The Hollywood Bob Is Taking Over The Red Carpet
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1 day ago
Our latest hair obsession
Looking to up your bob game in 2025? Take a leaf out of Zendaya’s book and give yours the vintage treatment. Here’s everything you need to know about the Hollywood bob, the new go-to hairstyle.
What Is A Hollywood Bob?
‘The Hollywood bob is a short hairstyle inspired by the golden age of Hollywood, spanning from the 1920s to the 1960s,’ explains Suzie McGill, Artistic Director at Rainbow Room International. ‘A defining feature of the Hollywood bob is its volume and face-framing curls. While there are variations, the style is typically chin-length and is full of body, often styled with soft waves or curls, adding a touch of refinement and movement.’
And compared to other recent bob trends, this one is all about put-together sophistication. ‘The Hollywood bob is a more polished hairstyle compared to some of the relaxed and messy styles,’ notes Andy Heasman, Rush Hair & Beauty International Creative Director. ‘This style is playful and glamorous – think glossy and defined – making it a distinctive choice.’
@elizabethandreaa_ soft hollywood waves✨ #shorthairstyles #shorthair #hairinspo #hollywoodwaves #bobhairstyle #holidayhair #hair #hairtok ♬ original sound – 90swinona
It’s this distinct look, rooted in nostalgia, that gives the Hollywood bob its edge. ‘Its timeless appeal evokes a real sense of glamour and sophistication, but what I feel sets it apart and makes it special is the sense of nostalgia it brings relating to the golden age of cinema,’ highlights Suzie. ‘Despite ever-changing trends, this hairstyle remains a classic.’
Andy also notes that the bob’s versatility makes its a popular cut for 2025. ‘It blends a timeless look with current trends, but it also is a fantastic in-between length, which offers a wide variety of styling options, making it an incredibly versatile hairstyle,’ he says. ‘Whether you are going for sleek curls, a style loaded with volume or a more sculpted look, it can be adapted to suit almost any occasion. Additionally, the voluminous nature of the style gives the hair a full and healthy appearance, one that is full of vitality – which is ALWAYS a good look.’
Both stylists also note that, with awards season now underway, we’re seeing this trend step even further into the spotlight. ‘The recent Golden Globes saw Selena Gomez and Zendaya both rocking their versions of the Hollywood Bob on the red carpet,’ says Suzie. ‘Zendaya’s sleek Hollywood bob was styled to perfection with amped-up volume and rich reddish highlights Selena Gomez went for soft cascading waves and a side parting to achieve a perfectly polished look.’
Who Suits This Cut?
‘The true charm of the Hollywood bob lies in its versatility; it flatters everyone,’ reassures Andy. ‘For finer hair, the cut volume is great for giving the illusion of fuller hair, adding body and texture. It also works for thicker hair by reducing thickness and bulk. Additionally, the style flatters most face shapes, rounder faces can benefit from the chin-length and face-framing waves, while more angular features can be softened with the style.’
‘You might find that textured hair works very well with a Hollywood Bob, as it enhances key features of the style,’ adds Suzie.
@harbabeauty Who doesn’t love a roller set look 🤩 Admiring @afnandano’s fabulous style! 🔥 She added extra volume to her short bob with rollers, channeling timeless Hollywood glam 🌟 . . #Harba #HarbaHair #foryoupage #hairtutorial #rollerset #rollersettutorial #curlyhairtutorial ♬ original sound – harbabeauty
How To Ask For A Hollywood Bob In The Salon
Communication is key at your appointment, say our stylists. ‘It’s always best to come prepared when asking for a specific style like the Hollywood bob,’ emphasises Suzie. ‘Thinking about what length you would like to go for is a good start – do you want to go chin length or shorter? It is also always a good idea to bring any photos for references of the type of styles you’ve seen. This helps your stylist to get a better idea of your vision.’
How To Style A Hollywood Bob
There are a few ways you can achieve the Hollywood bob look – but the top tip from our stylists is to prioritise volume and shine when styling. ‘To style, use a round brush when drying, ensuring you start right at the roots for added volume,’ starts Suzie, who suggests rollers for the look. ‘Heated rollers can add height at the roots and an even curl throughout, making it easier to achieve a cascading effect. This ensures a long-lasting, glamorous result.’
Don’t have rollers to hand? ‘You can also use a flat iron to achieve a sleek and polished bob,’ says Andy. ‘As you style, curl and twist sections of your hair to smooth them out. Finish the look with a light serum or shine spray to enhance the glossy, polished appearance.’
@elenarachitskaya hope you will find this tutorial helpful even though we have a different type of hair, haircut, skin, haircare and so on #vintagehair #retrohair #retrohairtutorial #retrohairstyle #vintagehairtutorial #vintagehairstyle #vintagehairdontcare #oldhollywoodhair #oldhollywoodhairtutorial #oldhollywoodhairstyle #hollywoodhair #vintagevibes #hollywoodwaves #hollywoodwave ♬ Lambing – Matthaios
What Next?
As for the future of this cut, we can expect a more layered approach to create a perfectly polished final look. ‘We will likely see an emphasis on styling techniques and treatments, such as pairing the cut with hair glossing to enhance the sleek and polished nature of the style,’ suggests Andy.
And, as seen with Zendaya copper Hollywood bob on the red carpet, Suzie predicts a more playful approach to colour with this look. ‘I think the colour will start to play more of a key role in this style, enhancing its depth and shine with richer and more dimensional colours,’ she tells us. ‘Techniques such as hand-painted highlights and balayage will enhance polished and sleek waves, while the addition of bolder vibrant colours may bring a modern, fashion-forward edge to the style.’
Hair Inspiration
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Featured image: Kevin Mazur/Getty Images, courtesy of Louis Vuitton
