What is the current equivalent of a bob haircut?

[HopeForTheBest]

I have weird, wiry, temperamental mid-menopausal hair with a lot of wave (but cannot let it dry naturally as it just frizzes). I let it grow to just below shoulders, and had some layers put in (like a butterfly cut) and it was great! Then suddenly it morphed into a frizzy, oily AND dry nightmare so I just cut off the bottom 5 inches in rage on day. I'm seeing the hairdresser next week and need to go in with an idea of what to do with it.

I've got some grey at the sides and in the fringe, both of which I quite like and don't want to dye, but it looks odd as the rest doesn't have any grey in it.
I've had bobs in the past (like, in the 90s), but that looks so incredibly dated now. It also needs to be just long enough to put up in a short ponytail/bun, so cut has to be longer than chin length.

Any ideas gratefully received!

I dont think a bob is suitable for anyone with unmanageable hair. Mine is wavy so Ive grown it waist length and experiment with hairstyles. Its so much easier. Im 64.

I also add hair pieces.

It just goes wild when it gets longer. It needs TAMING 😁

Assuming you use thermal straighteners to style it so that it’s smooth? You can still have lots of body on the hair with heat tools. Makes a massive difference.

How old are you? Are you on insta? How much styling are you willing to do on your hair? Have a look at wolf cut on insta, they're v trendy right now and would work well with your hair, without too much styling. Most good hairdressers will be willing to have a good consult to discuss with you. I have curly hair and hate styling it, so always get a curly Bob but recently got a wolf cut, which I'm loving. You may need to change you whole approach to your hair if the texture has changed and it might be worth discussing with a sensible hairdresser.

This thread just inspired me to google and I found this:-

https://www.glamour.com/gallery/bob-haircuts-and-hairstyles

I went to an event last week with lots of women in their 40s and 50s and I made an effort to look at their hair as I have a similar dilemma. The best and most versatile haircut I saw was a chin length, blunt cut bob with a side parting. Not quite long enough to have in a pony tail but some had it in a half pony tail which looked good. Seemed to disguise the jowels as well

I'm 54, not on Insta. Wash hair every other day, and happy to spend time styling it (but don't want to have to wash every morning in order to do so). Sometimes use straighteners (not very hot setting) to stop insane curling under, but when it gets a bit longer again it will (hopefully) stop doing that.
Hair is both dry and oily, and seems really erratic - sometimes it's fine and other times it's really, really frizzy and weird looking.
I've looked up wolf cuts but I can't really see what it's supposed to look like - to me it looks like lots of random layers, and I think if I was young and gorgeous I'd probably be able to get away with it, but sadly I'm not :D

I am going for a bob, my usual style and trying a Brazilian blow dry.
Two of my trendy friends have just gone for a bob style.

Wolf cut can go badly wrong, there was another thread recently about one. I think with the right products you’ll get decent hold on a style.
It’s inexpensive, but the Pantene repair and protect shampoo and conditioner makes my hair really silky and manageable. It may not be the “best” but I notice a huge difference when I don’t use that. It probably coats the hair in silicone or something like that but I can use a lot less heat on it because it’s already manageable.

Have you considered embracing your curls? Properly treated they shouldn't be frizzy.

I follow the Wavy Girl Method from the FB group Wavy hair with Charlotte Rich (or similar). My hair now has proper waves not just frizz.

I go to a wavy hair specialist and she really just trims to make the most of the curls.

A sort of long bob styled into messy beach waves/curls? That’s quite on trend at the moment

also textured/layered bobs with shorter backs but like… messy shorter backs. I can’t explain it very well but I’ll see if I can find a decent picture

https://www.instagram.com/shenaegrimesbeech?igsh=MXgydDFlYWNiNWs2ag== Has the coolest bob

These are all pretty cool and not dated

I do feel you on the full-on chin-length bob though. I had waist-length hair last summer and cut it to just under chin length and was absolutely gutted when it finally caught up with me that I couldn’t manage my hair anymore and it looked awful when I didn’t do anything to it

Those all look gorgeous but sadly my hair doesn't do that, it just goes frizzy, never lovely and wavy. When it's longer, it sort of hangs quite nicely sometimes, but when shorter it does a mad curling thing that just looks awful.
It's always had the frizz problem if I don't blow dry it, even when I was younger, but now it's got additional menopausal shite going on.
I'm just worried about a bob looking really naff.

I've just looked up "bobs for over 50 women" and these are exactly what I don't want:
https://www.harpersbazaar.com/uk/beauty/hair/a65498108/bob-haircuts-for-women-over-50/
They all look tired and uninspired and just meh.

Have you tried washing your hair less often? Going to once or twice a week improved my frizz. Also use a decent hair mask every week. Your hair needs hydrating if frizzy. And invest in good products, hair oil, leave in conditioner, etc.

70 Must-Try Medium Shag Haircut Ideas for 2026
Scroll to 5. Tousled Shaggy Lob, 66. Choppy Shoulder-Length Shag

https://www.harpersbazaar.com/uk/beauty/hair/a65498108/bob-haircuts-for-women-over-50/
No.

Yes, it just gets insanely greasy by day 3 and I can't bear it. Using a hair mask improves the condition, but only for that wash iyswim, not overall.

The flicky shaggy ones just don't work on my hair, it just accentuates the frizz. No. 3 might work though, just making my way through the rest...

If you try the wavy girl method (I don't get commission, honest!) you should find it gets less greasy.

Can you afford a weekly blow dry? I’m considering it because a professional blow dry is the only thing that makes my hair look decent. Menopause hair is no joke! It does several competing things at once and none of it flattering.

"It does several competing things at once and none of it flattering."

THAT IS IT EXACTLY!

The ‘Wyse’ bob so called as it’s worn by the lady on insta who appears to be their muse and the owner has similar style . I was in a Wyse store last week and the assistant had one too -
Short bob with flicked waves it’s everywhere .