked out ends and a full fringe. Chic as heck.
Almost blunt bob
Though the majority of this bob is cut at one length, a little bit of layering at the front makes for a cute extra detail, particularly when softly curled like this.
Shaggy layered bob
Adding more layers throughout the cut can give a bob a cool, shaggy feel. We love this cute curtain fringe and flipped ends on Jenna!
Spiky bob
Tucked behind one ear as a perfect finishing touch, Gigi’s almost spiky layers are giving us serious 90s vibes.
Vintage bob
Giving us serious 40s glamour, Kelly Rowland’s slicked roots, chin-skimming length and layered ends look straight out of old Hollywood.
French girl bob
Who better to showcase a French bob than our very own Emily in Paris? Lily Collins has nailed the look’s centre parting and curled ends.
Coiffed bob
You can call us obsessed with this ultra-thick bob on Gabrielle Union. Grab your hot brush to give your layers that rounded lift.
Jaw-skimming bob
Though at a glance it looks like a thick, fairly blunt cut, we love the soft and layering towards the ends of Gracie’s hair that give it a choppy look. “I love using a straightener tilted upward or a wide tong to bevel the ends,” Chloë says. “It’s such an easy detail that makes a big difference.”
Softly tousled layered bob
Layers can be kept longer to add some detail around the face with a long bob, like Alexa’s shoulder-grazing lewk. It’s a great choice of bob for fine hair.
Feathered fringed bob
Charithra Chandra showcases the perfect pairing of a feathery fringe and choppy shoulder-skimming bob on the red carpet. We couldn’t love it more.
The wavy curly bob
We’re loving this beachy vibe on Halle Berry’s gorge waves here – the layering really helps to enhance this style.
Curtain bangs and layered lob
A curtain fringe is a great pairing with a layered bob for extra detailing, looking great on both curly textures or “swooped” smooth as seen here.
Jellyfish bob
Half bob and half long hairstyle, the jellyfish cut is an edgier style that’s trending RN. “This works best on round, oval or heart-shaped faces, as the shorter bob length layers create sharpness around the face,” says Chloë. “It’s perfect for someone who wants to make a statement.”
Partially slicked bob
Slicking back most of the bob shows off Ciara’s killer bone structure, with added drama in the flipped-over fringe.
60s-esque bob
The added height of this bob is giving us serious 60s, Hairspray vibes – we love Sarah Hyland’s flicked ends and side fringe here.
Bob with feathered ends
Another great case for choppy ends, Hailey Bieber somehow managed to make a jaw-skimming bob even more popular when she cut hers a couple of years ago.
Loosely curled bob
Thanks to Zendaya, it’s not hard to see why a softly curled, thick bob never goes out of style for the red carpet – this look is seriously chic.
Asymmetric coily bob
The heavy side part really shows off the graduated layering through Issa Rae’s coils. Look at that pretty colour variation, too.
Flippy bob
Styled with soft, rounded volume, this bouncy, “flippy” bob has a swept away from the face look that feels effortlessly chic.
Softly face-framing bob
We love any length of hair on our Bridgerton girly Nicola Coughlan, but there’s something about this slightly wispy layered bob that’s really won us over, you know?
The rain has nothing on these bob hairstyles!
Maybe make your next haircut the elfin bob?
Fine hair? Try the tiered bob cut for extra volume
Behold: The super flattering baroque bob haircut
