The bob is a modern classic haircut that we rarely tire of seeing. The chin-length style looks good on so many women and it’s a go-to choice for anyone with thinning hair who is looking to add bulk and the appearance of more volume, as well as mature women who are looking for a lift to their faces. But the bob isn’t a simple haircut with one appearance — it can be customized in dozens of ways so that it appeals to your hair type, texture, and face shape.
If you’re thinking about getting a bob, it’s important that you have a conversation with your stylist about your goals and what you want to highlight and conceal. Generally speaking, these eight bob haircuts tend to be less universally flattering and may not do your hair justice. These are the bobs that can make you look older — as well as three chic alternatives to consider.
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1. Bobs That Don’t Work For Your Face Shape
Keeping your face shape in mind when getting a bob is the key to haircut success. If you have a round face, for example, super-short or blunt bobs can make your face look rounder, while square and angular faces benefit from the contrast of softer, rounder ends and tend to look sharper with angled bobs. Work with your face shape, and not against it, to achieve bob greatness.
2. Bobs That Don’t Work With Your Hair Texture
If your hair is very fine or thinning, adding a slew of layers that you admire on someone else’s bob may make your hair look more sparse. If your hair is thick and coarse, that blunt bob would appear too square and void of shape with your hair texture. As with face shape, honoring what you have is the key to success when getting a bob haircut.
3. Too-Short Bob
The French bob is a favorite among the fashionable set, and we aren’t trying to discourage you from trying it on for size. But be aware that it cuts off above the jawline and draws significant attention to your jaw and neck. If that’s okay with you, full speed ahead. If not, a chic alternative is a traditional blunt bob with bangs — the fringe will give you that added sophisticated flair you may be craving.
4. Bob With Baby Bangs
Baby bangs are micro bangs that stop a few inches above your eyebrows. They are extremely difficult to pull off and will require a lot of maintenance. If that’s up your alley, more power to you. If not, keep the bangs, but make sure they are longer and texturized to appear softer.
5. Super-Blunt Bob
The ultra blunt bob has been a favorite style for a few seasons now. It can be an amazing choice for thinning hair because it provides the appearance of more density, smoothness, and shininess. But if your hair texture is on the thicker side, the cut may look square and shapeless, and even fine hair textures may experience flatness when a cut lacks any layering. If this is the case for you, keep your ends blunt and add longer layers on top for movement.
6. A Too-Long Bob
With bob haircuts it’s usually a good idea to pick a lane: either you’re a chin-length bob or your collarbone-grazing lob — both of which are gorgeous and chic haircuts. Things can get muddied when your cut falls somewhere in the middle of the two lengths and appears like an overgrown and unstyled bob.
7. Bob With a Center Part
It’s easier to get away with a center part when your hair is bob length than it is with longer hair, which can appear too thin and straggly sometimes. But if you are experiencing shedding and sparseness at the scalp, it’s still more flattering to consider a side part that can conceal areas with less hair.
8. Overly Choppy Bob
A choppy, layered bob is a whole vibe and we’re here for it. But be mindful of your hair texture and density before committing to a million layers because the effect can be thinning on some.
