7 Long Bob Ideas You’ll Want To Wear Year-Round
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2 days ago
Tired of your bob? Try going a step further – or rather, longer – with the long bob
Bobs may come and go, but what do we do during that awkward ‘grow out’ phase? Easy – lean into the long bob lifestyle. The perfect transitional hairstyle, salons predict this will be one of the biggest trends of 2025 (largely thanks to its versatility). Here’s everything you need to know about the cut, plus some inspiration to take with you to your next appointment.
What Is A Long Bob?
‘A long bob – or “lob” as it’s affectionately known – is a haircut that typically falls between the collarbone and shoulders,’ explains Amelia Evans, Artistic Director at Hare & Bone. ‘It’s the cooler, more relaxed sister of the classic bob. Sleek, versatile and effortlessly chic, the long bob gives you that polished edge without looking too “done”.’
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And with a wave of grown-out bobs hitting the salons this season, the options for long bobs have never been better. ‘Clients are loving the long bob because it’s the perfect balance between short and long, you get a fresh contemporary shape without sacrificing the ability to tie it up or play with texture,’ adds Amelia. ‘It also feels like a reset; a gentle reinvention that’s low risk but high impact. Post-pandemic, there’s definitely been a shift towards more manageable yet trend focused cuts, and the lob absolutely delivers.’
Which Face Shapes Suit A Long Bob?
In short: all of them. ‘The beauty of a long bob is that it can be tailored to flatter pretty much every face shape,’ confirms Amelia. ‘For rounder faces, we might go a bit longer and add soft layers to elongate the silhouette. For heart-shaped or angular faces, we can use the cut to soften or balance proportions. It’s all about customisation and what is best suited for the person in the chair.’
Which Hair Textures Suit A Long Bob?
‘Honestly, it works on most hair textures,’ says the stylist. ‘Straight hair gives a very crisp, clean finish. Wavy hair brings that undone, lived-in vibe we all love. Even curls can absolutely rock a lob – we just adjust the shape and layering to let the natural texture shine through. It’s all about embracing what your hair does best.’
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How To Ask For A Long Bob In The Salon
‘Ask for a collarbone-length cut or mention you’d like a lob,’ advises Amelia. ‘Bring in a few reference images of what you love, Pinterest, Instagram, magazines – we love visual cues – but also be open to chatting about what works best for your hair type, lifestyle and face shape.’
From there, you’ll be able to discuss what options are available for this particular hair length. Although Amelia warns, ‘If you’ve been heat styling a lot or your ends are damaged, we might recommend a healthy trim beforehand to prep for the cleanest shape.’
Styling Tips
‘The secret is in the finish,’ says Amelia. ‘A smoothing balm or texture spray goes a long way. I love using a large-barrel tong to add soft waves, then brushing them out for that cool-girl bounce. If you’re wearing it sleek, go for a centre part and a glossing serum to amp up the shine. Dry shampoo at the roots on day two gives a great bit of lift and movement.’
Maintenance Tips
As with every cut, you’ll need to go back to the salon for a trim every eight to 10 weeks to keep the shape sharp. Amelia also tells us that you can ‘invest in a decent heat protectant’ for home styling – ‘the lob often invites more styling, with frizzier hair textures so protecting the ends is key’ – and a weekly mask or bond-building treatment for hair care – ‘these are brilliant for strength and shine, especially if you colour your hair.’
5 Long Bob Styles The C&TH Team Love
1. The Blunt Long Bob
‘The blunt bob is clean, sharp, and ultra-modern,’ says Amelia. ‘This cut is all one length, typically grazing the collarbone, with minimal layering. It’s ideal for straight or slightly wavy hair and makes a bold statement without trying too hard. To style, use a heat protectant, then run straighteners through for a polished finish. Add a touch of serum for a high-gloss editorial look.’
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2. The Textured Lob
‘Soft, piecey layers and a bit of feathering through the ends create that perfectly imperfect, tousled effect,’ Amelia tells us. ‘This lob is great for finer hair types wanting movement without losing volume. Just use a salt spray or lightweight mousse to rough dry upside down for volume, then use a wand to create irregular waves. Finish with dry texture spray for grip and grit.’
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3. The Curly Long Bob
‘Tailored to your curl pattern, this cut enhances natural shape with subtle internal layering for bounce and definition,’ Amelia tells us. ‘It’s all about celebrating texture. Rake in a curl cream on damp hair and diffuse for body and lift; a drop of oil through the ends helps keep it glossy.’
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4. The A-Line Lob
A slight throwback comes courtesy of this style. ‘Slightly longer at the front and gently tapered at the back, the A-line lob gives a subtle angle that frames the face beautifully,’ explains Amelia. ‘To style, blow-dry with a round brush to emphasise the shape or use a flat iron to curve the ends under for a 90s supermodel polish.’
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5. Curved Long Bob
Another nostalgic look, the curved bob works just as well in lob form. Just use a round brush while blow drying to get those exaggerated inward flicks, and use a serum for a glossy finish. You can also add in hair clips for the full 90s feel – we have Selena Gomez on our reference sheet.
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6. Layered Lob
Ideal for those with heavy or flat hair, this lob offers lots of volume and movement. The addition of layers and shorter pieces give strands more of a weightless feel, which makes it all the easier to achieve a bouncier finish.
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7. Posh Lob
This versatile, grown-out bob – named after Posh Spice herself – features a sleek centre part, a slight wave and a high-gloss finish. It’s an off-duty hairdo with enough sophistication for everyday wear. (And it’s great for those who have a natural wave already.)
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