I have adored curly bobs for a long time, and my love for them has not changed. I appreciate how great they look, and I still love to decorate my feed with them. What I love even more is seeing how different two people can look with the same “curly bob” where they have completely different curl patterns. This is one of the many reasons I created a collection of 26 different looks, and I hope some will inspire you to run to the salon. I also hope it gives you some inspiration for a look you have in mind. I love both of those ideas, but I know for sure that if you are thick, frizzy hair, and you are scared to go to the salon because you don’t want to go to a shorter length, I can tell you that you are rich in hair style potential, so please do not be scared to go for it.
#1: That Perfect Curly Bob You Keep Saving on Pinterest
This week’s favorite before-and-after has to be this one. It changed from long and a little boring to a bouncy, facial framing shape. The cut is absolutely spot on and allows the curls to stack rather than be dragged down. If you’ve been growing your hair for a long time, thinking longer is better, think about how much more alive this shorter length looks. The volume here is not from a product or diffuser, it’s from a cut.
#2: Curly Bob with Highlights That Actually Make Sense
In this case, the highlights and the layers work individually first, and then when put together, they create the volume illusion of more hair than there actually is. The position of the color is great! It is sitting right at the curls that lighten the hair most, and naturally, every time the hair moves, it gives that flash of light and dimension. I really love this length as well.. it’s right above the shoulders, and at that length, the curls really get the most bounce and do not shrink up into a length that is not agreed upon. If your hair is fine, and you would like the look of fullness, then bring this photo into your next appointment because this is exactly how you achieve that!
#3: Curly Bob That Does Its Own Thing
The curls give an effortless look as if they were done by a wand and the cut is simple, but allows the curls to shine. The side part creates asymmetrical balance and makes it look editorial and effortless. This is the hairstyle that looks great when you first wake up, looks amazing four hours into a dinner date, and is essentially all the clients ask for. A tiny bit of mousse through damp hair is perfect, and it is the best kind of styling I love; styling that is basically non-existent.
#4: Curly Bob That Knows What It’s Doing
With this style, you can really appreciate how each curl beautifully rests and you can see that the person who cut this style really understands curl shrinkage. The shape is rounded and full in a way that is not mushroomy, managing to strike that balance with thick curly hair is exactly the aim here. If you had a stylist who cut your curls when they were wet and looked surprised when they dried four inches shorter, this is what you get when someone is actually doing their job. You will need to ensure your hair remains hydrated as curls this defined will depend on your deep conditioning regimen.
#5: Layered Curly Bob with All the Warmth
This color’s depth and warmth enhances the beautiful three-dimensional effect of the curls. The layers are cut so that every curl can bounce out on their own instead of clumping, a skill I wish more stylists had. The way this grazes the nape of the neck is so good it almost makes me mad because it looks so effortless to wear yet so much work has gone into it. This is the haircut equivalent of someone saying “oh this old thing?” when you just know they planned it.
#6: Jaw-Length Curly Bob with Layers That Earn Their Keep
In my opinion, a curly bob that reaches the jawline can completely change a person’s look. The layers are not randomly cut; each layer adds movement and height when styled. I would suggest this hairstyle to someone who is apprehensive about going short. This look gives just the right amount of length and coverage to still look classy, but really enhances the shape and bounciness of your hair. To achieve this curly look, your hair should be very well moisturized. For this hairstyle, your leave-in conditioner and hair will need to be best friends.
#7: The Curly Bob That Looks Like Vacation
This style screams confidence. It says, “I don’t need anyones permission to have fun!” It is about the highlights. No fuss and soft. They look as if they have been placed with care to look like the curls have been beach kissed. A great style to air dry is a great compliment. The cut makes the most of the hair. For those with medium to thick hair that want a cut that is easy going, this is your style.
#8: Curly Bob with a Fringe That Actually Works
Bangs can be intimidating on curly hair, but this is one of those instances where it really has paid off. The whole cut is really complete with the bob and side-swept bangs. The amount of her curls is great for this length and gives off this nice airy feeling. She’s not going to get that triangle shape with a from this level of density. If you are thinking about getting a bob with a fringe, show this to your stylist and be honest about your curl pattern because this is what success looks like.
