Yes, It’s Possible to Subtly Grow Out a Bob
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There's a stage in every bob growing-out journey that feels awkward. It goes past your shoulders, and suddenly you're wondering whether to commit to another chop or push through to longer lengths. There is, however, a third option: a '90s layered haircut.
Avoiding the in-between phase entirely, this cut is all about movement and strategic shaping, helping a bob evolve into swishy lengths without sacrificing style along the way. It's a nod to the undone glamour of the '90s, as Antonio Hector at Hershesons Belgravia. "A lot of people have recently been inspired by the Carolyn Bessette-Kennedy look," he says.
Jennifer AnistonJ. Vespa
Rosie Huntington-Whiteley , Suki Waterhouse , and, most famously, Jennifer Aniston have each had their own take on the cut (glossy, shaggy, and flicky, respectively)—and it's important to find the one that feels most you. While I was tempted to opt for a rock 'n' roll mane with a long fringe, it didn't quite feel right for me, but Hector did let me dip my toe into that aesthetic with strategically placed layers that softened the sharp triangle of my previous bob cut. He used a razor to add these, giving the look an effortless, lived-in feel.
Growing out a shorter cut can often leave hair feeling heavy at the bottom, so the idea is to give your hair lift and texture with invisible mid-length layers around the face. "You want to open up the front, starting with layers just below the chin that then tumble down," he says.
The appeal of this style lies in its versatility: on finer hair, it creates body and bounce without making ends appear thin; on thicker textures, it removes excess weight, allowing for easy movement. Most importantly, it means that when your hair reaches your desired length, it will just need a little refresh rather than an overhaul.
How to Color It
My hair is naturally a dark blond shade, and in the warmer weather, I tend to opt for a brighter color. Colorist Hannah Gayle had the perfect solution for blurring my roots so I wouldn't need to rush back to the salon chair in three months.
She used a mix of soft balayage and babylights, and then "smudged" my roots using a toner so they would blend subtly with my natural color as my hair grows. "It's good to work with your natural color so it stays low-maintenance," she says.
How to Style It
When it comes to styling my hair, I am chronically lazy: fortunately, this looks just as good air-dried as it does blow-dried. "The aim is to keep everything looking natural and effortless—polished, but not too done," Hector explains.
Brooke Theis
"After washing, apply a tiny amount of a styling cream through the mid-lengths and ends," he adds. "It gives the hair a bit of grit, helps soften frizz, and adds gentle control without making it feel styled." If you want extra texture and oomph, he recommends misting a little air-dry formula through the hair too.
To get a more controlled look, use a hair dryer on low speed and low-to-medium heat, with the nozzle removed. Working the front sections, use the lower part of your thumb or palm and index finger to gently press the hair in place so it falls like a soft fringe, then hover the airflow over it to gradually set the shape. Dry it to 60 to 80 percent, then let the rest dry on its own.
"For the rest of the hair, work in large sections using a medium round brush and the nozzle attachment. Smooth the hair through, giving the brush a slight twist through the mid-lengths while keeping the ends a little straighter for loose, undone movement."
If you want a very natural look, Hector says, comb the front forward, separate the hair with your fingers, and leave it to air-dry. This is ideal for summer days at the beach.
Your Tool Kit
ROZ Hair Evergreen Style Cream
OUAI Thickening & Volume Spray for Fine Hair
Crown Affair The Mini Non-Aerosol Dry Shampoo
Dyson Airwrap i.d. multi-styler Straight+Wavy
ghd Speed Hair Dryer in Matte Black
La Bonne Brosse N.05 The Round Blowout Hairbrush
Nutrire S.3 BALANCE
Nutrire C.4 REPAIR
Chris McMillan The Lightweight Glassy Hair Oil Mist
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