Classic French Bob: What to Know Before You Cut Your Hair
Learn what a classic French bob is, who it looks best on, and how to style it before you decide to chop your hair.
Thinking about cutting your hair short? The classic French bob is one of the most famous short cuts in the world. It looks cool, neat, and very chic without trying too hard.
Still, cutting off a lot of hair can feel scary. Here is everything you need to know before you sit in the salon chair.
What Is a Classic French Bob?
A French bob is shorter than a normal bob. A regular bob often stops near your shoulders or chin. A French bob usually hits right at your jawline or cheekbones, near the bottom of your ears.
It almost always comes with bangs. These bangs usually skim your eyebrows or sit slightly higher. The ends of the hair are cut with soft texture, so they curl inward slightly toward your chin. It is meant to look a little messy and natural, not super flat or stiff.
Who Does It Look Best On?
This cut can work for almost anyone, but your face shape and hair type make a big difference.
Heart or oval faces: This cut looks great because it draws eyes right to your jawline and cheekbones. Round or square faces: A short cut makes a round face look rounder and makes a strong jaw look sharper. You can ask for a slightly longer cut, past the jaw, to balance it out. * Hair texture: It works best on naturally wavy or straight hair. If your hair is very curly, it can shrink up higher than you expect when dry. If your hair is very thick, your stylist will need to thin it out so it does not turn into a triangle shape.
How to Ask Your Barber or Stylist
Never just say, "Give me a French bob." People mean different things by that name. Instead, tell them these exact details:
Tell them where you want the bottom edge to land. Show them with your finger on your jaw or chin. Tell them how short you want the bangs. Do you want full, blunt bangs, or soft, wispy bangs you can push to the side? It helps to bring two or three pictures on your phone to show what you like.
Daily Styling and Upkeep
A French bob is fast to wash and dry. Many people just add a little hair cream or sea salt spray and let it air-dry.
However, it does need regular salon visits. Because the hair is so short, you will notice growth fast. You will need a small trim every four to six weeks to keep the shape and keep the bangs out of your eyes.
Try It on Your Own Face First
Chopping your hair is a big move. Before you bring scissors anywhere near your hair, you can see how it looks on you. Use the HairMatch AI app to get a free face-shape check. Then, use our paid photo packs starting at $0.99 to test a photoreal French bob on your own face to see if you really love it.