One thing I wish I could tell my clients in advance is that an oval bob is not just one cut, it’s more like a whole family of haircuts that share a common shape. There are so many differences that are so much more important than the name suggests. I have had clients come in with an example of an oval bob that wouldn’t work for their hair, and then I show them another example of the same basic idea, and they love it. They get so excited because that’s what they wanted, but they just couldn’t say it. Because of the way we style an oval shape, we get so much versatility from it. It’s rounded and not blunt, and it follows the natural shape of the head in a way that feels intuitive. Even if you haven’t been blow drying it for twenty minutes like it still looks good. It moves beautifully.
I had a client a couple of years ago who was about sixty-three years old with the same shoulder length hair for over twenty years. She was very apprehensive about going shorter than what she had. We managed to get her to an oval bob which was only two inches shorter than the length she had. Her change was so dramatic that when her husband came to the waiting area, he walked right past her. It was not that he did not recognize her, but that she looked so much like herself again. That is what an oval bob can do, and here are some of my favorites!
#1: Sleek and Softly Waved, the Kind of Bob That Looks Like You Weren’t Even Trying
These types of haircuts are so nice! They’re easy and look like you put zero effort into them which is the best. The hair sits just above your shoulders and you get a really soft wave which moves the hair for you and creates a real nice effortless look. If your hair is fine, this cut is even better because it’ll stay nice and light and won’t feel heavy. The soft wave is perfect because it doesn’t add a ton of texture and shape to your hair but just enough so it’s not boring. You’ll never have to fight with it and it’s perfect for a grab and go hairstyle!
#2 Warm Auburn Layers That Feel Like Fall in the Best Way
A good color and cut will always make for a great look when they’re done correctly. A good layered cut with longer pieces in the front and shorter pieces in the back is great for movement and tends to avoid the look of being over styled. Auburn is a stunning color and really adds warmth and richness to the highlights. With the waves that naturally occur in your hair, they’ll also work to your advantage with this cute. It really is one of those styles that looks good for any occasion, from coffee in the morning to dinner in the evening.
#3 A Quiet, Pretty Bob with Just Enough Highlight to Keep It Interesting
We get it, you don’t want a super cutting edge haircut, you want a good quality haircut and this is exactly that. The length is perfect, the little soft dimension placed highlights look natural, and the texture is soft. If you have finer hair, you might want to put a bit of root volumizer in the crown area before you dry it, just to give it a little lift where it tends to go flat. But mostly, most people are in a wash-and-go situation, and that’s the dream!
#4 Face-Framing Layers That Do the Work So You Don’t Have To
I really like the softness of the face-framing layers. It’s nice that they’re not obvious or choppy. They really do just softly open everything up. Wonderful job letting your features shine without all the hair. The mid-lengths highlights give a little bit of depth there, and the length is in that sweet spot where it’s long enough to tuck behind the ears but short enough to feel fresh. This is perfect for someone looking polished without looking like it’s a huge ordeal every morning.
#5 A Rounded Bob with Lift Where It Counts
The first thing I notice with this cut is the volume. It’s done correctly. I see so much volume in so many styles that looks dated or overly done. This volume is just a gentle push upwards that keeps the silhouette from going flat. The layers are soft, they move well, and the length sitting just above the shoulders is current. If you have been told your hair is too fine to achieve volume, this type of layered cut can prove that wrong without any backcombing or product build up.
#6 Soft Bangs That Actually Flatter Instead of Frustrate
I discuss the reality of getting bangs with clients since they are a big commitment. But when they work, they really work, and in this case, they work! The bangs integrate with the rest of the cut, and instead of being a hard separate piece, they add softness across the forehead. The bob is nice and smooth, rounded with good body in it. nn If you are willing to keep up with the bangs (as in trimming them roughly every 3-4 weeks), this is a great option!
#7 A Timeless Shape with Bangs That Frame Everything Perfectly
I believe that this is one of those haircuts that will look good in both the short and long term. It will look good the day it’s cut, and then it will look good three weeks later when everything is grown out a little. The bangs are soft and wispy. She will be able to wear them and will not feel the weight. These bangs also draw attention to the cheekbones. There are layers that keep everything moving so the bob doesn’t have that helmet feeling. This is the one I’d refer you to if you’ve been thinking about bangs, but keep backing out.
