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60 short bob hairstyles that work for everyone – no matter your face shape

  • Writer: The Shampoo Lounge
    The Shampoo Lounge
  • Jul 23
  • 8 min read

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From wavy to straight, chin-length to ear-grazing, these are the ultimate short bobs to note


Hair trends come and go, but the bob will remain forever. And 'why's that?' I hear you ask. Well, since it first emerged in 1910, the short, chin-length haircut has seen many an iteration, all of which have been a total hit; from the French bob to the long bob, there's no version of the style that hasn't been reimagined. Iconic status, really.


But our favourite – and one that scratches my craving for a chop every single time – is the short (read: anything above shoulder length) bob, which, here at Cosmo Beauty, we believe can be worn by anyone, regardless of face shape or hair type.


So, whether you've got 4C curls, bleached strands or a fringe, we've scoured the web to find 60 of the best short bob inspo pics for you to take to your next salon appointment. There's truly a style for everyone!


You can thank us later...

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A-line bob

Disciplined, practical and sleek, a polished, a-line bob is a classic style with a twist: business in the back, power play in the front.


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Italian bob

More a style, rather than a cut, the Italian bob is characterised by its side part that creates volume at the roots. Unlike the French bob (which is typically chin-length or above), the Italian bob is a tad longer, hitting just below chin-length.


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Shag x bob

Embrace the triangular shape that curly bobs sometimes fall into with a shag x bob combo; it gives width to the hair and is super flattering! Styling-wise, use a curl cream to enhance type 2 waves. But remember: Depending on your curl pattern, you may need to cocktail a curling balm and a mousse or a cream. Apply when wet and avoid brushing; simply scrunch dry upside down and air dry or use a diffuser for extra lift and curl.


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Side sweeping bob

Side partings have made a major comeback in the last few years and this forehead sweeping style is the perfect way to level up a short bob.


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Marilyn Monroe bob

Curled and coifed to perfection, this bob draws inspiration from Marilyn Monroe's iconic 1950s bob. Aka, it's timeless!


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Asymmetric, cheekbone-skimming bob

In early 2025, Gabrielle Union swapped out her long locks for an asymmetric, cheekbone-skimming bob. The style spotlights short layers to bring texture and body to the root.


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4C curly bob

The 4C texture of this bob creates a softened triangle shape in the hair. Gorgeous.



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Soft, blunt bob

This bob combines the clean lines of a blunt cut with a softer, more textured finish. Overall, it gives the hair subtle movement and a gentle baseline.


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Curly halo bob

The halo haircut is all about creating a rounded perimeter around the face and this curly bob perfects the style


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Wavy, Parisian bob

Sophie Floyd's thick wavy bob is the epitome of Parisian chic.


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Shaggy bob

A shag haircut consists of layers but frame the face with shape and texture. Think: Mick Jagger's iconic look circa 1975. Combined with the short length of this bob makes for a rock 'n' roll look.


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My own flicky bob (humble plug)

The flicky bob, as I'm sure you can assume, is defined by hair that flicks out away from the face. My own flicky bob is rounded with soft volume, making for a 50s-esque, preppy aesthetic.


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Just above chin-length bob

This chin-length bob is finished with a textured girl, giving body and volume to the look.



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Sleek, blunt bob

Raye's bob is so sleek it's on the verge of head-hugging. The length starts at the jaw and is finished with a blunt cut.



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Pin-straight balayage bob

Penelopé Cruz's blunt bob is so razor sharp, it could cut a bi*ch. Fine-tune the pin-straight look with a top-notch straightener – my personal fave is the ghd Platinum+.


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Soft, wavy bob

Hot take: Beachy waves look just as good (if not better) on shorter hair. And this example is a prime case in point.


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Micro bob

The micro bob – in all its entirety – gives boss bi*ch energy and this ear-grazing style, paired with a blunt piecey fringe, is so main character.



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Weighted bob

Traditionally, those with thick hair are advised to cut layers into their bob to reduce bulk and weight, but this thick, blunt shape is the perfect counterargument. IMO, it's perfect!



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Bob with an under curl

Nara Smith has become synonymous with the bob, and here, she's styled her micro-lengths under with a rolled curl.


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Curled bob

If you've got fine hair and a bluntly cut bob, why not experiment by adding a curl into the ends? As shown, it can add volume, shape and the appearance of thicker strands.



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Undone bob

The undone bob is essentially a more lived-in and textured take on the French bob. Style with a middle parting and your natural texture to fit the brief.


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French bob

As its name suggests, the French bob draws inspiration from the Parisian chic look. "A French bob is that effortlessly cool, jaw-skimming cut that just screams Parisian chic," hairstylist Samantha Cusick tells Cosmopolitan.


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Layered curly bob

This bouncy, layered bob is an iteration of the halo cut and just goes to show that the shape can work for all curl types.


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Flicky bob for thick hair

This flippy bob is reminiscent of the 90s – particularly Rachel Green's iconic layered 'do. The layers make it perfect for those with thick hair looking to reduce weight and maintenance.


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Curly bob with a blunt straight fringe

Contrary to popular belief, curly and straight hair do work well together, as shown, here.


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Old money bob

The old money bob is loved by many, particularly A-list celebs attending a coveted red carpet event. Hi, hello JLo! Combine a voluminous, cushioned blow-dry styling with blunt lines and minimal layering, and you're good to go.


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Jackie O bob

Gigi Hadid nails the legendary Jackie O bob with flippy ends and a quaffed side part.


