Bob haircut

Bob is a medium-length haircut in which the hair softly follows the shape of the head, and the main volume sits at the back. The line can be even, slightly rounded or asymmetric, the length from the chin to the shoulders. The main feature of a bob is the volume at the back, which makes the silhouette look rounded rather than flat.

Bob is often confused with kare, but they follow a different logic. Kare is first of all about a clean, even cut and a graphic line; a bob is about the shape and volume. Kare is usually cut "at one length", while in a bob the stylist distributes the strands so the back looks voluminous and the ends fall softly.

Bob has many variations: with or without bangs, with an even or side-swept line, elongated (lob), shortened (short bob to the chin), with graduation or textured ends. Which one suits you depends on your face shape, hair density and how much time you're willing to spend on styling.

Who suits a bob

Bob is one of the most flexible medium-length shapes. It looks good on almost any face type if the length and the line are chosen correctly. For a round face, an elongated bob or side-swept bangs are usually chosen; for a long face, a chin-length bob with even bangs; for an oval face, almost any variation.

On fine hair a bob with graduation and volume at the back visually adds thickness. On thick hair the stylist works with texture so the shape doesn't turn into a heavy "helmet". If your hair is curly, a bob is also possible but requires a different technique and more frequent trims.

If you're not ready for a very short cut, a long bob (lob) is a good compromise: shoulder length, a soft shape, and styling takes a minimum of time. This variation is often chosen by those growing out their hair after a short cut.

How the haircut is done at the salon

First the stylist confirms the desired length and line: where the bob will end — at the chin, at the shoulders or below; whether bangs are needed and how they should fall. Then they assess the hair structure and the distribution of volume so the shape looks natural.

The cut usually takes 40–60 minutes. The stylist sets the overall length, builds volume at the back and works on the ends so they don't look chopped. The bangs and the line around the face are handled separately.

Bob grows out fairly softly, so it's convenient to refresh the cut about every 5–7 weeks. If the bob has a clean cut line, it's better not to delay the trim — otherwise the shape starts to lose its silhouette. If you want to keep the shape longer, you can limit yourself to refreshing the bangs and ends.

Care and styling at home

Bob is convenient because it doesn't need complex styling. Just wash your hair, pat it with a towel and blow-dry in the direction of hair growth — the shape falls into place by itself. To emphasise the volume at the back, blow-dry with a round brush, lifting the strands at the roots.

For a sleeker look, use a light smoothing cream or serum — but sparingly, so as not to weigh the hair down. If you want to add texture, a little salt spray or texturising paste works well. A straightener will help with individual strands — for example, to curl the ends inwards.

A short bob gets oily at the roots faster, so you'll probably wash it more often than long hair. A long bob behaves like medium length in this respect: wash 2–3 times a week, conditioner along the length.