If you close your eyes and imagine the one haircut that is so universally flattering it is often recommended for a variety of hair types and face shapes, what does it look like? If, in your imagination, it looks a lot like a bob, you’re not alone. The bob is a stellar choice for mature women because as you may be focusing more on skin concerns like aging skin and loss of elasticity, the chin-length bob is there to provide an instant lift. It can be shaped to serve as the makeup-less contour makeup, drawing attention to your jawline and cheekbones. And for flat, fine, or thinning hair, it’s the perfect cut to maximize your hair’s volume and make it appear more dense and healthy.
But the “bob” comes in many shapes and styles. Depending on your hair needs and style desires, you can customize your bob in a variety of different ways. These are five of the absolute best bob hairstyles for women with flat, thinning, or fine hair.
1. Angled Bob
The angled bob, shown here on Keira Knightley, works brilliantly for thin and fine hair because its shape gives the illusion of more hair framing your face. This is a great style if you prefer to not spend time creating a voluminous blowout with a brush and hairdryer, too, as the cut itself provides a great deal of shape.
2. Curly Bob
Taraji P. Henson’s curly bob brings instant density and thickness to hair, thanks to added texture. It’s also a glam look that appears as equally polished for nighttime events as it does for work or running errands.
3. Italian Bob
The Italian bob, shown here on Aubrey Plaza, is slightly longer and far more voluminous than most bobs. It is defined by minimal layering and air drying to achieve more texture or light styling with a round brush.
4. Rounded Lob
The rounded lob is longer than a bob and usually reaches the collarbone. The ends are cut blunt and clean and hair can be styled with a round brush, usually under and toward the face to make ends look thicker and denser.
5. Feathered Bob with Flipped-Out Ends
We love how this feathered bob with flipped-out ends looks on Jenna Ortega — and it will look equally charming if you have flat, fine, or thinning hair. The ends give it a fun retro shape and lift, and the crown can also be teased slightly to achieve some volume and height.
