If you asked us to describe the perfect hairstyle for mature hair, we’d reel off a whole wish list. It needs to be flattering and ‘lifting’ on an older face, easy to style and versatile across hair textures. Oh, and it needs to make fine hair look twice as thick, with very little effort. Sounds almost impossible but we’ve just seen not one, not two but four ageless celebrities showing off the answer in one glorious night of youthful, plumped-up hair.
Meet the ‘bounce bob’, cut at the perfect perky length to create a look that’s full of life and energy. It was the style that dominated the Breakthrough Prize in LA last night, with Michelle Yeoh and Jessica Chastain using the occasion to showcase their anti-ageing bob transformations.
The bounce bob is a style that sits right on the corner of the jaw, or just an inch or so below, and it’s proving the ultimate transformation for anyone chopping off inches for spring.
Michelle, 63, had gone from long brunette to bouncy blonde, wearing her bob makeover in a soft wave for extra oomph. The immediate thickening effect was seriously impressive.
Jessica, 49, also chose last night to unveil a dramatic bounce bob makeover of her own.
Super-stylist Renato Campora’s Instagram shows him playfully tugging on Jessica’s long red hair before the reel cuts to the fruits of their makeover, showing Jessica’s hair snipped to the perfect length to flatter her beautiful bone structure.
Again, the result is a total transformation, thanks to a style that instantly doubles her volume while chopping years off her look.
Christina Aguilera, 45, and Naomi Watts, 57, were also on red carpet duty to sign off the bounce bob takeover last night – both looking incredible.
The bounce bob transformation is catching the eye of top hairdressers as well as beauty editors. ‘The length is the key point of this bob, because it’s what gives you fullness without the weight dragging it down,’ says Iestyn Griffths, OSMO ambassador.
‘For fine or thinning hair, it works really well because you’re removing that extra length that can make the hair look flat,’ he adds. ‘Keeping it at the jaw means the ends sit thicker and the shape naturally lifts, so it gives that fuller, bouncier finish without needing loads of styling.’
The bounce bob is also ‘a really flattering choice for older women, because it frames the face nicely and gives a bit of a lift through the jaw and cheek area’ he explains. ‘It softens everything without being too short or severe, so it still feels modern and easy to wear.’
As last night’s red carpet proves, it’s not a one-trick pony either, adds Iestyn. ‘You can opt to wear it super sleek or change it up with a soft wave – both work and are easy to style at home.
The length of this bob ensures it’s both easy to style and resistant to dropping, so it shouldn’t require much work to whip it into shape.
‘Styling-wise, I’d always focus on volume at the root so it’s getting that soft bounce but with longer hold,’ advises Iestyn. ‘I’d use OSMO Extreme Volume Thickening Crème and blow-dry using a round brush in sections to build that bounce. If the hair is very fine, I’d go for a product like OSMO Blowdry Lotion instead, as it’s lighter but still gives lift and control.
‘The good thing about this length is it holds a blow-dry really well, so clients get that shape lasting longer.’
A good hair day, all day long – who could ask for more?
