Got Thick Hair? This Is How To Make A Bob Hairstyle Work For You
Fact: No hairstyle holds as much power as the bob right now. Fiction: The bob doesn’t suit everyone. You see, the legacy hairstyle hasn’t always had the best reputation, and most onlookers are quick to dismiss themselves from the list of ‘appropriate bob candidates’ before they’ve even tried it. Sound like you? Chances are you’ve got thick hair.
The truth is, there are countless bob variations out there (truly, too many to count), each one adaptable to your unique hair type, face shape, and personal style. We needn’t be so afraid of this powerful, dynamic cut.
So, we're on a mission to debunk the myth that thick hair can’t rock a bob. To set the record straight, we tapped expert stylists for their top tips and insights, then curated the ultimate edit of bob styles for thick hair. Whether you're looking for inspiration or specific guidance, screenshot, save, or send this guide straight to your stylist for a fresh take on the bob.
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Is a Bob Haircut Suitable For Thick Hair?
It most certainly is. Better yet, thick hair can be an advantage when it comes to getting a bob, says Layla Smith, platinum educator for Kevin Murphy. ‘People with thicker hair usually have the widest range of options when it comes to cutting a bob, depending on the final look and feel.’ Whether it’s a bob with bangs, a graduated bob, a curly bob or a choppy bob (we could go on…), having more hair to play with means you can integrate dynamic movement and dimension to your cut.
‘Bobs tend to work on all hair types,’ Neale Rodger, style director at STIL salon, explains. ‘The key is understanding which shape or style of bob is appropriate for each density and texture.’
‘I’ll always recommend a glamorous, big, blown-out bob for clients with thick hair. Their natural density is ideal for this as it adds to the effect of that full, bouncy look. But if it’s a slimmer, cooler look they’re after, I’ll remove as much weight as possible using thinning techniques.’
Saying that, ‘I would avoid strong, dense bob styles for thick hair, as this acts as a double negative and enhances the fullness of the hair. I tend to work with softer, layered, textured shapes to counteract the hair's thickness.’
How Do You Cut a Bob For Thick Hair?
When you picture thick hair in a bob hairstyle, you’ll typically picture something boxy and bottom-heavy (and no wonder you’re put off). But done right, with the correct weighting and technique, the bob can work just fine for you.
‘A bob for thick hair needs a little finesse to avoid that dreaded triangle look,’ says Edward James, owner of Edward James salons. ‘If you prefer a longer bob, you’re in luck—it helps distribute weight more evenly, keeping the shape sleek and balanced. Many of my clients love this option because it gives them versatility and ease, reducing styling time and also allowing them to wear their hair up or down,' he continues.
James adds that for those wanting a more adventurous edge to their cut, an undercut will remove the volume of the haircut underneath. 'By shaving or cutting close at the nape, you can lose some of that excess bulk while adding a sharp, modern edge. I often suggest this for clients who want their bob to feel lighter but still pack a punch in terms of style, however it will require regular trims to maintain the undercut,' he shares.
‘Finally, layering is your secret weapon. Invisible layers are ideal for reducing weight without disrupting the sleek lines of a bob, while soft, face-framing layers can bring balance and make the look feel more tailored to you. I use this technique regularly to personalise bobs for my clients with thicker hair, and it always elevates the style.’
Dream Coat
Supershine Moisturising Cream
Shea Butter for Natural Hair Leave-In Conditioning Cream
How Do You Style a Bob With Thick Hair?
Styling a bob for thick hair requires a few things: a kit of smoothing product to aid manageability, a heated tool, and pro techniques.
‘Firstly, apply a product with anti-humidity protection to damp hair, because shorter crops on thick hair tend to favour a smoother, sleeker appearance. Follow with a heat protection spray, and use a large natural boar bristle brush to blow dry (they're the only type of brush that will give the smoothest, most long lasting and elevated blow dry),’ as Maria Sotiriou, co-founder of SILKE London, advises.
‘For a layered bob, you’ll want to create some movement at the wet-styling stage. Use a medium brush and smooth the hair downwards before drying the hair out in any direction to create movement. With this option I would finish with a texturising product to give definition,’ she adds.
That said, ‘one thing to be mindful of is that heat can make the hair swell up and feel even thicker. For this reason, a lot of bobs look better when worn naturally – especially in the day time - as over styling tends to over-power the bob and make them look old fashioned,’ Rodger explains.
Sold? Here's All The Style Inspiration You Need To Get A Bob With Thick Hair
Bob haircut for wavy, thick hair
Use natural texture to your advantage to add shape and movement to your bob haircut. Or, add some DIY waves with a medium-barrel curling wand. Voilà.
Long bob haircut for thick hair
Take inspiration from Camila Cabello and add a few inches to your bob haircut. As James puts it, 'it helps distribute weight more evenly, keeping the shape sleek and balanced.' Plus, it's versatility means you can still scrape it back into a ponytail with ease.
Bouncy bob haircut for thick hair
A bouncy blow-dry is always a good idea. Even more so if you've got thick hair as its airy nature will remove some weight from the scalp, so the style feels less head-hugging and more 90's-cool.
Bob with bangs for thick hair
Is any bob round-up complete without Taylor LaShae? Negative. She's sporting the ultimate French girl bob, but she's also showing us how to make it work for thick hair. Blown-out, flicked in at the ends and paired with chic bangs, the balance and weighting of this cut is impeccable.
Short bob for thick hair
Here's a silkier, slimmer example from actress Lucy Hale. The cut itself is one length and rather blunt, but the addition of a back-combed side parting adds interest to the style.
Choppy bob for thick hair
In Maya Hawke, the shag cut meets the bob. The beauty of this choppy style lies in how the weight is removed from the ends, preventing the dreaded bottom-heavy look while maintaining a fresh, voluminous shape.
Layered bob for thick hair
Notice how Zendaya’s cut feels perfectly balanced from root to tip? That’s the magic of layers, soft waves, and a bold side part working together to create effortless volume and movement.
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