It’s safe to say it’s been a big year for bobs, and there’s no shortage of chic variations to choose from. But when committing to the chop already feels daunting, deciding which style to go for can make it even trickier. If there’s one style to know, though, it has to be the ‘boyfriend bob’.
Ticking all the boxes, it’s chic, low maintenance and, as Sarah Parish proves, an especially flattering choice for women over 50.
The Mistresses actress debuted her version via Instagram, sharing clips from the chair at Richard Ward, the salon responsible for Sophie, Duchess of Edinburgh’s recent bob. Sarah documented her shoulder-length locks being cut to jaw length (all while munching on a Pret sandwich. Sounds like a day well spent, if you ask us).
Her before-and-after snaps speak for themselves. With just a few inches taken off, her hair has been given a new lease of life, full of texture, movement and plenty of bounce. Styled with a deep side parting, it also creates the illusion of extra volume, which is always welcome at 50-plus.
Behind the hairdressing scissors was Nando Lopes, education director at Richard Ward Salon. As he explains to GH, ‘The “boyfriend bob” falls between the middle of the neck and the chin. It has a strong outline, but a soft, undone finish, with the appearance of natural movement, often tucked behind an ear, offering a stylish face frame.’
But the real appeal lies in how effortless it is. That all comes down to clever technique. A defining feature of the cut is its blunt, textured ends, which, as Nando explains, lend natural movement to the hair without the need for heavy layering.
It’s this relaxed approach that gives the cut its name. Just as boyfriend jeans are loved by the fashion crowd for their cool, easy-going appeal, the boyfriend bob has become a beauty favourite for its effortlessly chic finish.
With movement built into the cut itself, styling is simple once you leave the salon. ‘It’s an easy and wearable style for most face shapes and hair textures, and it transitions from day to night seamlessly,’ says Nando.
Upkeep is easy, agrees Phillipp Haug, co-founder of Haug London Haus. ‘You don’t even need tools to make the boyfriend bob look good. You can blow dry with a round brush for a little volume, but you could just as easily leave it to air dry.’
For a little extra oomph, simply work a small amount of product through the lengths and you’re good to go. Phillipp recommends investing in a lightweight mousse to boost body without weighing the hair down. ‘I’d recommend getting a good foundation with a mousse, like the Schwarzkopf Osis Air Whip mousse; this will give you thickness and volume with a more gentle hold and no crunchiness, keeping it relaxed.’
Schwarzkopf Osis Air Whip Flexible Mousse
It doesn’t get much lower maintenance than that.
