With a growing list of celebrities unveiling chic new crops daily, and a flurry of bob trends vying for the title of “ultimate summer hairstyle,” the itch is very real. The latest to fuel my temptation is Julianne Moore, who recently benched her longer red tresses in favor of a blunt long bob (a.k.a. the lob).
And Moore isn’t alone in sparking this lob renaissance; A-listers like Camila Cabello, Victoria Beckham, and Saoirse Ronan are just a few influential names embracing the timeless allure of this stylish mid-length cut recently.
Ahead, discover ELLE’s guide to achieving the look and all our favorite long bob muses to inspire your next haircut.
What is a lob?
A tempered-down, slightly longer iteration of the classic French bob, the lob haircut is ideal for those who want to go shorter, but not too short. “[A lob] allows the wearer time to understand the emotions that come with short styles,” says Neale Rodger, style director at STIL Salon in London. “Not all of us are as brave as those fearless people who bound out of the salon with amazing short bobs, crops, and pixies. The lob allows you to experiment and dip your toe in before making the jump.”
“This cut is typically situated between the length of the neck and the top of the shoulder blade,” Rodger explains. “This length creates separation in the body and also gives more longevity and ultimately more time for the wearer to get comfortable and understand the look.”
He continues: “Ultimately, the most important thing with the lob is the length. It’s the main feature of this cut, and if you get this wrong, it can ruin the shape in many ways. Too short and you end up with what can look like an uncommitted bob, and too long you end up with an insipid midi length. My belief with any shape is that you have to enter it with full commitment in order to achieve the maximum results.”
Which face shape suits a long bob haircut?
In terms of suitability, the long bob haircut is more flexible than the classic bob. In fact, “it works on every person, and every face and body shape,” Rodger says. “It’s the perfect hairstyle for those who aren’t quite ready to take the leap into the short hair world as it retains length around the neck and shoulders and conceals those vulnerable areas.”
“The other amazing thing about this style is it creates the illusion of more length across the body by creating vertical lines which stretch the eye and can elongate the neck, face, and overall look.”
Hair type, on the other hand, matters a little more. According to Cos Sakkas, two-time British Hairdresser of the Year, a long bob is most suitable for anyone who has a medium hair density, but the cut can be tailored for finer or thicker hair types. For example, “if your hair is fine, I would recommend cutting it above the shoulder to increase strength and thickness.” And for thicker hair, add softness with a fringe or curtain bangs, and remove some of the weight from the ends of the hair.
Long Bob Inspiration to Screenshot Before Your Next Appointment
Kendall Jenner’s flicked-out lob
“[Kendall Jenner’s lob] is very adult and glamorous,” Rodger says. “The flipped-out blow-dry paired with the beautiful, soft, golden tones of blonde gave her an air of old-school Hollywood glamour.”
Camila Cabello’s wet-look lob
Camila Cabello’s hydro-lob, courtesy of celebrity hairstylist Chris Appleton, uses layers and textured styling to tap into a grungier aesthetic.
Hailey Bieber’s laissez-faire lob
When it comes to Hailey Bieber’s iconic lob, her rich, glossy chocolate hue is all the styling needed. Note how her length comes just below her shoulders to flatter her finer hair density.
Gracie Abrams’s textured lob
Singer-songwriter Gracie Abrams has walked the line between the bob and the lob for a while now, but that’s the beauty of the long bob: “it’s great if you’re in that in-between stage of growing out your hair,” Sakkas adds.
Jenna Ortega’s lob with bangs
We’re obsessed with Jenna Ortega’s flicked-out lob. Its bell shape frames her neck and shoulders beautifully, and her chic curtain bangs bring a softness to the look, giving it an easy, wearable quality.
Sydney Sweeney’s ’90s-style middle-part lob
As Rodger puts it, “Sydney Sweeney has by far the coolest lob of the moment—a simple, disheveled length paired with lived-in cool blonde.” Need we say more?
Victoria Beckham’s lob with balayage
Subtle, freehand balayage and loose waves elevate Victoria Beckham’s lob instantly, adding depth and texture to an otherwise one-dimensional cut.
Alexa Chung’s lob with waves
Model and style icon Alexa Chung is endlessly cool. With her hair’s length sitting just past her shoulders and the gentle tousle created by lived-in waves, the effect is equal parts cool girl and rock ’n’ roll.
Olivia Palermo’s side-parted lob
The side-part is most definitely making a comeback. Team it with a chic, shoulder-grazing lob à la Olivia Palermo.
