Probably one of the most overlooked hairstyles out there is mid-length hair. Between short pixies and chin-grazing cuts and long, lustrous tresses, we often forget just how chic mid-length hairstyles can be. But right now, that seems to be changing.
Chances are, if you’re anything like us, you’re looking for a way to freshen up your look, and we all know the easiest way to do so is with a new hairstyle. And it seems the look fashion girls are backing is the long bob, otherwise known as the “lob.”
The long bob’s sudden rise through the hair ranks is likely a combination of two things: It’s being sported by those who had shorter hairstyles before lockdown which have subsequently grown out due to the lack of salon appointments, and those with longer hair have been flocking to their hairdressers en masse to embrace a new look.
Regardless, there’s no denying that a long-bob hairstyle is one of the most timeless hairstyles you can choose, that they look fabulous whatever the hair type or colour, and that they can be styled in a multitude of ways. Case in point? This gorgeous lot.
Below, you’ll find 25 of our favourite long-bob hairstyles, each of which will inspire you to embrace the middle ground when the salons reopen.
Natasha’s sleek bob is making us want to order a lifetime supply of shine spray. Just gorgeous.
Marissa keeps things relaxed with her air-dried waves, pinning back the front section to create a multilayered look.
Babba makes her long bob look even more stylish with the addition of a jumbo clip.
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Long bobs look incredible with short fringes, as evidenced by Nicole.
Make like Maria and use a ‘90s hair claw to create a different long-bob look. Simply pull the front sections of your hair back and secure in place.
We love how Eni has kicked out the ends of her long bob to create movement. What a pro.
A long, choppy fringe will soften the appearance of a blunt-cut bob.
Jessica uses an oversize scrunchie to pull back the front sections of her hair to create an effortlessly chic bun.
Aimee’s golden ends give her long bob depth and dimension.
Sarah opts for a bob that’s shorter in the front with long front sections—proof that you needn’t opt for one length to nail the look.
Alyssa’s full fringe helps her long bob to further frame her face.
Just when we thought Ada couldn’t possibly get any cooler than she already is, she presents us with silver-tipped braids.
Create Erica’s volumised bob by loosely curling your hair, brushing it out, and spritzing with texturising spray.
With deep side-parting and a cute hair clip, Chrissy’s long-bob look is one we fully intend on trying.
Alyson’s deep side-parting frames her face perfectly.
So glossy. Tia’s grown-out crop is long-bob perfection.
Linda proves a blunt cut works just as well on long bobs as it does short ones.
Franny is another influencer who has taken the lob plunge this year.
A long bob has become one of Karina’s style signatures. Use a barrel curler to re-create her expert waves.
For a beauty feel like Debora’s, use a salt spray on the ends of your hair, working it into your strands with your fingertips.
Use your straighteners to turn the ends of your hair inwards to channel Francesca’s preppy vibe.
Yes, long bobs also look sleek tucked behind your ears. In fact, it helps to frame your face in the process.
Amy’s blunt, full fringe makes her long bob look all the more glamorous.
Anne-Laure’s layered long bob is ideal if movement is what you’re after.
Kérastase’s Genesis Anti Hair-Fall Fortifying Shampoo is made for weakened hair that is prone to falling. A limp lob? No, thank you. Enriched with edelweiss native cells, ginger root, and Aquaxyl, it gently clarifies and helps reinforce fibres to reduce the risk of hair fall due to breakage. It’ll also provide your lengths with a moisture hit for healthy, luscious hair.
If you have a penchant for curly or waved hair, it’s worth noting that when your cut sits on or near your shoulders, it might be time to step away from the curling tong. Instead, use straighteners to add movement to your hair. Why? A curling tong will likely create tighter curls than you’d like, making your hair jump up to chin territory.
If you’ve got thick hair, this one’s for you. Work some Oaui Matte Pomade into the back of your hair to tame the fullness and keep it from looking poofy. Then, run any excess through the ends all around your hair. It’ll provide control and a textured finish, precisely what lobs need.
Your ends are front and centre with this cut, especially if your lob is blunt. Keep them hydrated and split-free with a deeply penetrating oil like Olaplex’s Bonding Oil. Apply it to wet ends and then smooth just a drop over freshly dried hair to make sure thirsty strands always look healthy and smooth.
Once you’ve worked out your preferred lob styling, you’ll want it to last without looking dull. Grab a hairspray that does more than just hold your hair in place, like Living Proof’s Instant De-Frizzer, which will keep flyaways at bay.
With long hair, you have the luxury of rolling out of bed and having the option of tossing it up into a bun to save time and effort. With a lob, that’s not always an option. Give your tresses a new lease of life post-sleep with a spritz of Oribe’s Texturising Spray. It’ll break up your hair, add definition, and bestow it with the volume you’d expect from a blow-dry.
While shorter hair may take less time to blow-dry, it’s a misconception that it takes less effort to style. And the more brittle or damaged your hair, the more effort it takes to make it look sleek. The best way to keep it in check and looking as healthy as possible is with a biweekly mask. The replenishing concoction from Bouclème is fuelled with a medley of impressive ingredients from softening prickly pear seed oil, marula oil, and mafura butter to camellia oil and wheat bran with amino and fatty acids. Cue rich nourishment.
As with any hairstyle, you’ll want to minimise the number of washes you put it through each week, as not to strip it of its natural oils. A good tip is spraying your clean roots with dry shampoo to make it last longer. Plus, it’s essential for creating volume.
Rita Hazan’s Lifting Spray is the key to bouncier, more voluminous hair, which is vital for creating a gorgeous lob, regardless of how you style it. This weightless formula is infused with a blend of amino acids that gently plump and lift each strand while sunflower oil infuses them with protective antioxidants and nourishing vitamin E. It also offers mild heat protection, so you can use it before styling.
Thanks to an organically and sustainably sourced blend of manketti nut and ximenia oils, your lob will feel nourished and easier to handle with just one spritz of this Finishing Mist. Honestly, you won’t believe the shine it gives.
This post was originally published at an earlier time and has since been updated.
