When it comes to hair inspiration, no one has served us more looks over the years than our Riri. The pop star has gone through hair transformation after hair transformation, from her asymmetrical bob of the 2000s and Loud-era cherry-red locks to her 2012 pixie cut and the warm honey-blonde style she sported last year.

And now Rihanna’s got us itching to call up the hairdressers once again as she’s stepped out in another desirable ’do – and this time, it’s a lob.

Fairly self-explanatory, a lob is best described as a long bob. Usually cut so the hair is either just grazing or just past the shoulders, it’s a great way to enjoy the low maintenance of a shorter hairstyle with the convenience of it being just long enough to still pull into a ponytail and other up-do styles.

“For those who want to wear short-but-still-long styles, pair the lob with subtle longer layers and blunter, heavier ends,” says Tom Smith, a trend expert and hair stylist. “It’s a great way to give that luxe, healthy look to your hair without having to commit to the maintenance that comes with having very long, thick hair,” he says.

This isn’t the first time Rih has embraced the lob: back in 2007 she sported a caramel-hued lob, but her latest venture into lob territory feels like a fresh, modern take on the trend. Styled straight with the ends curled under, it has a retro 90s vibe to it, while the shorter face-framing pieces at the front soften and modernise the look.

She’s not the only celebrity who knows the power of the lob. Selena Gomez frequently returns to the shoulder-grazing cut, as does Zendaya, who’s fond of an old Hollywood spin on the style. Florence Pugh also often dances between bob and lob lengths, and Margot Robbie inspired countless haircuts with her lob transformation last year.

There’s a fine line between a lob and a traditional bob. For best results, Smith says to keep the length shorter than the collarbone if you can. “Ask your stylist to cut with quite a blunt line if you want to increase the look of both density and vitality in your hair,” he says.

And when it comes to layering, that should be kept to a minimum. “A little bit is a good idea to help with that voluminous, cushioned blow-dry result that works so well with this style, especially around the face,” says Smith.

To create Riri’s slick style, Smith recommends blow drying your hair with a very large round brush, lifting and bending the hair as you go. “Lightweight volumising products – like Olaplex Volumising Blow Dry Mist, £28, or Evo Root Canal, £25.10 – are your friends here. You want a lightweight, airy finish that doesn’t look like it’s stuck in one place; instead, it should have movement and bounce.”

If you have fine hair, Smith suggests misting dry shampoo at the roots immediately after blow-drying to create a weightless look. “Or, if you have heavier hair, use a texture spray like Sam McKnight Hair Cool Girl Texture Mist, £12, as a more powerful alternative,” he says.

For more inspiration to take along to your next hair appointment, keep scrolling for all the best celebrity lob inspiration…

Images: Getty; Instagram