The bob has been having its moment in the spotlight for a few years now. And although it may seem like the cut of the moment, it’s been around since the early 1900s, coming in and going out of style in bursts, but never quite fading away.
But if you’re hesitant about the drastic chop, consider this perfect compromise: the lob, short for “long bob.” Sitting between the classic bob and shoulder-length styles, the lob offers the breeziness of a bob without the commitment.
Although it may often seem like it, this style isn’t relegated to merely straight hair. On the contrary, its length makes it a versatile hairstyle that works just as well on everything from poker straight hair to to extremely curly hair types, and everything in between.
We’ve put together a complete guide to the long bob, covering how to wear it with your hair texture, different long bob hairstyles to try and styling tips to ensure your lob always looks its best.
Ways to Wear Your Long Bob Cut With Different Textures & Styles
1. Brushed Out Wavy Lob
Loose, barely-there waves—also called lazy-girl hair—is the easiest way to showcase a long bob cut if you have straight locks. Modern and fresh, the length gives your hair just the right amount of swing, while a bigger-shaped wave adds some interest to your lob without making it too fussy. Style with a moderate amount of mousse or salt foam, just to urge in some texture for a flirty yet structured look.
2. Layered Long Bob on Curly Hair
Tight ringlets looks beautiful when cut into a long bob, but layers makes them even better. Choose a heavily layered cut like the one above if you want to manipulate the shape of your hair or if you want to avoid a triangular lob.
3. Curly Long Bob with Blunt Ends
Cutting your hair with fewer layers will leave you with a more classic long bob cut and helps weigh down hair. This lengthens your spirals and gives a more defined shape to your haircut. To style for every day, mist hair with a leave-in conditioner before blow-drying with a diffuser.
4. Long Bob with Bangs
Bangs and long bobs are a match made in heaven. Whether you like a full fringe or are partial to wispy curtain bangs, all bang styles complement long bobs beautifully.
5. Long Bob with Layers and Bangs
This wolf cut-inspired long bob is ideal for anyone who’s looking for a lob style with a bit of an edge. With shaggy layers and a micro fringe, it’s anything but boring.
6. Bright Blue Long Bob
Alternatively, you could turn to hair color to make your long bob really stand out. We’re in love with this teal ombré look.
7. Skunk Stripe Long Bob
Love a chunky E-girl highlight? Then this is the lob idea for you.
Also read:E-Girl Hairstyles: Are You Brave Enough to Try TikTok’s Latest Hair Trend?
8. Wavy Hair Layered with Highlights
Fine, wavyhair usually can do with a bit more densityand heft. Mimic some fullness with subtle layering at the bottom (though not too much, as this can make hair susceptible to flyaways) and enlist the help of your fave colorist for some highlights and lowlights. A great balayage job can add dimension to hair and looks effortlessly pretty on a wavy lob. Style this look with a light spraythat accentuates waves and adds body.
9. Middle-Parted Waves on a Natural Hair Long Bob
Parting your hair in the middle has been a popular trend in the natural hair community, and works perfectly with long bob styles. Prep your hair with an everyday detangler, as well as a curl-enhancing cream, to scrunch in whenever you need some definition.
Long Bob Hairstyles for Any Season
A few ways to style your long bob:
1. Voluminous andShiny Lob
Want to take your natural hair texture and turn it into a seriously stunning hairstyle? Try out a long bob that’svoluminous and shiny. The best way to add lasting shine is to use some serum. Applythe serum to damp hair and do a voluminous at-home blowout.
2. Fun Twisted Updo
This twisted updo is so easy you can probably do it at your desk. You just need to section your hair into three parts, taking out any face framing layers. Then, make each section into a bun, placing the next bun underneath. When you’re done, you’ll have three stacked buns and a cute party hairstyle for your long bob.
3. Half-Up Half-Down Hair
For an even easier hairstyle idea, try out the chic, half-up half-down style. All you need is a few minutes, a hair tie and a couple of small pins to secure this fun hairstyle.
