A layered bob haircut is a type of short haircut that can be achieved when you get your hair cut in varying lengths, creating the illusion of more texture and dimension in your hair. Layers can also help add volume or take it away (if your strands are too thick!), and they work for all textures and face shapes.
Right now, layered bob hairstyles just so happen to be one of this season’s freshest ways to amp up your look. From classic long layers to shaggy styles, we’ve got a variety of layered bob hairstyles to inspire your next cut.
Black Textured Bob
This is an effortless but chic hairstyle that’ll work well on all ages. Plus, it’s a great way to make darker hair look like it has more dimension to it.
Balayage Bob
Layered bobs are a look that pair perfectly with balayage. Style yours with a darker root shadow and soft, brushed-out waves.
Bob with Micro Fringe
This Instagrammer’s short baby bangs add a unique but still wearable touch to this on-trend layered bob.
Long Layered Bob
Credit: Instagram.com/romeufelipe
If you’re thinking of getting a refreshing short bob haircut this year, a long layered cut like this one is exactly what you need to give straggly ends a new, healthier look. Credit: @romeufelipe
Short Layered Bob
Credit: Instagram.com/riawna
If you want a short cut with natural-looking volume, consider getting subtle short layers. They’ll also do a great job of adding shape to your cut. Credit: @riawna
Bedhead Layered Cut
Credit: Instagram.com/viihrocha
This look is all about purposefully undone texture, which is achieved with the help of choppy, wispy layers. Gorgeous, right? Credit: @viihrocha
Editor’s tip: To really amp up the volume of this look, we’d recommend styling with a texturising spray, like the TONI&GUY Sea Salt Texturising Spray, after blow-drying. Warning: this look will turn a lot of heads.
Ashy Bob Haircut with Layers
Credit: Instagram.com/anhocotran
This layered, lived-in short bob goes perfectly well with these subtle, but impactful ash-blonde highlights. Credit: @anhcotran
Curly Short Layered Hair
Credit: Instagram.com/vanessaevelynh
If you’ve got long natural curls, consider cutting your hair and going for this flattering, fun look.
This cut is exactly what you need to give your curls fresh bounce! Plus, it’ll air dry like a dream. Credit: @vanessaevelynh
Soft and Simple Layers
Credit: Instagram.com/amndapedroso
Add some oomph to your short haircut with some modern feathery layers. This gorgeous cut is perfect for giving an extra dimension to hair that’s prone to falling flat. Credit: @amndapedroso
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Cute Layered Cut with Bangs
Credit: Instagram.com/anaaliviaribeiro
If you needed any more convincing to get bangs with your short layered cut, just take a look at this cute example. Credit: @anaaliviaribeiro
Editor’s tip: Bangs like this call for a hairspray. Our fave? The VO5 Flexible Hold Hairspray! This is perfect for styling bangs as it offers a flexible hold while keeping your bangs frizz-free.
Medium Layered Bob
Credit: Instagram.com/muniknunes
If you’re looking to remove excess bulk from your thick strands, try some textured layers. They will leave you with a clean-yet-undone look — just like this. Credit: @muniknunes
Smooth and Sleek Short Layers
Credit: Instagram.com/styled_by_carolynn
Bring the ’90s to the spotlight with these Victoria Beckham-inspired short layers. The key to this look is to wear your bob on the straighter side, to get the full ‘pob’ effect. Credit: @styled_by_carolynn
Uneven Layered Bob
Credit: Instagram.com/christinakreitel
Feeling dramatic? Then look no further than layered cut, which is far from basic and full of sexy volume. Credit: @christinakreitel
Graduated Bob
Create shape and body with a stylish graduated cut. Credit: Instagram.com/maygovintage
This graduated short layered bob is soft but edgy, and we love how this brunette beauty has tucked her hair behind her ears for a casual look. Credit: @maygovintage
French Girl Bob with Bangs
Channel the French girl vibes with this cosmopolitan inspired style. Credit: Instagram.com/michaelforrey
If you want to give your locks a more Parisian inspired makeover, try the blogger-approved French girl bob on for size. This tousled layered bob with bangs haircut is super low-maintenance and always looks très chic. Credit: @michaelforrey
Long Layered Bob
Keep some of your lengths with minimal long layers. Credit: Instagram.com/torihoward7
With long, feathered layers, this ash blonde layered bob is perfect for those who don’t want to go too short as the longer layers make the look seem longer than it is. Credit: @torihoward7
Editor’s tip: To help keep your bob looking super smooth, apply a few drops of the TRESemmé Colour Shineplex Serum to it.
Messy Bob
Bed hair has never looked so polished. Credit: Instagram.com/creativeartacademy
Give your hair a dishevelled, undone finish with some short, piecey strands and a touch of texturising spray. Credit: @creativeartacademy
Pink Blunt Bob
Blunt cut layers are sophisticated and ultra-stylish! Credit: Instagram.com/jessicadaniellehair
This same-length cut is ideal for ladies with fine hair, as the layers are cut bluntly and at random (rather than blended), which creates the illusion of thicker hair.
But to really make a style statement, why not consider pairing your new cut with some dimensional juicy, peach-coloured highlights? Credit: @jessicadaniellehair
Piecey Ends
This playful and flirty layered cut looks gorgeous with a set of bangs. Credit: Instagram.com/taylorlashae
For a playful and flirty layered cut, consider adding in some piecey layers that start from the ear down to the chin, as spotted on influencer Taylor Lashae.
