This article has been updated since its initial publish date to include more expert insight.
The ‘lob’ haircut, a stylish ‘longer bob’ reaching the collarbones or shoulders, is a popular hairdo choice that shows no signs of going out of fashion. It is universally flattering, suitable for any hair texture or color, and has even been praised by experts for its anti-aging effects.
As you consider refreshing your hairstyle for the new year, keep in mind that versatile shoulder-length looks are likely to remain popular well into 2024. With that said, we have consulted professional hairstylists and experts who have suggested nine chic variations of a lob with celebrity examples.
Read on for tips, suggestions and insight from the pros: Janine Jarman, celebrity hair stylist and founder of Curl Cult, Ghanima Abdullah, hair expert and cosmetologist at The Right Hairstyles, Rodrigo Galvao, professional hair stylist at Gem House in Brooklyn, NY, Michelle O’Connor, professional hair stylist and artistic director at Matrix and Gina Rivera, celebrity hair stylist and founder of Phenix Salon Suites.
9 Chic Shoulder-Length Lob Ideas For The New Year
1. Layered Lob with Wispy Fringe
Jarman points out that layers can instantly enhance your facial features and provide volume, and adding bangs to a textured lob (as seen here on Alexa Chung), can also conceal forehead wrinkles and draw more attention to your eyes. "Pair your lob with fringe to cover any wrinkles or receding hairlines and highlight those gorgeous eyes of yours," Jarman says.
She adds that "many of us have hair that gets thinner with age," so adding "texture will help give your look lift and life." After all, wispy, flirty and eyebrow-grazing bangs have been all the rage throughout 2023, and we don't expect to see them disappear long after ringing in 2024.
2. Wavy Lob with Sideswept Bangs
According to Galvao, one of the most universally flattering and anti-aging haircuts is a tousled, wavy lob with sideswept bangs. Referring to the base of the haircut, he explains, "The shape is usually more rectangular or square, with a very defined linear design, which brings a more modern and sophisticated look with a minimalist style."
Additionally, he says, "in some versions of the cut there are more layers that add movement and give those cool young vibes." As seen here on Emma Stone, this voluminous wavy style can give a boost to finer, thinner and normally flatter strands for a youthful feel.
3. Asymmetrical Lob
This type of lob combines classic and more modern elements that can highlight your eyes, cheekbones, and overall facial symmetry (which can take years off your look). "The asymmetrical lob is also terrific for creating a youthful look," Rivera says, pointing to Gal Gadot's style.
"The fact that there are changing lengths in the hair makes it a very trendy and current style," she explains, adding that "this contributes to an up-to-date and young look."
4. Shaggy Lob with Curtain Bangs
This lob may look similar to the first on this list, but as Abdullah notes, a shaggy lob has much more intricate layering and bangs that part in the center, like a curtain. Anyone with thinning hair who wants to maintain longer lengths can look to Abdullah's recommendation of long layers with curtain bangs as a potential lob choice.
This shaggy style creates movement while also disguising thinness, particularly around the crown where many experience hair loss. January Jones' wispy curtain bangs above offer a subtle, creative way to camouflage this issue, Abdullah says. She notes that a fringe like this is versatile, and can be parted in the center or worn down. They also "add length and volume so you don't have to spend hours styling."
Abdullah adds that bangs like these "can be worn short or long, curled or straight," and that the key is to "keep the bangs long enough to cover the eyebrows and frame the face and eyes."
5. Curly Lob with Rounded Bangs
As seen on TikTok's BeautyTok and social media in general, many women with curly or wavy hair are embracing a trend of a bouncy, rounded fringe for a fresh and youthful appearance. A stylish example is Zendaya's sleek hairstyle above, as suggested by O'Connor, which can accentuate your facial symmetry and radiance.
"The halo fringe cut is at the height of popularity right now as curly girls are declaring, 'yes we can have bangs,'" O'Connor says. This look is best when worn as voluminous as possible, she says, and with long, windswept curls.
6. Curly Lob with Deep Side Part
If you have rich, enviable curls and want to change up your lob, Abdullah recommends going for a shoulder-length cut like Amandla Stenberg above, and creating volume with a deep, Old-Hollywood-esque side part. "If you add a deep side part to your lob, the waves frame your face in a very flattering, polished manner," she explains. "You can move the hair from one side to the other, as you wish," she says, when it comes to styling.
"The added hair going over will increase volume in the area as well, especially if your hair is used to being parted down the center."
7. Wispy Shag
A shag is "another amazing cut that is well-recognized for being versatile," Rivera says. A quintessential shag, as seen on Taylor Swift, offers "nice variations for both longer and shorter hair." Like the bob, "adding a bang can add a fresh surprise to this look," Rivera suggests.
For those with longer hair, she says that "an added choice is to shorten the hair up a bit to the collarbone or above" to create some texture by adding subtle layers to soften.
8. Blunt Wavy Lob
Scarlett Johansson's blunt, slicked-back and wavy lob is "such a popular look right now," Rivera says. She adds that "one of the main reasons for that is the fact that you don’t have to commit to shorter [chin-length] hair and it’s versatile." This lob is also a classic way to "create a youthful look."
In addition, this 'do allows for the "removal of damaged ends" and its one-length "creates a lot of opportunities for styling," according to Rivera. "This style is darling tucked behind an ear or just worn down," Rivera goes on, and Johansson did this on the red carpet, proving her point!
9. Center-Parted, Layered Lob
A sleek, subtly layered lob like Margot Robbie's, Rivera says, is extra eye-catching because of the way its ends are styled. Lob haircuts like this "keep the fullness at the ends which is great for fine, thin hair," she says.
When dealing with thinner hair, you want to "avoid hairstyles that have a lot of layers as this can make the hair collapse and appear thinner," she adds, so you might find that a cut with subtle layers is best for you.
Overall, Abdullah concludes that "a shorter lob is great if you want the eyes drawn to the chin or cheekbones," and lobs like those broken down in this list are "great for moving the eye towards the collarbone and shoulders." The more you know!
