25 Radiant French Inspired Haircuts To Try Before You Hit Your 60s

A French bob can seemingly change a person’s perspective on what looks good on them, and I have seen this happen on more than one occasion, where previous clients come into my shop expecting to get a totally different haircut, but end up leaving with a French bob. I literally did not have to convince her to do this haircut. What changed her mind was seeing the shape, which inspired a spark. It balances and works with every hair type and texture.

Most people will probably think that French haircuts are all about Brigitte Bardot and the Birkin French bob from the 70s, but this is far from the truth. The options are endless. I once had a retired professor as a client. She had thick silvery hair and with that hair, she had the thickest hair I had seen in a while. She came in with a photo of Jane Birkin from the 70s and said she had been waiting thirty years to do this. She had a loose, textured style and the firest haircut she had ever had that made her truly feel like herself. That’s the thing about a French bob or other similar styles, they don’t feel like costumes. When done correctly they look intentional, but effortlessly like the best, most intentional version of the wearer.

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#1: Blunt Bob with a Barely-There Fringe

This haircut is mainly characterized by the line. The blunt hem that lies right on the shoulders gives the cut more determination to do the work. The fringe is just soft enough to not make it look too harsh. Lets be honest, yes, it’s one of those haircuts that look chic when it’s air dried, unlike a lot of the other ones that people say that about, and I really do mean it. The color is an added element to the whole picture. The warm and rich hue is full of life which plays into the overall look even more. The haircut’s design is great for fine hair, as the blunt ends help to create the illusion of more thickness. Don’t forget that you’ll have to come back for cuts and trims every six weeks, because those ends will thin out, and once that happens the illusion is gone, and you’ll lose the whole point of the cut.

#2 Textured Bob with Quiet Movement

If you’re looking for a bob that helps achieve an ‘undone’ look, I suggest this one! It’s got some light layering at the ends so they won’t look too flat, and the length is a nice above the shoulder length so it’s off the face while still looking less structured. The best part is that it doesn’t need styling which is great for those with natural bends. If your hair is straight, you can just spray a bit of texturizing spray to get that undone look and it won’t even require heat!

#3 Jaw-Length Textured Bob with Soft Bangs

My favorite part about this is the length at the jawline. It does something purposeful and draws attention to the lower part of the face in a way that is flattering on almost anyone. The bangs are soft enough that they don’t fully close off the forehead, they just soften the frame. This works particularly well on fine to medium hair. The texture comes from the cut and not the bulk, and warmer tones really bring this shape to life. So if you’ve been considering going a shade or two richer, now is the time.

#4 Curly Bob with Soft Bangs

This is the style that allows your hair to do something with natural waves and curls rather than growing downward. The real details are in the bangs and they are cut to work with the curl pattern instead of against it, which is what many stylists get wrong. The medium length has just the right amount of weight to keep things from becoming too unruly, letting the texture do what it wants. I would recommend a lightweight curl cream for days with humidity, but other than that this takes minimal effort for the amount of maintenance it looks like.

#5 Short Pixie with Textured Layers

Some people are afraid to make this kind of change, but others are totally into it. I find that the ones who are afraid will become obsessed with the change after they’ve done it. The layered texture will do the most work and even create the impression of fullness with finer hair. The light fringe keeps the cut from looking too polished. I think this looks stunning on people with heart and oval faces, but I’ve seen it work on so many people who just ‘shouldn’t’ be able to pull off a pixie by the usual standards. For the goal of keeping it effortless, a subtle balayage on the top layers will add some dimension.

#6 Shoulder-Grazing Lob with Lived-In Waves

This haircut is similar to a classic white t-shirt, it doesn’t pull for attention but still looks great. In this case, the waves should not be made with a curling iron. That sort of texture is made by twisting damp hair and letting it dry. For the same effect, a sea salt spray and some light scrunching could do the trick. The warm brown is rich, but not too overpowering. The layers are designed so that the movement comes through the mid-lengths and not the ends. If you have thicker hair, this is one of those haircuts that really suits the density.

#7 Textured Short Crop with a Soft Fringe

It could go wrong if the fringe is too heavy, or the layers too even. But, this one is great. The fringe is just enough to be styled lightly, and the layers through the crown give it that just enough messy quality to make people think you woke up like that. It’s a super practical haircut that doesn’t look practical, which is the best. If you’re in your 50s or above and are thinkig about going shorter, this is a good way to do it without feeling a big commitment.

