We’ve all been there: You’re standing in front of a mirror (perhaps amid some sort of personal crisis—no judgement), pulling your hair up as though to mimic a chin-length crop, and you think to yourself, “I should get a bob.”
I’m only kidding—kind of. Whether you’re eyeing a sleek, razor-sharp cut or a textured, tousled style, there’s no denying that a bob can be one of the chicest hairstyles around. However, it can (as this writer knows all too well) be a little bit of nightmare, too—the term ‘f*ck ass bob’ was trending on TikTok earlier this year for a reason (IYKYK).
So, before you book that appointment, there are a few things you’ll want to consider. It’s not just about the scissors—it’s about making sure this change is the right fit for your lifestyle, hair texture, and face shape. But how exactly *do* you know if the bob life is right for you?
We turned to Nik Goutziotis, a Revlon Professional stylist and the director of Sandringham’s Amos Hair, to find out. Scroll on for Nik’s run-down of what to consider before getting a bob.
Sign up to spiciest newsletter on the internet & we'll slide into your inbox with more stories like this one.
Plus the latest celebrity news, style advice, beauty deals and the hottest sex tips.
By signing up, I agree to KK Press’s Terms & Conditions; my information will be used as described in its Privacy Policy.
before you get a bob, ask yourself...
1. What is my hair type?
“One of the big things I often get my clients to consider before making the chop is what type of hair they have. Thinking about whether it is straight, wavy, or curly as well as its density and thickness with all of these factors contributing to how you style and maintain the bob cut. One of the main draw cards for bob cuts at the moment is the luscious, bouncy look that they create, however, if you find you have hair that is on the dry, thin side of things is likely that this type of cut might not present as you were hoping.
A simple test I often do with my clients is washing and drying your hair as usual and then allowing it to air dry without any products. Once dry, inspect your hair and notice some of the common features of your strands, this is when your hair is in its most natural state and you can complete a comprehensive assessment of what type of hair you have.
Another tip is matching your hair type with a specific bob type. For instance, fine hair may benefit from a blunt bob for a fuller look, thick hair might require thinning to ensure there isn’t a lot of bulk in the look, and then curly hair will often need more maintenance and provide an entirely different look altogether.
The reality often is that the look you desire can often be misinterpreted in real life particularly when you are basing it on a heavily styled image online. Since everyone’s hair is entirely different, I would recommend working your way up to a bob and watching how it responds with the current movement and thickness,” says Nik.
2. Why am I making this decision?
“Yes, hair does grow back but some do not as fast especially those with slow or stunted hair growth. Therefore, I always ask my clients what has made you consider this decision and why have you decided to cut all your hair off. I find that many come in and ask for a bob as an emotional and spur-of-the-moment decision rather than it being a long-term decision in the making. The cut is a big step and ultimately you need to ensure you aren’t going to change your mind and freak out about it in a couple of weeks time.
Never rush a decision unless it has been something you’ve done before. Your hairdresser should be experienced enough to know if it’s the right decision and timing as a quick chop can lead up to six months of growing it back,” Nik advises.
3. How will the weather impact my bob?
“It might sound funny but the weather plays such a big part in how our hair looks and feels. For instance, if your hair is prone to frizzing with humidity you may want to reconsider a bob as this is going to drastically play into how your bob looks. Those days when you could just pull it back into a bun or ponytail to mask the frizz will be gone and instead, it may require a little more effort and styling to control the frizz. For those who suffer from frizz, I would look at investing in some anti-frizz haircare products like Revlon Professional’s Re/Start Hydration Anti-Frizz Moisturising Drops which will help provide longer-lasting control and require fewer styling sessions to maintain a smooth look,” Nik explains.
4. Will a bob suit my face shape?
“There are so many different types of bob cuts to suit different face shapes, so when making a decision to go all in, it is super important to consult with your stylist and consider your options based on your face shape. When considering a shorter cut you must really consider the exact length, layers and whether to go with a bang or not as this will all play into the final result and how it suits each face shape.
The general rule is a round face suits longer bobs to elongate the face, oval pulls off most styles, and square faces are better suited to styles that soften the jawline via layers, with heart faces benefiting from a chin-length bob to add volume around the jawline.
Considering a fringe when going all in with a bob is another way to change up the look to suit your face shape. Bangs are in and also help to soften the look, I am loving an overgrown bag at the moment as a great way to complement a new bob,” Nik says.
5. Do I have time to style it as I'd like?
“Take a look at your lifestyle and time spent in the morning getting ready and consider “do I really have time to style my hair every day” as many will find that they can’t get away with just rolling out of bed without styling their bob. While it is generally more low maintenance in terms of drying time and the time taken to style it i.e. curling and straightening, it can often not sit preferably without work done to it. If you choose to make the chop, one easy style I recommend to clients is using a serum like the Revlon Professional Style Masters Smooth Iron Guard which acts as a heat protectant and provides a sleek finish to the bob. Or perhaps if it is volume you are after then apply the Revlon Professional RE/START Volume Body Foam Mousse to strands before styling which can help with volumising the hair and limiting frizz or weighed-down hair.
It is also super important to keep in mind that bobs typically require regular trims (every 6-8 weeks) to maintain their shape especially if you are after a blunt bob. So add on another couple of visits to the salon to limit the growing out phase which is often a difficult one to enjoy.
If you are looking to commit to styling your bobs most days you do need to be mindful of applying heat regularly as this will impact the hair’s health and elasticity. Instead, consider wearing it air-dried for a soft natural look or in a tight pony (if it is long enough) towards the end of your washing cycle. Ensure you treat your hair with a hydrating mask like the Revlon Professional RE/START Hydration Mask as well as regular cuts to maintain the sharpness and shape of the bob,” Nik concludes.
Our latest issue is out now!
Subscribe to have future issues delivered to your doorstep.
Hey—if it doesn’t work out, you can always follow our expert guide to growing long, strong hair (fast) here.
