If you admire the endless stream of celebrity bobs and talk yourself out of getting one, you might be hurting yourself. It might be scary to go from a mermaid-length mane to a chin- or collarbone-length cut, but we promise that there is a bob out there that will look great on you. Some of the best-known stylists in the business say that there are ways to make a bob fit your face. It’s all about knowing the exact length, when to add layers and if fringe should be included.
We know you can’t do this alone, of course. We talked to four celebrity stylists to make the best guide for picking the right bob for any face shape.
Meet the Professionals
Alex Brown is a famous hairstylist in Chicago who has worked with Cindy Crawford, Kendall Jenner, and Noah Cyrus.
Jonathan Colombini is a hairstylist for famous people and a Schwarzkopf Global Colour Expert. He has worked with people like Kristin Chenoweth, Kat Graham, and Geena Davis.
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Angela Soto is a hairstylist in New York City and the owner of Baja Studio.
Sarah Potempa is a famous hairstylist who works with clients like Camila Cabello, Lea Michele, and Romee Strijd. She also made the Beachwaver.
No matter what shape your bones are in—round, oval, square, or heart—you’ll find the best bob for you below. You can thank us later.
Round Face Shape
Alex Brown, a celebrity hairstylist in Chicago, says that “the best bob for a round face shape should lay below the chin to elongate it.” He uses Selena Gomez and Emma Stone as examples. “A deep side part and light face-framing highlights [like Gomez’s] will bring out the best in a round face.”
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Jonathan Colombini, a celebrity hairstylist for L’Oréal Paris, says that long bobs (or “lobs”) make round faces look longer by drawing the eye up. This romantic cut and style really brings out Mindy Kaling’s features, from her deep side part to the subtle inward curve.
Angela Soto, a hairstylist and the owner of Baja Studio in New York City, says that lobs make the face look longer and thinner. Chrissy Teigen and Kendall Jenner are two of her favourite celebrities who have done the cut. “Worn super smooth, with a center part, or styled in tousled beach waves with a side tuck behind the ear are the best styles.”
If your bob is on the shorter side, you might want to add an angle or a little length to the front. This can help make a round jawline look longer.
Oval Face Shape
Colombini says that an oval face shape looks best with a shorter bob, which is the opposite of a round face shape. He says that Jessica Alba used to wear the cut perfectly. He says to choose a length that is either chin-length or just below the chin.
Use a flat iron and bend the ends in once you get to the middle and ends to get Alba’s flipped ends back. Don’t forget to use a heat protectant before styling to keep your strands from getting damaged, especially when they are exposed to high temperatures.
Brown says, “For someone with an oval face shape, my favourite style is a blunt, chin-length bob like the one Kim Kardashian West wore in 2018.” We suggest using a shine serum to make it even shinier.
You can also add fringe to the mix. Soto says that oval shapes can wear a full fringe with their bob because their foreheads are longer, so the fringe doesn’t close in on their faces. We love this textured look for Kerry Washington.
The rolled shoulder-length bob on Jourdan Dunn looks great with her oval face. Shorter hair can sometimes look too big (like a poufy), but you can get a flattering, face-framing look by adding soft layers and working with the hair’s natural texture. The result is both elegant and easy.
Square: Mid-Length Bob
Soto says that square faces look great with strong, mid-length bobs. “This length defines that line because of the strong jawline, bringing out the beauty of this strong feature instead of trying to hide it,” she says, adding that Rosie Huntington-Whiteley and Hailey Bieber have both rocked the look.
Jennifer Hudson’s tapered lob is very stylish. Hudson nails an airy and defined asymmetrical style by embracing her natural texture. Did we say that this style also lets her show off her beautiful necklace stack? Good job.
If you love Zoë Kravitz, it’s time to think about getting a layered bob that’s sweet and airy. Changing the way you part your hair is a simple but effective way to change your look.
Brown says that if you want to soften your jawline instead of draw attention to it, you should think about getting a textured, piecey bob. To get the same look, use a wide-barrel wand or curling iron and part your hair down the middle. After they cool down, use your fingers or a comb to loosen up your curls a little. Use a hairspray that lets your hair move.
Heart: Lob with Long Bangs or Layers
Colombini says, “A lob is the best style for heart-shaped faces.” He says you should choose a texture that looks more lived-in, like Khloe Kardashian’s tousled waves, instead of something more structured.
Khloe Kardashian’s curved bob gives her hair volume and shape, which helps her face look more balanced and symmetrical. Also, by keeping her hair round, she doesn’t get the boxy look that can happen with a shorter, blunt cut because her face is heart-shaped.
Brown says, “Adding fringe to a bob is a great way to soften and balance heart-shaped faces.” He also points out that Zendaya, Reese Witherspoon, and Nicole Richie have all done it.
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Sarah Potempa, a celebrity hairstylist, says that to make the heart-shaped haircut look balanced, you need to have something across the forehead (either fully or side-swept) and something to fill in the empty space between the chin and shoulders, like Reese Witherspoon does in the picture above. “That’s why the lob is so great,” she says.
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Face Shape and Recommended Bob
| Face Shape | Recommended Bob Style |
|---|---|
| Round | Long bob below chin |
| Oval | Blunt chin-length bob |
| Square | Mid-length strong bob |
| Heart | Lob with fringe |