#8 Textured Short Bob with Bangs

The bangs are at the brow line which helps to nicely frame the face. The cut being above the shoulder is nice because it leaves enough length to tuck behind the ears if needed. The subtle layering helps alleviate my bob concern about helmet hair. This cut is better for fine and medium hair then thick hair because it offers an airy quality without the need to thin anything out.

#9 Textured Bob with Wispy Bangs at the Jawline

The shaft length is very charming because it is not attempting to be a lob or a crop, it is just the length, and the wispy bangs add some personality without overwhelming a small face. The soft layering around the crown is the detail a lot of people won’t notice, but will appreciate, and that is what gives the cut its lift. If your hair is on the finer side, be honest with yourself about how much time you are willing to spend in the morning because that shape will need some coaxing with a round brush to come alive.

#10 Short Copper Pixie with Tousled Texture

The color definitely deserves some credit, and that’s a compliment to the mixer. It can be very tricky to achieve a copper color that is bold and lively, but doesn’t veer into a costume vibe. The cut underneath is also really nice, and you can tell by the way the layers sit and the way the shape holds, despite all of the movement. The tousled finish adds a nice touch, and the movement is really nice. This is a fantastic cut for anyone who would like to feel a bit bold without a complete aesthetic overhaul. Just keep in mind that copper fades faster than most other tones so a good color-depositing shampoo will definitely be needed.

#11 Textured Short Crop with Subtle Layering

This haircut is one of those styles that photographs well but looks even better in person. The layers are designed to create volume in areas where fine hair can fall a little more limp, especially in the crown and sides. The soft bangs are a great way to highlight the cheekbones. The warm tones add dimension and make the texture stand out. If you’re considering going short for the first time, this is a pretty forgiving option since the shape is soft enough that it will grow out without you having to contend with an awkward phase.

#12 Layered Bob with Face-Framing Bangs

I appreciate this haircut’s control. The layers are there but are not drawing attention to themselves. The bangs are soft enough to blend in with the shape instead of sitting on the forehead as a separate piece. The versatility of the length just above the shoulders, it’s the type of haircut that works with a blazer or a sundress without having to do any adjusting. The subtle texturing throughout the haircut allows natural wave to do its thing and if your hair has even the slightest bend you will achieve that lived-in look without a single styling tool.

#13 Mid-Length Bob with Fluffy, Face-Framing Layers

The word fluffy best describes this cut. While I don’t mean this in a derogatory way, there is an airy quality to this cut that makes it look voluminous and not stiff, and this is the cut that achieves that. The base layers light brown and highlights look more multidimensional. The color and the hair make the movement more visible. For fine to medium hair, this is a really flattering mid-length option because it adds body where it’s needed the most. A lightweight mousse at the roots will help keep that fullness all day.

#14 Classic Rounded French Bob with Bangs

The French bob has a unique rounded shape offering a close cut without clinging to the head, and it’s bangs contribute to the style in an ‘inevitable’ way. This haircut looks good with no extra effort put into it. The shape is so good it it frames the face beautifully and is super flattering. Interest doesn’t even have to be added through styling or color. The shine in the brown color is honestly perfect and all this cut requires. This look is especially suited to fine hair because the shape holds well without a lot of density.

#15 Blunt Bob with Chin-Length Precision and Subtle Highlights

This blunt bob hairstyle looks intentional and refined. It features an extremely blunt cut straight across the chin with little to no graduation, really making the cut speak for itself. The highlights are subtle enough to keep the look from being one-dimensional, while adding some dimension in the mid lengths and keeping the overall look streamlined. This hairstyle looks it’s best on hair that’s been properly smoothed, so if you don’t typically find yourself reaching for the flatiron, think again! The payoff is worth the effort; that is, of course, if you actually do it.

#16 Textured Crop with a Playful Fringe

The fringe type on this cut is what I’d call conversational; it draws attention to the eyes, but not fully. The crop is clean and close with just enough texture to keep it looking interesting. Plus, it has that distinctive quality to it of making the wearer look like they’ve got somewhere great to be. This shape works well on fine to medium hair. Although if you’re on the finer side of things, tell your stylist to point cut the ends instead of thinning shears because the last thing you want is to lose density where you’re already light.