#9: Caramel-Kissed Curly Bob with Layers That Move
So much depth has been added to the curls with the highlights that it’s almost translucent. The cut has a ton of layers so each piece has the freedom to move. This is a good reference photo to show to your colorist because the highlight placement is really good with the curl pattern.
#10: Highlighted Curly Bob That Frames Everything Right
This cut has lovely framing, and the way the curls fall around your face creates a nice softness that straight hair could not achieve. The highlights are perfect for bringing the cut to life without overpowering the shape of the cut. This style looks good on all ages as it has a classic structure with a modern twist, and that combination is timeless. The shape is going to need to be maintained with trims every couple of months but outside of that it is super easy for how nice the cut is.
#11: Jaw-Grazing Curly Bob with Natural Bounce
I absolutely love this length. Right at the jaw. With curls this thick and well defined, it creates a gorgeous rounded shape that’s almost architectural. The layers are obviously doing their job, which is what we always want when working with thick hair. You don’t want layering that’s visible that going to make the curls separate in a weird way. This cut is going to look totally different on someone with loose waves compared to those with tight coils, so if this speaks to you, make sure to have a real convo with your stylist about your specific curl type at this length. Bring this photo and with realistic expectations, you’ll end up somewhere great.
#12: Defined Curly Bob That Means Business
I really like how classy curly bobs can look. Curls that thick and healthy look like the owner takes wonderful care of their hair. Maintaining this cut will definitely take some good curl cream. You’ll want to enhance the curls, not change the design. The layers that balance out the framing of the face without losing overall density is a sign of a good stylist who really respects curly hair.
#13: Auburn Curly Bob That Brought the Drama
I will not conceal my love for auburn on curly hair, especially how warm tone colors and true curl texture work off each other, is wonderful in this collection. Each curl reflects and catches the light like no flat, or straight hair, creating an almost shifting iridescent look. The cut is shoulder-length with soft layers that color can do its thing without competing for attention. If you have been thinking of going warmer but have been worried that it will be too costume-y, look at this photo and let it calm your nerves.
#14: The Curly Bob That Won’t Sit Still (In a Good Way)
This haircut is pure energy. The curls are bouncing everywhere and looking this good is a sign of a great curly cut, not a cut that just sort of happened. This shoulder length haircut goes so well with this style because the curls have just the right amount of weight to keep their shape, but she is still able to have a lot of movement when she does. This definitely goes in the category of styles that photograph phenomenally and that is important if you are in front of the camera a lot. Either way, this style is perfect if you want to feel like the main character in your own story.
#15: Curly Bob with Highlights That Feel Warm and Real
The first thing that draws my attention is the color story. It is the blending of warmer leavings running through the rich base tones that creates the depth that makes the curls seem almost three dimensional. It is medium length and feels warm and approachable. This is the haircut of someone you want to sit next to at a dinner party if that makes sense. The curl pattern is just the right amount of polished to natural and the key to maintaining that balance is using the right products and not touching your hair while it dries. I know that isn’t easy.
#16: Big Curly Bob Energy
Do you want big curls? Look at this photo. The curls are defined and light, and the cut creates a rounded shape that frames the face. Bobs like this make people curious what you do to your hair. Great cuts and curling-boosting products are the secret. A confident, big cut like this is so nice to see.
#17: Curly Bob with Movement You Can Feel
The unique aspect of these curls compared to the other styles is their softness, and for the most part, their relaxed uniformity. I like this purposeful difference. Not all curls act the same, and that is the goal. This hairstyle looks calm and effortless. My personal gold standard is a hairstyle that looks just as amazing on day three as it did on day one. This length is versatile enough for you to do a half-up style or wear it all down, so you have that variety without the need to get multiple haircuts.
