A client said to me the other day, “I want a style that will make me look like I got a full 8 hours of sleep.” In some sense, her comment was spot on for an ear length bob, as that is what an ear length bob will achieve. One specific type of hair looks amazing at this length, and when it’s clean and neat, it’s really stunning. I’ve also been noticing the trend of my clients coming in asking for shorter bob styles more often. More and more often, I have been seeing my clients come in asking for shorter bob styles. One trend I’ve seen my clients discover is that having shorter hair does not mean you lose versatility and styling options.
It’s nice to see how much variety a specific haircut length can show. It can be blunt cut, sleek and sharp, soft and textured on the ends, you can have a classic 90’s side part and sweep all the hair to one side, or have a lovely angled fringe. This is all the same ear length bob, but with a few different details, it will look like a completely different cut each time. Just last month I had five clients in a row asking for the same ear length bob, and not one of them looked the same. They all seemed to think that when going shorter they had less options, but with longer styles, it’s the opposite. An ear length bob is the perfect length to showcase all the details that were put into the haircut. With that in mind, I’ve compiled 29 of my all time favourite styles for the ear length bob and I’m sure you’ll find something that’s perfect for you.
#1: Angular Bob with Soft Edges That Just Works
Okay I guess I can say ‘I have my life together’ as a compliment here, and this certainly does the job. The angle isn’t too aggressive you know? It just gets out of the way and let’s everything else do the work of making the jawline pop. The soft edges stop it from feeling too sharp or architectural so it reads as polished without being stiff. The warm brown tones do a lot of heavy lifting here too, making everything feel approachable and natural. If you have finer hair this is more of a wash and go situation, and you might want to hit it with a quick blast of volumizing dry shampoo at the roots every couple of days.
#2: Light Blonde Textured Bob That Looks Effortless
You may get compliments on your hair after getting this cut, but they probably won’t know what the difference is. The subtle layers will help your hair look lighter, while the tousled end and lighter blonde pieces create a natural look as if you put in some effort by styling it. This cut has just the right amount of hair so you won’t have to worry about getting it trimmed every five weeks.
#3: Rounded Bob with Bangs That Softens Everything
I have to say, a rounded bob with soft bangs is one of the most universally flattering combinations I can think of. The roundness of the shape adds fullness to the style even if your hair is fine. The bangs also “melt” into the whole look and give a soft frame to your face. The length of the cut naturally sits right at the jawline to do that face-framing thing. I suggest this haircut to clients looking to switch up their look, but are apprehensive about going too edgy. It’s modern and soft making it very easy to live with.
#4: Textured Bob with Waves That Move
I also like that this style keeps the waves to a minimum. The subtle waves really help give the hair some life instead of it just laying flat. It still reads as a bob. On finer hair that subtle wave can make all the difference so it doesn’t look flat. A lightweight texturizing spray would keep those waves alive between washes and keep things from getting crunchy. This cut is ideal because it can go from a Monday morning meeting to Friday night drinks without you having to do anything to it, and let’s be real, that’s what we all really want.
#5: Short Textured Bob with Warm and Cool Tones
I especially love the color work. The combination of warm and cool shades creates such depth that it makes the cut look more expensive than a single-process. The layers subtly put in to contour the jawline and cheekbones are really nice. I know this may sound weird, but it is a huge plus that the cut looks amazing from all angles, especially with how many video calls we do these days. The ear-length shape really contributes to that modern and polished look.
#6: Textured Bob with Highlights That Add Just Enough
I would describe this bob style as **your hair but better**– I know it’s a cliche but it genuinely applies here. The highlights are understated but enough to create some dimension and to catch the light to make the whole style look even more interesting. The soft, tousled texture makes this the most flattering way to wear a bob at this length. The bob grazes the jaw and elongates the neck without giving that stiff neck pulling look, if that makes sense.
#7: Textured Bob with a Blunt Fringe
A blunt fringe on a textured bob is one of those combinations that shouldn’t work as good as it does, but it really does. It’s the bang’s structure and the rest’s softness that create a tension that looks intentional and adds a lot of interest to the look. The slight texture keeps it from looking too serious. Just a heads up, going for this look means you have to commit to the fringe, and that means a lot of upkeep so it stays consistent, and not to the point where you have a fringe so long it looks like it’s going to poke you in the eye. But if you’re willing to maintain it, then it’s an awesome look.
#8: Ash Blonde Bob with Natural Waves
The beach look is clearly what we are going for, and I think it looks amazing! The ash blonde compliments the whole look perfectly, as it is cool and modern, without being too harsh. I also love those natural waves. Those are the kind of waves that people spend countless hours trying to achieve, so you are very lucky to have that. I want to emphasize that. For the rest of us, you can achieve a similar effect by sleeping in a braid and shaking it loose in the morning, and best of all, it will give you little to no heat damage.
