Bob, Lob, and Shag Haircuts Are About to Dominate Your Spring
New season, new excuse to head to the salon, right? While you don’t have to wait for the weather to change to switch your look, we totally understand wanting to suss out all the trendy, seasonal haircuts before making the snip. For spring 2019 that means a couple short styles and one choppy option that will leave you dreaming of the ’70s. Ahead, with help from celebrity stylists, we introduce you to the head-turning ‘dos you’re about to see everywhere online and IRL.
THE BLUNT CUT BOB
Fall 2018’s most popular cut is proving to keep pace for spring 2019. Worn by celebs including Kim Kardashian, Bella Hadid, and Jenna Dewan, the short, blunt bob is characterized by an even length from front to back with zero layers. (Photo via Claudio Lavenia/ Getty)
To score the signature ends, celebrity hairstylist Justine Marjan recommends asking your stylist for a blunt, chin-grazing length created with shears instead of a straight edge. “This will actually create a sharp finish,” Marjan, who snipped the look on Brittany Xavier above, says. If your hair is thick, she notes that your ends may need to be thinned out for more movement, in which case a few razor slashes can be beneficial.
Beyond your hair type, think about your bone structure. “This cut complements nearly every face shape,” celebrity hairstylist Andrew Fitzsimons says. It’s especially flattering for anyone with a heart-shaped face or a defined jawline, and, if you have a round face, just elongate the length a little bit to help balance it all out.
Once you commit to the cool-girl look, Marjan, who is also a TRESemmé global stylist, suggests using a smoothing serum and flat iron for a sleek, shiny finish. If you prefer wavy strands, you can still use a flat iron, just do so to employ the S-wave technique. Bending your strands back and forth through the tongs, you’ll be able to create a beachy texture sans curling wand. To help the texture stick, stylist and IGK co-founder Leo Izquierdo recommends spritzing a texture spray from lengths to ends and using your hands to work it through.
The Modern Shag
More of a mid-length mindset? A layered, face-framing shag hairstyle will be right up your alley. “It delivers a sexy Bridget Bardot,’70s-bombshell feeling paired with a hip downtown vibe,” celebrity hairstylist Leon Gorman, who works with Kate Moss and Hailey Baldwin, describes. “The disheveled, undone softness, which is flexible with all natural textures, makes it an easy-to-manage mane that can be air-dried or blown-out.” (Photo via Dominik Bindl/ Getty)
The best way to achieve the retro style is to use your words. “Ask your stylist for a razor cut with the ends thinned out for lots of movement,” says Marjan, who snipped Katherine McNamara’s shag above. “You’ll want face-framing layers that open up around the eyes and cheekbones and shorter layers throughout.” Or use them to focus on your best features and have your stylist trim accordingly. “For example, if you love your lips, layers that hit right around there will draw the eyes there,” Marjan explains. “If you have a smaller face, you’ll want shorter layers around the face to open it up.”
To style your shaggy strands, you have a few options. For a just-washed look, celebrity stylist Lacy Redway likes to prime hair with Virtue The One for All 6-in-1 Styler ($36) and mold with a lightweight matte texture product — her favorites are Nexxus Between Washes Beach Waves Sea Salt Spray ($12) and Kristin Ess Depth Defining Water Based Pomade ($10). For a shinier take on the trendy hairdo, she applauds OUAI Hair Oil ($28). “It helps make your hair piecey while still adding shine,” she says. More of a heat-styled babe? Take Izquierdo’s suggestion and spritz towel-dried hair with a leave-in conditioner like IGK THIRSTY GIRL Coconut Milk Leave-In Conditioner ($28), volume spray, and hydrating balm on the ends, before using a round brush to blow it all out.
The Voluminous Lob
This collarbone-grazing cut has been seen on a handful of celebs, including Olivia Culpo, Khloe Kardashian, and Ashley Graham — and for good reason. The in-between style is just long enough to score flirty volume and a swishy hair-flip. (Photo via Paul Archuleta/ Getty)
According to Marjan, the mastermind behind Culpo’s wavy mane, the bouncy lob looks best on oval and heart face shapes, however Fitzsimons, a NatureLab.TOKYO brand ambassador, notes that it can work for everyone. “Since the ends of your hair aren’t near your face, it’s not drawing attention to any specific facial feature or area,” Fitzsimons explains.
It all comes down to selecting a stylist who knows how to tailor the trim to your bone structure. “Round shapes will want to keep the length slightly longer to lengthen the face,” Marjan points out. While it features blunt ends, she says the key to the cut is to request lots of layers throughout for volume that’s capable of being parted on either side.
To avoid the shape falling flat, mousse will be your go-to. “Style at home by blow-drying with a lightweight, maximum hold option, like the TRESemmé TRES Two Extra Hold Mousse ($6), and the ghd Air Professional Performance Hairdryer ($199) for lift and volume,” she advises.
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