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Original poster

Should I cut my hair into a short bob?

169 replies

EmilyC2 · 07/03/2018 08:04

I've loved the look of shorter hair on people lately, and I am toying with the idea of cutting my hair into a short bob. I don't have that long hair at the moment, reaches my collarbone. I love the look of Pandora Sykes' bob, as well as Rosamund Pike's when she had it in the bob style for a film.

Have any of you regretted cutting your hair into a bob, or do you think I should just go for it, it will grow back if I hate it?

OP posts:
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newdocket · 07/03/2018 11:21

Sorry to be neg. I'm sure a short bob CAN work on some people. Just not on me....

Ohchristmastreeohchristmastree · 07/03/2018 11:22

Bobs can be great. Just keep it edgy looking, maybe with colour?

Original poster
EmilyC2 · 07/03/2018 11:23

Poor you newdocket, in the five weeks that it looked terrible, was there anything you could do to disguise it or make it look better? Did you immediately hate it?
Whenever that happens I always still tell the hairdresser I love it though, were you honest?

OP posts:
newdocket · 07/03/2018 11:35

Emily, no, I didn't say anything because to be fair, I had asked for a short bob and that's what I got. But I did immediately hate it! I guess I was hoping that once I washed it myself and let it dry naturally rather than hairdresser bouffant number, it would look better but, no.

On a couple of cold days when it got flattened by a hat, it looked slightly better. Maybe when I tried to sweep the fringe over a bit too. What I really didn't like about it was that I couldn't put it up, in the past if I haven't liked a haircut I've just put it up but it was too short.

I still don't like it but can now walk past a mirror without shuddering. I'm growing it and am going to go for a layered, shoulder length kind of thing. My hair is thick and has a bit of a wave, perhaps I'm just not suited to this kind of cut.

piratequeenio · 07/03/2018 11:38

Your hair is lovey. DON'T cut it ! perhaps have some colour through it?

piratequeenio · 07/03/2018 11:39

My hair is way down my back. I actually have nightmares sometimes that it is cut into a mumbob!!

blueskyinmarch · 07/03/2018 11:39

I have a bob but i guess i am middle aged (55) so maybe not the best person to comment. I have to say my hair has always done bobbed best out of any style i have had. I think my hair type just really suits it and it always looks glossy and fresh. Long hair looks straggly and pixie cuts look very mumsy on me.

Original poster
EmilyC2 · 07/03/2018 11:41

Your hair sounds absolutely gorgeous piratequeenio, the problem with my hair is that although it looks in fairly good condition in the photos, usually it can be quite dry and not look good. I always wear it in the same boring style as well so I just feel like a change, I'm so torn between what to do haha

OP posts:
Original poster
EmilyC2 · 07/03/2018 11:44

For those suggesting colour, would blonde highlights look alright?

OP posts:
piratequeenio · 07/03/2018 11:49

yes - blonde balayage is lovely!! more natural too!

piratequeenio · 07/03/2018 11:52

Bluesky - I'm 50 plus too.

I find it rather sad that women of a certain age feel they cant have long hair! It seems to be the norm to lop it into a mumbob at 45 and to hell with it!

Lifeaback · 07/03/2018 11:55

I think a long bob would suit you, just a bit shorter than what you have now but maybe with a bit of feathering round your face? I think going straight to a short bob would be quite drastic and could look quite ageing, whereas doing it more gradually will be less of a shock. Short bobs really suit some people but they take so much maintenance to look nice, and you don't have the advantage of being able to bung it up in a ponytail if having a bad hair day

Lifeaback · 07/03/2018 11:56

This is the sort of thing I'm thinking

Should I cut my hair into a short bob?
keiratwiceknightly · 07/03/2018 11:58

I've had a very short bob - think Posh Spice some years ago - for a while and rocked it. I have very thick hair though and it was this and the short length that stopped it being mumbob I think.

gihaboyago · 07/03/2018 12:00

This reply has been deleted

Message deleted by MNHQ. Here's a link to our Talk Guidelines.

Original poster
EmilyC2 · 07/03/2018 12:01

That image of the bob looks really nice - I am tempted to go a bit shorter, but maybe not the full way yet as I don't want to hate it/walk around with a hairstyle I hate, as some of you have described having to do. I'll look into colouring as well.

I just feel like I haven't found the hairstyle that truly suits me yet. I wish I could! My hair has been sort of bob length before, when I was younger. That did suit me then, but my face shape will have changed over the years. Longer hair - it somehow never looks right. Hopefully I'll find 'my' hairstyle soon

OP posts:
newdocket · 07/03/2018 12:02

Lifeaback, that's exactly the kind of thing I'm growing mine into!!

newdocket · 07/03/2018 12:03

Lifeaback, that's exactly what I'm trying to grow mine into!!

Original poster
EmilyC2 · 07/03/2018 12:12

@newdocket I hope you're happier with your hair soon...if it looks anything like the picture I'm sure it will look lovely!

OP posts:
Lentilbaby · 07/03/2018 12:14

@Lifeaback That's what mine looks like. I have thick wavy hair so the different layers give it good texture. It's great to wave it a bit more with GHDs or just use salt spray and let it go wavy itself. In no way is this mumsy!

lalaloopyhead · 07/03/2018 12:25

I have a short bob and I get so many compliments on it! I had short hair for many years before but felt that looked dated and also I was starting to look far too much like my Mum.

I find it a lot easier to style than shorter hair tbh and it (mostly) tends to look neat and tidy all the time. I do also have a short blunt fringe which is a bit high maintenance, but I work down the road from my hairdresser and so can pop in for a quick trim when required!

SukiTheDog · 07/03/2018 12:45

Two bobs I loved... one short and and graduated short and then grown out a bit and more one length.

I’ve also had a bouffant bob which made my son cry when I walked through the front door just back from the hairdressers.

Should I cut my hair into a short bob?
Should I cut my hair into a short bob?
IamScarfaceClaw · 07/03/2018 12:46

How about something like this?

Should I cut my hair into a short bob?
IamScarfaceClaw · 07/03/2018 12:47

Or this? Basically he same but coloured.

Should I cut my hair into a short bob?
SukiTheDog · 07/03/2018 12:47

OP, I now have bra strap length hair and I’m bored to death with it, so understand your wanting to try something different 😊