If you’ve narrowed your next haircut down to one style: the bob — but now need to narrow it down even further, you’ve come to the right place. The bob is a classic because it works on so many face shapes and is one of those perfect lengths that helps lift the features. It’s also a versatile pick that can be customized in different ways to take advantage of your facial features and hair type, whether you have fine, straight, thick, or curly hair.
If you’re looking for great bob ideas, here are 13 bob haircuts that pro stylists say are flattering choices, especially for women over 50.
Angled Bob
The angled bob stands out because it is shorter in the back and longer in the front, and falls into an angle toward your face that calls to attention facial features like your cheekbones and eyes. This cut is great for anyone who isn’t a fan of conventional cuts and wants something with a little more oomph.
Blunt Bob
If you have the opposite approach to your hair and prefer a more traditional cut, a blunt bob is perfect. This sleek bob is defined by its one-layer cut with no choppiness or wispiness. Its blunt base works well on fine or thin hair because it makes it look as if the hair is thicker.
Blunt Lob
We’re cheating a bit, but if you like the look of a blunt bob but wish it were just a little longer, we give you the blunt lob. This cut, seen here on Scarlett Johansson, typically ends around the collarbone and has a the same attitude and feel as the blunt bob, just with more length.
Bob With Balayage
Sometimes the most fierce change you can make to your hair isn’t cutting it more — it’s adding color for depth. Balayage is hand-painting the hair rather than using foils and it works to give you more naturally sun-kissed look.
Bob With Bangs
Elizabeth Olsen shows us why a bob with bangs is such magic: this little change frames the face beautifully and puts the attention on your eyes and cheekbones. Talk to your stylist about which type of bang works best on you — whether that means a blunt bang or something wispier.
Box Bob
Seen here on Hailey Bieber, the box bob has blunt ends and no layers — and, yes, a box-like shape. It’s super low-maintenance and a great wash-and-go cut.
Feathered Bob
The ‘70s are back! The feathered bob borrows from icons like Farrah Fawcett and gives you wispier layers for an airy, fun, playful look.
French Bob
“Chic” is the word that always comes to mind when thinking about the French bob. This bob is slightly shorter than the others, often has a bang, and is tousled, rather than blunt and sleek.
Inverted Bob
The inverted bob was made for the non-traditionalist at heart: it has a shorter back and longer sides that can be angled toward the face.
Italian Bob
Meet the French bob’s sexy cousin: the Italian bob. This cut is longer and has tons of volumes and maybe even some soft waves to it, courtesy of rounder layering.
Micro Bob
If you’re debating between a bob and a pixie and not sure which direction to go, the micro bob is a beautiful compromise. This shorter bob hits the jawline or right above it and is simpler and more minimal in its layering — quiet and chic.
Ends Curled Under Bob
There’s something so romantic about this bob sported by Penelope Cruz — and it has everything to do with its sophisticated sleek style and the ends curled under. Tell your stylist this is how you’d like your hair to be styled so that they cut the ends and layers accordingly, and then invest in a good round brush to help get you there.
Wavy Bob
The benefits of adding waves and curls to your bob are endless, but we’ll focus on just one: texture gives fine or thinning hair more oomph and helps it look thicker and more voluminous. Whether yours are natural or brought to you via a heatless curling device, try adding waves or curls to your bob to feel like you have a brand new haircut.
