carey mulligan bob haircut
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The Cool Bob Is the Cut of the Moment. It’s All in the Details

Flipped, blunt, waved: How to get the style that's taking over, one red carpet at a time

After years ruled by long, beachy waves, we’ve finally entered a new era of celebrity hair, and the bob is king. A quick glance at this year’s awards season red carpets proves the classic cut is back in a big way, with a variety of shorter styles making their debuts at the Golden Globes and Emmys. Ayo Edebiri’s flipped chin-length cut and Greta Lee’s flapper-esque sculpted waves showed the power of a few cool styling tricks, while Carey Mulligan’s sleek blond crop was effortlessly elegant. Even Meg Ryan recently showed off an updated version of her romcom-friendly layered crop that took the late ’90s by storm.

“The bob haircut symbolizes empowerment and liberation,” says celebrity hairstylist Jenny Cho, the architect of Lee and Mulligan’s looks; her client roster also includes Jenna Ortega and Ana de Armas. “It’s ageless, timeless. A variation of the bob will always have a moment.”

The bob of 2024 is characterized by its clean, sharp lines—Cho calls it the “quiet luxury cut.” But there are so many ways to style it, meaning it can work for any face shape and hair texture.

Thinking of going under the scissors? Here’s how to make sure you walk out of your appointment with a cut that works for your hair and lifestyle, and the styling hacks to get it looking perfect day in, day out.

carey mulligan bob haircut
Jenny Cho is the stylist behind Carey Mulligan’s sleek bob, seen here at the Emmys. Photo: Getty Images

How to get the bob haircut you want

Zero in on your inspo

Before you sit down in that chair, gather visuals to nail down the style you want—think of it as a bob mood board. Start by scouring the internet for the type of cut you’re looking for and screenshot images. “Bring in pictures, pictures, pictures, because a stylist will know exactly how to do a cut from an image, but if you’re going by just a verbal cue, it could go awry really quickly,” says Matthew Collins, Canadian celebrity hairstylist and Dyson global styling ambassador.

Talk it out

Having an open and honest dialogue with your stylist is the key to hair happiness, and that means more than just talking about what cut you want. Cho says it’s crucial to discuss what will be the most flattering style for your face shape, hair texture and density, which products and tools you’ll need to recreate the look at home, and how much time it will take to style your new cut fresh from the shower. “I would even ask what you can do to let your hair dry naturally as an option if you’re racing against the clock,” she says.

Find your focal point

“There’s a bob for every face shape, but where the hair is cut is where the most accentuation is going to be,” explains Collins. “It’s almost like you have a big arrow pointing to [a facial feature].” If you love your jawline, get a bob that’s cut right at your jaw to accentuate it; if you want to show off your cheekbones, opt for a short micro bob to make them pop even more. When it comes to face shapes, opposites attract. “The longer a bob is, the more it’s going to elongate your face,” Collins says. “If you have a round face, you might want your bob to be a bit longer; if you have a thinner face, try a fringe with your bob to open up your face and [add width].”

Consider texture

Your natural hair texture is a key point to keep in mind when considering a bob. All hair types work with this cut, it’s about settling on a style that’s going to complement what you’re naturally gifted with, instead of fighting against it. For example, if you’re blessed with big curls, Collins recommends leaving your bob a little longer, as that will give your hair more weight, and to avoid multiple layers, which will add bulk. For straight, thinner hair, ask for a cut that will boost volume and movement.

Make peace with maintenance

Most shorter haircuts have some level of upkeep, and a bob is no different. Depending on your cut, the maintenance level can vary. If you’re going for a specific style, like a super-short French girl bob that hits just below your ears, that look will be lost once it grows past your chin, so regular trims are a must. “Average hair growth for a person is half an inch a month,” says Collins. You could probably wait out about three months of growth before heading back in for a refresh. If you’re not tied to a certain length, most shorter cuts grow out easily and still look stylish as a longer bob, aka a lob. “The maintenance level is really up to you.”

Greta Lee at the Golden Globes. Photo: Getty Images

How to style your bob at home

Add bends

For those with straight hair, Cho recommends creating a subtle bend to give your bob a fresh feel. “I love when a bob gets untucked from behind the ears; it gives a ‘C’-shape bend that opens up the cheeks.” To recreate this look, use a flat iron to wave the hair in sections by the front hairline, spray with flexible hairspray and smooth the flat iron over each section again while holding the hair in a ‘C’ shape.

Switch it up

“The versatility of a bob is huge,” says Collins. From sleek and straight to full curls, the cut can easily be changed up depending on your mood and outfit. Try flipped out ends, like the look America Ferrera wore to the Golden Globes, tucked-under ends, less textured, more textured: you name it, you can wear it. Due to the shorter length of this cut, Collins also favours using a flat iron instead of a curling iron for styling. “It gets very tricky to style the hair at the nape of your neck, behind your ears,” he says. A flat iron is easier to maneuver and allows you to get to those shorter strands. He recommends not fussing too much with them and instead focusing more on the longer sections at the front and sides of the head.

Product placement

The right styling product for your hair texture can make or break your bob, says Collins. If you’re wearing a natural curl, emollient-rich creams and oils will help to smooth frizz and give the hair added weight. For straighter hair textures, try a mousse or a texture spray for a kick of volume.

 

Tool kit

The smoothing prep spray

bob haircut styling
Briogeo Farewell Frizz Rosarco Milk Leave-In Conditioning Spray, $34, sephora.ca. Photo: Sephora

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Cho used Briogeo products to style Carey Mulligan’s chin-grazing ’do at the Golden Globes, and this hydrating milk played a starring role in prepping her hair, adding moisture and minimizing frizz.

The next-level flatiron

bob haircut tips
Dyson Corrale Straightener, $650, dysoncanada.ca. Photo: Dyson
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A must-have in Collins’ kit, this cord-free flat iron is designed with flexing plates that give you more control while styling. This allows you to turn down the heat and minimize damage, which is a serious win. It’s also very hard to burn yourself with it.

The curl tamer

bob haircut product
Noughty Wave Hello Curl Defining Taming Cream, $13, walmart.ca. Photo: Noughty
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Created for buoyant curls, this smoothing cream contains a cocktail of oils that help to reduce breakage and frizz and amp up shine.

The ultimate texture mist

bob haircut tips
Oribe Dry Texturizing Spray, $65, holtrenfrew.com. Photo: Oribe
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Every bob will benefit from this cult-fave texture spray that adds volume, hold and that just-right tousled effect.

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