#9: Choppy Bob with a Micro Fringe
I’m glad to see how excited you are about this style! The micro fringe is a true statement and with the choppy texture it will all stay playful and not too serious, so good choice there! I also love the color at the ends, it adds a lot of personality! This is definitely a confident cut and it will look amazing when you wear it like you mean it! It sits just above the jaw line and really opens up the face. This style is not for everyone but for the right person this is definitely the right cut!
#10: Blunt Bob with Side-Swept Bangs
The side-swept bang hairstyle is often neglected, but it can elicit a positive reaction, such as “wait, that’s gorgeous.” Here it has been done well. The blunt cut ends create a strong edgy contemporary feel and the side-swept bang serves to soften it aloto. The sleek styling also really works in your favour as it adds a level of intention and refinement to the overall style. For hair as short as this, it’s really important to stay on top of your trim schedule because the blunt edges will quickly lose that kept look.
#11: Curly Bob with Bounce
Are you thinking about doing a big chop? If you have natural curls, I hope this models picture helps you! These curls are so bouncy and are so nice and frame to the models face! The slight layering helps each curl spring up and not clump together so you don’t have to worry about the dreaded triangle. A nice curl defining cream will be your best friend with this cut. Applied to dry hair, scrunch, and let it do its thing.
#12: Textured Bob with Dimensional Color
So much is happening in the color. That cool-toned dimensional work creates a very sophisticated effect. It really elevates a relatively simple cut to something super high end. I appreciate the minimal layering because it really lets the color do the talking. With this kind of tonal variation you don’t need a lot of texture to keep it interesting. This is the kind of bob that looks just as good air dried as it does blown out. For me that’s the sign of a really good cut.
#13: Ash Brown Textured Bob with Highlights
The loose finish looks great! Most clients tend to go for this look when describing something low maintenance. The base colour is ashy brown which suits the subtle highlights really well. I personally like this combination as warmer tones are often overdone, while cooler highlights are more appropriate. The length that just brushes the jawline is flattering on everyone, and the texture is done just right. It gives the style a lot of movement so that it doesn’t look stiff or like a helmet.
#14: Asymmetrical Bob with Highlights
Someone willing to go a bit asymmetrical is someone I always appreciate highly. It creates interest that an evenly cut bob simply can’t have. The longer front creates a lovely swooping line that draws the eye to the face, and the highlights assist with that, as well as creating movement and dimension. The overall lightness of the cut keeps it from feeling old and weighed down. If asymmetry is making you nervous, this really is a very soft version of it. It’s not a large difference between the sides, just enough to keep it feeling intentional and modern.
#15: Choppy Bob with Blunt Bangs
This is giving major French girl vibes. The blend bangs paired with textured hair made this look so effortlessly cool and chic. I love that it’s not overly styled. You can tell that she just ran her fingers through her hair and walked out the door, which is totally the goal. Chopiness like this works best on straight, finer hair because all the little pieces move and reflect light differently. The bangs could use some TLC, so I’d recommend a quick trim every 3 weeks or so, but everything else you can just leave.
#16: Geometric Bob with an Undercut
This season’s hottest hairstyle is guaranteed to be an undercut bob! There’s something perfectly freeing about an undercut bob. As you’re going about your day, you may see people looking at you because of that hidden shaved section. You get that feeling of being superior to everyone else. On top of that, the rich dark auburn color adds even more dimension to an already great style! The geometric shape right above it looks so good with it. I can’t emphasize this enough, this style is a “find a good stylist” haircut. A ton of precision is needed for things like this. PLUS, this style requires you to return for maintenance to keep that undercut looking nice and clean! I promise you the people staring will be paying you compliments. The time and effort is definitely worth it!
#17: Layered Bob with Soft Waves
The layers in this specific cut serve a particular purpose as well as providing movement without adding weight in the undesirable areas. Those lovely waves fall into place and the length that sits just below the ears, creates a neck lengthening effect that is so beautiful. This is one of those styles that I believe is quite rare in the sense that it can be pulled off by people of all ages and all hair types. The waves do take a bit of time, if your hair is naturally straight, you will need a 1 inch curling iron and about 10 minutes, but I promise you the result is totally worth it.
#18: Textured Bob with Face-Framing Layers and Blonde
The layers are placed to form a gentle shape around the cheekbones and add nice form to the shape of the haircut. The subtle highlights in the light blonde color brighten everything and give a nice refresh to the overall look of the haircut. The texture is nice and has just the right amount to not leave it flat. If you’re going this light, invest in a purple shampoo to keep the blonde from looking brassy in between appointments. But aside from color maintenance, the cut itself is very low maintenance.
#19: Short Bob with Playful Waves
This cut looks playful and fun, and there is so much fun to be had with the waves. The soft layers create a more individualized looks and take a more relaxed and free look. If your fine, it may be a good idea to use some mousse prior to blow drying, as this should help with some volume towards the crown. However, waves are quite forgiving so it does not have to be perfect to look good.
