Generally speaking, the bob is the haircut that can do no wrong. When you want a change, but also want to make sure you opt for a haircut that respects thinning hair and boosts volume, the bob is always there for you. But it’s a mistake to think that every bob haircut you get will naturally be perfect. The key to a great bob is customization and thoughtful layering and shaping that keeps your hair type in mind at all times.
Unfortunately, when a bob doesn’t consider your individual hair needs, things can go wrong really fast. According to Professional Hairstylist Justin Hickox, these are the four bob mistakes that are preventing your hair from looking “absolutely incredible” after 50. The good news is they can be corrected.
1. Too Much Angle
Too much angle in a bob will look like the front being far too long for the back of your haircut. If there’s too much of a disparity between the length of the front and back of your hair, Hickox says it runs the risk of looking “dog-eared” and like it doesn’t make a lot of sense. This kind of shape won’t have great movement or “swing well” and is not going to be as flattering.
2. Your Bob is Too Long
Even though we think of chin-length bobs as the prototype for the classic bob haircut, length can actually be customized to suit your face shape. One big problem with some bobs is that they are simply too long and this makes them lose their unique bob shape. According to Hickox, if you have a round or full face, a slightly longer bob may be just the thing you find helps offset the width in your face; if your face is longer, a shorter bob can have the opposite effect and create the illusion of more width in your face.
3. Your Ends Are Too Thin
When the end of your bob is overly layered, it often takes away from the “strong line” of the classic bob haircut. Although some bobs are meant to be more choppy and funky looking and can be great, if one of your goals with a bob is to boost your hair’s volume, asking for a bob with blunt ends can give this illusion.
4. Your Bob Has No Layers
Try not to think of layers are one specific type of shape. Avoiding layers altogether because you don’t want your hair to look too thin at the ends or top isn’t always the way to go, either. If your hair is all one length, it almost never functions as well as a cut with some layers, according to Hickox, who says most women need layering for movement and style. Make sure you have a conversation with your hairstylist because your haircut to explain what your bob goals are and where you’d like to create more volume and movement. A great bob with minimal layering can give it shape without taking out too much bulk.
