The always fashionable haircut that outlives the trends

The bob (and its permutations) has well and truly become a hair fixture: there are blunt bobs, loose-wave bobs, the lob, the Prada bob, curled-end bobs, textured bobs, bobs with fringes and bobs without. And why not? Once you get your styling skills under control, it’s just a trim every eight to 10 weeks. And if you crave length back again, bobs are easy to grow out.

Actor Joey King debuted a Prada bob on the red carpet.Credit: Getty Images

On the fashion-forward front, Hollywood stylist Dimitris Giannetos (@dimitrishair) has nabbed the phrase the “Prada bob”, which he describes as “asymmetric but giving the illusion of being a few centimetres longer toward the nape of the neck”. One lucky recipient of his skills is US actor Joey King. “Her hair was straightened to flip inward at the ends to pull the look together,” says Giannetos, “but any hair type can achieve this bob.”

For this look, you’ll need a hot-styling tool such as the ghd Chronos HD Motion-Responsive Styler ($465). Once styled, finish with a light pomade like Ouai’s Matte Pomade ($47) to create an ultra-polished flyaway-free bob.

Also on high celebrity rotation is the hydro bob – Jennifer Lopez wore her bob in a wet look for Paris Haute Couture week, tucking it behind her ears and allowing a couple of face-framing tendrils to waft free. Try R + Co Waterfall Moisture + Shine Lotion ($51) to create the wet look.

For a low-maintenance cut, we especially love the relaxed bob. Getting this look can be as simple as air-drying hair with Bumble and Bumble Seawood Air Dry Cream ($60) and scrunching it with your fingers occasionally as it dries.

Jennifer Lopez (left) and Hailey Bieber sporting a bob.

The soft, textured bob has that just-slept-in feel and Hailey Bieber is a big proponent. A shot of Klorane Dry Shampoo with Oat and Ceramide ($18) loosely worked through day-old hair is a recipe for success.

And if your hair is naturally curly, add in some of your favourite curl cream and let your texture rule. We like to run Umberto Giannini Crème de Curl Control Cream ($34) through the mid-lengths and ends of the hair. A fresh fringe can lend textured hair a modern feel, or try curling just the ends à la Alexa Chung.

This cut really knows no bounds because when your bob graduates and starts to grow into a lob, all the same suggestions apply.

ASK STEPH

How do I get my toenails looking fresh for summer?

Keep your cuticles soft and away from the nail plate by applying a gentle cuticle remover and delicately pushing cuticles back using an orange stick covered in cotton wool. Try Mavala Cuticle Remover, $20.

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