#18: Textured Curly Bob with Real Shape
I love the way the hair has been curled and layered to create movement and depth and also to provide fullness to the hair. A lot of people think that layered curly hair means that the hair has been thinned out, but that shape and volume of the hair is evidence of good layering. Hair that is above the shoulders is universally flattering and most curl types sit really well in that length, and the definition in the hair looks like it was a guided diffuse session with a diffuser and not a whole lot more.
#19: Soft Modern Curly Bob
For a classy look without the effort, the curly bob is perfect, and this is more often than not the vibe I get the most requested. The curls are defined softly and not too intensely, and the subtle layering gives just the right amount of dimension to the cut, so it feels airy and light. It is a texture cut that works with your hair instead of against it, and I will always push for this because working against your hair is incredibly counterproductive. It shows with the right styling! Just scrunch in your product, diffuse or air dry, and then go enjoy yourself!
#20: Auburn Curly Bob That Knows Its Worth
I wanted to show this second Auburn look to show it’s different to other Auburn styles, which tend to be more golden and warm toned. This one is much deeper and richer. When making color choices, it’s important to show the differences, and this one highlights them well. I love the wildness of the curls here. I love how it’s just doing whatever and the cut allows for it. The curls and the cut are really well combined. The wildness and volume also add a ton of movement and texture which I love. Keeping the look natural is very important and always my number one priority when cutting someone who is this textured. If you are considering a color, I recommend bringing this picture along to the colorist with the other one so you can decide which undertone works best with your skin.
#21: Chin-Length Curly Bob with Highlights That Pop
You might consider cutting your curls to chin length, and this is a perfect example of how playful this style can be. Naturally curly hair has a lot of personality and really springs up. The highlights are perfect and add movement and life to the curls without being overdone. The layering is good and soft enough to frame the face without the triangle thing a lot of short curly cuts do. Length in this range makes you look and feel like a whole new person.
#22: Curly Bob That Gets Better With Time
I always like cuts that seem to improve after the first day. It’s a good sign that the cut will only get better as time passes. I’m starting to think that will be the case with this cut. The highlights are perfectly intertwined in the curls, and look totally natural. I love highlights that have the look of a sun kissed foils, and this one makes me believe my stylist used a foil pack. I love that the length is flattering and practical, and everything just works while only requiring a little effort. It’s nice to have that while you can focus on other things in your life.
#23: Warm-Toned Curly Bob with Personality
Recommending warm-toned curls is always a pleasure as they look especially gorgeous with a sun-kissed finish. This layered cut gives movement to the curls, so they’ll never fall the same way twice. This also adds to the interest of the style and prevents it from being ultimately predictable. The length is practical enough to pull the hair back if necessary. Of course, why would you when it looks incredible down? Once you get the hang of the maintenance, it’ll come easily. The maintenance will be keeping the definition of the curls, but that is something your stylist should help you with.
#24 Curly Bob with Texture That Speaks for Itself
There is no need to highlight any other features, as the curls on this cut do all of the talking. The springy curls are full and evenly balanced all around due to the cut being spot on for the hair density. It has the right amount taken off and left on to not weigh things down. It hits the right above the shoulder mark, which for most curly hair is where you gain the most volume for the least amount of work. And that is absolutely a trade off I will take every single time. This is the type of cut where you have the bed head fantasy of waking up, shaking your head and walking out the door, and with the right cut, that is more achievable than people think.
#25: Curly Bob with Caramel Highlights and Real Dimension
These defined curls paired with caramel highlights look amazing at this length and create an endless look. The curls really bounce and the layers are cut to keep the curl pattern intact and allow each curl to spring on its own. This is the ideal color and cut combo; the color and highlights are more vivid due to the curls and the curls are more eye-catching because of the highlights. If you are considering adding warmth to your curly bob, this is the reference photo to save.
#26: Wavy Curly Bob with That Easy-Going Feel
I wanted to save this for last so that you could see all the tighter options first and really appreciate the difference the same basic cut can look with a looser curl pattern. The layers and waves here make it look effortless and thoughtless. The length below this jawline is also verynice for framing. It also goes from a ponytail to an evening look without having to do anything different, and to me, that is the sign of a great haircut.
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