#8 Silver and Layered and Genuinely Elegant
…a perfectly styled bob with silver hair is simply iconic. The delicate layers create beautiful movement, which is essential as silvery hair can appear a bit stiffer if the cut doesn’t suit the texture of the graying hair. The length shows off that gorgeous shine of healthy silver hair. The overall shape is kept classic, but it’s far from boring. If you’re embracing the silver, this is the haircut that gives it real purpose and makes it look fabulous!
#9 Textured with a Soft Finish That Feels Easy
What I’m drawn to most about this style is the ends. The ends have sort of a feathery effect that helps the whole cut avoid looking too structured or rigid. Bangs look soft and blend with the sides and the length is good enough to not be a hassle. If your hair is fine, the subtle layering throughout creates the illusion of more hair than you actually have which is a clever little trick. This is a cut that feels like it belongs to someone with good taste and doesn’t overthink it.
#10 Cherry Highlights That Bring the Warmth Without Going Overboard
When individuals want to experiment with color, I get excited, and I especially love cherry tones as a good warm option without going fully red. These are woven quite subtly so they show more dimension than just a single color choice, if that makes sense. The cut is textured and sits nice and relaxed around the face. I recommend using a color-safe shampoo and conditioner to keep the highlights from fading too quickly, and a color-depositing conditioner will help a lot in between appointments.
#11 Silver Bob with Texture That Catches the Light
With the silver, the layered texture creates different levels of light and dark. It gives the color an illusion of being multidimensional, which is impressive considering it is one solid color. Being shoulder length also means you can have a lot of fun with the length! You can tuck it back, leave it down, or even do a low ponytail. To keep the silver looking fresh and bright, you will need to use purple shampoo to prevent any yellowness from coming through. But that is an easy trade off for how gorgeous this will be!
#12 A Wispy Fringe and Layers That Keep Fine Hair Feeling Full
The bangs add something special to the whole look. Remove them and the bob will still look fine, but with bangs you get a softer look that feels more complete. The use of layers is very light and deliberate, adding movement without losing density, which is perfect for those with finer hair. It is easy to manage the length, it dries well if you’re too shy to use styling tools, and it straightforward to style.
#13 Asymmetrical with Caramel Tones That Warm Everything Up
An asymmetrical bob can look very editorial or very wearable, and this one definitely sits on the more
wearable side of the spectrum. The big length differences can be distracting but the way this sits just adds
a little visual interest. The warm caramel tones in the mid lengths is gorgeous on warm skin and the soft wave
texture just adds to that relaxed vibe. If your hair doesn’t hold a wave naturally, a large barrel curling iron
should do the trick.
#14 A Gentle Inward Curve That Makes This Classic Shape Feel Special
I like the way the ends curve in because it adds nice detail to the cut. It feels more gentle than an extreme flip and less stiff than a full curl. Overall, it provides a nice soft touch to the whole shape. With a nice blowout, I think it’ll look great, but I also think it’ll look really nice if you let it dry air. With this cut, you will not be battling to get it to the shape it was cut to be in. Everything about this haircut is going to make it really easy to style.
#15 Silver Layers That Frame Without Fuss
The layers around the jawline are placed perfectly and they both open the face and draw the eye up without being obtrusive. The silver is beautiful, clean and bright and the fine texture in the hair gives the whole look an otherworldly vibe. One thing I’d say is to be careful with the product on this. A light mist of flexible hold spray is easy. Heavier products will weigh down the movement that makes this cut look good.
#16 Gentle Waves on a Textured Bob That Feels Effortless
This cut is a little shorter than some of the others, so it sits just below the chin. The gentle wave gives it some personality that a straight cut wouldn’t have. A great quality in a haircut is the softness of the texture and the natural movement in the hair, plus the fact that it gets better as it grows out. If your hair is naturally straight and you want this kind of wave, just scrunch some texture spray in your hair when it is damp.
