Having a hairdresser for a mum has meant that I’ve done just about everything you can think of to my hair. I’ve been platinum blonde, mahogany brown and everything in-between. I’ve framed my face with feathering and had thick fringes cut in. I’ve had hair down to my waist and chopped to my chin. It’s fair to say I was pretty fearless with my hair. That is until I got older.
I don’t know why, but for some reason, I’ve defaulted to long-length hair in a creamy hue with lived-in roots. But after witnessing some impressive hair transformations on Instagram of late, I’m finally going to give my ‘do a refresh. And the look I’m toying with is a blunt bob.
The blunt bob has undergone a bit of a resurgence as of late. A far cry from the dreaded bowl cut, instead, influencers and A-listers alike are opting for jaw-skimming hairstyles that feel modern, refreshing, grown-up and just a little bit sexy. My rationale? It’s only hair, so I suggest going as sharp as possible, much like Emma Hill or Lily James. Should it feel too severe, you can always ask your stylist to take some of the weight out of the ends of your hair, which will subtly soften the appearance of your ‘do while maintaining its sleek silhouette. Case in point? Brittany Xavier or Jourdan Dunn.
If you, too, are looking to change up your hair before the year is out, scroll below to see 39 more gorgeous blunt bob hairstyles.
Brittany Xavier’s dark brows and bob are a match made in heaven.
Lily James knows that blunt bobs always look their best set against a roll-neck.
The subtle wave Vanessa Hong has added to the midpoint of her hair gives it texture without compromising on the bluntness of the ends.
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Franny proves that the blunt bob can only be improved by the addition of beautiful braids.
The only thing that can make a blunt bob look even cooler? The addition of a beret.
Charlotte Kuhrt ticks off two hair trends in one with her chin-grazing length and blunt fringe.
Collarbone lengths can still pull off the blunt look.
Emma Hill went for the blunt chop earlier in 2019, and I have it on good authority that she has no intent on growing it out.
Daring to take your blunt bob above your chin could bestow you with a look this cool. Almost.
So. Glossy. Is Emily Ratajkowski even real?
Francesca Saffari makes her blunt bob look even sharper thanks to her contrasting ’80s-style puff sleeves.
Bobs look just as cool tucked behind your ears, as evidenced by Hannah Lou Robinson.
Alice has made the blunt bob look all her own with a sweet curtain fringe.
Proof that sometimes the simplest hairstyles make the biggest impact.
Jourdan Dunn’s slick centre parting makes her ‘do look all the more dramatic.
Lucy Boynton flits between curling the ends of her hair to styling them poker straight.
This is the shortest I’ve seen Maria Bernad’s hair, and I love it.
Again, Marianne Theodorsen adds texture to her tresses by waving the mid-lengths of her hair.
If you want to make a real statement, opt for a cut that lines up with your lips.
Tessa Thompson is fast becoming my favourite blunt bob muse.
Proving that side partings never really went anywhere, Margot Robbie’s slicked-down blunt bob is providing some serious inspo.
Linda Tol’s blunt bob has been a staple style for her for some time, and it offsets her oversized tailored look perfectly.
It’s love at first sight when it comes to Laura Harrier’s textured, curly bob.
Make your choppy bob look that little bit more bohemian with styled waves.
Aïda Sané’s minimalist wardrobe lends itself really well to such an understated and chic haircut.
Your blunt bob can involve an equally sharp fringe, you know. I’m always looking to Amy Lefévre for inspiration on that front.
On those days where you want a more retro-glam feel, simply swoosh your hair over to one side.
It really is the kind of hairstyle where you wake up and just look instantly good.
There’s something about Kate Mara’s cropped, platinum bob that feels so right.
Heat-style some messy beachy waves into your bob during the summer months.
Sophia proves the blunt bob can be versatile as she smoothes the ends to create a softer shape.
High-necked dresses are the perfect accompaniment to a blunt bob hairstyle.
Everything about Kerry Washington’s side-parted, retro bob is sheer, sleek perfection.
Billie Piper’s honey-blonde curly bob is one of the most iconic celebrity hairstyles of the moment.
Taking a little weight out of the ends of a blunt bob and adding some subtle choppy texture is the perfect way to keep things low-maintenance.
This look from Lucy Hale is the very definition of glass hair. Plus, the subtle feathering at the front is a great way to add some flattering shape.
Vanessa Hudgens’s blunt lob is giving me all of the inspo, and I need to know what products she’s using to get that shine.
Who says blunt bobs can’t have layers? This blunt style is full of volume thanks to a mix of layers.
A side-parted, swept-back, wet-look lob with blunt ends? Taylor Hill is serving the hair inspo we never knew we needed.
While blunt bobs are undoubtedly chic, making a drastic hair change can require a switch-up in your day-to-day styling routine. To help get to grips with the best way to look after and style a blunt bob, I asked Ryan Forsythe, international artistic director for Trevor Sorbie, for his top tips. “Blunt bobs are universal and can work on all hair types. It’s a timeless haircut that never goes out of style,” he says.
Plus, it’s a super-versatile style. “If you want a bob that is low-maintenance, try air-drying using Shu Uemura Art of Hair Shiki Worker to condition and leave hair looking healthy,” he says. “For a more polished bob, I would avoid too much volume and go for a vertical wave with a mid to large curling iron for an undone finish. Use a paddle brush to smooth down, and finish with Kérastase Elixir Ultime for added shine.”
Looking to update your product line-up? Keep scrolling for some of the best styling products for blunt bobs.
Forsythe recommends using this product when air-drying your blunt bob to leave hair looking healthy and conditioned.
A staple in most hairstylists’ kits, Kérastase’s Elixir Ultime Oil is a real multitasker. “Finish of sleek looks with Kérastase Elixir Ultime for next-level shine,” advises Forsythe.
Keep curls bouncy and shiny with this super-nourishing curl cream. It’s perfect for weightless definition.
Keep lengths hydrated, sleek and full of shine with this rich hair oil. It’s suitable for all hair types, and it smells like honeyed heaven.
If your blunt bob requires daily styling, be sure to protect and repair your strands with a bonding treatment. Used like a hair mask, this cult buy from Olaplex is considered the best of the best when it comes to keeping hair strong and healthy.
“A great product for a blunt bob is Shu Uemura Art of Hair Tsuki Shape. It helps with heat protection and shapeability,” says Forsythe.
Blunt bobs do run the risk of being a little more high-maintenance when it comes to styling. This wireless GHD styler can be used to straighten, wave and curl, and it can be chucked in your handbag for on-the-go hair emergencies.
Consider this your texturising best bud. It’s on the pricer side, but I’m yet to find a texturising spray this weightless and long-lasting. Spray into ends and zhuzh for an undone finish.
