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From Zendaya and Emma Stone to Hailey Bieber , bob haircuts are having a major renaissance. They’ve always been a timeless style, but I love that they’ve gotten extra hype in recent years. I’m no stranger to short hair: I lopped off 14 inches of my hair in 2018 and never looked back. Over the eight years I’ve had a bob, I’ve tried nearly every version, from sleek, blunt cuts to angled bobs and textured layers.
As our resident bob expert, I am always in favor of going shorter. And with spring temperatures heating up, rocking a chin-grazing style helps me stay cool in the still-far-off summer. Plus, it feels freeing to sport a lower-maintenance style that I can easily switch up when the mood strikes.
Whether you’re thinking about getting a bob or need tips for styling short hair, I rounded up the hair favorites that I’ve tested over the years. These are my tried-and-true items for achieving curly, wavy, textured, and sleek bobs for my thick, straight strands. Below, shop everything from shampoos and styling creams to hot tools and brushes.
1) Olaplex Bond Maintenance Shampoo & Conditioner
A little goes a long way with this Bond Maintenance formula. One quarter-sized dollop of the Olaplex No.4 Shampoo will instantly foam up into a luxurious lather. It offers a deeper cleanse without drying out my hair. Followed by the No.5 Conditioner, my hair feels nourished, clean, and shiny after washing with this duo.
Both formulas were created to strengthen and hydrate to reduce breakage, improve shine, and enhance manageability for all hair types.
Read more: How to Use Hyaluronic Acid for Healthier Hair
2) Luseta Rice Water Shampoo & Conditioner
For a more affordable shampoo-and-conditioner duo, I recommend the Luseta Rice Water collection. It contains biotin, a superstar ingredient known for strengthening weak strands. The formula also draws on fermented rice water, an ancient ingredient from the Red Yao Tribe of China. It helps to fortify my hair and adds shine. At just $25 for a set, you simply can’t beat it. Luseta also has other duos that focus on thickening , deep cleansing , and defining curls .
3) Tangle Teezer Extra Gentle Detangler Hair Brush
Tangle Teezer detangles all types in an instant. This brush glides through my strands with ease. Not only is the light butter yellow color super cute, but the bristles are extra gentle to minimize my breakage and hair loss.
If you have thicker textured strands, consider the Wet Dry version , a favorite of tester Danielle Jackson.“This brush is so easy on my hair—the bristles are soft enough to move with my hair as I pass it through my strands, so I never feel like I’m breaking my hair or being too rough when I detangle,” she says in our guide to the best hair brushes .
4) Cécred Thermal Shield Mist
On wash days, I like to blow-dry my damp hair, but not before spritzing a generous amount of Cécred’s Thermal Shield heat protectant all over my bob. The brand—founded by Beyoncé—recently released this product as part of its Styling Collection , but I’ve been testing the formula for several weeks—and it’s my new favorite suggestion.
The Thermal Shield Mist protects hair from heat up to 450 degrees Fahrenheit as well as humidity, pollution, and frizz. I’ve found that it even extends the life of my blowout.
5) R+Co Badlands Dry Shampoo Paste
This dry shampoo paste is my secret weapon for reviving second- or third-day hair. I work a small scoop of the thick paste between my fingers, then run it through my roots. It instantly adds volume while soaking up excess oils. It has quickly become my go-to product for effortlessly messy, textured bobs.
I can also use the paste on damp hair before styling to extend the life of a blow-out or add texture to sad bangs. When I want to travel light, this is often the only hair product I pack.
6) Mane Fresh Fluff Dry Shampoo Foam
If you prefer an alternative to a spray or powder, opt for this unique dry shampoo foam from celebrity hairstylist Jen Atkin. As its name hints, Fresh Fluff offers a clean, first-day fluffiness to hair. All I need to do is massage a marshmallow-sized dollop of product into my root area. In just one minute, Fresh Fluff absorbs excess dirt and oil, leaving no residue or white cast.
7) Dae Cactus Fruit 3-in-1 Styling Cream
Whether you have straight, wavy, or curly hair, Dae’s multitasking cream can create smooth, sleek styles or define natural, soft curls. I often opt for this cream to create a polished style, whether I’m pulling my hair into a sleek bun or leaving it down for a wet-hair effect.
The brand recently launched a travel-friendly version of the cream with a mascara wand for touchups, making it a staple I can toss in my clutch or carry on without worry. It’s available in Dae’s Signature Citrus Scent, and the new Vanilla Dae Beam with notes of vanilla, praline, and candied lemon.
8) R+Co Death Valley Dry Shampoo
My favorite everyday dry shampoo for when I just want to spray and go is Death Valley by R+Co. It’s good for creating voluminous, tousled hairstyles while absorbing excess oil. Sometimes I like spraying this into my roots after waving my hair for more texture.
9) IGK Good Behavior Flexible Hairspray
IGK’s hairspray doubles as a heat protectant, making it my go-to product for refreshing my next-day hair before using heat tools to style. I find that my curls last longer when I use this spray before and after styling, and I have peace of mind knowing the formula shields my hair from heat up to 450 degrees Fahrenheit. Another bonus: the flexible hold doesn’t leave my strands feeling sticky or stiff like crunchy hairsprays of the mid-aughts.
10) GHD Chronos Curve Classic Curling Iron (1-inch)
GHD’s hot tools are pricey, but they are well worth the upfront investment. The professional-level curling iron takes the guesswork out of styling by heating up in just 25 seconds to the pre-set temperature of 365 degrees Fahrenheit. It’s an ideal setting for quickly curling most hair textures, including my thick straight strands. The barrel stays hot and even during the styling process, and the inclusion of a safety glove and cool tip help prevent accidental burns. Whether I want super bouncy ringlets or loose waves. This luxe tool can do it all.
11) IGK Disco Disco Clear Gloss Shine Spray
IGK’s Disco Disco spray instantly adds shine to my hair. I use this clear gloss spray on waves, curls, and straight styles, concentrating mostly on my ends to avoid a greasy scalp. I love how the fine mist evenly coats each hair without weighing my strands down. Plus, the formula has UV protection to prevent my color from fading.
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