I often find myself suggesting messy French bobs to my clients because this style suits varying tastes. As a stylist I enjoy that this style does not overshadow the clients personality. I remember this one client I had who had been growing her hair long and flat for years. It looked like hair, and we finally made that change. We cut her hair into a messy bob with soft texture, the ends were all over the place, and she cried. It wasn’t because of the change, but because she told me she felt she finally looked like how she felt inside. That was very powerful.
One thing about getting a messy French bob that people tend to not realize until they get one is that the “messy” part is not messy at all. It’s not that you’ve just rolled out of bed. The reason you get this cut is because you want built-in texture and movement so that you don’t have to fight with it. The layers, the way the bangs fall and bend, and the ends are all purposeful, even if it looks like the hair just decided to do that on its own and that’s why it’s so fun to do these cuts. No two are the same, they each match the person in my chair. Here are my top 15 favorite messy French bob looks, and trust me, I have an opinion for every single one.
#1: Soft Textured Bangs on a Dark Chocolate Base
This looks really nice because the bangs are more just, there. The bangs and the rest of the cut look relaxed, just how everyone wants to style their hair these days. The dark chocolate color is nice with the highlights because it looks airy and effortless, which is the goal. The medium length is perfect because she wanted to avoid anything too severe, and it’s nice how it moves around your face. This is a good choice for fine to medium hair because it maintains the fullness of the style without needing a lot of density. I always want to warn people about bangs and the truth is they are going to have to be trimmed a lot.
#2 Wispy Bangs with That Effortless Tousle
This picture represents everything a messy French bob cut should do, and would get me excited if I were shown this picture. It’s amazing that fine hair can be made to look this good. Bangs are wispy and they give the face a bit to work with and don’t weigh down the style at all. This cut is going to be a great length for the layers so you don’t lose all your length. My favorite thing to recommend is a simple style routine and this is it. Most people will actually do it. Just make sure to keep up on your trims so it doesn’t look shapeless.
#3 Jaw-Length Waves That Just Work
Hair that falls at the jawline is super flattering for someone’s cheekbones and would really soften someone with a more angular face. The soft natural wavy texture is just perfect. It is a lil hard to achieve this look but when done right it is a big chefs kiss. This style is super wash and go. You just have to leave out the blow dry part and you’re good to go. If your hair is naturally wavy you’re even more in luck. A light texturizing spray is really all you need to keep the definition. It looks like such low effort but when done right it’s such a good look. I love that!
#4 Face-Framing Bangs with a Wavy Tousle
I like how soft bangs make this hairstyle more interesting because they provide a frame to the face without covering it up. I like the shoulder length because it is more versatile. You can do a lot of styles, like tucking it behind the ears, letting it hang all to the front, and so many other combinations. This style works best with wavy, medium, or thick hair. If yours is fine, you might have to use extra texturizing product. Those layers bounce and I think this is a cut that works for almost anyone, regardless of age, and that is something I really appreciate.
#5 Flirty Bangs and an Airy Silhouette
This hairstyle gives an effortless look to it. The way everything floats around her face gives off a youthful appearance without looking like they are trying to look young. The loose waves creates an inviting look and the bangs are in that flirty category where they’re not too blunt and not too wispy. They are bangs that fall right in the sweet spot. I especially recommend this look for oval and heart-shaped faces because the way it plays with the cheekbones. The style isn’t difficult to achieve, but to be blunt this shape does require some consistent trimming to keep the look intentional, otherwise, it can look a bit grown out. But when it’s fresh out of the salon is looks so good.
#6 Caramel Highlights Adding Warmth and Dimension
I adore this bob with caramel highlights because the highlights can make or break the entire style, and here, they make it. The highlights are soft and warm the face nicely without being stripey, which is a frequent concern of mine when clients request highlights on their shorter hair. The textured layers impact the color so much by reflecting light in different ways. The color tends to be the focus more than the shape, but on an oval face this look would be especially gorgeous. With the color-treated ends being prone to dryness, I recommend a hydrating product to keep those highlighted pieces soft.
#7 Layered and Light with a Relaxed Wave
I keep on coming back to this one because the casual look with the layers feels nice. It sits just above the shoulders, that perfect sweet spot that’s short for a chop, yet long enough to pull back. Fine hair works in its favor here as the layers won’t get heavy and clumpy, but instead drift and create an airy texture that’s really nice. The slight wave gives it some personality. While I say this may need a few minutes with a curling wand if your hair dries straight, even then it’s max 5 minutes.
