Long bobs–or lobs–are making a major comeback in the world of hair trends. Many notable celebrities and fashion icons–including Selena Gomez, Vanessa Hudgens, and Kim Kardashian–have made the decision to chop their locks and rock a lob. This style is versatile, low-maintenance, and suitable for all ages and hair types.
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If you want to lighten your load with a shorter cut for summer but aren’t ready to lop off all of your length, a lob can be your perfect in-between style. It’s long enough that you’ll be able to pull your hair back into a ponytail, but short enough to feel light and fresh. Whether you’re on the fence about getting a cut or are ready to take the leap toward a bouncy bob cut, learn the ins and outs of cutting and styling this trendy, shorter style to get the most out of your lob this summer.
1. Use the Right Products for long bob hairstyles
Hair products are the key to pulling off a trendy lob with a polished finish. When it comes to styling any short cut, product is essential for creating a neat style that doesn’t come off as messy or mismanaged.
The products that should line your bathroom counter depend on the cut you get and the style you want as well as your unique hair type, texture, and thickness. If you want body and volume, stock up on texturizing sprays. If you’re striving for sleekness, opt for lightweight serums that smooth and add shine. When you get your lob cut and styled for the first time at a salon, make note of what products your stylist uses on your hair and ask which ones they recommend for everyday styling.
2. Secrects for long bob hair styles: Texturize, Don’t Layer
It’s a common misconception that getting a layered lob will help you achieve the effortless, choppy style that defines the “cool-girl lob” you see in magazine spreads and on runways.
On the contrary, you should never ask your hair stylist to layer your lob. Layers are not what gives tousled lobs their voluminous, low-maintenance, messy-on-purpose look. In fact, a layered lob is very difficult to style and tame. Ask for texturizing and–if your hair is especially thick–thinned ends to achieve that coveted piece-y, casual-cool lob style.
3. Stop the Flipping
One of the most frustrating things about lobs–and bob cuts in general–is their tendency to flip out at the ends. This gravity-defying flipping is very common with shorter hair cut and can instantly transform your lob from contemporary chic to ’90s-esque if you’re not careful. If you like to keep your hair natural without relying on heated styling tools, this uncontrollable flipping can be even more annoying. Fortunately, you don’t have to straighten or curl your entire head to free yourself of flipped-up ends.
Start by running a smoothing serum through your hair from mid-shaft to ends. Then, use a flat iron on low heat to gently curl the ends of your hair under for a rounded, flip-free finish. If you want a tousled style that doesn’t look too neat, leave a thin top layer of your hair alone and turn under the bottom bulk of your hair to get rid of flipping without disrupting your messy-on-purpose volume.
4. Get Wavy
Lobs are renowned as low-maintenance hairstyles. While it can be fun to create a sleek, pin-straight style from time to time, a natural-looking style preserves body and volume to keep your hair from falling flat and leaves you with a casual-chic finish that lasts all day.
Create an effortless, heat-free style in minutes with effortless beach waves. Start by towel-drying your hair right after you get out of the shower until it’s damp but not dripping. Part your hair in the middle or slightly to one side and use a clip or hair band separate it into one-inch sections. Spray texturizing sea salt spray through your hair one section at a time, scrunching each section as you go along. Let your hair air dry or blow it dry on a cool setting if you’re short on time. Also, you can try this bob haircut.
5. Do an Updo
Because of their in-between length, lobs hit a sweet spot between short and long hair that gives you the benefit of both styles. Play around with easy updos for no-maintenance style days when you don’t feel like messing with your hair at all and just want it out of your face.
Lobs are made for half-up half-down styles. Part your hair in the middle and secure the top section with a hair band. Get more creative by braiding this top section before you tie it back. Complete the look by flat ironing the free bottom layers of your hair for a polished finish or scrunching them with salt spray for tousled beach waves instead.
If you want a sleeker look that keeps your hair completely out of the way, go for a low bun just above the nape of your neck. Tease your hair slightly and add texturizing before twisting up your hair to add body and volume that lasts.
6. Consider Your Hair Type
One of the best things about the lob trend is that you can make it work for you no matter what type of hair you have. Lobs can complement thick, curly, thin, straight, or wavy locks, as long as you know how to manipulate your cut and style to jive with your unique hair type and texture.
If you have thick hair, prevent your lob from looking weighed down by getting rid of any heaviness with thinned, texturized ends. On the other hand, try a blunt, single-length cut to give thinner, finer hair the illusion of thickness.
7. Be Specific
When you head into the salon ready to rock a lob cut, make sure you know exactly how to ask your hair stylist for the exact style you want. It’s important to get very specific with your requests. ‘Lob’ is an umbrella term that encompasses a wide range of styles with varying lengths, shapes, and layers. If you sit down in a salon chair and just ask for a “lob, please”, you’re not actually giving your stylist much guidance to work with.
Always come prepared with an outline of the type of lob you’re looking for. In fact, if your hair stylist has experience with lob cuts, they’ll likely press you for more details about the cut you want before they even pick up the scissors. Before you head to the salon, do your research to figure out which type of lob works best with your hair type, face shape, and the amount of everyday styling you’re willing to do to make sure you end up with a cut you love and can easily maintain.
A lob is an ideal, fun summer cut. This trendy style refreshes your hair and eliminates damaged ends, but leaves you with plenty of length and endless styling options to help you customize this popular cut and make it your own.
