3 min read“Don’t cut it, you’ll regret it.” Anyone with waist-length hair like mine will have heard this numerous times. Whenever I considered cutting it short—less time spent brushing and drying—I was reminded of the years my hair symbolized.
Yet with celebrities like Zendaya and Lily Collins adopting bob hairstyles last year, I had developed a sizable inspiration board—experimenting with virtual hairstyles online to determine the best fit for my face shape. I wasn’t daring enough to go for a dramatic pixie cut; I desired something soft and in-between, a tentative step into the realm of shorter hair… I opted for a lob.
It took me roughly three months to finally commit. It wasn’t the sudden grabbiness of my young child that sealed the deal, nor the hair envy I experienced seeing former long-haired colleagues make the cut and looking incredibly stylish. It was breaking my arm. Washing it, styling it, and detangling it all became nearly impossible instantaneously. So, I promptly scheduled an appointment with Ryan Wilkes and Damian Gray at Hershesons salon in Belgravia, London.
Hailey Bieber
What Sets a Lob Haircut Apart?
“The lob represents a more subtle approach to a bob,” Wilkes notes. “It should resemble a personal style and be suitable for you. Even if a particular style is trending, it’s crucial to customize it to your needs.”
A mid-length length is an excellent choice for individuals who may feel apprehensive, like myself—a transitional phase where you can assess if a shorter length is ideal for you. “It serves as an indicator of what might unfold down the road, in case you choose to embrace a bob,” he mentions. “For me, it’s all about anticipating the future.”
Who is a Lob Best Suited for?
If you’ve been advised that a heart-shaped face or sharp jawline is a prerequisite, disregard it, Wilkes suggests. “It’s designed for anyone looking to revamp their appearance. There’s invariably a way to make it suitable—and even altering your parting can entirely transform its appearance. The styling possibilities with this hairstyle are boundless.”
How to Style Your Lob
“The less styling, the superior,” he recommends. “Begin by air-drying, proceed with a rough dry, then conclude by blow-drying only the front sections.” For daily wear, minimal maintenance is necessary, but if you seek added movement and bounce, you can employ a large round brush during drying—or a styling wand to introduce more texture.
Before drying or styling, Wilkes advises using the Hershesons Almost Everything Cream for preparation—followed by the application of the Air Dry Spray to finalize the appearance.
Gray completed the look by refreshing my rather flat blonde color. He utilized a blend of highlights and lowlights to achieve depth, with lighter strands emerging, before applying toner solely to the roots.
Before
After
Seated in the salon chair, witnessing eight inches slip away induced both exhilaration and unease. I anticipated anxiety. Instead, I encountered relief. Eliminating that weight was liberating, especially in January when many of us contemplate new beginnings for the upcoming year.
If you’re contemplating a haircut, remember that hair regrows—but so too does self-confidence when you heed your own desires.
