The Ultimate Guide To Getting A Curly Bob (Including How To Style It)
Whether you're the owner of tight coils or tousled waves, you'll struggle to find a haircut more versatile than the curly bob. On curly hair types, a bob haircut looks effortlessly chic; it's voluminous, textured and showcases your tresses' natural bounce like no other styling ever could. That isn't to say, however, that a curly bob requires no expert input at all. The key is to find a trim that best suits your curl type, and to get your styling routine down to a T.
Here, we enlist the help of expert hairstylists at London's best curl bars, to help you decipher the best curly bob haircut for you, as well as compile the best styling tips and inspiration to take to your next appointment.
What Is The Best Bob Haircut For Curly Hair?
While your viral French, choppy and layered bobs will all appear differently on ringlets and coils, there are plenty of trendy bobs specifically catered to suit curly hair types.
'Current popular curly and coily bob styles include: the curly bob with bangs, the tapered curly bob, and the asymmetrical curly bob,' says Blue Tit’s afro and textured hair specialist, Pashcan’el Mitchell. 'These styles offer versatility and can be customised to suit individual preferences. I love them all as they provide so much texture, style and versatility depending on your curls and face shape.'
You need only look back into the hair archives for inspiration. 'Past style icons with curly bobs include Josephine Baker and Diana Ross, who both rocked iconic curly bob hairstyles,' he says. 'Present icons like Zendaya and Yara Shahidi also showcase stunning curly bob looks, providing inspiration for those seeking modern interpretations of this classic style.'
How To Cut A Bob For Curly Hair
It's important to note that curly bob haircuts will appear differently on every hair type, and a customised approach is essential. Additionally, there are a variety of shoulder-length haircuts available for afro, coily and curly hair types, and they may not always be referred to as a bob. Our top tip? Always bring reference photos to your appointment and look for a stylist with experience in cutting curly hair.
'When getting a bob with curly or coily hair, it's important to communicate with the stylist about desired length, layering, and whether any specific techniques like texturising or diffusing are preferred. Asking for a cut that enhances natural curl patterns and provides movement is key,' says Mitchell.
'For tighter curl patterns like 4C, a tapered bob or layered bob work well to add dimension and volume. For looser curl patterns like 3A or 3B, a classic curly bob with layers can enhance the natural texture. As for face shapes, those with round faces may benefit from longer bobs to elongate the face, while square faces can be complemented by softer, layered bobs to soften angular features.'
How To Style A Bob For Curly Hair
'You'll need to find out what kind of finish you want first. If you're after a textured look then using salt spray or mousse is perfect, but if you want something more refined then a gel is great for that perfected finish,' says expert stylist at The Curl Bar London. 'You can bring a few face framing pieces to the front and pin the rest giving a natural and effortless look. A half up, half down look can give a more carefree finish, bringing a few pieces around the ear so it looks more natural.'
The Best Curly Bob Inspiration For 2025
Long Curly Bob
A long bob, also known as a lob, is the perfect cut to pair with a wash and go styling routine; opt for length between your shoulder and collarbone for an effortless, low maintenance look that can still be tied up or slicked back.
Short Curly Bob
If your waves are slightly looser, a short bob could be your easiest hairstyle yet. With the right curl-friendly products, this choppy trim can be scrunched and air-dried (or diffused) in no time at all.
Shaggy Curly Bob
Not too dissimilar to the oh-so-coveted 'wolf cut' this textured, layered bob is the ultimate cool girl style. Be sure to bring reference images for this styling, and ask your stylist for the best layer positioning for your face shape.
Curly Pixie Bob
Julia Garner's iconic blonde bob is known for its short pixie length and bright platinum hue. If you're looking to brave a bold chop in 2025, try this tapered styling out for size.
Layered Curly Bob
A layered bob is one of the most flattering options for curly hair types; it adds shape and volume to what can otherwise be a heavy styling, and it's totally flattering when paired with a customised fringe.
Blunt Curly Bob
A sister style to the viral 'French bob', a blunt bob can be a great option for soft curl types with lots of waves. Your natural texture gives the look an airy, wispy finish and the chin-grazing length is perfect for effortless everyday styling.
Coily Bob
Glamorous coils can also reap the benefits of a bob hairstyle, although you may find more layered iterations fall under different names. We recommend heading for a salon or stylist that specialises in textured haircuts to ensure your curls are left as defined and healthy as possible post-trim.
Curly Bob With Bangs
You'll struggle to find a curly cut that doesn't feature a fringe in 2025; it's the most chic addition to any curly 'do, whether that's a micro-bang or a full set of curtains.
ELLE Collective is a new community of fashion, beauty and culture lovers. For access to exclusive content, events, inspiring advice from our Editors and industry experts, as well the opportunity to meet designers, thought-leaders and stylists, become a member today HERE.
You Might Also Like