#17 Curly Lob with Soft, Brow-Skimming Bangs

This is a great example of bangs on curly hair, and I can�t tell you how many times I�ve seen this done poorly. The dry cutting and longer than you think is necessary (because curls shrink) is the main point here. What looks ideal when wet will end up sitting an inch above your brows. The lob hitting just below the jawline gives the curls enough room to spring without looking messy. A model’s curls of fine to medium density will create this soft volume effortlessly. You barely need anything more than a lightweight mousse scrunched in while damp. I would suggest going with R+Co.

#18 Soft Layered Bob with Dimensional Highlights

Highlights give a smart touch by lightening only the top layers that frame the face. This makes them touch light where it matters and keep the layers below untouched so the entire haircut looks lit from within. This makes it look natural instead of more processed. The layers are soft enough to keep the ends from looking heavy and blunt. The length is above the shoulders so it is easy to manage whether you do a blow out or let it dry on its own. If your hair is fine this level of layering is just enough to create movement without losing fullness.

#19 Warm Chestnut Lob with Feathered Layers

This color really catches the eye! The warm chestnut shade with subtle highlights is beautiful and functional, adding texture and depth to fine hair that a single-process color would lack. The layers are feathered towards the ends, and this technique is best achieved by a stylist using a razor or doing slide cuts, rather than blunt cuts, so feel free to mention that when showing this picture at your appointment. The length right below the chin is versatile enough to be pulled back loosely as well as worn down, and falls into that category of cuts that looks intentional, even on days you haven’t done much to it.

#20 Bouncy Curls with Wispy Bangs in a Rich Red

I get a little excited when I see someone get both a curl and a color because the combination can be stunning. This warm rich red will not look brassy and will highlight the curl pattern. The light will reflect off each wave. The soft bangs are cut so they don’t lie flat. That’s really important. The layering throughout the cut reduces bulk and keeps the weight around the crown and face where it belongs. This style will need more upkeep because of the color and curl definition, but the maintenance is worth it.

#21 Textured Bob with Bangs and Soft Highlights

This stands out from the other versions of this cut (that many try) mainly in how the bangs work. Here, the bangs blend into the rest of the shape, rather than just sitting on top like an afterthought. The wavy texture looks a bit undone in a way that makes the cut look better on day 2 than day 1, which is honestly my favorite thing about a haircut. The placement of the highlights encourages a particular wave pattern by allowing the peaks of the wave to catch light while leaving the valleys darker, and it gives the whole style an illusion of depth that a solid color would not provide.

#22 Classic Chin-Length Bob with a Straight Fringe

One timeless example is a chin-length bob. Picture it: blunt fringe, no textured layers. Just shape. If you have fine and straight hair, this style is as polished as it gets without the use of heat tools. The hair cut speaks for itself, and a quick brush through your hair when it’s damp is all it takes. If you get bored easily, then this definitely isn’t the style for you. Often, stronger styles have a sense of variation. In this case however, you won’t be able to do much to change your hair without actually changing the cut. If you appreciate a look that’s clean and classic, and you have no need for versatility, then this really is the ideal haircut for you.

#23 Wavy Textured Bob with Warm Highlights

The style of this haircut makes the waves appear naturally. The waves in this haircut are loose and straight with some going in different directions. That’s not chaos, that’s texture. The layering is mostly what makes that difference. The highlights are placed at warm, and in framed, ideal spots within the mid-lengths and ends where they can catch movement. The finished product is a bob that looks like it could belong to someone who just spent the weekend at the beach. This is best suited to medium to thick hair because you need plenty of density for the layers to take shape. Finer hair would lose a lot of the fullness that defines the shape.

#24 Short Pixie with Feathered Layers

A good pixie cut can be incredibly liberating, and this is an exceptionally well done example. The cut has soft, feathered layers that give a more blended look than some of the spikier and choppier versions of this style. This style is short enough to the scalp that you will be able to see the bone structure underneath, so make sure that you are comfortable with that level of exposure as a cut this short doesn’t leave you much to cover up. The good news is that your morning routine is going to shrink dramatically. Just apply some matte paste on top to define it and you are good to go. For a lot of my clients, that is the whole point.

#25 Shoulder-Length Textured Cut with Effortless Waves

This is a true workhorse cut and I mean that in the best way possible. It doesn’t ask too much from you and it still does everything you need it to. The comfortable shoulder-length is practical and the waves are natural and self-sustaining. The texture in the layers ensures it won’t look like a standard haircut. The highlights are warm but don’t need regular upkeep to keep the tone from going drab. This cut is for people who don’t want to schedule their life around their hair, and that is totally fine.