Lately, it seems a new celebrity bob haircut takes over social media every day. In fact, just this month alone we've seen the big chop from Ariana Grande, Billie Eilish, and Janet Jackson. So if you've been toying with the idea of making a change yourself, now is the time to book the appointment. We’re rolling in bob-spiration for every hair type, texture, and vibe. The hardest part is just deciding which trendy style to choose from.
“The bob is one of those timeless cuts that always comes back around. It just gets reinterpreted,” celebrity stylist Chris McMillan tells Glamour. “It can be worn sleek and tucked, flipped, messy, or even really textured and scrunched. It’s versatile, low effort, and modern.” Best yet, the bob is one of the most universally flattering haircuts. It frames the face and can be easily customized to best flatter your features.
As for which cuts are dominating bob trends right now? Our favorite grandma-core style trends have inspired the granny bob, while fairy-coded bixie cuts like Zendaya’s chop are also trickling down from the runways. As in years past, ’90s-coded lobs remain the low-maintenance cut du jour.
And while there’s no denying how cute and convenient short haircuts can be, it’s always important to do your homework before such a big change. So here’s what you should know about the bob lifestyle before you make your salon appointment.
What is a bob haircut?
The most traditional bob is a short hairstyle cut at the neckline, typically following the shape of the jawline, says hairstylist Laurabeth Cabott. But in recent years the OG bob has been remixed dozens of times over. Technically, bob hairstyles can range from just-past-pixie to collarbone “lob” length. Depending on your hair’s texture and density, a bob of any length can be worn ultrasleek, voluminous, shaggy, braided…you name it.
There isn’t one best length for a bob, since what looks good primarily depends on your own personal taste. “Deciding whether you want a more chic style or something that you’re able to play around with and style differently from day to day can help you determine what length to cut your bob,” Cabbott says.
Which bob haircut is best for my face shape?
Since bob haircuts are crafted to frame the face, you can feel good about your chop knowing that there’s a style to flatter every face shape. “A classic bob haircut, where the length falls between the chin and shoulders, can look great on any face shape,” says celebrity hairstylist Jennifer Korab. “A bob can be customized with different lengths and textures to suit your individual style.”
For example, if you have a round face, Cabbott says that having a bob can help elongate your features. If you have an oval face, however, expert hairstylist and colorist Dan Williams recommends a chin-length blunt bob with waves. “You’re really going to want to accentuate the texture and pull the hair out a bit to complement someone’s elongated jaw,” he says.
For a heart-shaped face, which is defined as a broad forehead and cheekbones with a narrow jawline and chin, you might want to consider a short bob haircut that flips outward at the jaw. “What works best is a bob or lob-length cut that opens up the area around your narrow jawline,” says Michelle Cleveland, master color expert and owner of Hair Addict Salon. “Avoid short haircuts that close in the chin, such as a graduated bob.”
If you have a square or rectangular face, however, celebrity hairstylist Glenn Ellis recommends a shoulder-length French bob or a lob with blunt bangs. “People who have squarer faces tend to be recommended shorter cuts, since longer ones can accentuate the length rather than complement it,” he says.
How to maintain a bob haircut
Bobs can be super low-maintenance, but if you’re opting for a blunt, sculpted look—or you want to maintain your short length long-term—it might require more upkeep than other styles.
“Having a bob requires some maintenance,” celebrity hairstylist Dimitris Giannetos says. “This means getting regular haircuts and/or dusting off your ends every four to six weeks to keep the look fresh.” That doesn’t mean it’s a high-maintenance style overall, though. “Your hair is already cut into the style, so you have to do is wash, blow-dry, and style as desired,” he says.
Feeling inspired? From trendy celebrity cuts to tried-and-true classics, see several bob haircut ideas ahead.
Emma McIntyre/Getty Images
Granny Bob
All our favorite styles are borrowed from grandma’s closet (from floral dresses to quilted jackets), so it wasn’t long before hair trends followed suit. The granny bob is “a version of the classic graduated bob, which features layers cut short at the nape and gradually getting longer to elegantly frame your head shape,” says hairstylist Kenna Kennor, founder of New York City hair salon Kennaland.
