I'm a Low-Maintenance Beauty Editor–This Is How I Style My Bob Haircut

I have tried a lot of haircuts in my time and I can officially tell you I am walking into 2023 knowing which one I suit best—preferably towards an industrial sized fan for dramatic effect. To set the scene, let me fill you in on my hair type. I have fine hair but a lot of it, and I’ve always loved the idea of having Rapunzel-esque locks. But once mine gets past a certain length it starts to look thinner at the ends and generally lacks that enviable oomph. 

Last year, after painstakingly growing my hair past my shoulders for my wedding so I could have the up-do I wanted, I swiftly booked in for the chop. In preparation, I went back through old pictures and realised that the length my hair is at its absolute prime is when it’s cut into a bob. It looks thicker, it frames my face better and I find it’s so much more versatile. It’s also strangely addictive, and since going short again, I get just that little bit more cut off each time I go to the hairdressers. Could this signal the impending arrival of a pixie cut? Maybe...

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(Image credit: @MOLLIECBURDELL)

I am definitely not alone in my adoration for this timeless haircut. It was just last month when chatting to celebrity hairstylist Larry King about the classiest haircuts of all time he hailed the bob his number one style. "Look at all the bobs that have transitioned through the era’s on icons like Louise Brookes in the ’20s, Faye Dunaway in the ’60s and Winona Ryder in the ’90s,” he explained. As for the icon of the modern era, just look to Zendaya and her softly-textured short bob she recently debuted at the Euphoria FYC event in LA.

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(Image credit: GETTY IMAGES)

Zendaya's new bob haircut caused drama for all the right reasons at a Euphoria press event last month.

With all this in mind, I wanted to share the quick and easy ways I regularly style my bob along with the tools and products I use to create each look. Scroll down to discover my personal tips and tricks on how to style a bob haircut. 

1. Flicked Ends

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(Image credit: @MOLLIECBURDELL FOR WHO WHAT WEAR UK)

Seen on the likes of Kendall Jenner, Margot Robbie and Saweetie, this retro style is a red carpet go-to and a favourite way to wear my hair right now. The key to this look is running a heated round brush through the hair and flicking it out at the ends, and then going in with a serum and hairspray to keep it looking super sleek while taming any flyaways. I personally prefer it best when I pair it with a middle parting, but it works just as well with the parting on the side.

Get the look:

2. Softly-Textured with Side Parting

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(Image credit: @MOLLIECBURDELL FOR WHO WHAT WEAR UK)

I have naturally wavy hair, so this style is the perfect way to further enhance it. Start with the hair in a centre parting and then with the Dyson Airwrap or a medium barrelled tong, alternate the direction of the curls the whole way round. Flip the hair over to your preferred side and add a root lift spray to achieve the voluminous side parting. 

Get the look:

3. Claw Clip Up-Do

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(Image credit: @MOLLIECBURDELL FOR WHO WHAT WEAR UK)

I am not exaggerating when I say I have a claw clip in every handbag, room, pocket…you get the gist. When my hair is shorter, bobbles don’t seem to keep it all in place so these kind of clips are an absolute must – especially as I've always loved wearing it up. Start by pulling all the hair away from the face into a low ponytail with your hands, start twisting it with your finger, wrap it around the base of the ponytail you’ve created and hold it in place with your claw clip. I’d advise going for the larger sized ones if you have a bob.

Get the look:

4. Sleek and Straight

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(Image credit: @MOLLIECBURDELL FOR WHO WHAT WEAR UK)

There’s something about a super sleek and shiny bob that will always have my heart. It’s just as fitting at low-key post-work drinks as it is a black tie event and I can’t see it ever going out of style. To create this look, I use an anti-frizz serum on damp hair before blow-drying, and ensure I am continuously brushing my hair downwards as it’s drying. I’ll then separate it into sections and use straighteners and a finishing spray to give it the poker straight glass-like finish. 

Get the look:

Next Up: These 15 Medium-Length Hairstyles Are Easy and Insanely Flattering

Mollie Burdell is a freelance beauty editor, presenter and host. She trained as a makeup artist at the prestigious Delamar Academy, covering everything from prosthetics and theatre to TV and film, and then went on to graduate from university with a First Class Honours degree in journalism.After completing internships at Grazia, Look, Cosmopolitan and Stylist, she landed her first writer role at Superdrug's Dare magazine. Mollie then joined the Harrods content team as a beauty writer before being promoted to the deputy beauty editor. There, she developed the content strategy, tone of voice and creative identity for H Beauty—Harrods's standalone regional beauty stores. When she wasn't interviewing the likes of Gigi Hadid, Miranda Kerr and Regé-Jean Page, you'd find her on a live broadcast, hosting an event, shooting video content, reviewing the lastest beauty launch on social or crafting a magazine feature. She has also hosted and contributed to the LuxeGirl by SheerLuxe YouTube series.When Mollie isn't writing about beauty, you'll find her talking about it on a TikTok shop, dancing to pretty much anything with a beat, reading a crime thriller or performing a solo rendition of "One Day More" from Les Mis.