The 90s beauty revival continues – but don’t worry, your eyebrows are safe this time. Instead, making its way back around the trend cycle is the ‘kicktail bob’, a style that’s being embraced by women of all ages – and especially ones who’ll definitely know it from first time around. Mature fans so far include Helen Mirren, Sally Phillips and Lindsay Duncan, alongside younger adoptees like Bridgerton’s Phoebe Dynevor.
It’s already been a big year for the humble bob, and keeping up with its many variations can be tricky. To get the lowdown on what sets the kicktail bob apart, we spoke to top hairstylist and Haug London Haus founder Philipp Haug.
What is the kicktail bob?
Sleek, straight, polished bobs have certainly had their moment in recent years, but as Philipp explains, the kicktail bob offers a more relaxed feel. ‘The kicktail bob is a soft, structured cut that strategically uses internal layering to push the length slightly outwards, creating that flicked, “kicked-out” effect at the ends,’ he says.
As for why everyone is heading to the salon for the cut, Philipp explains, ‘We haven’t seen that kind of flicked-out finish for a long time. It has a 90s feel to it, which makes it look really fresh again after years of heavier, more solid shapes.’
He adds, ‘The movement makes it feel modern and current. Undone, low-maintenance and pared-back looks are more popular than ever, and the kicktail bob works well in this style category.’
What face shapes does this style suit best?
It’s easy to see how flattering the style looks on celebrities — but don’t worry, you don’t need a glam squad on speed dial to know if it will work for you. ‘The beauty of this style is that it can suit almost any face shape,’ says Philipp.
‘It’s a style that can easily be adapted, too. You can tailor it with or without a fringe, and you can adjust the length or layering, so there’s a lot of versatility. This is why it works for so many people.’
Does the kicktail bob work well for mature women?
In short: absolutely. ‘It works particularly well for mature women,’ says Philipp. ‘It’s not a severe look, it has a lot of softness. The flicking out and the length around the neck feel quite gentle and feminine, which is very flattering.’
Better yet, Phillip reveals that it’s one of those haircuts that can be just as effective as a facelift. ‘The softness can give a subtle lifting effect and frame the face to highlight key features,’ he explains.
There’s no need to worry about texture either – it’s a haircut that can even make mature, fine locks appear thicker. ‘Since it’s not too heavy or structured, it can actually help create the illusion of movement and body, which is great for finer hair types,’ he adds.
All it takes is a glance at Helen Mirren, 80, Sally Phillips, 55, or Lindsay Duncan, 75, to see just how flattering it is on women over 50.
How do I achieve the kicktail bob?
First things first, book your salon appointment. ‘You want to ask your hairdresser for or a soft, structured bob with slightly longer lengths towards the front and subtle layering that encourages the ends to flick out. It shouldn’t feel too blunt or heavy. The movement is key to this cut,’ says Philipp.
As for styling, luckily, your routine can stay happily low-maintenance. ‘You can keep it simple,’ says Philipp. The cut itself should do the heavy-lifting. ‘You just need to rough dry the hair, and it will naturally start to flick out at the ends,’ he says. ‘To refine it, you can take a large round brush and lightly smooth over the surface.’
‘Product-wise, I’d recommend using a lightweight, water-based styling spray to prep the hair, something that gives a bit of body without making it feel stiff. You can finish off with an elastic hairspray so it holds the shape but still keeps that soft, flexible movement.’
It really is the easy, effortless bob of dreams.
