44 Long Bob Haircut Ideas for Any Face Shape, According to Celeb Stylists

The straight lob is a great long bob haircut for those with a round face shape. “When you have hair resting on the shoulder or collarbone area, it creates a little added length to the round shape, creating a more oval appearance,” Dean notes. “If you have pin-straight hair, all you need to do is apply a styling cream to soaking wet hair and [then] air dry or blow dry.” He adds that those with wavy or curly hair may want to add a serum that will give a glossy, straight look.

“A longer A-line bob is great for those who don’t want to commit to a shorter, volume-boosting cut,” Dean says. “It creates visual interest, a subtle lift to the back of the hair and is easy to style.” The best part? All face shapes can pull off this classic cut. At home, Dean recommends styling it with a boar bristle brush. Start by applying styling cream and mousse to wet hair and then blow dry to 80 percent. Then, Dean explains, swap to a round brush “to smooth from roots to your ends, beveling your brush under to create a beautifully sleek finish on your ends.”

Dean praises this long bob haircut for its versatility. Wear it air-dried, diffused, blown out—it’s what you make it. “Depending on the degree of texture you want, you can ask your stylist for a standard shag or wolf cut, but making sure they keep the front of your hair longer than the back,” he advises. Before styling, apply cream, mousse and texturizing spray to wet hair before proceeding.  

How do you improve on a classic? Add bangs, of course. “I like to suggest a curtain bang because the commitment level is low, styling is simple and it’s so complementary to all face shapes,” Dean shares. When styling bangs at home, he recommends using a medium to large boar bristle brush. "To create lift, elevate bangs and slightly wrap around your round brush. Then turn out the right side and left to open up your fringe.”

With the ‘90s back in full-force, a money piece is an appropriate nod to the era while also serving as a color accent and face-framing pop. “The grow-out is forgiving and doesn’t cost a lot as an add-on to your salon bill,” Dean says. “I would also suggest the money piece be two to three levels lighter and the shade should be tonally similar to the rest of your color to avoid major contrast.” When styling at home, apply a cream and smoothing serum on wet hair and then blow dry smooth with a large round brush. Dean likes to finish the look with a spritz of hair oil to boost shine.

“Beach wave lobs have been trending for the past few years because they work so well with all face shapes,” Dean says. He prefers heatless styling for this cut. Start with a texturizing spray on damp hair, spritzing the mid-lengths to ends. Then, tie your hair into two loose braids (three if your hair is dense). When you undo the braids, spray your hair one last time and then scrunch for an effortless look.

“The asymmetrical long bob creates a chic yet modern take on a plain haircut,” Chong says. She notes it’s a particularly good choice for folks with fine hair, complementing all face shapes because it doesn’t draw attention to any focal point. “These bobs can be styled straight and sleek or messy with tousled waves.” If you’re going for a sleek look, Chong recommends applying a hair cream before drying. For tousled waves, swap the cream for a blow dry spray and finish with a texturizing spray to create separation and volume. Don’t go too nuts with the product, though. “It's best not to go too extreme, otherwise you could end up looking like the cover of a hairdresser magazine in the supermarket checkout line circa [the early] aughts.”

When styled right (read: shiny and sleek), this long bob haircut quickly goes from schoolgirl to sophisticated Michelle-Pfeifer-in-Scarface vibes. “This works for most face shapes, but people with small foreheads may want to look towards no bangs or a side bang,” Chong advises. “A full bang could make a face look more compact.” To style at home, she recommends applying blow dry cream before drying with a round brush to create shine and bevel.

Draw the eye to your long bob haircut with an ombre accent. “It will define the haircut and give the bob a dimensional look,” Hong says. The ombre touch adds texture and body to your hair. Hong recommends the style for rounder face shapes, as it will elongate the face line.  

Hong lauds balayage highlights for their ability to transform a haircut. "Just the right amount of contouring around the face frame and throughout gives the extra chicness,” she notes. “It works perfectly to add body and texture—worn straight for a sleek look, the balayage helps give the soft featheredness so the highlights don't look streaky.” If you prefer a tousled, wavy look, then the light color dimension can add what Hong calls “sparkle.” This long bob haircut, she says, is versatile and works for most face shapes.

