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Let’s face it — the long bob haircut is this year’s hottest hairstyle. And you can bet we’ll show you tons of inspiration photos, which length will work best for you, and different ways to wear this trendy haircut.
What Is a Long Bob Haircut?
The long bob, or lob, is an enduringly popular haircut for women. It’s a happy medium that gives you the best of both worlds.
With a long bob, the hair is long enough to pull up into a:
- Ponytail
- Braid
- Bun
But it’s short enough to feel lightweight and show off your features. A long bob is a little different from the classic bob. The hair is shoulder-length (or nearly so), rather than ending at the ears or chin.
The additional length is what gives this haircut so much versatility. The most popular way to wear a lob is with soft layers and gentle waves. It can be worn blunt-cut without layers or messy and shaggy with layers throughout.
Some women prefer an A-line angled long bob, where the hair in the front is slightly longer than the hair in the back. If you’re thinking about rocking this trend, you’ve got to see some of the ways women bring a unique twist to this modern classic haircut.
Whether you’re more apt to wear a polished or tousled style, there’s a lob that will speak to you in our inspiration list. Check them out!
Long Bob Inspo: 30 Gorgeous Ways to Wear It
These women show off the incredible versatility of this simple haircut with a range of styles, hair colors, and hair textures. Which lob can you see yourself sporting?
Lively Brunette Waves
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Roniestars/Shutterstock
Healthy, shiny, bouncy hair deserves a lightweight, shoulder-length cut like the lob to show off its vibrance. Brunette hair looks great with lively waves that scatter the light and give the hair dimension.
Disheveled Ombre
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Progressman/Shutterstock
If polished and prim isn’t the look for you, the lob can be worn on the tousled and disheveled side for a more undone look. Combined with lighter ends from the ombre color technique, this cute cut looks fashionably messy on purpose, and not by accident.
Read Next: Average Hair Highlights Cost
Platinum With Blunt Bangs
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Valua Studio/Shutterstock
Whether or not you’re willing to go platinum, you can definitely gather some inspiration from this bold cut. It’s edgy but feminine thanks to the ultra-light color and blunt-cut ends and bangs.
Classic Tucked Under Ends
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Anna Kraynova/Shutterstock
One of the enduring features of bobs from decades past is those iconic, tucked-under ends. Pair them with a lob for an updated twist on the classic chin-length cut.
Bed Head Waves
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Sam Wordley/Shutterstock
This quirky take on the lob will make mornings easier and elevate your look. Wrap sections of hair around a large-barrelled curling iron to slightly wave the hair, then tug on the waves while they’re still warm to relax them a bit.
Layered Shaggy Lob
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Alexander Molofeev/Shutterstock
Layering is a great way to give a lob a different look and more movement. Dark locks benefit from this shaggy cut as it creates more dimension in the intensely colored hair.
Read Next: Trending Short Shag Haircuts
Curled-Under With Side Swept Bangs
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Anastasia_Vishn/Shutterstock
There was a time when curled-under ends were the norm. Now, wearing them is a bold statement that has a flirty, vintage look. Pair this lob with side-swept bangs for a unique twist on the classic.
Precision Lob
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Vitalii Smulskyi/Shutterstock
Ultra blunt-cut and focused on precision, this haircut is the style equivalent of a complex math equation. This cut works best on women with thinner, straight hair.
Soft Layers and Wispy Fringe
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Kseniia Perminova/Shutterstock
Bangs go perfectly with bobs of all lengths. Always! This softly layered cut has thinned ends and a full, face-framing fringe cut wispy rather than blunt.
Read Next: Layered Bob Haircuts
The In-Between
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Hbrh/Shutterstock
This length is a great example of a cut that’s in between long and short. It just hits the shoulders, but with straight hair, even a shoulder-length cut can appear long. If you’re having trouble parting with your long tresses, this is the lob to try.
Burgundy A-Line
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R. Lim/Shutterstock
An A-line bob is slightly angled downward, with the hair in the front being a little longer than the hair around the back. With a gorgeous, deep burgundy color, this cut looks fresh and full of movement.
Read Next: Burgundy Colored Hair
Straight Lob With Razored Ends
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Kolabava Nadzeya/Shutterstock
Using a razor to layer and thin the ends of the hair gives a messy-edgy look to any haircut. We love the soft hints of pink in the blonde highlights here.
Sleek Blunt Cut Lob
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Anton Zabielskyi/Shutterstock
Straight-haired women love the long bob because it’s the perfect haircut to show off their hair’s sleek, smooth texture. Leave it blunt cut without much layering to give this cut a crisp edge and bold look.
Shoulder-Length Shag
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Valua Studio/Shutterstock
The shag cut involves short layers that start up high and progressively get longer toward the ends. This is a vintage-inspired look that works best on straight hair.
Collarbone-Grazing Copper
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Shadow777/Shutterstock
A slightly longer take on the lob, this copper-colored example is eye-catching. It’s perfect for anyone moving from long to a medium-length cut – you can always cut more off if you want to go shorter!
Layered A-Line
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Alena Ozerova/Shutterstock
Gradual layering at the ends gives the hair more freedom to move. This dynamic cut is shorter in the back and angles down slightly in the front for contrast.
