Regardless of hair texture or length, the bob is one haircut that has stood the test of time, says editor Trudi Brewer. From a classic chin-grazer to a tousled lob, here’s all the bob inspiration you need, courtesy of top hairstylist Reece Unahi, director of Ru&Co in Merivale, Christchurch.
Learn how one of the most popular cuts can work with your style.
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Reece Unahi, director of Ru&Co in Christchurch.
Enduring and desirable, the bob is a hair look that suits everyone, says Reece Unahi, director of Ru&Co in Christchurch. Yes, the bob is back, and according to Unahi, it works for every hair texture, too. It helps when celebrities like Hailey Bieber, Kerry Washington, Elsa Hosk, Lily Aldridge, Olivia Palermo, and Zendaya trade their long tresses for something more feature-defining, reclaiming the bob as the look du jour for winter. On TikTok alone, the hashtags #bobhaircut and #goingshort boast over 706.3 and 3.4 million views, respectively. Here are the top tips to help you decide which bob will suit your style.
Why is the bob haircut always on trend?
The bob is a hairstyle similar to the little black dress in fashion. It’s a timeless classic that can be worn by anyone of any age. While distinctive and instantly recognisable, the bob is also an extremely versatile cut unconstrained by rules and easily adaptable to work with all hair types and textures.
@hoskelsa
Model Elsa Hosk recently joined the bob squad, swapping her usual slicked-back hair for an effortlessly gorgeous Italian-style bob.
Hosk shows off the kind of bob dreams were made of for blondes; we’re taking notes on its versatility and elegance.
What do you need to know before getting a bob cut?
With a bob, the shape of your face is important, and a skilled stylist will vary the length and parting of your bob to ensure the perfect face framing. You should also consider your lifestyle and how much time you have to style your look at home. As a shorter cut, the bob will generally take a little more time than longer cuts. If you like to throw your hair up as you rush to work in the morning, then a bob may not be for you.
@zendaya
From French chic, the most asked-for cut is the baroque bob, a cut for this year. Worn to perfection by actress Zendaya, it combines a collarbone-length cut with voluminous waves to create texture. The baroque bob is all about having fun and freeing up some of the weight within the hair, keeping plenty of volume, which is light on layering. It is reminiscent of ‘Old Hollywood’ glamour but in a relaxed and modern way.
What is your favourite bob style right now and or favourite celebrity bob looks right now?
A chin-length, side-parted bob with loads of volume and soft texture immediately impacts your face and look. A close second would be the 90s vibe of the longer, shoulder-length bob. Picture the style icons wearing this look now: Katy Perry, Kim Kardashian, Margo Robbie and Hayley Bieber. All of them debuted a version of a bob in 2024.
@oliviapalermo
Palermo’s bob is uniform in length, with a straight finish. She documented the change on Instagram, her lengths reaching mid-back and disappearing to just below her chin. The caption credits an old friend, stylist @andrecelebhair, in what feels like a spur-of-the-moment decision. The look: A blunt one-length cut followed by a soft, breezy blow-dry, giving it an uber-relaxed but effortlessly chic vibe.
How easy is it to style a bob?
The traditional, precise bob can be a time drain, but the great thing about the bob of the moment is that it’s pretty undressed with a slight bed-head hair look and finish, so less time is needed to achieve that look.
@lilyaldridge
The American model debuted her effortless new chin-grazing bob at the recent Oscars Vanity Fair after-party. It can be worn sleek or styled with undone textured wave and symmetrical centre part, which adds to her sophisticated edge.
Does face shape come into play when choosing a bob style?
Any face shape can carry off a bob cut, but your face shape will determine the best hair fall, length, and parting position. If you have a round face, your best bob will be longer, past the chin, to help create that oval goal. Cutting to the chin on rounder faces will accentuate the roundness, so the length is an important factor in creating a complementary style.
@haileybieber
Most wanted Bieber’s shiny brunette locks are as sexy when tousled or sleek. She has a way of making her hair look real and achievable for anyone coveting a bob - who said this look wasn’t versatile?
Is a bob a maintenance-free hairstyle? If so, why?
This is a trick question, depending on your hair journey and goals. It is a great cut to grow length back from, wearing so many styles in between. In that respect, we could put it in the ‘low maintenance hair’ box. But if you love the shorter, sharper bobs, you will invest more in maintaining the edginess at home and with more frequent trips to the salon - at least six-weekly maintenance cuts.
@kerrywashington
Chin-grazing, actress Washington’s tousled mane looks as gorgeous when messy as smooth, with middle or side-swept bangs. Her shiny black mane is the perfect texture for this cute cut.
What are the best styling products to use with a bob style?
Schwarzkopf Professional BC Clean Repair Rescue Sealed Ends is a foundation for sleek bobs, finished with Schwarzkopf Professional OSiS+ Glow for a great, smooth shine. For volume and texture, start with Schwarzkopf Professional OSiS+ Hairbody and finish with Schwarzkopf Professional OSiS+ Volume Up.
Schwarzkopf Professional BC Bonacure Repair Rescue Sealed Ends+, $34. Schwarzkopf Professional OSiS+ GLOW - Frizz Control & Shine Serum, $34. Schwarzkopf Professional OSiS+ HAIRBODY Bodifying Spray, $34. Schwarzkopf Professional OSiS+ VOLUME UP Volume Booster Spray, $36.
What's the best bob tip you find yourself sharing with your clients?
Back yourself and do it. Keep it as simple and as natural as possible. Don’t overthink it; just let the cut speak for itself and let the styling products do their work.
Here are the tips and products to try now.