According to Chong, the secret to making this long bob haircut work for anyone is customizing the length. “Someone with a wider, square jaw may want to opt for a length that lays below the chin so the focal point does not become the jawline,” she notes. “Side bangs create a softer look than bangs that lay straight across.” To prevent the ends of your hair from flipping at your shoulders, have the stylist cut the back of your hair shorter for a sleeker shape. This haircut can be styled however you want. Chong recommends starting with a blow dry primer so that the result is smooth if blow dried and retains a natural texture if air-dried.

Going grey (and not planning to dye your hair)? Here’s a long bob haircut for you. “The bob can enhance the beauty of the silver strands by giving it a very modern yet sophisticated look,” Hong says. “This style is timeless yet beautiful and can be worn at any time.” To best care for your hair, Hong recommends using an anti-brass shampoo to help counter yellowing so you have a crisp, shiny silver look.  

The lob with short bangs works wells with inverse triangle faces. According to Scalia, “bangs will shorten your face and make it seem a little bit less long. The lob below your chin will cover up the wider part of your jaw, so that will create balance.” To style your hair at home, he recommends applying heat protectant and then a blowout cream. Use a round brush to add volume and smooth the texture. If you lean towards a straight, sleek look, use a flat iron instead. Finish the look with a light hair oil (skip if you have fine hair) and an anti-humidity spray.

This long bob haircut is essentially the previous cut, minus the bangs. Before getting this haircut, Scalia says you should consider the following questions: “Do I have the right characteristics and the right features to wear bangs? Is my hair too difficult to straighten? Do I have too many layers?” He explains that hair density and any pre-existing layers will have a strong impact on this look. If you go for the lob, then make sure it’s cut at least one inch below your chin, falling somewhere between the shoulder and clavicle.

There’s a lot to consider with this long bob haircut when it comes to hair texture and facial features. “The form or shape of the layers are what provide a sense of shape to the haircut,” Scalia explains. How your stylist does the layers will depend on these two factors. “For example, if you have a narrow face, you will want to compensate with choppy layers falling on the side—that will give more proportion." When it comes to styling, Scalia says those with curly hair require minimal styling. “If you have straight hair, I recommend wanding it in diagonal sections and twisting it in a spiral way [with a hairbrush]. Don’t curl the ends or you will take away from the bob line,” he advises. Tousle and then finish with hairspray. Or, shake things up and blow dry upside down, setting everything with a wax spray to preserve texture and separation of ends.

Scalia says that the side-parted long bob haircut works best on those who have a long face. The best way to style it is with a dramatic side bang for a polished, clean look. “Whether this cut will look good on [someone] is based on very long layers to the front part,” he advises. Before getting this cut, you may want to grow out your hair a bit to give the stylist more to work with.

Those with narrow, long or petite faces will want to adjust the volume of this long bob haircut in relation to their features. “For example,” Scalia explains, “[a] longer face will [want more volume] on the side.” This is a great haircut to style naturally, and if your hair is curly, just add curl enhancer cream and then scrunch under a diffuser. If your hair is straight, you can blow dry and then curl for a wavy look. The key is to create and build volume, texture and movement in your hair.

“This is best for those who want a bob, but who have a little bit of a round face,” Scalia says. “I wouldn’t recommend it for anyone with a long face unless they have bangs.” This haircut can be styled straight, wavy or textured—the end goal is shiny and smooth. When at the salon, Scalia advises asking the stylist to keep the layers as long as possible.

The soft ombre long bob works best on oval and heart-shaped faces, says Bataille, because the ombre can enhance this face shape by giving it dimension.  At the salon, ask your stylist for a collarbone-length cut and to give the ombre a subtle transition. Be sure to specify the color contrast. To style yourself, he recommends using a curling iron or straightener to add waves for a relaxed vibe. Prep your strands with sea salt spray for texture and hair oil for shine. Of course, don’t forget the heat protectant.

