If you’re seeking a classic and elegant haircut for winter, a chic, face-framing bob may be just the solution, whether you’re looking to eliminate split ends or completely transform your current hairstyle. In a widely viewed YouTube video, expert hairstylist Justin Hickox discusses five different bob cuts, including their suitability for different face shapes and hair textures, and offers helpful advice for communicating your desired outcome to your own stylist.
5 No-Fail Bob Cuts For Your Face Shape
1. Lob for Shorter and Rounder Faces
The highly popular 'lob' haircut (as seen on Natalie Portman above) is ubiquitous and features hair that falls between the chin-length bob and the collarbones or slightly below. The term 'lob' is a shortened form of 'long bob'.
This style is considered flattering for all hair textures and colors and has been touted by numerous stylists for its rejuvenating qualities.
According to Hickox, lobs work best for anyone with a "longer neck or higher neckline," or if you have a "medium to thicker hair texture."
This also suits shorter or rounder faces more, Hickox says, because "if you have a longer face, because of the actual length of a lob, it can have a tendency to elongate your face even more."
2. Chin-Length Bob for Longer Faces
This hairstyle "lands roughly at your chin" and works best for anyone with a "longer face," according to Hickox. "The length landing at or very close to your chin," like on Cate Blanchett here, has a "tendency to add a bit of fullness to your face," he says.
Also, if you have a "thinner texture," this can make your hair look thicker. With this bob cut being shorter than the aforementioned one,
Hickox notes that this allows flattering, face-framing layers to help make your crown area or hairline appear more full, as thinning hair often begins in this section naturally with age.
3. 'Graduated' Bob for Oval-Shaped Faces
Hickox explains that this type of bob, commonly referred to as a "graduated bob," differs from the previous two cuts as it has "graduation in the back around the nape." He points out that this bob does not have a specific length limit, its name just derives from the way it is layered.
With that said, Hickox notes that Keira Knightley's graduated bob works well for anyone who wants to "accentuate their cheek structure or lift their face a little bit more."
This could be women with oval-shaped faces, as they tend to pull off various styles and looks due to their coveted and symmetrical shape.
4. One-Length Bob for any Face Shape with Medium to Thinner Hair
If you want to try a bob cut but don't want to go too crazy when it comes to layering, this just might be the 'do for you! Hickox says that this bob, seen on Jessica Alba, is simply a blunt one "without layers." This bob is "great if you've got a medium to thinner density of hair," he says.
He notes that curlier textures might want to stay away from this cut just because of its tendency to be very full and thick at the bottom. In that case, adding some layers can be a sleek way to highlight your waves or curls more.
Hickox concludes that while these four are all indeed bob cuts, they are still "very different," so knowing what to ask your stylist for specifically, is key.
He recommends "bringing in photos" of which cuts you like and don't like and of course, "explaining what you like about the photos."
