The bob may have had a moment over the past year and it sounds like a pretty low-maintenance style for the summer months, but stylists say this is one looks that’s so, so easy to get wrong.
“It’s a look that is a nice, seasonal transition cut as we enter the warmer months,” says founder of Fekkai and celebrity stylist Frederic Fekkai, who considers it a classic. “The timeless appeal of the bob is its versatility, and it’s a low-maintenance cut that’s easy to manage. The bob is more than just a haircut—it’s a statement, iconic, and sophisticated! I’ve recently seen many celebrities like Zendaya, Kourtney Kardashian and Aubrey Plaza, to name a few, sporting the bob, which I think has helped to bring it back into the spotlight.”
But, Fekkai warns, this is one cut that doesn’t have a lot of wiggle room to get wrong: “A bob has to be perfect with no room for error. It’s all about the line—shorter at the nape of the neck and slightly gradually longer at the chin,” he advises.
“A good cut depends on your face, your face shape, your body size, and height,” says celebrity stylist Felix Fischer. “A bob is one of those styles that can make some people look younger—if done right. But when it’s done incorrectly or done on the wrong face, it can make you look older.”
Nunzio Saviano, owner of Nunzio Saviano Salon in New York, agrees and says that a bad bob can actually bring your face “down.” His two no-nos: chin-length bobs and bangs that are cut straight across. “Hair should be kept longer than chin length and layered, so it adds body on top and gives the illusion of an elongated face. Avoid cuts that are chin-length and above, and do not add volume around the cheeks, as that won’t be flattering.”
One other solution? Play the shade game. “My go-to rule is to go lighter with your color,” Fischer says. “That’s the key. Don’t go darker with your hair color as you get older. It just makes you look older.”
And, as far as the almighty styling step, Fekkai recommends sticking to the root. “To style your bob, I recommend root-lifting products like the Fekkai Root Lift Spray. Apply it only at the roots and work it into the scalp before blowing out the hair to add life and extra body to your hair. I also recommend using the Fekkai Straight Balm. The key to this look is no frizz, and this product gives your hair a liquid glass look. Add one to two pumps of it on damp hair before blow drying for a brilliant shine.”
