Diane was the first person I witnessed the transformative power a feathered bob could have on someone. After years of sporting the same blunt cut that she had had since her forties, she came in for a big change. All she wanted was to find a new style that felt like her, and maybe felt a little more modern. After cutting layers into her hair, she was blown away by how much the hair was able to move. After a brief moment of thought she commented, “I look like I feel.” A good modern feathered bob has very little to do with the haircut itself, and more to do with the woman sporting it. What really captures my interest in these women’s feathered bobs especially in women 60 and over, is the sheer amount of variety that is possible. The feathering can be anywhere from almost none to full on reconstruction. The bob can also be anywhere from collarbone length to just above the jaw, creating a dramatic difference in how the hairstyle flatters the woman and how the hair then moves. I’ve compiled 25 different styles of these bobs that offer great variety, and I am sure that among these examples you will find the inspiration you need to take the plunge like Diane did.
#1: Soft Layers That Actually Frame Instead of Just Falling
This style works in such a way that it concentrates attention on the face and full ends, especially the visibility of the hair cut to the shoulders with a side and a good amount of feathery keep the shape until your next appointment. It is a ‘throw on and go’ type of style, which is just the thing that someone took the time to do this with the scissors and not just a quick trim. If there is natural bounciness to your hair, washing and go is in fact an option.
#2 That Effortless Wave That Takes More Skill Than It Looks
This one is lovely. The waves seem like a natural movement rather than a choice made to style the hair. The layers give a sense of openness that prevents the style from looking too top heavy. The length is just above the shoulders which is that perfect spot where you feel like you have some length to your hair but it is also short enough to be super easy to manage. The framing pieces are great. If your hair is a bit finer than average then some volumizing mousse through damp hair before you blow dried it would keep this looking full for longer between washes.
#3 A Quiet Cut That Does a Lot of Work
What really stands out to me is how layering and highlights work together to create a multi-dimensional effect that no cut alone can achieve. The color is warm and not overly done, just warm enough to keep things interesting. The cut is just above the shoulders, and the feathery ends keep it light. This is the kind of cut that really does age well between salon visits, which is honestly what most of my clients say matters most to them, more than how it looks the day they walk out.
#4 Playful Without Trying Too Hard
I like the ease of the cut. The layers and soft waves create an effortless look, like you’ve just come back from a holiday. It is shoulder length with soft framing around the face, and the texture means it won’t look overly ‘done.’ This is a good choice if you have fine hair, as the ultimately goal is to create more interest without having too dramatic a change. A tiny bit of texturizing spray will go a long way.
#5 The One I’d Recommend When You’re Not Sure What You Want
I recommend this hairstyle to clients looking for something new but unsure of what that is. This hairstyle is just above the shoulders. The subtle layers do not change the overall shape of the hair and the face framing layers soften the look without having to hide behind the hair. It is suitable for many face shapes, which is a plus. The only downside to this hairstyle is that you will have to keep up with regular trims to maintain the layers.
#6 Collarbone Length with Real Purpose
This haircut has a length that hits just at the collarbone, giving it a softness that shorter versions don’t quite achieve. The ends have a nice, wispy texture that keeps the whole cut from feeling heavy or dated. I can see that the layers are concentrated around the face moreso than the interior of the hair, which is a great choice for finer hair. This way, you maintain your density where it’s needed and create movement where it’s most important. This is the kind of haircut where using the right round brush during your blow dry will make all the difference.
#7 Warm Tones and Clean Lines
Along with the achievement of the cut itself, the chestnut color is also an achievement. It softens all the angles. The length brushes the jawline, and the feathers at the ends help to avoid the blunt, boxy appearance that bobs can often fall into. I would offer this one a more precise categorization than some of the others in this collection. That does mean to maintain that sharp look, a bit more upkeep is needed, but the pay off is a refined appearance that works for anyone who appreciates a more defined look.
#8 Curls That Know When to Stop
I love the delicate use of curls here. They soften and frame the face without being too overwhelming for the whole style. The curls have a home in the feathered layers, which shows the difference between intended movement and hair that looks like it simply needs to be brushed. The combination of layer thickness with medium length creates a bouncy look that’s not overly fussy. For those looking to replicate this at home, applying a curl cream to damp hair and using a diffuser will get you most of the way there. Ongoing maintenance is needed to prevent the curls from looking shapeless as they grow.
#9 Highlights That Earn Their Place
Highlights offer more than decoration; they add depth to what a solid color cannot. The color and warm soft layers, combined with shoulder length, keep the look from being too cool. This cut is ideally suited to hair with some natural movement. For very straight hair, more blow-drying effort would be required to achieve this look. A very slight wave in the hair would make the style more flattering. This cut is forgiving.
#10 Volume at the Crown Without the Helmet Effect
We understand that achieving crown volume with a wig look is difficult, but this does the trick. The slightly fuller disconnected top combined with the feathered ends is just enough to look more architectural than stylistic. The medium length soft waves keeps it modern. Fine hair that has a history of chasing volume? You’re definitely going to want to show this cut to your stylist. The layering technique at the crown is doing the heavy lifting.
#11 Just Below the Chin, Just Right
Chin-length haircuts can go either way, but this one goes all the way up to ‘hit’. It shows off the jawline nicely without being too short, and the softer ends keep the hair from looking heavy, too. The highlights are a nice touch without being too messy. I would recommend this one to someone who has had long hair and is looking to go shorter, but doesn’t want to go any length above the chin just yet. It’s confident, but doesn’t need to shout for attention to prove it.
#12 Easy Movement That Holds Its Own
This style has movement from the layers instead of the cut. This is ideal when you want something that will still look good on wash day two or three. This style sits just above the shoulders and has feathered tips. The texture is light so it won’t weigh itself down. If you want to add some more dimension, you could think about some subtle highlights, but they aren’t necessary. This is a good cut that doesn’t ask a lot from you.