#20: Curly Textured Bob with Soft Volume
The layering technique on this curly bob is spectacular. You can see how each layer was cut to allow the curls to fall freely without getting stuck. The bob is cut right at the jaw, which is a perfect length for curly hair since it creates enough space for the curls to spring up without going too short. The volume is really nice and it looks natural, not forced. I have to say that curly bobs are all about having the right products and drying technique. If you want to achieve the best volume, diffuse at a low heat with your head flipped over. Then use a light anti-frizz serum to keep everything smooth so your curls don’t get weighed down.
#21: Angular Bob with Warm Highlights
These highlights give off such a great glow that it looks like there’s a ring light following this person around. The angle here is really subtle — it’s not a big dramatic A-line or anything. Just enough to give the shape some direction so it feels intentional. The color work is finished off beautifully by the sleek finish to the hair. If you have thicker hair, this is a great option since the weight of the hair helps maintain that polished line without too much effort. The warmth of the highlights is really what sells it. It makes everything look healthy and luminous.
#22: Textured Bob with an Edgy Fringe
The fringe here is super fun. Rather than a block fringe, it has more of a textured choppy, slightly edgy look. Paired with the clean ear length bob and layered texture throughout, it strikes a lovely balance of bold and soft. I think this is one of those styles that will make you feel amazingly different. Medium density, straight hair works best for this style as you want the fringe to look intentional and not thrown together.
#23: Effortless Textured Bob with Soft Layers
The haircut has the appearance of looking very natural like her hair grows this way. This is probably one of the best compliments you could give a haircut. The soft layers have been blended so well, you could probably guess where the layers start with just a slight movement. But regardless, it looks extremely healthy and full of life. Sits just slightly above the jawline and the shape is extremely flattering without being too obvious. For people whose hair falls flat, if you apply a little texture product while your hair is wet and let it air dry, it should give you a close look to the one shown in the picture.
#24: Blunt Bob with Straight Clean Edges
All you need for that perfect look is a clean haircut line, and that’s exactly what this haircut is about. There is a satisfying feeling to a blunt bob, and an even more satisfying feeling to a bob that is cut perfectly straight, so that all the ends are at the same line. There is a good reason why this haircut is so popular. It gives a fresh look to your jawbone by enhancing a jawline look, and nothing does it as good as this. This bob is going to require you to be very good at cutting because you cannot have even one hair out of place, and this is the complete opposite of having a lot of layers cut in that add texture and deters from the cut. However, when it is done right, it is definitely one of the more daring things you can do with short hair.
#25: Textured Bob with Volume at the Crown
I appreciate how much density this cut has. There’s a good amount of volume at the crown which helps balance the proportions, and the subtle layering keeps it from looking dated. The tousled texture helps it look more natural as if she shook her head and everything fell into place perfectly. The length that sits just above the jaw looks great because it helps the volume taper down. For fine to medium hair, this is one of the more flattering shapes you can have because it gives the illusion of density without needing a lot of product.
#26: Silver Bob with Swooping Layers
I love this silver! The color gets me excited, but the swooshing layers are so special. The layers sweep in just one direction, and it gives the whole thing a fluid, almost liquid, look. On fine straight hair, going silver can look a bit flat. The layering through, the cut, solves that by creating dimension instead of relying on color contrast. You will want a volumizing root spray to keep things lifted at the scalp, but honestly, the cut is doing most of the work.
#27: Asymmetrical Bob with Bold Highlights
Thank you for your thoughtful use of highlights here. This is not an all-over situation, it’s meant to show off the asymmetry and movement of the cut, which ties everything together as one cohesive collection instead of just a haircut plus color that happened to be done together. The slightly longer front makes a gorgeous line that pulls the eye forward, while the ear length back keeps it modern and clean. This kind of cut gives you a lot to play with as it looks different based on the way you part it and no matter which side you tuck behind your ear. If you get bored with your hair easily, this is a great option.
#28: Sleek Bob with Blunt Fringe and Rounded Shape
The blunt bangs and rounded bob shape are of course classically timeless. Yet, this shape is beautiful on almost everyone because the roundness is soft and the bangs provide structure and focus to the look. The finish being polished and smooth is clean and offers simplicity. For a style that looks polished and is low-maintenance, this is perfect. To achieve this look, all you need to do is apply a smoothing serum to the hair while it is damp. Then blow dry and you’ll have the polished finish in ten minutes.
#29: Classic Rounded Bob with Natural Shine
Bob hairstyles are always fashionable. The rounded bob creates the illusion of having more hair and adds volume, as it ends at the ears meaning it will not look overly vintage. The healthy appearance of this style is also a big plus. With the cut being short, maintenance is essential as dry and damaged ends will stand out. To achieve the look of healthy hair, a small amount of leave-in conditioner is all that is needed. Apply it to the ends and middle of the hair after washing to achieve a shiny look that will reflect light beautifully.
Enter your email and get this picture and description straight to your inbox, and you'll also get new hair ideas ❤️
🔒 We don't spam or sell emails. See our Privacy Policy.