The RHS Chelsea Flower Show may be best known for its garden inspiration but this year, it also delivered plenty of beauty inspiration, too, especially when it came to hair. Across the showgrounds, we couldn’t help but notice that softly brushed-out bobs were everywhere, inspiring what we’re naming the ‘Chelsea bob’.
The style has been spotted on Shirley Ballas, Elizabeth Day and Rachel Riley – and it even has the royal seal of approval from Queen Camilla.
‘It’s not one specific cut, it’s a mood – it’s soft, brushed-out, voluminous hair that looks like it’s been lovingly blow-dried rather than precision-engineered,’ says hairdresser and hair growth expert at Curated Beauty London, Natasha Grocutt.
'The ‘Chelsea bob’ proves that the most flattering hair over 50 isn’t about a sharp line or a statement cut, but about movement and hair that looks like it’s in great condition,’ she explains.
Of course, structure has its place but Natasha says softer styles become especially hardworking in midlife. ‘As hair becomes finer, a severe or blunt-cut bob can sit flat against the face and draw attention to features we'd rather frame. A softer, voluminous bob with layers and a little bounce creates what we think of as ‘light around the face’, and that’s a great flattering haircut.’
‘With the Chelsea bob, we’re seeing gentle waves and brushed-out texture,’ she says. Natasha adds that it’s not just about styling, but the cut, too. She credits soft graduation and longer layers for adding natural movement — all things to keep in mind for your next salon visit.
Alongside looking especially flattering in your 50s, the Chelsea bob is low-maintenance, too. ‘Fine, mature hair holds soft styling beautifully; it just needs the right support underneath.’
‘When you encourage movement, you create the illusion of density. And healthy hair is always the foundation; fine hair that’s strong, hydrated and well-conditioned takes a blow-dry and holds a style so much better,’ says Natasha.
A good foundation starts with a great routine. Natasha recommends mixing a few drops of Curated Beauty London’s Strand Surge into your conditioner as an easy addition to your routine. ‘It has bond-building ingredients that create brand-new bonds, plus creatine that helps restore hair fibres and boost elasticity for stronger, healthier-looking hair,’ she explains.
For the bouncy Chelsea blowout, she recommends the OSMO Extreme Volume Mega Foam for an extra boost. ‘Use volumising product at the roots to build shape from the base. Then, a large round brush and medium heat will give you that soft, full blow-dry. If you want that brushed-out wave, you can also use a little sea salt or texture spray and a diffuser.’
Flattering, polished and low-maintenance – it’s easy to see why the Chelsea bob is winning everyone over.
