The Boyfriend Bob Is The Effortlessly Cool Haircut You Need To Try This Fall
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Move over, waist-skimming, wavy tresses and shoulder-grazing locks. Right now, an old-meets-new hairstyle is trending again, and it’s probably not what you’d expect: the bob. But not just any bob; the boyfriend bob.
Before your mind goes to the throwback pageboy haircut that 1920s flappers rocked or the shorter, choppier cuts that can sometimes be hard to style, know that, true to its name, the boyfriend isn’t your grandmother’s bob. In fact, celebrities like Kim Kardashian, Kaia Gerber, and Laura Harrier have been seen sporting this relatively low maintenance but still playful haircut recently, which is all about a boxy shape and more in-between length that you can style super-polished or messy and more relaxed.
Meet our expert: Jamie Wiley, celebrity hairstylist and the global artistic director of Pureology
“Short hair is timeless,” says Jamie Wiley, celebrity hairstylist and the global artistic director of Pureology. “The bob is the ‘it’ haircut of the year and for good reason.”
According to Wiley, the boyfriend bob differs from a regular bob because it’s more square or block-like in shape, and the length is longer than the bowl-like pageboy cut but slightly shorter than a lob. “Professionally we call this a ‘box bob’,” she says, and that’s exactly what to ask your stylist for, just in case the more colloquial “boyfriend” label hasn’t reached your local salon just yet.
Since the boyfriend bob’s super versatile, you can go about styling this haircut a number of ways. “It’s extremely versatile, so show off the squareness and precision of the cut by wearing it sleek and smooth,” says Wiley. “My go-to product to achieve the beautiful shine and sleekness is Pureology’s Shine Bright Taming Serum.”
Wiley suggests using this cream-to-serum formula on either wet or dry hair, depending on the look you’re trying to achieve. “Applying to dry hair will enhance the shine, smooth the cuticle, and give your look an all day hold,” she says. Wet hair can lead to a more lived-in look, and the boyfriend bob also looks great with a wavy texture if that’s more your vibe.
It's always a good idea to bring reference photos to the salon to chat through any haircut you’re thinking about with a pro, and the boyfriend bob is no exception. Your stylist can use these inspo images as a jumping off point, but ultimately, the final length of your bob should be decided based on your face shape as well as your hair texture and density.
“The boyfriend bob is extremely square, so it is best on people who have round and square face shapes,” says Wiley. “Round face shapes can pull off any look, and for those that have a square face and angular jaw, create a softer edge by adding bangs.”
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