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Hair
The ‘French bob’ is an elegant, shorter haircut loved by Hailey Bieber, Rihanna and Cate Blanchett
8 months ago
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2 min read
One of the most popular haircuts of the last few years, the French bob isn’t going anywhere. Here’s all the inspiration you need for this glamorous twist on a classic.
There’s something about a bob haircut that just screams chic. The shoulder-skimming hairstyle has skyrocketed into the hair hall of fame over the last few years, and numerous celebrities, including Jennifer Aniston, Priyanka Chopra and Emily In Paris star Lily Collins, have all recently sported a take on the short chop.
But now, a new form of the bob hairstyle is rising in popularity. So much so that it often pops up as the most googled haircut of the moment. Enter: the French bob.
What is a French bob?
Shorter than your average bob, the French iteration is one that hairdressers are seeing an increased demand for. It has also been the look of choice for countless celebrities, including Hailey Bieber, Kaia Gerber, Carey Mulligan, Rihanna, Kelly Rowland and, most recently, Cate Blanchett.
But, where did this stylish look come from? “The inspiration for the French bob comes from the 20s and 30s era,” explains Adam Reed, hairstylist and founder of Arkive Headcare. “It reminds me of Louise Brooks – it has that sultry jazz singer feel. It’s sassy and elegant.”
Credit: Donaldson Collection/Getty Images
As for the cut itself, it’s a fair bit shorter than the shoulder length that bobs are usually associated with. “It is a sharp, outlined, chin-grazing bob and the point of the bob should hit the corner of the mouth,” adds Reed. “The fringe should sit just above the brow – slightly shorter than a usual fringe, but still super chic.
“It’s such a great haircut to get right now as it’s a lovely move forward from the boyfriend bob we’ve seen recently – it’s a really nice way of updating it.”
Is a French bob hard to maintain at home?
Depending on your hair type, some bobs can be high-maintenance, but the great thing about this one is that it’s easy to style for everybody. “I recommend prepping the hair with heat protector, styling mousse or gel before blow-drying as this will give the hair a great mouldable hold,” says Reed, before adding that you can finish with hairspray for extra hold.
However, the main point of this hairstyle is to embrace your natural texture and allow it to sit however it wants, even if that’s a slightly messy fashion. It’s the style of the haircut itself that’s more important here.
Looking for some French bob inspiration? Look no further.
French bob haircut inspiration
Images: Getty
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