This modern look is perfect for girls with fine hair, as it can be styled in minutes and will give your hair effortless movement! Credit: @taylorlashae
Classic Stacked Bob
Fine hair? This gorgeous gravity-defying bob will give you all the volume! Credit: Instagram.com/salon_vicaro
Layers are not only great for taking the weight out of thick hair types, but they’re also perfect for creating the illusion of fuller and more voluminous locks in fine hair.
So, to get a gravity-defying bob, ask your stylist to add stacked layers to help create shape, movement and texture. Easy peasy, right? Credit: @salon_vicaro
Editor’s tip:
A-line Layers
Perfectly uneven asymmetrical layers will give you a unique stylish edge. Credit: Instagram.com/goinggoingblondee
Tempted to give an asymmetrical bob a whirl? Add in some light layers to your asymmetrical cut to give your edgy cut a dose of feminine charm.
The best thing about these type of layers is that they have a softening effect since they’re not perfectly even on both sides. This makes them the ideal go-to for ladies with square face shapes. Credit: @goinggoingblondee
Curly Bob
Want to make thick hair a breeze to style? Give undercut layers a try! Credit: Instagram.com/iamnikolee
This modern bob style works great with coily and natural hair types and the fringe will help to add shape and frame your face. Credit: @iamnikolee
Undercut Bob
Looking for an easy way to lighten up thick hair? Try an undercut! Credit: Instagram.com/stylesbydeniseealy
Think getting undercut layers means you’ll have to brave the shave? While we do have a soft spot for edgy undercut hairstyles, you’ll be happy to know that this layering technique is far from that.
If you have thick, unmanageable hair, subtle layers cut from underneath will help remove weight from your mane and make it as light as candy floss. Styling your curls is about to become a lot easier! Credit: @stylesbydeniseealy
Shaggy Layers
Add rock and roll vibes to your mane with shaggy layers. Credit: Instagram.com/kyliejenner
It’s no secret that shag hairstyles are fast becoming the look du jour. Instead of meticulously blended layers, shaggy layers are more edgy and messy, providing you with effortless rocker-chick vibes. Credit: @kyliejenner
Editor’s tip: To get that wet-look effect (a la Kylie Jenner), spritz the VO5 Mega Hold Gel Spray over your waves, before scrunching your hair with your hands to help work the product in.
Textured Layers
Bring the beach to you with this wavy, textured hairstyle. Credit: Instagram.com/kristin_ess
Are you lusting after all the gorgeous wavy hairstyles out there? Well, it’s your lucky day, because you can easily give your hair a more lived-in feel with some textured layers. Credit: @kristin_ess
Face-framing Layers
Amp up the romance with a lush set of face-framing layers! Credit: Instagram.com/camerakelly
Thinking about getting a layered bob with bangs? Getting a fringe cut is a big deal, especially if you’ve never tried one before, so ease yourself in gently with some shorter layers around your face for a faux fringe effect. It’ll give you more of an idea of whether a fringe suits you or not and requires less upkeep than an actual fringe. Credit: @camerakelly
Next read: Everything you need to know before getting a fringe
Layered Bob with Highlights
Accentuate your best features with subtle highlights. Credit: Instagram.com/carolinereceveur
After a daintier-looking bob? Keep things low-key with this sweet and short romantic layered bob hairstyle, which features soft face-framing layers.
And for an extra delicate touch to your final look, try adding in some blonde highlights in the front layers, to really brighten your features! Credit: @carolinereceveur
Bronde Layered Bob
3D hair is possible with classic layers and multiple shades of bronde. Credit: Instagram.com/theblondebrunette901
When it comes to adding extra depth and dimension to layered bob hairstyles, we’d recommend using different shades of the same colour. This will help lighten your overall look and give it a healthy dose of youthfulness. Credit: @theblondebrunette901
Sliced Layers
Sliced layers work like a charm for thinning out thick hair! Credit: Instagram.com/studiokawaii888
Looking for more layered bob hairstyles to help make your thick hair easier to style? Then you should consider getting sliced layers. This nifty technique is done with a pair of scissors that a stylist runs down on small sections of hair (from the top to bottom), to remove weight.
This technique is great for very thick or curly hair, as it enhances natural texture and leaves you with a boho-perfect, feathered appearance. Credit: @studiokawaii888
Side-swept Bob
Side-swept styles add extra volume. Credit: Instagram.com/amychristinehair
Worried about volume? A clever styling hack we’ve found for short layered bob hairstyles is to wear them in a side parting. This way, all of your hair is swept to one side, giving you extra oomph at the roots and long-lasting body. Credit: @amychristinehair
Soft Long Bob
Stars like Rosie Huntington-Whiteley and Bella Hadid have rocked this look. Credit: Instagram.com/hairdaaays
Growing out a bob? This long layered bob is a perfect in-between bob and mid-length cut and has the ’90s feel about it. Credit: @hairdaaays
Shaggy Layered Bob with Fringe
Credit; Instagram.com/triz
These shaggy layers, complete with a wispy fringe, are great for giving your hair a fresh, edgy feel. Credit: @triz