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Modern Pageboy Bob
Margot Robbie set the tone when she chopped her long, romantic Wuthering Heights waves into a blunt bob with wispy bangs. Her cut puts a modern spin on the shorter pageboy bob while maintaining the ’60s influence. When considering this cut, Elliot Bute, a stylist at London salon Hersheson, encourages “playing with different lengths—from chin-length to shoulder-length—and experiment with bangs, choosing a wavy or side-swept version instead of a traditional blunt fringe.”
Taylor Hill
’90s Lob
Tempted to revive the Rachel? Take advice from the original creator of the cut on how to wear it in 2026: “I always tell people to focus on length first, because that’s really where the ’90s bob lives,” McMillan says. “It’s that in-between zone—not too short, not too long, what we now call the lob. When styling this cut at home, a round brush and volumizing mousse are your friends.”
Marc Piasecki
Curly Bixie
The bixie cut—a combination of the bob and pixie—is a current celebrity favorite, and it’s easy to see why. Zendaya’s bixie makes an excellent case for wearing your natural curls in a short crop. “I’m seeing a lot of celebrities opting for shorter, piecey layered and textured shapes,” celebrity hairstylist Kieron Justin tells Glamour. “We’ve seen it happening a lot on the runway, and then it filtered into mainstream with the return of the iconic pixie and the bixie.”
Axelle/Bauer-Griffin
Feathered Bob
Asking for some face-framing layers in your bob can give you more runway for styling possibilities. For an ’80s-coded vibe that still feels current, try feathering out your layers away from your face.
More from Glamour
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Cloud Curl Bob
Embrace and enhance your natural texture with a bob that lets your curls breathe. This cut is ideal for cloud curls, which prioritize “curved, light, and airy texture” according to hairstylist Tom Smith. Without length weighing them down, your curly bob can form “a halo of gentle volume—less about defined ringlets and more about diffused texture and natural expansion,” Smith says. “The look is ethereal and floaty.”
Jeff Spicer/Getty Images
Bell Bob
Ideal for thick hair with natural texture, a bell-shaped bob emphasizes fullness at the ends. For easy styling and air-drying, crop your hair just above the shoulders with some soft layering. Your natural movement gets the spotlight, and the length will keep it looking ultrachic with minimal effort.
Stephane Cardinale - Corbis/Getty Images
Blunt Bob
Why mess with a classic? A blunt, single-length bob is one of the most customizable haircuts. It looks great with thin hair but can also accommodate texture. And with enough precision, it looks intentional at any length. When cutting a blunt bob, McMillan says, he avoids tension and trims freehand instead. “Be very aware of cowlicks and growth pattern with this cut,” he advises.
’90s Supermodel Bob
The ’90s-supermodel bob is high payoff, low commitment. “The cut has the line and length of the bob, but the top layers have much more texture, so it’s lighter on top and easier to flip around,” says celebrity hairstylist Marc Mena, who says the ’90s supermodel bob is the easiest—and chicest—way to instantly add volume and texture to short hair.
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Slicked Microbob
Ready for a chop that'’s effortlessly cool in every sense of the word? This chop hits just around the jawline, which makes it feel cuter, says Luke Hersheson, cofounder of hair brand and salon Hershesons. Slightly more daring in shape than other types of bobs, it’s the perfect cut for anyone who’s sick of long hair.
ANGELA WEISS/Getty Images
Soft Swing Bob
Emma Stone has served up haircut inspiration at every phase of her pixie grow-out journey, but her soft swing Oscars bob might take the cake. With this cut, the trick is maintaining both fullness and movement in the ends, as Stone’s stylist Mara Roszak emphasized: “For the Oscars, I wanted a ’90s blowout with soft movement in Emma’s bob, keeping it feeling fresh, modern, and full,” she said in a press release. “The look was polished but effortless—soft volume, subtle bend, natural volume, and subtly brushed through.”