Tousled Waves
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Roman Samborskyi/Shutterstock
Soft waves and a side part give a simple above-the-shoulders haircut a boost. This cut is suitable for all hair types.
Shaggy Inverted Lob
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BoConcept/Shutterstock
Razored in the front and angled upward toward the back where the hair is stacked with gradual layers, the shaggy inverted lob is an entire look. If you get tired of the intense layering, you can always have it trimmed to the shorter layers and sport a chin-length bob.
Read Next: What Is Strawberry Blonde Hair?
Blunt-Cut Brunette
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Maaleen/Shutterstock
No fuss, minimal styling, and no pesky flyaways from short layers – that’s the blunt cut lob. This style is especially great for women with thick hair.
Long Bob With Choppy Fringe
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Wavebreakmedia/Shutterstock
Going a bit longer – down to the collarbone – gives you even more style versatility. Adding in a choppy fringe changes the look and gives it a youthful touch.
Read Next: Asian Short Hairstyle Inspiration
Relaxed Coils
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Photick/Shutterstock
Relaxed hair is a perfect candidate for a long bob, especially at this flattering length. Curls bring it just below the chin, but the hair is likely at least shoulder length when straightened.
Chic Sleek Side Part
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GaudiLab/Shutterstock
Thin hair with a fine texture effortlessly meshes with this haircut. It’s lightweight, polished, and professional without looking stuffy.
Razored Swing Lob
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Popcorner/Shutterstock
Cut just below the chin and above the shoulders, this boldly-shaped lob has plenty of movement thanks to lightly razored ends. Pair it with vivid color for an edgy look.
Au Naturel
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Metamorworks/Shutterstock
If you’re lucky enough to have hair you can “wash and go” with, the lob does a great job showing it off. Let your natural straight, wavy, or curly texture shine with this shoulder-skimming cut.
Hollywood Glam Waves
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Oksy001/Shutterstock
If tousled, beachy waves aren’t your style, these perfect Hollywood glam waves may be more your speed. Done with a large-barrelled curling iron facing the same direction for each section, the waves really set off the shoulder-length cut.
Ultra-Layered Bubblegum Bob
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Insta_photos/Shutterstock
Thick hair can benefit from lots of layering that begins high up to reduce the hair’s overall weight. Layers also make the cut more dynamic and able to move with you. With bubblegum pink, this cut has a feminine edge.
60s Shag Lob
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Metamorworks/Shutterstock
Hearken to the age of peace and love with a 60s-inspired shag in a lob length. Layering begins around the ear level, and the ends are thin to concentrate the volume on the sides and top.
Textured Curls
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MillaF/Shutterstock
Curls winding in different directions, layers, and a deep side part create a unique twist on the lob look. Add highlights to give the hair even more dimension.
Ombre With Pointed Ends
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VAndreas/Shutterstock
The ombre effect brings attention to the unique ends that are cut into soft points. The hair is around collarbone length, but using a round brush to curl the ends under will give you this effect.
Layered Wavy Ends
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Takayuki/Shutterstock
Starting the layers near the ends of the hair helps remove some of the weight from thicker hair. Those layers also perk up the waves to give added texture to the tips of the hair.
Read Next: Popular Curly Haircuts
Things to Consider Before Getting a Long Bob Haircut
Before you call your stylist to get this haircut, there are a few things you should think about first. Here’s what you should know about lobs before you commit.
Mind the length. If you have longer hair cut into a lob length, you still need to decide just how short you want to go. A lob can encompass hair anywhere from just below the chin down to the collarbone. Hair cut just below the chin won’t have as many styling options as collarbone-length hair. Think about the ways you typically style your hair before you decide how short to cut it.
Know your hair’s texture and characteristics. If your hair is super curly or tends to lie flat and limp, a new lob haircut won’t miraculously change it. You need to ensure you pick a haircut that works with, not against, your hair.
Curly hair needs a stylist who knows how to cut and layer curls. Limp hair can benefit from additional layers and professional products to add volume. Ask your stylist for recommendations if you’re unsure what your hair needs to make a lob look good.
Make it your own. Popular haircuts can be off-putting to trendsetters, but there are so many options for a lob haircut. Change the color, add highlights, make it slightly shorter, grow it out a bit, add layers, get bangs, etc. Think about ways to make your long bob uniquely you.
Stay open to change. Some women get a lob and decide it’s just not for them. That’s understandable, as a lob is really an “in-between” length. Don’t assume you need to go back to long hair if you don’t love the lob! You might love the way your hair looks and feels in a shorter, classic bob.
Get creative to style it. There are a lot more options than straight, wavy, or curly with a lob. Get creative! Try braids, twists, barrettes and clips, half-up, updos, a middle or side part, or pigtails to widen your lob style repertoire. This will give you plenty of options so that you won’t get bored with the same look every day.
Is a Long Bob the Style for You?
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Olga Brik/Shutterstock
A long bob is one of the few haircuts that can truly suit any face shape, any hair texture, and any woman. If you’ve never had your hair cut to this medium length, you’re missing out.
Give your stylist a call, and make sure to bring plenty of inspiration photos to show them what you want. And while you’re here, be sure to check out our hundreds of other style and hair care guides!