Yes, I am now the proud owner of a bob. But since cutting off my long hair and having now been sporting a flicked bob, I have to admit something: caring for my new short hairstyle has been a bit of a learning curve.
This is not to take anything away from the bob itself, mind you—I’m still wholeheartedly obsessed with it. However, when it comes to styling and caring for a bob, there are a few things I hadn’t considered before I sat down in the hairdressing chair and pulled out my inspo pics. Some of these things are welcome changes, like how little time I now spend washing my hair and how much I’m set to save on shampoo. I can also say from firsthand experience that there’s nothing quite like cutting off seven inches of length to enable a newfound sense of confidence.
On the other hand, however, there are some styling considerations I wish I’d taken into account before joining the bob squad, and it’s this advice that I’m here to pass on to you now. Whether you’re planning a chop and want to know how to care for your bob before committing, or you’re simply intrigued to know how the other (short-haired) half live, this is the insider knowledge I truly think you need to know. And, if you’re still not sure whether to go for a bob or not? Take this as your sign to do it—I haven’t looked back since.
Best Bob Styling Tips
The amount of time it takes to style a bob came as a bit of a shock to me, as I always believed less hair would naturally equal less styling time. Yet, while there are of course some great low-maintenance bob options out there, I opted for one that relied heavily on styling to achieve its signature sculpted shape.
Thankfully, I’ve discovered some great tools to speed up this process and which can easily work for a variety of bob cuts. First up, a blow-drying brush to dry and style in one. Then, on dry hair, ditch the curling tongs and instead use a hot brush to add volume and shape in one easy sweep.
Drybar
The Half Shot Round Blow-Dryer Brush
Drybar’s Half Shot has a small 1.5” barrel—perfect for adding curls and waves to shorter hair. It’s quick and easy to use, and (thanks to ionic technology) keeps my hair looking smooth and sleek.
Amika
Blowout Babe Thermal Hairbrush
Amika’s brush also features an ionic setting for a smooth finish. This one is great if you’re trying to achieve a style that is more about volume, bounce and root lift than curls or definition.
2. Nourishment Is Key
Another way I’ve found to speed up styling time is to ensure your hair is in the best condition before you get started. For that reason, I like to switch my conditioner for a repairing hair mask once a week for serious nourishment. As a result, my bob looks sleeker and smoother, while also feeling soft to the touch.
Shop the Best Hair Masks for Bobs:
Sachajuan
Hair Repair Treatment
Sachajuan’s Repair Mask is a personal favourite of mine as it’s packed with sea algae to hydrate dry, damaged strands. I appreciate that it keeps my hair soft and well hydrated, but doesn’t feel too heavy, too rich or weigh down my lengths.
K18 Biomimetic Hairscience
Leave-In Molecular Repair Hair Mask
K18’s leave-in mask comes hair professional-approved—it repairs hair bonds from within to strengthen and smooth. It may be expensive (especially for such a small bottle), but it’s totally worth it—this is the kind of treatment you can do just once, yet you’ll see and feel the benefits for months.
3. Don’t Overlook Mousse
Since getting it cut, I’ve styled my hair both with and without hair mousse, and I can categorically say that my styles last much longer when I choose to use it. Rather than heavy formulas, I’d suggest opting for lightweight mousses that won’t weigh down short lengths. Apply to damp hair before blow-drying or air drying to give your bob unrivalled definition and hold.
Shop the Best Hair Mousses for Bobs:
Davines
This is a Volume Boosting Mousse
My hairstylist uses Davines’ mousse in the salon, so it comes complete with a pro recommendation. Again, not cheap, but unlike more affordable mousses this won’t leave hair feeling sticky or crunchy, and a little goes a long way, so the bottle actually lasts for a surprisingly long time.
Innersense
I Create Definition
This foaming mousse is incredibly lightweight. In fact, it feels more like a haircare product than a hairstyling one. It contains nourishing amaranth seed extract and pequi oil and hydrating aloe leaf juice, so it keeps hair soft and hydrated.
4. Lean Into Your New Hair Texture
Less of a styling tip and more just advice to keep in mind: losing length from your hair may alter your hair texture. As someone with wavy hair, for me, this meant that, when left to dry naturally, my curls became more pronounced as there was less weight to pull them down. For others, however, you may find a cow’s lick you never knew you had, or you may discover your hair is not as straight as you once thought. Think of this as a great opportunity to experiment and lean into your natural texture to discover a whole new look.
Shop Texturising Products for Bobs:
This is my favourite salt spray for adding movement and shape. It doesn’t leave hair feeling stiff or crunchy (no matter how much you apply), and it smells amazing.
Color Wow
Curl Wow Flo-Etry Vital Natural Curly Hair Serum
When styling my hair naturally, I use this curl cream to embrace its natural texture. It helps to boost and define curls, but also keeps strands smooth and hydrated in the process. The ultimate multitasker.
5. Protect Your Ends
While this tip is especially targeted specifically at those of us with flicked bobs, it’s advice you can take on board no matter what bob style you opt for. The takeaway: don’t skip a heat protectant. As many bob haircuts rely on heat tools to achieve their desired finish, ensuring your hair is adequately protected is key to keeping your hair looking its best. For flicked bobs, that means taking your heat protectant right to the ends, as this is where you’ll spend most time styling, however for other styles, a liberal coating all over will do the job.
