The Best Bob for Your Face Shape, According to Hairstylists
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If you’ve been contemplating a fresh twist on your short hair—or you’re committing to a big chop in the near future—it’s helpful to understand the best bob for your face shape. While many bob styles are easily customized according to your features, some do tend to flatter certain face shapes more than others. We asked professional stylists for their thoughts on the matter to help guide your salon chair decision.
Round: Long, Layered Bob
Round faces have an equal width and length, creating a beautiful circular shape. For this face shape, try a longer, layered bob (also known as a lob) with soft angles and a center or deep side part. “This is a really great option for those with a round face,” says Christine Bellemare, co-founder of Maven A Collect. “It brings definition to rounder features and adds shape to create a flattering, balanced look.”
Square: French Bob
Similar to round faces, people with a square face shape have an equal width and length ratio, but with more angular features and a stronger jawline. “A bob with softness around the face works great for a square face shape—like the French bob,” says Kimberly Gueldner, celebrity hairstylist and founder of Voel Hair. “A French bob has more layering and face-framing, which can soften square angles.”
Oval: Chin-Length Blunt Bob
An oval face shape is equal parts square and round with a smaller forehead and a face length that’s slightly longer than it is wide. Lots of styles suit this shape, a classic chin-length blunt bob is ultra-flattering. “It’s such a chic look for that face shape because an oval face is softer and not angular,” Gueldner notes. “It can nicely handle the sharp edges of a blunt cut.”
Rectangle: Bouncy ‘90s Bob
Rectangle face shapes are similar to an oval shape except they feel more angular, and the chin and forehead are the same length across. For those with this shape, Gueldner recommends a softer style. “Breaking up a bob with soft textured layers or opting for a longer bob with a ‘90s bouncy blowout can effectively soften the angles of a sharper jawline, providing a comfortable and flattering look,” she says.
Diamond: Chin-Length Bob with Curtain Bangs
The gorgeous diamond face shape has striking angular features with strong cheekbones. Bellemare recommends a chin-length bob with light, face-framing layers or curtain bags for diamonds. “This shape works great on diamond face shapes because it softens the angular lines around the jaw while drawing attention upward,” she explains. “Curtain bangs help open up the face and highlight the cheekbones, which are usually one of the most striking features on a diamond face.”
Triangle: Midi Bob
The defining traits of a triangular face are cheekbones that sit high and a narrow jaw, sometimes with a wider forehead. It’s a stunning face shape, and the key is to highlight and balance your features. “A short-to-mid bob that hits just above the shoulders works really well for triangle face shapes because it balances the jawline by adding volume near the cheeks,” Bellemare says. “I like to keep the ends soft and avoid too much bulk at the bottom so the cut feels balanced and clean.”
Heart: Face-Framing Lob
This face shape has a narrow chin that beautifully broadens toward the forehead, and it sometimes has that gorgeous widow’s peak for a very defined heart shape. “For heart-shaped faces, a lob with a curtain bang is my go-to choice,” Gueldner says. “The curtain bangs work like magic, balancing a wider forehead. Add some beachy waves and texture, and you’ll have a look that beautifully complements your heart-shaped face.”
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