Those with a round or square face should try the straight lob with bangs, because the straight lines of the cut can help balance these shapes, Bataille explains. He recommends keeping it sleek by styling with a flat iron. Prep the hair with mousse and set with hair spray and pomade. Alternately, add texture with a texturizing spray.

The wispy long bob complements all face shapes, thanks to the wispy layers that give the cut softness and movement. At the salon, Bataille says to request subtle and wipsy layers throughout the cut. To style, he advises using a curling wand for loose waves. You can prep your hair with texturizing spray and flexible-hold hairspray. Brush everything out with a wide-tooth comb.

According to Bataille, this long bob haircut works well on round and oval faces because the asymmetry of sideswept bangs flatters these shapes. “Sweep the bangs to the side and add soft waves to the lob,” he recommends when styling. Apply mousse (this helps with hold and longevity), hairspray and a smoothing serum to your hair before you start, and then style with a round brush.

“[This haircut is] best for square and heart-shaped faces because graduated layers can provide balance and structure,” Bataille shares. At the salon, be sure to communicate that you want the layers to graduate in length towards the front. To style, prep your hair with mouse and then dry with a round brush. He recommends both hair and finishing spray to prolong the volume and hold of the hairdo.

The extremely wavy lob works best on round and oval faces. “The waves add a playful touch to these face shapes,” Bataille notes. “Enhance natural waves with a diffuser or use a curling iron for added texture.” At the salon, ask the stylist for a lob that accommodates your natural wave pattern. For home styling, finish the look with sea salt spray.

The key to this long bob haircut is to keep the babylights subtle. “[It’s] best for oval and heart-shaped faces, [as] babylights can add brightness and dimension to these face shapes,” Bataille says. When styling, he recommends keeping it sleek with a flat iron or straightener. Prep your hair with heat protectant, and then add hair oil for shine and wax to hold everything together.

“This cut is great for people with curly hair who like to wear it naturally,” Akaneya notes. It’s super easy to style—she recommends applying a gel styler to damp hair and air drying. “If you want to break up the hair a bit and add more separation and dimension, work some [hair oil] in through the ends.”

“This cut is great for someone who has a round or heart shaped face but who also struggles with a large forehead,” Akaneya says. Note that blunt bangs cause the face to appear wider. If you’re self-conscious about having a wide face, Akaneya suggests avoiding bangs. However, the caveat is that bangs can also create the appearance of a shorter face, so those with long foreheads may want to go with them. To style at home, she recommends blowing them out. Just add heat protectant and some shine spray for a glossy finish.

The messy long bob haircut might be the ultimate definition of low maintenance. “This is a great cut for someone who likes to wash and go with little time spent on styling,” Akaneya notes. “It's an effortless look and it works best on thick, wavy hair because the layers are not too uniform, so it creates a nice shape without becoming too wide.” She says that when styling, you can either air-dry or use a blow dryer with a diffuser. If taking the former route, Akaneya suggests a lightweight styling cream to add texture and shine without weighing down your locks.

Shadow roots will give your long bob haircut a “cool, lived in, grungy feel,” Akaneya says. “It's great for someone who doesn't like to get their color done too often and looks best when air dried or heat styled with waves.” Rushing out the door? Apply some styling cream and towel dry before heading out. (You can also use a diffuser.) If heat styling, Akaneya stresses the importance of using heat protectant, especially to preserve the color.

According to Akaneya, the blunt-end long bob haircut is a versatile style that’s  great for those wanting a sleek look or textured waves. “The bluntness of it is also good for fine hair because of its length—it helps create fullness.” To create the short-and-sleek look, she recommends prepping the hair with heat protectant, blow drying and then finishing with a hair oil for polish. If you want to add waves, Akaneya uses a 1.25-inch curling iron and texture spray to give the hair a beachy feel.

