If you’re anything like me, you had a crush on boys with longer, somewhat shaggy hair in middle school, and that extended to 90s heartthrobs like Leonardo DiCaprio and Eric Matthews in Boy Meets World. Now, I’m not sure if I admire boys with this haircut or want it for myself. Enter the boy bob, which director of haircutting at Spoke and Weal, Lindsay Victoria, describes as “the perfect balance between chic and cool girl” thanks to the length, undone texture and versatility of style. Want to get the haircut your favorite 90s heartthrobs had? We have all the expert tips to help get you there.
Featured experts
- Lindsay Victoria is the director of haircutting at Spoke and Weal
- Paulina Raciborski is a hairstylist at NYC THE TEAM
What is the boy bob haircut trend?
In its simplest form, a boy bob is a bob that sits slightly below, right at or hovering above the jawline, says Lindsay. “It’s characterized by its blunt ends and minimal layering and is slightly boxier than the classic bob,” explains hairstylist Paulina Raciborski. “The look is sharp and clean, and its combination of softness with bold edges give it more of a tomboy look.”
Although the boy bob is devoid of harsh or distinct layering, it does have an undone texture feeling, mainly through the perimeter or lower portion of the haircut, says Lindsay. “The skinner and undone ends give it more of a lived-in style that sets it apart from a classic sleek bob.”
What to ask for at the salon
“When asking for a boy bob, request a chin length to jawline bob with little to no layers and a blunt cut that gives more of a squared shape rather than a rounded shape as this will give more of a feminine look,” says Raciborski, who also suggests bringing a reference photo.
Lindsay recommends working with your stylist to find the exact length that suits your hairline and bone structure. No matter what she notes that “the length needs to be the same from back to front—not angled or A line towards the front.” She adds that a center part tends to work best for this style. Also, note that you want a textured feeling through the ends that is not a result of layers, says Lindsay. “The more the perimeter is broken up, the better” for this look.
Who is a good candidate for the boy bob?
Lindsay says this cut “works wonders with finer density since the shorter the hair is, the more dense it becomes.” She adds that it’s also especially great for those who like to air dry or have a natural wave. Yet the boy bob can work with any hair texture and density. To make it work “he amount of texture added in, density removed, or overall length may need to be adjusted based on the individual’s natural curl pattern or density,” she explains.
Raciborski says this cut can work with many face shapes but goes especially well with oval, square or heart-shaped faces. “It’s great for someone who wants a bold but low-maintenance haircut with a modern vibe.”
