Credit: Getty
2 min read
This smooth, sharp, chin-length cut is easier to achieve than you might think. This is what to ask for in the salon, plus tips for styling a sleek bob at home.
Messy bobs have had their moment in the sun, with the French bob and the feathered bob proving to be eternally popular, but now it’s time for the classic bob to be given a polished twist for the new season. Enter, the sleek bob.
It’s a minimalist’s dream and destined to be a popular hairstyle for autumn/winter 2024, with Kaia Gerber and Lily James already demonstrating the appeal of cut.
“Everyone from Lily Collins to Megan Thee Stallion is sporting the one-length, above-the-shoulder bob,” says Silje Vincent, a hairstylist at Taylor Taylor London’s Liberty salon.
“In simple terms, a sleek bob is a style that is cut classically above the shoulders and has sharp, clean lines with a high gloss shine. It can have body, but absolutely no wave.”
It’s typically a chin-length cut that focuses on precise lines and infuses shine into your hair, serving as a stylish haircut for day and night.
How to style the sleek bob
When it comes to styling a sleek bob, the process might be faster than a bell-bottom bob or creating a textured finish, but there’s an art to perfecting this sleek look without using too much heat on your hair.
“If your hair is naturally curly or wavy, I would always use a round brush as it can provide more tension and will stretch your hair as you blow dry,” Vincent says. “However, if your hair is already smooth and not too thick then a Denman brush will be suitable.
“Always use a nozzle on your hairdryer in the direction of the roots to the ends, and if you need to remove body or you have resistant curls then finish with a straightener.”
Vincent recommends using a smoothing serum to remove any frizz or coarseness from your hair, such as Love Hair Smoother from Davines, as well as a sealer to ensure a shiny finish to the hair, such as Naturaltech Nourishing Keratin Sealer.
When it comes to your next salon appointment, Vincent recommends: “Ask for a one-length bob that is sharp and clean” and always take photos with you as visuals will help the stylist see your final vision.
We’ve curated a selection of sleek bob photo inspiration below to save you time before your next haircut.
Sleek bob photo inspiration
Images: Getty; courtesy of brands
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