It’s the season of the bob, baby! From Gigi Hadid to Kylie Jenner and Megan Fox, basically everyone on Earth is embracing the chic aesthetic of a well-done bob.Bobs are a versatile shape that can work with both fine or thick hair, but those with thicker hair can ultimately choose from more options.
“Bobs are great for thick hair because they show off the best possible, most defined outline,” says hairstylist Peter Gray. “Where the surface length is retained, maximum reflection and shine is achieved.”
Meet the expert
- Peter Gray is a guest editorial hair stylist for sustainable beauty brand Oway.
- Rogerio Cavalcante is a hairstylist, colorist, and owner of The Second Floor Salon.
- Clara Purvis is a hairstylist and founder of Noordwyck Salon & Blue Dunes Beauty.
If you’re ready for a good chop but don’t know where to start, you’re in luck. We pulled together 21 of the best bob hairstyles for thick hair. Read on below for inspiration!
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The Classic
If you were to look up a picture of a bob in the dictionary, this is what you’d see. “A blunt bob can work well with thick hair if it's slightly longer, which helps balance the volume,” says hairstylist Rogerio Cavalcante. “Keeping a little length prevents the style from looking too wide or heavy.
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Cowgirl Bob
The cowgirl bob is a fresh take on the pixie, but with just a little more length, as Megan Fox is rocking here. The shape is mostly one length with some soft textured layers towards the ends, combined with graduated French bangs that blend into a cheekbone grazing face frame, making it perfect for those with thicker hair to embrace.
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French Bob
The French never let us down when it comes to beauty. The French bob is a layered look with choppy bangs, which can be a great option for those with thicker hair as it enhances the wispy and roughly styled look, says hairstylist Clara Purvis.
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The C-Bob
The “C-Bob,” which is short for collarbone bob, is ideal for those who want to cut their hair short, but not that short. A typical bob sits just above the shoulders, but this subdued ‘do sits right on the shoulders, so you still have some versatility with your styling, like pulling your hair back into a ponytail. This cut typically has more layers than the average bob with textured ends for a softer, sexier appeal.
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Short Locs
Celebrity hairstylists Vernon François styled Lupita Nyong’o's micro locs into this cutsey, flipped-out bob. Whether you're rocking natural locs or faux locs, the style adds weight to your look, making them great for a short bob that's full of body.
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Bedhead Waves
Natasha Lyonne's long, tousled bob is accented with heavily textured layers that embrace her natural volume. Texturizing can be introduced through the top lengths where it will be more visible to add softness and movement to the surface of the hair, says Gray.
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Birkin Bob
The birkin bob is essentially a long bob with short, slightly feathered bangs that frame the face. For a look like Camila Cabello's, ask your stylist for a cut that grazes your collarbones as well as face-framing layers to give a carefree look rather than the typical blunt-cut style.
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The Clavicut
Essentially the clavicut haircut is a blunt, clavicle-length lob that can sometimes include layers, as seen on the astonishing Charli D’Amelio. This versatile style is great for the lazy gals who like to just get out of the shower and go. If you want to wear your hair with its natural texture you can, but if you want to use hot tools to define your look and give it some more movement that can really complement the cut as well.
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Colorful Blunt Bob
Move over peanut butter and jelly, the real iconic duo is a blunt bob and a fun hair color. “A blunt bob or lob can work great, as long as there’s some bulk removed in the interior,” says Purvis “[This] eliminates the result of being too triangular but still gives the illusion of a one length shape.” Be like Megan Fox and dye your new ‘do a fun color, like a bold blue or a vibrant red for a little extra flair.
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Asymmetrical Bob
Adding a bit of asymmetry is a great way to break up one-length haircuts. This style by Kim Kardashian is shorter in the back and gradually longer in the front, which gives thick hair a nice shape and movement, says Cavalcante.
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Wet Shag
The wet hair look isn’t going anywhere. And when paired with the ultra-chic shag that is seriously rockstar-worthy, you’ve got a match made in heaven. The messy, carefree layers a la Nicole Scherzinger add dimension, making thick hair feel lighter, says Cavalcante.
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Sleek and Slick
Gracie Abrams is a vision in this slicked-down and sleek bob. We love how it is flipped at the ends and complemented with a kiss curl at the hairline, creating an effortlessly elegant and timeless look.
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Curls on Curls
Bobs on curly hair lend a softer look, as the texture smooths the sharp angles often found in a bob, making the overall style more feminine and approachable. But be sure to tell your stylist you plan to wear your natural hair before the chop to ensure the length is what you’re looking for.
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Long Lob
Grab your flatiron and styling creme to achieve a silky smooth lob like Kendall Jenner. Though not as short as a bob, a lob (long bob) strikes a perfect balance. It allows for easy styling while still showcasing thick hair without becoming overwhelming.
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Bell-Bottom Bob
Pulling inspiration from the groovy ‘70s, the bell-bottom bob flips out for a cute and quirky look. If you have a strong jawline, try a bob that hits just at the chin, or if you’re not ready to make that big of a change, you can still rock the style with the hair falling at the mid-neck.
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The Prada Bob
This ultra short ‘do, nicknamed the ‘Prada Bob’ by Joey King’s hairstylist, Dimitris Giannetos is inspired by the style and sophistication of the movie Devil Wears Prada. While the look screams confidence with its crisp and clean cuts, the wispy and delicate ends that curl inward towards the jaw give a feminine touch.
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Baroque Bob
The baroque bob is all about the styling (and surprisingly, not much about the cut). A typical bob shape, this style elaborately places a heavy weight line at the perimeter to give a big, bouncy and voluminous style.
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Marilyn Monroe Style
This vintage-influenced styling from Kylie Jenner can be executed on most bobs, although we recommend asking for some loose layers on a chin length cut to create the best version of the style. A naturally flirty look, it is achieved by curling the hair in smaller sections with a 1-inch curling iron, and pinning the curls with pin curl clips to allow them to set properly—just like Marilyn did!
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Bouncy and Weightless
Adding texture via choppy ends or soft layers can lighten the heaviness and give a bob a more relaxed, modern look, says Cavalcante. The clean lines of the bob create a sophisticated silhouette, while the slightly rounded and bouncy shape softens the overall look.
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Mushroom Bob
The mushroom bob is characterized by its round, uniform length around the entire head, resembling the cap of a mushroom. While the name is a bit silly, rest assured that this bob embodies a much more sophisticated vibe.