The Micro Bob Is the Celeb-Approved Hair Trend to Try This Spring (2024)

Published twenty years ago this year, Rose Weitz's book Rapunzel's Daughters surveys the history of women's hair, making an important stop in the 1920s to touch on the implications of the bob.

"The bob and the shingle were roundly attacked by many who considered them evidence of female vanity, 'loose' morals, or dangerous feminist ideas," writes Weitz. "Newspaper articles from the time describe employers who refused to hire women with bobbed hair on the ground that such women were 'not thinking about business, but only about having a good time.'"

Listen, can you blame them? Now, it's the twenty twenties. Bobs are still in (they're getting even shorter!) and having a good time should be on everyone's agenda. In fact, if the red carpet is any indication, the teeny-tiny micro bob will dominate the rest of 2024.

Ahead, everything there is to know about the micro bob—plus how to get the look yourself.

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The Trend

While microtrends come and go (faster than we ever thought possible, really), the micro bob is forever. Marked by its length, the cut stops right at the nape of the neck, pausing just before making its way into pixie or bixie territory. Celebrity hairstylist Jessica Gillin defines it as "any haircut that sits at your hairline and is chin length."

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"I think the micro bob is always trending. It originated in the early 20th century and opposed traditional long hair norms. It has been seen on a multitude of cool girls recently like Carey Mulligan, Ayo Edebiri, Greta Lee, America Ferrera, Michelle Williams, and Julianne Hough," shares Gillin. "With this kind of exposure on social media and the red carpet, it’s natural that people will feel inspired to cut their hair, too."

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A cousin of the chic French bob and elegante Italian bob, the micro bob is most closely related to "Le Petit Bob." And yet! It's a look all its own—a classic haircut we've seen for generations (google "20s bob" for proof) that's flattering on just about anybody. If you need more celebrity examples, look to short-haired Zendaya, Cailee Spaeny, Chloë Sevigny, Ciara, and Naomi Campbell. If you need movie inspiration, it's all Amelie or Liza Minelli in Cabaret.

But besides its simplicity, why has the micro bob stood the test of time? And why is it so big right now?

"I think there’s something effortlessly chic about a micro bob," hairstylist Kylie Fitzgerald, the genius behind Spaeny's cut, tells Byrdie. "It’s sexy and strong without trying too hard, and I love that."

Gillin also notes that the hairstyle's popularity is still political—even 100 years after it made its initial feminist standpoint.

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"It also feels fitting in a time where women are losing their reproductive rights that they are chopping their hair to bring themselves a small sense of control," she adds."The cut instantly makes you feel liberated and chic."

How to Get the Look

One of the best parts about a micro bob is that it's all about length, not specific styling. You can do anything with it (save for putting it in a ponytail, of course) and it'll look great. Depending on your mood, you can try it straight or tousled, messy or slicked-back.

"I think every face shape can pull off the micro bob. However, the haircut needs to be customized for different textures," adds Gillin, who says styling based on natural texture is her favorite way to play with the cut. "For super thick and coarse hair, your hair can’t be cut very blunt, or it will look triangular. Hair needs to be textured correctly or slightly layered at the ends to give it movement. I like to take out weight from the underneath sections, so the hair and point cut into the top sections, so hair appears one length but isn’t blocky."

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On the opposite end of the texture spectrum, Gillin notes that a sharper cut will make fine and thin hair look fuller. "Adding a bang will make it look more French while cutting a tiny face frame can give it more of a '90s feel," she adds.

"My personal favorite way to stylemicrobobs is by styling the hair in its natural texture. It looks more modern and cooler. MONDAY Haircare’sCurl Define ShampooandCurl Define Conditioner($7 each) are meant for every type of wave, so I will prep hair with the shampoo and conditioner," the artist shares. For a polished finish, she'll add a touch of the MONDAY HaircareMoisture Leave-In Conditioner($6) on the ends of thick hair, blowout the hair with a ceramic round brush, and bevel the ends under.

Now, are you ready for the scissors to come out (or clippers, which Hough's stylist Riawna Capri used to cut the perfect line)? Read Byrdie's guide to getting a bob here and make sure you arrive to the salon stocked up on inspiration photos.

"I think finding your favorite inspo pictures and bringing it to your hairstylist is best," notes Fitzgerald. "Talk about your favorite things and what you definitely don’t like, too."

The Micro Bob Is the Celeb-Approved Hair Trend to Try This Spring (2024)

FAQs

What is a micro bob? ›

Marked by its length, the cut stops right at the nape of the neck, pausing just before making its way into pixie or bixie territory. Celebrity hairstylist Jessica Gillin defines it as "any haircut that sits at your hairline and is chin length." @americaferrera/Instagram. "I think the micro bob is always trending.

