Some items — brown eye shadow, Spanx, a black V-neck sweater and stretch jeans — top our 50-plus power list. They never let us down. Now there is one more to add: the bob. Not only is it the hottest hair to have in 2020, but it's a style with staying power. Before you start visualizing rollers, hair spray and a high-maintenance trimming schedule, let's be clear: This is not the 1980s “coiffed” bob. This bob is edgy and classy and there's a style, texture and length for everyone. Here's why you should make the chop.
Monica Bellucci, Celine Dion, Gabrielle Union and Jennifer Lopez
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1. Your hair will rock.If you like being cool and looking hot (and who doesn't?) your hair is part of the plan. Forget about extensions and pastel streaks, two-tone pixie cuts and shags — you and your grownup hair don't need to go there. A bob will instantly upgrade mature hair that's blah, wimpy, straggly or stringy to a head-turning “look.” Not only will you be on trend now, this cut never ages so you can keep and tweak it to look elegant, casual or edgy with a few styling tricks. The bottom line: Extremes are over. Medium-length hair is the new sexy. For inspiration, take a look at Celine Dion, Monica Bellucci, Gabrielle Union and Jennifer Lopez.
Kim Cattrall, Alfre Woodard and Carrie-Anne Moss
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2. A bob works like an instant facelift.Yes, it's an optical trick; the geometric shape of a bob provides a frame. Instantly your face assumes more structure: Cheekbones are restored, your jawline seems crisper, eyes look bigger — doubly so if you add bangs. Let's be honest: All long hair does (unless it's fabulous naturally, which is rare unassisted by extensions at 50) is drag down your face and emphasize lines. A bob can even give your body a boost. It visually stretches the neck and torso so you look taller, slimmer.
Holland Taylor, Regina King and Lucy Liu
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3. Your thin, fine hair will look thicker.To get the most luxurious effect, choose a blunt bob with a sharp, crisp bottom line. This no-layers cut is pure shape and shine, making even baby-fine hair hold together. A blunt bob will also look more abundant if it's no longer than an inch or two below the chin to avoid separation. An even-all-around blunt bob is the gold standard here, but for an extra dose of trendiness or if your hair has more weight, an A-line blunt bob adds extra swing. It's angled so the front is slightly longer than the back. Trim your blunt bob every four to six weeks to help maintain density at the “hem.”
Cate Blanchett, Jodie Foster and Mary Steenburgen
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4. You can stay longish with a lob.If you're a longtime long hair devotee who is truly scissors shy, a lob will ease you into bob-land without any trauma. A lob, or LOB, is simply the longest version of a bob and hovers around collarbone length. It's a good entry-level cut, though many women who need a ponytail option stay with it. Lobs can be cut blunt, with some long layers or textured ends to vary the look, depending on your personal style. A sexy, swoopy, curved lob or one that's bendy (thanks to a curling iron) with soft waves throughout or at the ends takes a smooth lob to the next level. And here's the big bonus: A lob is the easiest bob to grow out if you have a change of heart. But you won't.
FAQs
With a bob, you can go short or long, sleek or textured, and the possibilities are endless. You can also easily change up your look with styling products or by adding in some bangs. Maintenance: A bob haircut is also relatively low maintenance. It doesn't require a lot of styling and can be easily washed and worn.
Why are bobs the best? ›
Its versatility — and the fact that it looks good on every face shape — is likely why it's a haircut that's stood the test of time. "A bob length can vary from jaw length to just off the shoulder," said Jenny Balding, the co-owner of Cutler Salon x Arlo SoHo salon in New York City.
How do you know if you should get a bob? ›
“If you have a thin, long face, you should go for a shorter clean lined bob with straight angles,” Belkacemi explains. “If you have a rounder face, a longer bob will be more flattering.”
What does bob hair say about a woman? ›
If your hair length is bob cut, your personality traits reveal that you speak things as they are. You do not mince your words nor sugarcoat the truth. You are straightforward and direct. You tend to maintain a balance between your personal and professional life.
What does the bob hair symbolize? ›
Bobbed hair spans centuries, but during the 1920s — the age of the flapper — it became emblematic of female strength and social rebellion just as much as fashion. “The flapper hairstyle of the 1920s was all about making a political and moral stand,” Dr Amy Boyington, a UK-based historian, tells R29.
What does bob hair symbolize? ›
Short hair symbolised a new, freer, more fun fashion for women - so naturally many hairstylists refused to cut it. Yet the look persisted, bobbing (sorry!) through the rest of the 20th century as a haircut associated with youthfulness and sophistication. Today, the bob is chic.
Who looks best in a bob? ›
Appleton says to ask your stylist for a "swish" or swingy look with a blunt finish. A bob can work on any face shape, Appleton explains, but added that an oval face shape is ideal for the classic. If you have a square face, he suggests going even shorter and for round faces, he recommends keeping the length longer.
Who looks good with a bob? ›
Oval faces typically have balanced proportions, so various bob lengths and styles, such as chin-length, lobs (long bobs), or asymmetrical bobs, can work beautifully. Round Face: For round faces, a bob can help create the illusion of length and add angles to the face.
Do bobs suit older ladies? ›
The best thing about graduated bobs for older women is they add fullness and edginess to the hair. Older ladies can pull them off very well!
What is the butterfly bob? ›
"The butterfly bob is a less structured version of a traditional bob," says Wright. This playful and romantic style features heavy layers with shorter pieces that frame the face. The name "butterfly" bob comes from the shorter layers at the front of the hair, which resemble butterfly wings."
The answer is surprisingly simple. There's an easy, and we mean easy, way to decide if short hairstyles are in your future. We call it the 2.25 rule. Practically fool proof, this rule states that if the longest part of your chin is less than 2.25 inches from the tip of your earlobe, then short hairstyles are for you.
Does a bob haircut age you? ›
“A good cut depends on your face, your face shape, your body size, and height,” says celebrity stylist Felix Fischer. “A bob is one of those styles that can make some people look younger—if done right. But when it's done incorrectly or done on the wrong face, it can make you look older.”
What is the personality of a bob cut hair person? ›
A classic bob haircut can be both playful and professional, with its clean lines and chic style. You are rather direct & do not mince your words. You are straightforward, no sugarcoating here! You tend to maintain a balance between your personal and professional life.
Is a bob a Karen haircut? ›
The Karen haircut is an inverted bob or lob and is also known as an A-line cut. It also features short, blonde hairs with thick lowlights and long side-swept bangs.
What does short hair on a woman symbolize? ›
Here are a few common interpretations: Confidence: A woman with short hair often exudes confidence and self-assurance, as she is comfortable with her unique style. Boldness: Short hair can symbolize a bold and daring personality, as it requires courage to cut off one's long locks and embrace a shorter style.
Who should get a bob haircut? ›
The oblong face shape is longer than it is wide, with a high forehead, a long and pointed chin, and angular features. The bob hairstyle is a wonderful choice for this face shape. Since long hair can further elongate your face, the bob can really complement the features of an oblong face.
What does a bob do to your face? ›
The classic bob suits oval or heart-shaped faces, but it can accentuate the jawline of those with round or square faces. The advantage of this style is that it's easy to maintain and can be dressed up or down.
Does a bob haircut make you look taller? ›
1Hairstyles To Look Taller: Go Short!
Shorter hairstyles such as structured pixie cuts and chin-grazing bobs have the power to make your figure look more elongated, and create the illusion of a longer neck, bringing more attention to that area.