Shop the Best Heat Protectors for Bobs:
Oribe
Gold Lust Dry Heat Protection Spray
Oribe’s heat protectant can be applied to dry hair, making it perfect for use between washes. Like all Oribe products, it smells incredible and leaves hair with a glass-like high-shine finish.
Kérastase
Elixir Ultime Hair Oil Refillable
Layer a heat protecting oil for damage prevention and nourishment in one. This one is a personal favourite of mine— you only need a few drops to smooth flyaways, add shine, and soften frizz and fluffiness.
6. Look for Ponytail Alternatives
Call it poor planning on my part if you want, but I didn’t check my hair was long enough to put into a ponytail before committing to a bob length, and so, for a few weeks I had to discover new ways to pull my hair back from my face. If you find yourself in the same boat, a great collection of hair accessories can come in handy, so stock up on claw clips, barrettes and ’90s-inspired headbands to create a variety of looks.
Shop the Best Hair Accessories for Bobs:
When I’m at home, I prefer to fix my hair out of my face with a claw clip. Plus, unlike hair bobbles, this also helps cut down on friction-related damage. I love this super strong one from Space NK.
H&M
2-Pack Jersey Headbands
And when I want to keep my hair away from my face but also look chic and ‘put together’, these jersey headbands from H&M are my go-tos. They’re also great for using when exercising, especially if your bob is too short to get into a ponytail.
7. Prioritise Movement
The final thing I’ve noticed on my bob journey is that all the best bobs have one thing in common. Rather than looking heavily set and old-fashioned, they embrace movement for a truly effortless finish.
To channel this, I’ve switched from my usual stronghold hairspray to a flexible hold to lock in styling without any unwanted crispness or crunch. These are hairsprays that are light enough to still run your fingers through your hair, while still delivering long-lasting hold. If you nail this, you’re bob looks just as good at the end of the day as when you first step out the door in the morning.
Shop the Best Hairsprays for Bobs:
Percy & Reed
Session Styling Flexible Hold Hairspray
Percy & Reed’s hairspray allows hair to move naturally, and keeps it soft and bouncy. What’s more, it provides heat protection, controls flyways and tames frizz.
Kevin.Murphy
Session Spray Flex
Another great flexible option from a highly underrated brand. This is a professional-approved product which you’ll often spot backstage at fashion shows and photoshoots.
How to Style a Bob
It’s now been four months since I braved cutting my hair into a bob, and I must say, I’m still just as in love with it as when I left the salon. Since then, I’ve been enjoying finding new ways to style it, and I’ve discovered short hair doesn’t mean you’re limited when it comes to chic hair looks. Here are a few of my favourites…
1. The Flicked Bob
This was the hairstyle that influenced me to get the chop, so it’s unsurprising that it’s the style that I’ve been wearing most days. The key to this look is to blow-dry the flick from wet using a round brush to ensure it holds throughout the day. Then, use a curling tong to top up the rolled shape if required.
Shop the Best Products for a Flicked Bob:
Denman
Head Hugger Ceramic Radial Dhh2 Medium 33mm
A round brush is essential for creating a neat flick and a smooth finish. This one is my personal favourite—I find that the hourglass shape really lends itself to creating a flicked out shape.
ghd
Ghd Curve Soft Curl Tong (32mm)
For top ups or for creating long-lasting hold, use a curling tong with a clip to wrap the hair out and up. Naturally, you can’t go wrong with a ghd heat tool.
2. Maximum Volume
For days when I want a little more drama, I love a luxe bob that’s big on movement. For this look, prep is key, so apply a volumising mousse before blow-drying for maximum lift. Then, follow with a blow-dry brush, pulling the hair in different directions to create shape and body.
Shop the Best Products for a Volumised Bob:
Color Wow
Xtra Large Bombshell Volumizer 195ml
I’ve tried hundreds of volumising products over the years, and nothing works quite so well as this does. Apply to damp hair for serious lift.
T3
Airebrush One-Step Smoothing and Volumizing Hair Dryer Brush
Short hair requires a hot brush with a small barrel like this one from T3 if you want a voluminous look. Use alongside the above and you’ll have a failsafe way to achieve this style on a daily basis.
3. The Curly Bob
As I mentioned before, my hair is naturally curly, and my bob-length hair has really allowed me to make the most of it. To style my curls, I’ve found applying a wave spray on damp hair followed by a lightweight mousse is a winning combination.
Shop the Best Curly Bob Products:
Gisou
Umberto Giannini Beach Waves Texture Spray
This is another great wave spray for defining waves and curls. What’s more, it’s incredibly affordable and easy to pick up in most beauty stores and supermarkets.
Only Curls
Volumising Curl Mousse
My current favourite lightweight mousse. This one works incredibly well for enhancing curl definition and boosting root lift.
4. Short and Slicked Back
Anyone who knows me knows that a slicked bun is one of my go-to hairstyles, and so, of course, I had to master it on my bob-length hair as soon as it was long enough. To avoid any hair escaping, I like to apply a wax stick before pulling my hair into a low bun. Then top with a firm hold hairspray for added hold.
Shop the Best Products for a Short Slicked-Back Bun:
Briogeo
Style + Treat Yuzu + Plum Oil Sleek Stick
Briogeo’s wax stick conditions hair while it keeps errant flyaways tamed and secured in place. It’s perfect for on-the-go touch-ups.
got2b
Glued Blasting Freeze Spray
The ultimate strong-hold hairspray. You won’t be able to brush this out the next day, but it will keep your slicked-back style in place from dusk ’til dawn.
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