Ariana Grande’s ponytail is on a break. In her latest Instagram post, the singer and actress debuted a sleek, shoulder-length brunette bob with flipped-up ends. The cut, color, and style bring to mind Betty Boop’s playful, twisted-out curls. Consider it the latest addition to fall’s ever-expanding roster of bobs. The entire look was created by celebrity stylist Brandon Pietsch, who quipped, “The ponytail is taking a hiatus.”
Grande is no stranger to a major hair transformation. She first became known for her cherry-red strands as a Nickelodeon star. But as she grew into a global pop sensation, she traded them in for an extra-long brunette ponytail that would become her signature. Then, in 2022, Grande went platinum blond for her role as Glinda in the film adaptation of Wicked. She kept her golden, Glinda-fied locks through 2025, when she returned to her soft-brown shade.
“I love that it feels polished but still playful, and the flip gives a classic bob a little retro energy,” says celebrity hairstylist Mitchell Ramazon. “It feels fresh, fun, and a little ’90s-inspired,” adds Hayley Heckmann, another celebrity stylist. “The flipped ends give it so much personality, and it’s a great way to go shorter while keeping a youthful look,” she says.
With the right cut, products, and tools, Grande’s “Betty Boop bob” is surprisingly easy to recreate. When it comes to the cut, Ramazon says, “I’d ask for a bob that sits around the chin, with a clean, strong perimeter so the ends look full.” For a blunt bob like Grande’s, it’s essential to keep layering minimal. “Too many layers can take away from that sleek shape,” he says.
Styling is fairly simple, according to both Heckmann and Ramazon: On damp hair, apply a lightweight leave-in and heat protectant, then blow-dry with a round brush for volume and smoothness. Once the hair is dry, use a flatiron or a 1.25-inch curling iron to create soft bends at the ends, directing them up and away from the face. Finally, brush through your strands so the flip feels soft and natural, then finish with a hairspray to hold the shape while keeping it touchable.
How to Recreate Ariana Grande’s Betty Boop Bob