What is the new bob haircut for 2024? ›

Micro Bob. Online searches rise for the “micro bob” have risen by 243% in 2024, and we're not at all surprised. This chop hits just around the jawline, which makes it feel “cuter,” says Luke Hersheson, cofounder of hair brand and salon Hershesons.

What is the new bob haircut called? ›

Baroque bob

The “glamorous and sophisticated” cut is marked by its volume and luxurious finish, and is yet another example of how we're currently in search of hairstyles that look a little more “done.” Zendaya is the ultimate poster girl for the look.

What is the new haircut trend in 2024? ›

“The clean, short bob that falls around your chin and a little bit below is going to be a big haircut trend in 2024,” says Polko.

Does a bob make you look younger or older? ›

According to Thompson and Wilson, a bob is not only universally flattering but is also one of the hairstyles that make you look younger because “it softens facial features and opens up the face,” which, in turn, reduces the appearance of wrinkles.

What is the butterfly bob? ›

"The butterfly bob is a less structured version of a traditional bob," says Wright. This playful and romantic style features heavy layers with shorter pieces that frame the face. The name "butterfly" bob comes from the shorter layers at the front of the hair, which resemble butterfly wings."

What is a slob bob haircut? ›

A portmanteau of “slick” and “bob,” the “slob”—despite what its nickname might suggest—is sharp in shape, but isn't too precisely cut. It's less choppy than other bobs that become popular in recent years. “It is all one length, has no shape at the front, and it's sort of sliced into,” Northwood explains.

Are bob haircuts aging? ›

“A good cut depends on your face, your face shape, your body size, and height,” says celebrity stylist Felix Fischer. “A bob is one of those styles that can make some people look younger—if done right. But when it's done incorrectly or done on the wrong face, it can make you look older.”

What is a mushroom bob? ›

The mushroom bob is no different and is characterised by its distinct mushroom cap shape, with curved lines and ends that tuck neatly under to create a dome-like effect (think the reverse of the flip bob).

What is the most flattering bob length? ›

“The most universally flattering bobs will be the slightly longer ones that sit below the jawline,” he explains. These require little styling — just a great hairdryer such as the BaByliss Hydro Fusion Hair Dryer with the diffuser attachment, which allows hair to dry naturally and end up feeling super chic and undone.

Is a bob a Karen haircut? ›

The Karen haircut is an inverted bob or lob and is also known as an A-line cut. It also features short, blonde hairs with thick lowlights and long side-swept bangs. The Karen haircut has actually become a bit of a societal punchline.

What is a wolf bob? ›

As celebrity and editorial hairstylist Neil Moodie explains: “A wolf haircut is a mix of the shag haircut and a mullet, but generally created on longer hair.

What is the butterfly cut? ›

A butterfly haircut combines short layers with long layers to give your hair dimension, movement, and body. The short, wispy layers hit around the chin to frame your face, highlight your features, and even contour a round face shape.

What is an Italian bob? ›

An Italian bob is a classic and sophisticated short hairstyle that originated in Italy. It is a chin-length, blunt-cut bob that typically features minimal layering. What sets the Italian bob apart from other bob styles is its sleek and polished appearance.

What is the most flattering hair length for over 50? ›

THE 9 BEST HAIRSTYLES FOR WOMEN OVER 50
  • Chin-length bob. ...
  • Shoulder-length waves. ...
  • Textured crop. ...
  • Sleek lob. ...
  • Soft pixie cut. ...
  • Asymmetrical bob. ...
  • Textured fringe. ...
  • How does menopause affect women's hair? Menopause includes several hormonal shifts, notably a decline in oestrogen and progesterone levels, which can impact hair health.

What is a micro haircut? ›

A maintenance cut that removes minimal length from the ends whilst maintaining optimum hair health.

What is a Karen bob? ›

The Karen haircut is an inverted bob or lob and is also known as an A-line cut. It also features short, blonde hairs with thick lowlights and long side-swept bangs. This hairstyle is always longer in the left front and short in the back. Due to this, it creates a sharp angle when seen from the side.

What is the difference between a choppy bob and a bob? ›

However, if you find yourself lusting over the coolest, trendiest bob wearers out there, you might want to explore these choppy bobs before heading to the salon next. Choppy bobs have many often short layers that can create extra volume, body, and movement that many classic one-length bobs lack.

Are there different types of bobs? ›

Popular variations include the blunt bob, A-line bob haircut (aka angled bob haircut), sliced bob, "box" bob, and stacked bob haircut — and that's only a select few from a long list. Plenty of A-list celebrities are big fans of the chin-grazing style.

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