Fan of the ‘90s blowout? This is the long bob haircut for you. (Akaneya says to skip it if you like to wash-and-go.) It’s a great style for those with round faces because, she explains, the inverted line gives the face shape and dimension, making it appear longer and more heart shaped. To style, you know the drill: heat protectant on damp hair before blow drying. She finishes with hair oil for shine and polish. Should you have fine hair that tends towards greasy, Akaneya recommends a light oil spray instead.

Similar to the long bob haircut with sideswept bangs, this variation also suits round and oval faces due to the asymmetry of the styling. To do your hair at home, Vaccaro suggests applying volumizing spray on the roots. “Bend [your] head over and [use your] hands to lift hair off roots for a wash and wear look. For curly hair use [your] favorite curling product and let dry naturally to keep curls intact. Use your fingers and gently lift hair off roots from inside of hair to loosen curl.”

Oblong, pear and inverse triangle faces—listen up. As Scalia previously notes, bangs can help shorten the face and add softness to harsher angles. Try a more delicate, feathered-out approach if curtain or blunt bangs aren’t your speed. As multiple stylists suggest, you’re best off blowing out the bangs using a round brush.

If you have straight hair, Vaccaro suggests styling this as a ponytail, noting that a middle part will give the look a little edge. “[Do] some back combing in the crown for volume and [use a] large curling iron to make one large curl for bounce,” she advises.

It’s all about the layers here. (Bangs optional.) According to Vaccaro, the key to nailing this look is to ease up on the blow dryer. “Finger drying on low and adding texture spray will create movement,” she says.

“These cuts are naturally more edgy and easy to style,” Vaccaro says. “Use a styling cream and then take a flat iron to bend the ends for spiky edges. You can also slick back with gel using a deep side part for a sleek fresh look. For curly hair, slick back with a fine-tooth comb and gently push the hair forward to make a natural finger wave.”

The selling point of the middle part is its versatility. “By moving your part to either an off-center or deep side part, you can create different levels of fullness within your style,” Vaccaro says. Consider the middle-parted lob a great jumping point for tons of variations—but don’t be afraid to keep things simple as is.

“A heart shaped face is great for a textured bob,” Korab says. “I recommend the bob length start at or below the chin to complement best.” When styling, she likes to blow dry with a round brush to add volume. Korab completes the look with a curling iron to add loose waves, which give the hair texture and movement. To set the hair, she uses texture spray and paste.

The super-long bob haircut will work with any face shape, but Korab likes it best on an oval or round face, saying it’s the most classic look. “To style, I love to blowout with a round brush to create added movement throughout the layers,” she explains. “I like to use a blow dry cream on the ends and a mousse at the roots to add lift.”

If you have a square face, the layered long bob haircut is for you. “Its layers or textured ends can soften the angles of [this face shape],” Korab notes. She recommends blow drying when styling, with a focus on volume at the roots and smoothing of the ends. “Lift the hair at the roots while blow drying. Finish with a flat iron to create a sleek look or use a curling iron to create movement.”

“A two-toned long bob can be a trendy and eye-catching style that works with various face shapes,” Korab shares. “The choice of two-toned coloring doesn't necessarily depend on face shape, but rather on your personal style and preferences. Styling a two-toned bob can also be done in many ways. My personal preference is to style in a straight, sleek look. Use a flat iron to smooth out the hair and keep the edges flat.”

Diamond-shaped faces work well with this long bob haircut, because the style softens angles. Korab likes to blow out the hair with a round brush, bending the ends to create the rounded edges. To set the strands, finish with hairspray.

“This bob haircut has lots of volume and textured layers, resembling the wild and voluminous look of a lion's mane. It creates a bold and dramatic hairstyle,” Korab notes. It works well with most face shapes. When styling, Korab likes to use a root lifer and then blow dry to create volume. Add beach waves and finish with texture spray. A lion’s mane long bob can be worn by most face shapes.

“I love this look on a round face shape [because] it adds angularity and the illusion of length,” Korab explains. “The longer front pieces can help elongate the face.” To style, she likes adding volume at the top and creating smooth, sleek ends. After applying heat protectant, blow dry with a round brush and finish with a flat iron.