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French bob: who it suits, every version, and how to try it on you

Short, a little undone, and usually paired with bangs. See the French bob in three versions, then try it on your own selfie before you cut.

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Examples: French Bob

Every example is an AI-generated model edited with SnipMirror, not a real person.

Before: Shoulder-length wavy hairBefore
After: Shoulder-length wavy hair with french bobAfter
Shoulder-length wavy hair
Before: Long straight hairBefore
After: Long straight hair with french bobAfter
Long straight hair
Before: Natural curly hairBefore
After: Natural curly hair with french bobAfter
Natural curly hair

What is a French bob?

A French bob is a short bob cut between the jaw and the cheekbones, usually with bangs. Compared with a classic bob it's shorter and less precise: the ends are soft, slightly tousled and often cut with a little texture, so it looks effortless rather than sleek. It's associated with Parisian style and 1920s glamour, and has come back as one of the most popular short cuts.

3 ways to wear a French bob

Bangs and texture change the French bob the most. Every example here was made with SnipMirror on an AI-generated model, and you can try any of them on your own photo.

French bob with full bangs on an AI-generated model

French bob with full bangs

Straight, eyebrow-grazing bangs and a jaw-length bob. The most classic version, and a strong look on long or oval faces.

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Wavy French bob on an AI-generated model

Wavy French bob

Soft, undone waves and light bangs. It looks good air-dried and grows out gracefully.

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Curly French bob on an AI-generated model

Curly French bob

Natural curls cut to the jaw with a short curly fringe. The round shape shows off curl pattern. Cut it a little longer than you want, since curls shrink.

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Who a French bob suits

When to think twice

Celebrity French bobs to show your stylist

Louise Brooks's hairstyle

Louise Brooks

Her glossy, jaw-length bob with a blunt fringe from the late 1920s is the classic reference for a French bob with bangs.

Photo: Eugene Robert Richee, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons

Anna Wintour's hairstyle

Anna Wintour

She has worn the same chin-length bob with full bangs for decades, and it's her signature look.

Photo: LGEPR (cropped by Daniel Case), CC BY 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons

Mireille Mathieu's hairstyle

Mireille Mathieu

The French singer has kept a sleek, rounded bob with a heavy straight fringe since the late 1960s.

Photo: Rob Mieremet (Anefo), CC0, via Wikimedia Commons

Photos are from Wikimedia Commons under the licenses shown. These people aren't affiliated with SnipMirror and don't endorse it.

What to tell your stylist

Ask for a French bob that ends at your jawline or just above it, with soft, slightly textured ends rather than a blunt line. Say whether you want full bangs at the eyebrows or a lighter, wispy fringe. If your hair is wavy or curly, ask for it to be cut close to how you wear it. Your SnipMirror preview helps you settle on the length before any hair comes off.

How to style a French bob

Questions

Will a French bob suit me?

French bobs suit oval, heart-shaped and long faces especially well, and work on most hair types. Upload a selfie above to see exactly where it lands on your face.

What's the difference between a French bob and a regular bob?

A French bob is shorter, usually at or above the jaw, has softer, textured ends and nearly always comes with bangs. A classic bob is often longer and more precise.

Do I need bangs for a French bob?

Bangs are part of the classic look. Without them, it's closer to a short, textured bob.

Does a French bob work on curly hair?

Yes. Curly French bobs are cut a little longer than straight ones, since curls shrink. Ask for a dry cut.

Does a French bob suit a round face?

It can. Keep the length just below the jaw and choose wispy rather than heavy bangs so the face looks longer. A lob is a safer choice if you're unsure.

Can I try a French bob before cutting?

Yes. Upload a selfie above and SnipMirror gives you a French bob while keeping your face the same.

More styles to try