If your bob is falling flat, or simply is in need of a refresh, turn to Sharon Stone’s latest look for inspiration. The 68-year-old actress has proved that even fine, shorter hair can be transformed with strategic styling and clever backcombing. Enter: the beehive bob.
Last night, Sharon looked next-level incredible as she joined Jimmy Fallon for a late-night interview. Her mini-dress almost had us distracted, and then we saw the hair. The front section of her chin-length bob had been swept backwards, but with impressive volume added at the crown, creating a subtle beehive effect.
Here at GH, it’s no secret that we love a bob. That said, the style often gets a reputation for being less versatile than longer lengths, simply because there’s less hair to work with. However, Sharon may have just debunked that theory for good.
‘The length of Sharon’s bob is limited for any updos,’ says Mitchell Ladbrook, senior stylist at the esteemed Nicola Clarke salon. ‘But the beehive bob allows you to create the silhouette of one.’
‘It’s the type of style that works for any occasion. It takes a normal bob to a cool, youthful look,’ he adds. Like many women in midlife, Sharon’s hair leans finer in texture, but according to Mitchell, that’s no drawback when it comes to this style.
‘It’s actually great for finer hair as it adds volume, texture and is long lasting,’ he explains.
‘Building volume in this way is incredibly flattering,’ says Mitchell. ‘Height at the crown will enhance your facial features as it creates perfect balance,’ he explains.
The back section, left loose, allows the ends of the bob to be flicked out, adding playful movement and avoiding any harsh ‘all scraped back’ feel.
The pulled-back element of the style also creates a subtle face-lifting effect — no need to go under the knife. ‘Lifting effects for the cheekbones, jaw and skin around the temple can be created, all dependent on how tight you brush and secure the hair back,’ he says.
If Sharon’s youthful appearance is anything to go by, we’re completely sold.
Luckily, it’s a look that can be recreated at home, and no glam squad is required. According to Mitchell, the right products will help you achieve the look with ease. ‘To achieve this style, I would use Virtue’s Volume Mousse on the lengths, and Colour Wow’s Raise The Root on the roots to get some lift and grip,’ he shares.
‘Start by drying the hair away from your face, this will help you achieve most of the volume at the top section of the head. Then you can backcomb to secure the hair,’ he says. ‘For the sides, Sam McKnight's Self Control Gel will keep it tight to the scalp, and a spritz of Sam McKnight's Modern Hairspray throughout will keep hold.’
If your hair is particularly thick or stubborn, there’s an easy fix: ‘Just use a hair grip to hold it back,’ says Mitchell.
So yes — the bob is far more versatile than it gets credit for.
