Bob hairstyles are back—these chic looks will give you all the inspo you need
From blonde and wavy to dark and sleek bob hairstyles to try
Bob hairstyles are back. The style became the world's most popular haircut in 2020, with a whopping 222,580 average internet searches a month — which also makes it the most popular look in an impressive 52 countries, including the US and the UK.
Now the bold look is back again for 2021, and all our favorite celebs are jumping on the trend.
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So if you’re thinking about rocking the #1 hair trend, we’ve got all the inspo you need.
From Holly Willoughby and her fine waves, to supermodel Duckie Thot’s blunt ends – there are plenty of different variations to suit every face shape. Whether you’re looking for a bob hairstyle with a fringe, or one with layers, we’ve got you covered.
But because there’s so many styles, it makes sense that we hunted around the internet for the best old and new bob hairstyles to give you fresh new haircut ideas in seconds. So, whether you want to update your short locks, or go for the chop, we’ve got plenty of ideas to help, before you take the plunge.
Plus, every hair type is different. You might want to browse through specifically bob hairstyles with bangs — or have a gander at the best bob hairstyles for thin hair or the best bob hairstyles for thick hair. Well luckily for you, we think we’ve pretty much found them all.
What face shape suits a bob haircut?
Different bob hairstyles suit different face shapes for various reasons.
According to L’Oréal Paris celebrity hair stylist Jonathan Colombini, long bobs are great for those with a round face shape. Speaking to Byrdie, Colombini explained that this is because the style elongates round face shapes, drawing the eye longer.
Similarly, Sam Burnett, Founder and Creative Director at salon HARE&BONE told FEMAIL that a blunt chin-length bob is perfect for anyone with a diamond-shaped face — like Jennifer Lopez — as it will “add width, whilst layers to tuck behind your ears will frame your jawline and highlight cheekbones.”
How to look after a bob hairstyle
There are a couple of golden rules when it comes to maintaining your bob hairstyle.
A regular trim
Kerry Cape, hair care and colour expert at Naturtint says it is important to “have a trim every 3-6 weeks,” whilst also explaining how helpful styling mousse can be for perfecting a bob look, in an interview with Prima.
No brushing
Sapphire Lewis from Bleach London also told Stylist that avoiding a traditional hair brush and using your fingers to detangle your hair is always best. "Short hair is less likely to tangle than long hair. Brushing it through with fingers is generally enough to shape and style it a bit." But if you prefer using a brush, make sure it’s a bristle brush.
So with no further ado, whether it’s Gemma Chan’s voluminous wavy bob, or Khloe Kardashian’s shiny ‘do‘ that you’re after, get screenshotting and take one of these celeb hairstyles into your hair appointment.
Bob hairstyles: the best chic looks to inspire you
1. Kaia Gerber
flower arrangement extraordinaire Kaia
A photo posted by @kaiagerber on Dec 8, 2019 at 2:44pm PST
2. Bella Hadid
Vogue italia by @zoeghertner @suzannekoller 🖤 Bella 🦋
A photo posted by @bellahadid on Mar 7, 2020 at 5:25am PST
3. Naomi Campbell
#grammyweekend 🤍 Makeup by #FranCooper Naomi Campbell
A photo posted by @naomi on Jan 27, 2020 at 6:48am PST
4. Allison Janney
A photo posted by @jillcrosbyhair on Jul 24, 2020 at 11:38am PDT
5. Serena Williams
Live at 6pm EST @alexisohanian Serena Williams
A photo posted by @serenawilliams on Jun 6, 2020 at 12:32pm PDT
6. Myleene Klass
A photo posted by @myleeneklass on Jul 13, 2020 at 2:28am PDT
7. Patrica Bright
A photo posted by @thepatriciabright on Apr 16, 2020 at 7:48am PDT
8. Holly Willoughby
A photo posted by @hollywilloughby on Mar 8, 2020 at 2:24pm PDT
9. Emily Atack
A photo posted by @emilyatackofficial on May 12, 2020 at 6:10am PDT
10. Adut Akech
A photo posted by @adutakech on Sep 21, 2019 at 6:43am PDT
11. Perrie Edwards
A photo posted by @perrieedwards on Apr 12, 2020 at 5:05am PDT
12. Jordyn Woods
A photo posted by @jordynwoods on Jul 4, 2020 at 2:51pm PDT
13. Kate Middleton
A photo posted by @kensingtonroyal on Mar 4, 2020 at 7:58am PST
14. Duckie Thot
A photo posted by @duckiethot on Sep 18, 2018 at 3:38pm PDT
15. Taylor Hill
A photo posted by @taylor_hill on Jul 28, 2020 at 11:34am PDT
16. Gemma Chan
📸: @larajadephotography for @modernluxury Gemma Chan
A photo posted by @gemma_chan on Jul 19, 2019 at 10:05am PDT
17. Ashley Benson
Up close and personal Ashley Benson
A photo posted by @ashleybenson on Feb 28, 2020 at 2:02am PST
18. Cardi B
A photo posted by @iamcardib on May 7, 2020 at 11:58am PDT
19. Saoirse Ronan
A photo posted by @hairbyadir on Oct 24, 2019 at 9:38pm PDT
20. Emma Roberts
here’s for better days 🤍 sending love and light to everyone 💫 Emma Roberts
A photo posted by @emmaroberts on Apr 14, 2020 at 11:36am PDT
21. Jackie Aina
A photo posted by @jackieaina on Oct 16, 2019 at 6:51pm PDT
22. Lucy Liu
A photo posted by @lucyliu on Dec 9, 2019 at 2:09pm PST
23. Penelope Cruz
A photo posted by @penelopecruzoficial on Nov 2, 2019 at 1:28am PDT
24. Fearne Cotton
❤️🧡💛💚💙💜 #loveislove #loveisallyouneed #pride Fearne
A photo posted by @fearnecotton on Jun 28, 2020 at 2:23am PDT
25. Ciara
A post shared by Ciara (@ciara)
A photo posted by on on Aug 15, 2019 at 7:38pm PDT
26. Rosamund Pike
A photo posted by @mspike on Aug 20, 2019 at 7:24pm PDT
27. Khloe Kardashian
Good Sweats OUT NOW @goodamerican. 📸 @pierresnaps Khloé
A photo posted by @khloekardashian on Aug 20, 2020 at 9:40am PDT
28. Selena Gomez
A post shared by Selena Gomez (@selenagomez)
A photo posted by on
Selena turns out to be a huge fan of the look, getting her hair cut again for the fall season but this time into a blunt cut bob.
@selenagomez Only Murders in the Building watch party 10/19 6:00pm PST!
♬ original sound - Selena Gomez
29. Taylor LaShae
A post shared by Taylor LaShae (@taylorlashae)
A photo posted by on
Can you think of a bob hairstyle without thinking of Taylor? No? Us either, babe. On countless bob mood boards, Taylor's is choppy and the perfect length.
30. Ariana Grande
OMG ARIANA GRANDE pic.twitter.com/xfDCNvCcZfNovember 1, 2021
Though this was just for Halloween, Ariana made a serious case for the 60s style, blown-out bob with face-framing bangs—and doesn't she just look amazing as a blonde?
Sagal is a journalist, specialising in lifestyle, pop culture, fashion and beauty. She has written for a number of publications including Vogue, Glamour, Stylist, Evening Standard, Bustle, You Magazine, Dazed and Wonderland to name a few.
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