The Bob Is The Cool Girl Cut Of 2023: Here’s What To Know If You’re Tempted To Get The Crop

There’s no denying that you’ll earn some major style points by cutting a bob. But the real question is, should you?

We spoke with Sydney-based hair guru, Alex Fuchs of Fuchs Hair, to find out everything you need to know before trying the trend yourself. 

Are some bobs better than others when it comes to different face shapes?
“Yes, I think the thing with bobs is that the bob is a classic haircut. It's been around for decades and decades and decades. Every few years. It gets reinvented, so there are so many different variations to the bob. What is very important when I talk to my customers about a bob is rather than following a certain trend of ok that bob is hot right now, that's what you need – the bob needs to be tailored to you, your face shape, and your lifestyle. Not every bob suits every person. Things like the jawline, the shape of your face, where your cheekbones sit, all of that really is so crucial when it comes to cutting a bob because a haircut, especially in a bob length, can completely change your appearance. It can also make certain facial features stand out or disguise them. So choose the right hairdresser who will recommend the right bob to you.”

“I see it too many times that a client walks in with a picture. I want that haircut, and the hairdresser does that haircut, and it just doesn't work or doesn't look good on them. So I think getting that consultation is so crucial when it comes to the bob because you can literally make or break your face.”

If someone is considering cutting their hair shorter, what questions should they ask their hairdresser before the big chop? 
“First of all, I think it's always important to ask yourself first, why am I cutting my hair shorter? Is this something you have thought about for a long time, or is this a split decision – think about it. Once you have made the decision to cut it and you’re ready to have a consultation with your hairdresser, then give the hairdressers a heads up that you’re thinking of a dramatic change because they might need to know that before you come in just so they’ve got enough time to actually talk to you. It's not your usual trim, it's a makeover.” 

“Ask your hairdresser for their advice. Ask things like, with my hair type, what length would you recommend? What style would you recommend? With my face shape, what length and style and layering technique would you recommend? So really ask about face shape, hair texture, ask the question, what would you recommend? What do you think would work for me? Be very transparent of how much effort you put into your hair. So if you are not the type of person who blow-dries and straightens your hair a lot, be honest about that. If you want something which looks good naturally dried, air dried, make sure you tell your hairdresser that as well. Because one thing which is always hard is that the pictures we see online of these celebrities, they have hairdressers styling their hair every single day. It doesn't really matter what style they go for, they have someone taking care of styling their hair.”

What about a client bringing in a selfie of themselves when they liked how they looked?
“Absolutely! Any information is helpful. I'm the type of hairdresser that likes you to bring in anything. Bring in pictures of when you felt like you looked the best and when your hair looked the best. Bring in pictures of when you weren't so happy with your hair. Bring your pictures of inspiration for hairstyles you love – the more information and the more pictures, the better.“

“I get the benefits of long hair too. You can chuck it up in a ponytail or a claw clip, and you're done. Whereas a bob can be a bit of work in the morning as you can't just pop it up. In saying that, there are many different lengths of bobs, especially the more trendy ones, where you can still do half up, and half down. Yeah. So I would say, in general, the benefit of having a bob is it's a statement. It's a look. And it feels healthier and stronger because all the dead ends are called cut off and shinier.” 

Is there anyone who shouldn’t go for a bob haircut?
“Usually, the super thick, coarse and very frizzy hair, purely because of upkeep. If you are not the person to straighten and style your hair constantly, don't do it. If you have curly thick hair and you love wearing your hair with its natural curls, go for it. But be aware that if you want to go for a straight look, it is a lot of effort. If someone has facial features like a strong jawline or maybe a more rounded face, I would go for a longer version because it just softens.”

Are there any situations where you wouldn’t go through with a dramatic hair transformation? Such as, the client is going through a breakup, or you can tell won’t be ready for the upkeep.
“I do hesitate sometimes if it's not a regular client of mine because I'm like, okay, girl are you sure? But often, the client will really want it. Look, I will always suggest a safer look. For example, if you want to bob, let's keep it a bit longer. You're gonna get that hit of change, but if it's not for you, then you can easily maintain it, or it takes you less to go back to where you were.”