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Bob haircuts are not reserved for those with strands on the thicker side—in fact—those with even the thinnest of hair can find a style suitable to their needs. And if you have hair on the thinner side and are ready to take the cut, don’t overlook a bob or lob. New York-based celebrity hairstylist and Nexxus brand ambassador Lacy Redway says thin hair shouldn’t be excluded from the bob conversation.
“Some people categorize fine hair as thin hair and vice versa, so it’s important to know the difference, especially when deciding the best shapes for your hair type,” Redway says. “You can have fine hair but a lot of it, while thin hair has fewer strands with thicker strands. Bob haircuts work well on both thin and fine hair because you get to keep a weightline for your hair and its overall length without many layered pieces, which removes weight.”
Interested in getting yourself a bob? Below, we’ve rounded up 16 of the best bob haircuts for thin hair, along with expert advice from Redway.
Half-Up Bob
If you want to give your hair the illusion of more volume, throw in some curls and pop it into a half-up style. Redway says "This is great for someone with curly texture as it adds dimension and versatility to style freely," she says. "The heavy layering allows for your beautiful curls to take shape and a life of their own."
Side Part Bob
One of the best things you can do for hair that's become thin as a result of damage is to chop off the dead ends, and this side part bob is a fabulous start. To get Sarah Paulson's look, ask your stylist to cut your hair into a short bob—in between the chin and the bottom of your ear. For her style, put your hair into a side part, securing one side behind the ear. Add in some texture spray and even a root lift for additional volume.
Wavy Bob
Going for a natural, wavy-styled bob like Saoirse Ronan's is a great idea for those with thin hair. Adding in a slight bend with a waver or wand will give the illusion of thicker hair. Plus, doing a side part as opposed to a middle part is another way to get even more lift at the root.
Chin-Length Bob
Chriselle Lim looks très chic with her chin-length bob. This works particularly well on thin hair due to the blunt, layered-free look. "It creates a heavy weightline for your hair, which complements thin hair," Redway says. Adding in some high-shine and glossy products will make your locks look super healthy, and some root powder will give you some extra grit, too.
French Bob
The French bob can be many things, but one of our favorite takes on the cut has to be Hailey Bieber's. It's fashion-forward without being too trendy, and the cut just so happens to be a great idea for anyone with thinner hair. We suggest going for one length or minimal, longer layers, for a similar look.
Slick Bob
Ayo Edebiri's chin-length, cropped bob is truly what dreams are made of. We love how she has her hair behind her ears so that her facial features can be prominent and on display. To get this style, use a flat iron to flip the ends out.
Fringy Bob
When a fringe and a bob come together, you will always have our attention, especially in the case of Maria Borges. The piecey look gives major mermaid vibes, and we think the length of the bob itself going just below the chin is absolutely perfect. "It's a bolder choice to incorporate bangs into your look," says Redway. "Some bangs can help give the illusion of thicker hair."
Flipped-Out Bob
If a short bob isn't in the cards for you, a lob (aka, a long bob) can help ease you into it. Take a look at this one donned by Naomi Watts—from the subtle layers to the flipped-out ends and even the lifting at the root area, her hair has the illusion of being super thick.
Minimalist Bob
Something about this minimalist bob on Jessica Biel is giving us Anna Wintour vibes (without the bangs), and we're here for it. "Blunt bobs are a nice shape for thinning hair," Redway says.
Micro Bang Bob
Lin Lin's micro bang bob exudes major cool girl energy. Her hair comes across as extra thick, and if you want to go for that same vibe, tell your stylist you want a choppy chin-length bob with straight across bangs right above your brow bone.
Beachy Bob
Gigi Hadid looks good with just about any haircut, but this beachy bob suits her especially well. "This shape adds a nice flare and personality to the cut, presenting an illusion of thicker hair," Redway shares. To get the "just got out of the ocean" look, go in with a waver and add some texture spray into your root area.
Sleek Bob
This sleeker-than-sleek look, as seen on Da'Vine Joy Randolph, is a great choice if you're looking to explore bangs. And while bangs in and of themselves are a bit more high-maintenance, the short nature of the hair should make styling easy. Go for a blunt cut just below the ears, and use a straightener to create curled in ends, which aid in making hair appear more full.
Swoopy Bob
Julianne Hough's swoopy bob proves short hair can be just as playful. Paired with her light blonde hair and a middle part, instead of flipping straight out, it offers the illusion of fuller hair. Redway likes this 'do, too, and suggests using a slick stick to smooth the hair behind the ears.
No-Fuss Bob
If you have thin hair that's naturally on the straighter side, try out a cut like Sydney Sweeney's. This no-fuss style is super easy to manage and won't take too much time out of your day. Go for a shoulder-length cut with longer front layers to get her same style.
Grungy Bob
The great thing about this grungy bob that Rihanna used to rock is that it's especially great for thin hair. Thick hair simply wouldn't work! Redway wholeheartedly agrees, saying, "This shape is playful. I don't mind that it appears thin; I think this haircut looks best on thin hair!"
Simply Straight Bob
Redway cautions us not to "go below your collarbone to prevent the ends from thinning out," and a great example of doing a lob the right way can be seen on Gabrielle Union. A great idea for anyone with hair on the thinner side, this style looks great in a side or middle part, and can easily be curled or straightened.