If ever a haircut deserved the Oscar, Tony, and Emmy awards of hair, it’s the classic bob. Where would we be without this timeless style, which is characterized by length that cuts off around the chin, but can be personalized and styled in a variety of ways? Some make the mistake of only thinking of one specific bob when they are considering a bob. For some, that may be Uma Thurman’s chic, but severe black blunt bob with bangs in Pulp Fiction. For others, the bob may be best represented by a more modern take, like Beyoncé’s 2015 chunky bob or Zendaya’s elegant, but very difficult to replicate bowl-cut bob.
No matter which bob has stolen your daydreams or exists up on your Pinterest board, the important thing to remember is this: no two bob’s need be the same. Your stylist can customize your bob to suit your hair type, style preferences, and how long or short (or choppy or blunt) you wish to go.
Need a little inspiration? Here are six timeless, classic bob haircuts that can freshen up anyone’s look.
Asymmetrical Bob
The bob may be considered a classic cut, but boring? No way. You can create an asymmetrical bob that is longer on one side than another side and provides a more edgy, funky look. Pair this with a few bold highlights for maximum effect.
Bixie Haircut
Love a little more length and a shaggy style? Then the bixie haircut may be right up your alley. This more modern style features elements pulled from the pixie — like a shorter back — and elements of the bob, such as longer, choppier layers and, sometimes, an asymmetrical fringe in front. It’s super current, fresh, and looks amazing with any hair types, from straight to curly.
Bob With Curtain Bangs
The graduated curtain bangs on this bob break up the haircut with shorter, face-framing layers that draw attention to your eyes and cheekbones. This retro look is great for anyone who is curious about fringe, but doesn’t want to take the plunge and cut short bangs in their bob.
Bob With Bangs
Ready to commit to a shorter bang that is more in line with Uma Thurman’s amazingly chic Pulp Fiction alter ego? The bangs on this bob give it a playful flavor and turn a haircut into a hairstyle. Talk to your stylist about the type of fringe that works best on you — whether that means wispy bangs or a thicker, more blunt fringe.
French Bob
The French bob entered our line of vision a few years back, and has never left. This cut is shorter than the bob’s typical chin length and features a lot of layers and texture with a blunt baseline. Oftentimes, it is accompanied by a wispy fringe, as well.
Shaggy Bob
A bob doesn’t necessarily have to have a blunt baseline to be a bob. In fact, some of our favorite bob haircuts feature more layering and a shaggy effect, with tousled ends. This look works particularly well on anyone who has texture in their hair or more weight to it.
There is no such thing as a one-size-fits-all bob haircut. The bob that works best on you will depend on your personal preferences, how you plan to style yours, and — simply put — whatever you are in the mood to rock at this time in your life. But one thing is certain: when it comes to the classic bob haircut, you have plenty of options.