#13 Silver That Actually Works With the Cut
I’ve noticed a lot of women choosing to leave their gray hair as is. Some of these women have the same style as when their hair was a different color, and I think that is a lost opportunity for a fresh look. This person is choosing to take that opportunity and it looks great. The feathers are the right length for the way gray hair moves, which is a little coarser and wiry. The volume at the crown also works with that natural tendency. The combination of the length, shape, and color allows the style to come off as intentional and not an afterthought. For a softer look, a mousse would be perfect for keeping the style in place without losing any flexibility.
#14 A Fresh Look That Doesn’t Announce Itself
A good haircut will get people complimenting you, even if they don’t know what they like about it. This is that haircut. The medium length and soft layers with feathered ends might not seem like much, but the balanced proportions achieve a simply fresher and more current look. For fine hair, the look does a lot with the illusion of movement provided by the layers which would otherwise fall flat without the cut. It’s clean and very easy to manage.
#15 Gentle Waves With Real Warmth
The waves help to shape the silhouette and stop the hair from lying flat against the head. The length just brushes the nape so it’s shorter than most in the group, which gives the whole thing a bit more of an energetic feel. The highlights also warm the hair and prevent the color from looking too monochrome. If your face has more defined angles, then the hair will help to soften that a lot. You will want a flexible hold spray to keep the waves in place but not crunchy.
#16 Dimension Without Drama
This haircut has beautiful layering that creates ends that are just right – not too sparse or too heavy. It enhances her natural waves and the color is great as she left some variation in the tone instead of going flat all over. This is a cut that in a good way, it will look different on everyone who wears it as it works with what the hair naturally wants to do instead of fighting it.
#17 Clean Shape, Genuine Elegance
The sophistication that this look has compared to more casual cuts is undeniable. Each layer is crafted exactly, with movement kept under control, and there is an overall softness that is precise and reads as sophisticated, not stiff. The medium length is nice for face framing, and the feathering is just enough to ensure the ends don’t feel too thick. A light styling cream through the mid-lengths keeps it polished. For those who appreciate a more styled look and don’t mind spending ten minutes on their hair in the mornings, this is the style I would recommend.
#18 Fullness Where It Counts
The shape made by the volume at the crown is very nice as it elevates the entire silhouette and makes everything more proportional. The face framing feathered layers do not make it too full and with fine hair like this example, the cut creates an illusion of density which is quite impressive. If you have a finer hair type and have found yourself frustrated by cuts that go flat by lunchtime, this method of concentrating layering and volume higher up is worth a shot. The light colour also works as it gives the illusion of more hair.
#19 Sleek and Defined Without Being Severe
Because it sits on the jawline, it gives the cut a nice sharpness that is pleasing on certain people. The layers in this cut focus more on the finish and less on the bulk and more on the obvious movement which makes it clean. This cut’s precision is exemplified by straight hair. This would fit someone who has a minimal, easy, uncomplicated style. Some front pieces that are a slightly lighter color would add some brightness around the face but even with one color, it works since the cut provides enough interest on its own.
#20 Soft Structure Around the Face
Balancing stronger features, the soft framing created by the length here just below the chin combined with the layering is ideal. I can see the layers are not chunky or heavy. They are fine and intentional which helps keep the hair looking good, as well as avoiding the over-processed look. This cut is a blow dry and round brush sort of cut. It takes about 10 minutes worth of effort to achieve a look that appears as though a lot of time was spent on it. The natural movement is not stale even if you skip a day of styling. This is the true test of whether the cut works for your lifestyle or merely for the reflection in the salon mirror.
#21 Below-the-Chin Layers That Move Beautifully
I always recognize and appreciate the skill shown on Bob’s Feathered Ends. The gentle waves add an element of softness and relaxation to the style, and the layers in the lower half, just below the chin, assist with this too. This style is one of those rare occasions that not only looks just as amazing in person as it does on camera. A blunt bob wearers, this is a great option if you want to change things up a little bit and add some texture to the style. It’s a subtle change, so you won’t have to worry about feeling like everything is changing all at once.
#22 Versatile Texture That Translates Across Styling
This cut is super versatile which I find really interesting. Styled straight, it could look really sleek and polished. Styled with a slight wave, it has that effortless look, and that is how it is shown here. The cut is above the shoulders with some layers so it’s easy to wave. The color also looks so fresh and light. If you hair is a light blonde or gray, I would recommend keeping a purple shampoo to keep things from getting brassy in between salon visits.
#23 Soft Volume That Doesn’t Disappear by Afternoon
This haircut features an even distribution of volume throughout the crown and mid lengths, which should help maintain the style throughout the day and give it a lower chance to deflate due to your errands in the morning. The gentle layering just above the shoulders and the light texture creates a nice framing of the face which helps avoid it looking too fussy. This haircut is especially nice for fine hair as the shaping is more strategic than excessive. You get to hold on to enough weight to maintain the style while also removing enough to encourage movement.
#24: Movement and Volume in a Polished Package
The layered haircuts create a soft look around the face and above the shoulders to create a gentle feel the design I appreciate the most. The good cut, is what made the bob have more volume than it may of actually had. The difference between just a being cut and a good cut is that the cut has the feel of being your hair instead of something that you wear.
#25 Gentle Lift That Changes Everything
This haircut has back layers that add elevation and change the entire silhouette, and it’s such a minor detail people hardly notice. The front is medium length creating a movement that is casual and the overall feel is young, light and not childish. For finer hair, this is the type of hidden structure that gives a cut longevity. This style will take a bit of effort in the morning to get the hair the way you want it, but after a few times it will be second nature.
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