While we love the stylistic silhouette of the Barbie bob and the sculptural definition of the trendy angel bob, if you’re not interested in setting your alarm earlier than usual to factor in styling time, this latest bob is for you. 

Say hello to the ‘oval bob’. Classic in shape, this bob can be adapted for all lengths and face shapes and embodies the effortless, low-maintenance look we all know and love – without the bedhead messiness that usually comes along with it. We’re looking at you, shaggy bob. 

“The oval bob is a modern take on the classic bob; its soft, rounded shape frames the face elegantly,” says Johnathan Eagland, senior hairstylist at Nicola Clarke Salon. “Its silhouette follows the natural contours of the head,” he adds. This adds a softness to the cut that’s unlike the sharper edges we’ve seen recently with other haircuts like the square bob.

The curved edges also appear more satisfying and effortless, according to Eagland, to help you achieve that ‘undone’ look. “It’s a nod towards the 1930s (think Jean Harlow), where bobs were done with much softer styling,” he says.

The beauty of the oval bob is that it’s customisable and can suit all hair textures; it’s just down to the length. According to Eagland, this haircut can “soften a square face shape or strong facial features in general” but it depends on the cut itself. “It can be texturised to add more softness or kept more blunt to give it a stronger feel,” he adds. 

It will be no surprise that it’s just as versatile when it comes to styling. If you don’t have time to faff about with heated hair tools, Eagland says the oval bob can be left to air dry. However, if you want an obvious curve, you’re best going with a rounded brush to accentuate the silhouette.

If you’re ready to embrace the oval bob, here’s all the rounded inspiration you need to nail the hair trend. 

Images: Getty