The Hydro Bob Is the Cool New Short Hairstyle In Town

Bobs have been a mainstay for the greater part of the last century. The flappers wore them with their glittering shift dresses in the roaring ‘20s, the 1950s brought us the iconic page boy and a decade later Vidal Sassoon delivered the five-point bob cut. This cropped hair approach has continued to evolve over the years, leading us up to 2024’s hydrobob. So what is this saturated ‘do, and how do you get the hydrobob aesthetic? We’re glad you asked. 

RELATED: The ‘Boy Bob’ Is the Hot New Take on Chin-Length Hair

What Is a Hydro Bob?

So what is the hydro bob, and how does this one deviate from other short hairstyles we’ve already seen?  “The hydro bob is a short haircut, typically around the jawline, that is styled into a wet-look,” explains MariLynne Cosmillo, hairstylist and hOURS Hair. “Its key traits are the defining length and its wet or damp texture.” 

Also, while the wet styling is a non-negotiable for the hydro bob, celebrity stylist Chaz Dean says that the cut itself is special.

“Any bob can be styled into a hydro bob,” Dean says. “However, what differentiates a hydrobob from other bobs is not the cut, but the style. The clean lines make it a strong, smooth and glossy look with a polished finish.” 

Cosmillo speculates that the hydro bob might be a variation on the same wet look that was so popular on long hair last season. Now that temperatures are rising, people are embracing a similar look but with a big chop. It could also be a variation of the clean girl aesthetic given its “just stepped out of the shower” aesthetic.  

How to Get the Hydro Bob: Step By Step Guide

Feeling piqued? Here’s a quick rundown on how to get the hydrobob’s wet hair look. 

1. Get the Cut: First thing’s first—you need to get a haircut if you haven’t already done so. The hydrobob hits just above the shoulder and features clean lines and minimal layers. 
2. Take a Shower: “The best way to get this look is to start out of the shower when your hair is soaking wet,” Dean says. Use a deep conditioner to really nourish your strands, and consider a glossing treatment like OUAI’s Hair Gloss In-Shower Shine Treatment ($34, Sephora).  
3. Liberally Apply Mousse: While hair is still wet, liberally apply a sculpting hair mousse such as hOURS Full-Time Plumping Mousse ($27, hOURS). “Apply about a golf-ball size amount to your hair from root to tip per section, brushing through each row of your hair after applying,” Cosmillo advises. “This will help you shape and balance the hold.” 
4. Style & Set: Continue styling your hair as desired by combing it back and shaping the look. You can also add a part if you wish, Dean says. “Once it’s slicked back, don’t touch it. Just use hairspray and it should hold.” Try Kristin Ess Hair Ultra Fine Workable Hairspray ($15, Ulta). 
5. Add Shine Spray: For an extra glossy finish, add a light misting of a shine spray to your styled look, which will help your hair catch the light and preserve that wet look for longer. We love Alfaparf Milano Semi Di Lino Sublime Cristalli Smoothing Finishing Hair Spray ($28, Amazon).