#8 Wispy Bangs and Easy Natural Waves
I love the bangs and how they fall at different angles, clearly cut to do so. They soften the appearance of a square jaw and wider forehead and soften the whole look. The waves do look natural which is the point of the messy French bob. This hairstyle is perfect for medium density hair because it gives you the movement without the bulk. The style is very low maintenance, just regular trims so your bangs don’t poke you in the eyes. If you feel like you need something more, a few highlights would look great with this haircut.
#9 Mid-Length Texture with a Youthful Edge
This haircut really stands out. I think softer bangs with a mid length style really goes well together. It looks really good and effortless, but you can tell how good the cut is. That’s the goal when someone sits in my chair. The hair style is not thick so it will not look good without some volume from the waves. This works great for heart and oval shapes. The bangs frame the face with look without being too overwhelming. The soft and playful layers are great because they keep the cut from being too clean and structured. That’s the look we want with this type of bob. I really like to tell people bangs look best with maintenance every 3-4 weeks to keep the look fresh.
#10 Tousled Soft Waves with a Carefree Feel
I love to style my hair to look like it’s all natural and like I just rolled out of bed. When I can do it in a way that achieves the look, I see it as a big accomplishment. I love hair styles that show off nice waves, and that’s just the case with this style. The waves are soft, bouncy, and show just the right amount of effort. The bangs are a nice touch as well. They are a good length and not too overpowering. I think this style is really nice and suits most face shapes. I want to be real, this style will take more effort than most other styles, but the effort required will absolutely be worth it! It will only take some salt spray or water. Just a little bit of scrunching, and you should be good for the day!
#11 Chin-Length and Casually Perfect
This is my favorite style, the chin-length messy bob! Cuts like these showcase your face shape and bone structure beautifully. The layers are subtle, but the amount of volume and movement they add is incredible. This demonstrates a high skill level on the cut. For fine to medium hair, this style is going to be super easy to manage. Without a lot of weight holding the hair down, the cut will shape itself and fall into place. This hairstyle also gives great emphasis on your hair’s natural texture. If your hair has a wave or bend, this cut will really bring that out. It’s especially great for oval or heart-shaped faces. Just remember that to keep the shape of the hairstyle, you’ll need to visit the salon for trims every 6 weeks.
#12 Soft Layers for an Easy, Lived-In Look
This is great for clients who would like to get a nice haircut done but don’t want to overthink it after getting it done, which is the case for a lot of my clients. These bangs are subtle enough that they can be grown out. That’s something I always consider when cutting bangs for someone. This hairstyle is more suitable for medium to fine hair because it gives the illusion of more thickness without a lot of hair to work with. The cut is above the shoulders, meaning it is easier to manage and one small dab of light styling cream should keep it under control for a few days while it helps hold its shape. Most days, the hair should be fine without cream.
#13 Warm Chestnut with a Playful Jaw-Length Cut
I really like this color! The warm chestnut brown is very flattering, and I think it makes the whole cut feel more expensive. The fun, jaw-length cut definitely gives a youthful look. The natural wave is super nice; it adds a level of texture that you just can’t achieve with a flat iron. It has to come from the cut, and the cut has to work with the hair. I like the soft bangs; they frame the face beautifully without being too heavy. I think the color is definitely doing at least half the work for this look. It is definitely a great option for a messy French bob. If you have a warm complexion like this, a chestnut color braid like this will look gorgeous on you. It’s going to take some daily styling to maintain that ‘messy’ look, but it shouldn’t take longer than a couple minutes with some product to achieve that tousled look on purpose.
#14 Soft Curls with Highlights That Add Depth
I love this look with curls! The soft curls really add plenty of depth and dimension, and the highlights help the look pop a lot more than solid color processes. For this look, hair of medium density, that is a little wavy works best. Be honest, if your hair is super straight it will take a lot of heat styling to achieve, so be mindful of that when deciding to do this. On the other hand, if you have natural waves or curls, this will be super easy to do. Overall it really looks like you spent a lot of time doing your hair when in reality you probably didn’t!
#15 Rich Auburn Tones with Textured Layers and Bangs
I love the auburn tones on French bobs and think this one is stunning. The combination of the warm color and the messy texture looks like a purposeful style. The layers give volume and the bangs are just right and not juvenile. They compliment the waves of the cut. It is ideal for medium density hair because you get fullness without it looking too heavy or too thin. The color is warm enough to compliment most people, but oval and heart-shaped faces will look best. Some days the waves may need a little extra help but I think it is worth it for the look.
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