@haileybieber / @kellyrowland /@jennaortega /@kourtneykardash / Instagram / Byrdie
Short bobs, long bobs, blunt bobs, shaggy bobs—celebs have been bringing back bobs big time this year. “Everyone is running to the salon to get a bob,” says hairstylist Castillo Bataille. And it’s true: We’ve seen plenty of red carpet and social media appearances that easily flag the bob as the haircut of the year. And we can see why: Shorter lengths minimize time spent on our strands, which is hard not to love. “It’s a quick and easy way to get a fresh new look that is chic, fashionable, and effortless,” says Bataille.
Keep reading for what our expert stylists say about the popular and versatile cut via 19 celebs who joined the bob ranks this year.
Meet the Expert
- Castillo Bataille is a hairstylist and Matrix brand ambassador.
- Ryan Austin is a celebrity hairstylist based out of IGK Salon in New York.
01 of 19
Hailey Bieber
@haileybieber
What can we say? If Hailey Bieber is on the trend, it’s hard not to want to replicate it. When the queen of elevated minimalism traded her long locks for a chin-grazing cut, the wake-up-and-go nature of a shorter style became even more attractive. To maintain your bob, Austin recommends touching it up with a trim every eight to 10 weeks.
02 of 19
Jenna Ortega
@jennaortega
Not every bob was made to be clean-cut. If shaggy layers and fringe are more of your vibe, this Jenna Ortega lob is a great reference to show your hairstylist.
03 of 19
Zendaya
Frazer Harrison/Getty Images
Zendaya is one of Bataille’s favorite celebs who joined the bob club this year. “A mid-length bob is always classic and versatile,” he tells us.
04 of 19
Kourtney Kardashian
@kourtneykardash
Before heading into the salon asking to replicate the latest haircut from any celeb, “make sure to do your research,” says Austin. Celebrities change their looks frequently— Kourtney Kardashian and her sisters are often jumping from long to short, black to platinum blonde, and back again—and images you like from more than one person can help your hairstylist dissect what you like about a haircut while also considering what will work best for you. “Come with references, and don’t be afraid to take risks,” says Austin.
05 of 19
Florence Pugh
Dimitrios Kambouris/Getty Images for Tiffany & Co.
Florence Pugh is giving us major Elvira Hancock from “Scarface” vibes with this blonde lob. To achieve a similar style on a long bob, Bataille recommends a round brush and a ping-pong amount of Matrix’s Setter Mousse ($22) for a natural, carefree hold.
06 of 19
Charli D'Amelio
@charlie_dmeilio
Angular bobs can add more dimension and shape to straighter hair textures. “Charli D’Amelio is channeling her best Aeon Flux [with this] bob, and I’m here for it,” says Bataille.
07 of 19
Bailee Madison
Jon Kopaloff/WireImage
Who says short hair has limited styling options? Here, Bailey Madison proves that flat-ironed waves can help those with straight hair jazz up a blunt-cut bob or lob.
08 of 19
Michelle Williams
Steve Granitz/FilmMagic
While anyone can find a bob that accentuates their hair texture and face shape, Austin says those with softer features will really shine in a short, bold bob, like this beautiful jaw-length cut on Michelle Williams.
09 of 19
Lily James
Gareth Cattermole/Getty Images
The beauty of the bob is its versatility. "There are options for most hair textures," says Austin. "The thicker your hair, the harder it is to control, so finding a product to tame or accentuate your natural texture is key."
10 of 19
Megan Thee Stallion
@kellonderyck
Leave to Megan Thee Stallion to pair her lob with fringe and vibrant money pieces for the ultimate color and cut combo of the year. Taking a bold step forward with your hair color is a fun way to let your bob or lob grow out when you’re ready for something new.
11 of 19
Megan Fox
@meganfox_italy
Megan Fox gives a super fresh take on the a-line bob by adding a blended, feathery fringe. “If you have difficulty controlling your texture, I would avoid cutting fringe,” advises Austin. As we all know, bangs are a huge commitment, so it’s better to consider them if you find your natural texture pretty low-key and easy to handle daily.
12 of 19
Mindy Kaling
Steve Granitz/FilmMagic
In a post-pandemic world, Batille sees people gravitating toward cleaner and simpler hairstyles, with fewer layers and blunt ends. A cut like this “will give your look a nice edge and polish,” says Bataille.
13 of 19
Lily Collins
Kevin Mazur/MG23/Getty Images for The Met Museum/Vogue
As for Austin’s favorite celeb to pull off a bob this year, Lily Collins takes the cake. “It takes a bold person to pull off a super short bob with bangs,” he says. “And not to mention the rich color.” We love how Collins adds a retro spin to so many of her hair looks.
14 of 19
Taylor Russell
Frazer Harrison/Getty Images
“For those with a smaller face and features, the shorter the bob, the better,” Bataille says. “The idea is to open the face—not to hide the features, but accentuate them.” Taylor Russell is a great example of how a shorter bob near the cheekbones can really open things up around the neck and accentuate the face shape.
15 of 19
Zoe Saldana
Mike Marsland/WireImage
"When it comes to picking a bob, you really have to keep in mind the shape of your face and the length between your head and shoulders," says Bataille. "The longer the bob, the longer the line of symmetry will be overall, making the face appear more elongated." Considering symmetry can also be beneficial for those with longer foreheads.
16 of 19
Halle Bailey
Gilbert Carrasquillo/GC Images
While some face shapes are accentuated by very specific bob lengths, “heart- or oval-shaped faces can typically pull off short or long bobs,” says Austin.
17 of 19
Ciara
Christian Vierig/Getty Images
We love the center parting and full body of Ciara’s healthy, blunt-cut bob. To keep strands nourished and shiny year-round, Bataille recommends the Food For Soft Multi-Use Hair Oil Serum from Matrix ($31).
18 of 19
Kelly Rowland
Stephane Cardinale – Corbis/Corbis via Getty Images
Lifestyle habits are important to consider with any haircut, so make sure your hairstylist styles your hair the way you’ll wear it every day when you leave the salon—don’t resort to their comforts or what they think will look best. If you plan to straighten your new bob every day, skip the curly blowout and ask them to bring out the flat iron.
19 of 19
Cara Delevingne
@riawna
Austin says people with strong, bold features look great with longer bobs, and we think Cara Delevingne is living proof of his point. Plus, there's so much styling versatility to explore at this lob length.
Summer 2023's Biggest Haircut Trends Include '70s Bangs and Bobs Galore