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Lived in natural bob

Polished hair is so last year. Now, we're all about embracing messy waves with a short choppy cut.


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Bob with a voluminous root

While this bob is straight, it still has a lot of texture and that's all thanks to the body and volume. In other words, it's super sexy!


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Curly micro bob

Angular bobs on curly hair can often appear a lil too bottom-heavy. So, we recommend opting for a rounded shape, like this one.


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Textured micro bob

The micro bob is often associated with a blunt cut (hi, Edna Mode). But this style proves that it can work just as well on textured curls.


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Bob with graduated fringe

This bob has been paired with a graduated fringe – a style of bangs that are shorter in the center and gradually get longer towards the sides of the face. Ultimately, it creates a soft, face-framing effect.



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Bob with wispy bangs

Fringes can be intimidating, but often give a bob that chic, Parisian finish. So, why not ease yourself in with wispy bangs as such?



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Bouffant bob

Here, Sarah Hyland rocks the bouffant bob. It merges the Old Hollywood curls with an airy, voluminous feel.


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Chin-length bob

This raven coloured blunt bob is the definition of a chin-length bob. Blunt and face framing.


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Money piece blonde bob with shadow root

The blonde placement in this bob brightens the face while a shadow root softens the bleach against her natural colour.


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Accessorised bob

While it may be hard to style a bob in updos, you can still accessorise with statement clips. This oversized pearl number is a particular fave of mine.



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Neck-hugging short bob

This short bob is the perfect neck-hugging shape.


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Bob with jagged fringe

The defining characteristic of a choppy fringe is the varying lengths. It seem easy to achieve, but it takes a cool persona to pull the look off.


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Braided bob

From Fulani braids to goddess braids, braided bob hairstyles are a gorgeous protective hairstyle option! Accessorise with beads and you're fashun ready.


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Micro fringed bob

Long or oval face shapes are best suited to a micro fringe. Though if you've got the confidence, anyone can pull off the daring style.


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Bold orange bob

Go bold or go home with a bright orange bob that sits just below the ear. This one isn't for the faint hearted.


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Classic bob

The classic bob is characterised by a length that falls between the chin and shoulders. As shown here, it also features a clean, symmetrical, and sleek finish.


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Curly bob with curly bangs

A curly fringe paired with a curly bob is the ultimate preppy hairstyle.


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Shiny blowout bob

The key to a bob like this one? A blow-dry brush. My fave ATM is the BaByliss Air Power.


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Two-toned bob

Gemini hair is the sign of a cool girl, and while it's a lot to upkeep, it's super fashion-forward.


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Protective bob

Protective hairstyles need not alway be long; as this gorgeous dolly braids bob demonstrates. Cute, chic and easy to maintain.


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Bob with eyebrow-grazing curly bangs

This eyebrow-grazing fringe adds dimension to the face while also bringing attention to the eyes.


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Megan Fox's cowgirl bob

The cowgirl bob is a short, blunt bob with subtle layering that allows f/or natural movement. Megan Fox is the face of the trend with her groundbreaking 2024 cut.


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Bottleneck bob

A bottleneck bob features a soft, face-framing fringe that narrows at the top and gradually widens towards the cheekbones.



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Rounded bob

Arguably, Lily Collins is the face of *the* bob and her rounded, flicky style is certainly Paris-approved. Emily, WYA?!


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Jaw line bob

What a way to define one's jaw than to have your hair length sit perfectly adjacent.



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Bob with curtain bangs

If your hair holds a natural, stretched wave, a beachy bob with curtain bangs is the perfect hairstyle for you.


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Fluorescent pink bob

If you're seeking a bob haircut for the drama, why not go balls to the wall with a fluorescent pink colour, too! Talk about a statement.



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Bell-bottom bob

Wavy hair types work great with bobs that are designed to be worn with movement. Hairdresser Tom Smith says, "Anything flipped over or where flicks or texture is desired will be easier to achieve here." This includes the French bob, bottleneck bob, Italian bob and of course, the bell-bottom bob.


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Gracie Abrams Hollywood-ready bob

Gracie Abrams' trademark bob is the inspo to end all inspo. Here she's had her wavy lengths styled in a bouffant Hollywood blowout. Glamorous AF.


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Fine hair bob

"In some cases, fine hair can look sparse around the hairline. Bouncy bangs can be a great way to add volume at the front without removing weight through layering," says Annie Croucher of Annie Westworks Hair.


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Halo bob

Curly type 3 hair lends itself to curved and rounded bob shapes. In particular, hairstylist Tom Smith says: "bob-shag hybrids can work really well thanks to the natural curvaceous quality curls have."


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Tapered bob

Coily hair textures are best suited to sculptural, shapely bobs. "Side partings can really help to allow textured hair to be stretched out into a shape which feels more ‘bob’ like," hairstylist Tom Smith says, while Jordanna Cobella, fellow hairstylist, adds that a tapered bob is the way to go. "The key is to cut it dry in its natural state for the true account on the shape it will take," she says.


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Laser cut bob

The laser-cut bob is a sleek style that works well with minimal daily effort. Straight-haired girlies, WYA? Pro tip: If your hair is fine and straight, the tucked bob style, where one side is tucked behind the ear, is a great way to increase the illusion of thickness.


Get yourself a newlook today with The Shampoo Lounge.

The Shampoo Lounge has been attending to an international and Indonesian clientele since 2012 so check out our instagram, our website and our TripAdvisor reviews! We can’t wait to have you in.



Article and pic taken from https://www.cosmopolitan.com/uk

Article written by Lia Mappoura

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