#17 Below-the-Chin Layers That Stay Smooth and Polished
The smoothness in this design that I appreciate. The layers are soft, the length is just under the chin, and the style has smoothness that isn’t stiff. It only takes about ten minutes to get that salon blowout look if you have a round brush. It can also be left to air dry and the style will still look good. The dry air look will be a bit more relaxed version of the style which is still just as good.
#18 Rich Dark Base with Highlights That Make the Layers Pop
This is the result I look for when a client has thick to medium hair and asks for an oval bob. The layers do a lot of the work when it comes to removing a bulk and creating shape. The softer highlights woven into the darker base add a lot more depth. The individual moving layers and catching the light is what makes the look a cut this expensive even if it grows out a little. It’s a fun haircut to do and it’s a fun haircut to wear.
#19 A Clean Blunt Cut with Bangs That Bring It All Together
Unlike what many may believe, blunt bobs are one of the more challenging styles to get right! The weight line has to be perfectly straight, and if it isn’t, then the whole style will look off. This example is done right with a very clean cut, and soft bangs are a great addition as it helps to frame the face without being too harsh overall. If fine hair is a concern, blunt cuts like this will give the illusion of thicker ends compared to layered cuts that would thin them more. Sharp bangs will need to be cut every 5-6 weeks to keep them looking fresh.
#20 Soft Layers Around the Face That Open Everything Up
For instance, these face framing layers are cut with a light hand so they do what they do best, which is to draw your focus to the eyes and cheek bones, and without looking like they are trying. The texture throughout the rest of the cut keeps if from looking flat or one note, and the length is a little above the shoulder, which is honestly where most women end up happiest because it’s long enough to feel like you have hair but short enough to not have to deal with it constantly. A good cut that does not require much from you.
#21 Chin-Length Texture with Color That Warms the Whole Thing Up
I enjoy the warmth of the color. The way it is blended is better than having just one solid color. Plus, it does wonders for my skin! The cut is chin length with soft layers for good movement, and the texture is modern without being over the top and crazy. Most of the time it is common for hair to just look good in person, but in this case it also photographs well. If you have been your same color for a long time, then this is a good change. Ask your colorist for some warmth! It will make your cut feel brand new!
#22 Smooth and Quietly Sophisticated
One of the hardest types of haircuts to pull off successfully is the understatement. For example, look at this example of a warm brown oval bob. It’s healthy, shiny, and alive. It’s a classic style with some layering that is so subtle, you might miss it, but without it the bob lost its dimension. A warm brown oval bob is sleek and classic on its own, but to achieve a finish like this, you’re going to need to use a ceramic flat iron. That’s because they won’t damage your hair, making the process of sealing in your style easy. This is ideal for fine hair or hair that has been color-treated.
#23 Curtain Bangs That Actually Live Up to the Hype
Although it can be difficult to pull off curtain bangs, when paired with the right hairstyle, they can look *divine*. These bangs will brush over the wearer’s forehead and highlight the cheekbones, and they have an innate tendency to part in the center. The bob that lies beneath the bangs should have the right texture and movement so that the bangs do not feel disconnected, as this will keep the overall hairstyle feeling energized. This cut as a whole has the ability to speak as one cohesive idea, and this is when a hairstyle will really come together.
#24 A Clean, Blunt Line with Movement Underneath
The blunt cut on this bob is awesome! It gives the whole look more of a graphic feel, which is really nice. A blunt cut is perfect for showing off the shape of the bob, and because of the color, and the way the hair moves, it feels really soft instead of just stiff. This is a very sophisticated modern bob and It looks great worn straight, and it doesn’t require a lot of styling. Honestly, this is a polished look that just needs a good haircut and clean hair, and this is it.
#25 Layered and Highlighted with That Perfect Lived-In Quality
If someone tells me they want to look good once and also want it to look good at week three, I would show them this. The cut here has soft blended layers, and with caramel highlights, they look sunny and not like a colorist (more skill). The overall shape is flattering and forgiving without needing precision styling. While it will look it’s best with trims, this cut is also forgiving when it grows out compared to other cuts that don’t have that feature.
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