The bob shows absolutely no signs of waning. In truth, it's a style that has transcended trends to become a staple in the year-round hair rotation. Celebrities are obsessed with it and have been for some time. But at the moment it seems just about everyone is on board with the bob. Autumn's edit of the most trendy looksinclude a '90s-coded slip bob courtesy of one Mrs Hailey Rhode Bieber, Gracie Abram's cool-girl bixie, and Raye's vintage-inspired pin-up look. If there's a lesson to be learnt from the red carpet right now, it's just how versatile the bob can be.
Need further proof? Look to Scarlett Johansson, who delivered a series of shoulder skimming looks at the BFI London Film Festival at the weekend. In fact, on a single day, Saturday to be precise, she gave us two renditions of the bob. Fashioned by celebrity hairstylist, Renato Campora, she donned cropped undone waves by day for the world premiere Ray Gunn, before opting for a polished side swept look by night for the premiere of Paper Tiger. Polarising yet equally as compelling for the red carpet as the other, each look proved the power of the bob.
Conor Mclaughlin, hairstylist at Hershesons Belgravia explains, 'Johansson's hair shows exactly why the bob keeps coming back: one good cut gives you completely different looks just by changing the part and the finish. A centre part with loose, undone waves feels relaxed and lived-in, then flip it to a deep side part and bevel the ends and you're red carpet-ready. The bobs we're seeing right now are all about versatility. Clients want a shape that works air-dried on a Tuesday and polished for a night out come the weekend, and a well-cut bob does both.'
Each, of course, serve very different functions. 'Her undone waves have a softening and youthful effect, while the centre part opens up the face and the texture gives it an effortless, cool-girl feel. On the other hand, the polished version is far more structured and elegant. The side part adds instant drama, the big sweep frames the eyes and cheekbones, while tucking the ends under really defines the jawline. One says easy-going, the other says occasion,' adds Connor Mclaughlin.
While lived-in, undone texture has been all the rage for the red carpet and beyond recently, Johansson's evening look oozes the kind of pure old Hollywood glamour that reminds us of the bob's enduring appeal. Slightly softened with a forehead sweep that falls into a gentle curve with bevelled ends that neatly tuck in, it's a modern take on a classic screen-siren bob with subtle root lift and expensive looking glassy lengths that move with her.
To create an everyday version of what Mclaughlin calls 'The Scarlett Siren Bob', he advises starting by running a smoothing cream through damp hair, 'I love the Hershesons Almost Everything Cream, £23.99, then rough-dry until it's about 80% dry. Take your parting deep to one side and blow-dry in sections with a round brush, pulling the hair smooth and rolling the ends under. For the front, wrap that section around a large Velcro roller, swept away from the parting, and leave it to cool while you do your make-up – that's what gives you the soft curve. Brush out gently and finish with a shine spray. For everyday, don't overthink it: the ends don't need to be perfect, it just needs that smooth, swept-to-the-side shape.'
Who knew a red carpet-ready look could be such a breeze?
Shop: The bob all-rounder
Sameeha Shaikh is Grazia's beauty writer, working across all categories to bring you insights on the latest trends, industry news and the products you need to know about, viral or not (most probably viral).
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