Call the Salon—These 25 Bob Hairstyles Are Convincing Me to Get the Chop

If you've landed here, you're most likely considering some short, layered hairstyles for your next salon visit. Or if you have short hair already, you might be looking for ways you can change up your look day to day. The good news is that there are so many cool short hairstyles to choose from, and the fashion set has been delivering endless short hairstyle ideas that we are desperate to take to the salon this season.

You might have been led to believe that short hair means committing to one look. But that's simply not the case. Bob haircuts look incredible worn straight and sleek or with beachy waves, and hair accessories can totally transform short hair by giving it an effortless update. Equally, braids and natural texture suit a number of short hairstyles. Whether it's jaw-skimming braids or perfectly layered curls, there's a short hairstyle to suit every hair texture and style. We're big fans of the bob haircut, and chic French women in particular are forever giving us short hair inspiration.

And if you're worried that a shorter style might not be low-maintenance enough for you? Worry not. "Short, layered hairstyles can be relatively low-maintenance compared to longer styles in terms of daily styling," says Edward James, hair stylist and Founder of Edward James Salons and The Hair Consult. "However, they do require more frequent trips to the salon to maintain their shape and texture or to remove excess thickness that can make the cut harder to style."

In fact, a short, layered hairstyle works particularly well if you want to dial down the amount of time you spend using tools or product on your hair. "Layers remove weight whilst adding movement, softening the shape so styles can last longer between cuts," explains Sam Burnett, hair stylist and Owner and Creative Director of Hare Bone. "Short layered styles can often be quicker to style if the natural texture is embraced."

Need any more convincing? Ahead, you'll fine the top 25 short, layered hairstyles we've saved from our favourite fashion influencers. Warning: They will want you to take the plunge and go short.

1. The Tousled Bob

"The Italian bob is voluminous and bouncy in appearance— a fuller shape with lots of body—and has been a big hit with celebs this year due to its flexibility in styling," explains James. "The ends are often slightly curled under or waved, which makes it slightly more time consuming to style at home, but means it requires slightly less frequent trips to the salon to keep it in shape versus shorter haircuts."

2. The Curly Bob

"When looking after shorter styles at home I feel its best to work with your natural texture so letting your hair dry naturally or with a diffuser works well," explains Burnett. "Finding the right products for your hair is also essential, like leave-in in conditioners or moisturising creams."

3. Curtain Bangs

One of the biggest hair trends of 2024, curtain bangs are a great update for shorter hairstyles as they add volume and dimension around the face without adding length.

4. Cool-Girl Waves

"For the best long-lasting results for wavey looks I would suggest letting the hair fully dry first before loosening it with your fingers," suggests Burnett. However, if your hair is naturally straight then a deep-waver hairstyling tool is the quickest way to add body to short hairstyles with layers.

5. The Sleek Bob

"Traditionally, a bob is a one-length haircut, often chin-length or slightly longer. However, modern variations of the bob include layered bobs where layers are added to create texture and volume," says James. This ultra-sleek bob has almost invisible layers to ensure that your bob has body and movement.

6. Hair Accessories

"Headbands, clips, and scarves can add a fun twist and some drama to your shorter hairstyle," says James. Tie a hair scarf into the hair to instantly elevate your look, then add chunky gold jewellery, and you're good to go.

7. Side-Swept Crop

We're lost for words at how glamorous this side-swept cropped hairstyle is. And it's not the only ultra-short style emerging as a trend this year either. "We are seeing even shorter layered bobs that skim the jawline—like bixie cuts that are essentially a grown out pixie—along with cropped cuts and short shag cuts still having a moment," says Burnett.

8. The Ear-Tuck

The easiest way to update short hair? Tuck it behind your ears like the fashion set—it's ideal to keep shorter layers of hair out of the way too or disguise a fringe that you might be growing out.

9. The French Bob

"The French bob has been huge this year with clients loving its chic, effortless feel. It usually features blunt ends and sometimes includes bangs that graze the eyebrows," explains James. "The cut is sleek and polished, but has some texture and movement and is often styled straight with a slight bend at the ends to show off the layers, and to add some movement to the cut."

10. Claw Clips

Who says claw clips are just for longer hair? We have seen so many influencers with shorter styles stepping out in claw clips and we're sold. Leave shorter layers to fall free for an effortless look.

11. The Wet Look

A slicked-back hairstyle is an ideal way to switch up your style for the evening. "On shorter hair you may require more hold and definition, or possibly even a wet look finish, so creams and soft waxes may work better such as Shu Uemura Cotton Uzu Definition Cream," suggests James.

12. Curly Layers

The best hairstylists can expertly cut individual curls for perfect layer placement. "A bob is a classic and adding choppy layers and textured finish can give it a texturised, carefree look," says James. "This style works well with natural waves and curls and can be styled with a bit of texturising spray for added definition."

13. The Mixie

A hybrid between the pixie haircut and the mullet, this layered hairstyle is one of the chicest hairstyles to have right now and it's perfect if you're after an edgier take on an otherwise classic cut.

14. Flicked Ends

Elevate your bob by running your hair straighteners through the hair and turning it outwards on the ends for a '90s-inspired flick in seconds. This is also a great hack if your shorter style has grown out slightly and you want to recreate the appearance of a shorter style.

15. Tousled Pixie

A super-short pixie cut with choppy layers gives life to short hair. It's textured, choppy and with an instantly-recognisable silhouette that is guaranteed to turn heads.

16. Swept Back

Undercut hairstyles (where length is kept on top of the head) are ideal if you're looking to go short but still want some length to play with.

17. Headbands

Shorter hair is the perfect canvas for hair accessories, and is there anything more chic than a Prada headband? Of course, it doesn't have to be designer—experiment with different prints and colours, widths and heights to totally transform your look with the switch of an accessory.

18. Braids

Braids are such a versatile style that work well in all lengths—so, of course, they look incredible worn in a shorter style too. Chin-length braids are a fail-safe choice if it's your first foray into a bob, as Oluwaseun demonstrates.

19. Micro Fringe

A choppy micro fringe cut a couple of centimetres above the brows gives your short, layered haircut a cool twist. "Although low maintenance to style, it does require regular trims to keep it in shape," advises James.

20. Pixie With Fringe

If you've been thinking about getting a choppy pixie haircut then this is your sign. Paired with a feathery fringe and closely-cropped at the nape of the neck, it's unbelievably chic and timelessly stylish.

21. Feathered Bob

Short cuts don't have to feel severe—the feathered finish of this airy bob keeps the style looking soft and laidback.

22. The Shag

The shag continues to be one of the coolest short, layered hairstyles of the year. Spritz the roots with a volumising spray to add plenty of lift and effortless texture.

23. The Tucked-Under Bob

These subtle tucked-under ends make this short bob look so damn chic. You can use straighteners to get this look, but a blow-dry brush or a multi-styler helps you to get the shape at the ends while adding volume to the roots.

24. The Side-Swept Waves

Switching to a side-parting lends this beautiful, choppy French bob major holiday vibes. Oh, and the flower tucked behind the ear doesn't hurt either. "Use a blow dryer with a diffuser attachment to enhance natural waves or curls," explains James. "For straight hair, use a round brush to add volume at the roots."

25. The Mullet

While the layers here are slightly longer than your traditional mullet, the long back and short sides are a modern take on the trend for short hair.

Shop the best products for short, layered hair:

This post was originally published at an earlier time and has since been updated.