4. Polished Updo Bun
To create a polished bun on long bob hairstyles, you’ll need to coil your long bob into a sleek and tight chignon or top knot. Smooth away any flyaways with a hairspray. We like to spritz some extra hold hairspray (like the Dove Extra Hold Non-Aerosol Hairspray) on a toothbrush and use it to stick down flyaways and frizz.
5. Beach Waves
This is a great style for the summer and is really easy to achieve. For loose, romantic, enviable curls, a heated tong or curling wand can be used. Alternatively, hot rollers can also achieve some loose bends. This hairstyle is also fantastic on highlighted and ombré hair as it accentuates the subtle color.
6. Hair Clips & Accessories
Take your long bob to the next level with hair accessories. We love little bejewelled hair clips and barrettes for this.
7. Slicked Back Long Bob
If you’re all about slicked back hair, this is the style for you. To keep the look fresh and modern, play up the texture in the lengths of your hair. Using a flat iron on washed and primed hair will result in looser, chunkier bends and flicks all throughout. Maximize your texture by using a ping-pong ball’s amount of mousse spread evenly on the top, sides, and back of the hair.
8. Long Bob in a Messy Updo
Polished updos aren’t for everyone. Sometimes, the messier, the better. This messy updo is the perfect desk-to-drinks style and all you really need to pull it together is a secure hair tie.
9. Side Parted Long Bob
Center partings are the obvious way to style long bobs right now, but don’t ignore the power of a side parting. The deep side part has made a return and looks great with long bobs.
9. Poker Straight Long Bob
Even though beachy waves are the style of the moment, the poker straight long bob haircut is timeless and will always be popular for day or night. For best results, completely dry hair and allow it to part naturally. It is important to use a thermal protectant to prevent heat damage from straightening irons and make sure all the strands are coated evenly. Sandwich even and somewhat thinner sections of hair in between the plates, then gently tug from the roots downward. Start with the back of the head and finish with the top of the head, saving the sections around the hairline for last. Finish with some styling oil.
Long Bob Haircuts: Styling Tips & Products You Need
Paying homage to another strong year for the lob, we’ve put together a few of our fave ways to wear this all-around new classic style. Plus, some of our favorite styling tips. Keep scrolling down to find your lob inspo:
1. Invest in a styling cream
While straightening irons and blowdryers are essential to achieving this ‘It Girl’ look, using a good styling cream (bonus points if it also offers heat protection) can keep your hair shielded from frizz and flyaways throughout the day. Before you heat-style your hair, use a product like TRESemmé Thermal Creations Blow Dry Balmto get that smooth look you’re after.
2. Play Up Your Texture
A wavy, texturized long bob style makes for a flirty and romantic look — it allows you to show off some natural texture without having to turn to additional heat styling. And while you can wave your hair with a curling iron, opting for an air-dried look that’s full of texture also looks gorgeous.
3. Care for Your Ends
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If you constantly style your long bob, you’ll probably find that your ends can feel dried and super-brittle, making it important to invest in a product that keeps your strands smooth and hydrated. To repair damaged ends, make a hydrating leave-in conditioner, like SheaMoisture Jamaican Black Castor Oil Strengthen & Restore Leave-In Conditioner, part of your regimen (post-shower, pre-styling). It helps soften and detangle while controlling frizz, too.
4. Hydrate Your Locks
Like finding a good split end-protecting product, investing in a hydrating moisture mask is also key, as it keeps your strands healthy and nourished in between salon visits. To give your hair the essential deep conditioning treatment it deserves, apply the Dove Hair Mask + Minerals Smoothes + Pink Clay once a week after you shampoo and condition for best results.
5. Finish WithHairspray
Whether you wear your style straight or wavy, long bob styles can always add a little more oomph to straight and fine hair types. To keep your styles full of body and movement, use the TRESemmé Compressed Micro Mist Smooth Hold Level 2 Hair Spray after your style for a full and beautiful finish.
Looking for more hairstyling inspiration? Be sure to check us out over @AllThingsHairUS!
