Not all bobs are created equal. A top Paris hairstylist breaks down which version flatters your features best
Pared-down, powerful and endlessly adaptable—the bob cut is having a main character moment in 2025. From Italian and mermaid variations to cowgirl and butterfly riffs, there’s a version for every vibe. And every celebrity has had a go: Tara Sutaria, Zendaya, Shraddha Kapoor, Kendall Jenner. But with so many interpretations, how do you choose a bob that actually works for your face?
To cut through the noise, we turned to one of Paris’s most trusted hairstylists, Delphine Courteille, for expert advice. Here’s her take.
Should you get a bob cut?
The bob has dominated the beauty scene for over a year. It’s been worn by celebrities, splashed across major shoots, reinterpreted by hairstylists, and widely embraced by the public. It’s clean-lined, charismatic and offers the kind of radical transformation that makes it feel almost cinematic.
But does it suit everyone? Courteille believes the bob is “universal,” but with one caveat: it needs to be adapted to the individual’s features. That includes face shape, jawline, neck length, hairline, nose and even eye shape. These elements influence the length and movement of the cut, whether that’s a mini bob like Angèle’s, a longer version or something more tousled.
She compares it to architecture: the bob can be tailored to the hair’s natural form, helping to balance or even offset certain features. When done well, it can bring definition and personality to the face, especially when paired with details like a fringe.
The right bob cut for your face shape, according to Delphine Courteille
Courteille offers her tips for customising the cut to suit every face type—from round to oval, square to heart-shaped.
Round face
“In my opinion, the most important thing is to add volume below the jawline, never at the cheeks. A centre part—or a slightly blurred one—can help break up facial symmetry. Avoid blunt bangs; a long curtain fringe is more flattering as it softens the cheekbones. I usually recommend a long, slightly angled bob that falls below the jawline to visually slim the face.”
Square face
“To soften the features, I like a wavy, slightly tousled bob. It adds movement and a bit of edge. I avoid sharp lines to keep the look supple and rounded. A subtle asymmetry helps soften a strong jaw, so a gently angled bob cut that rests along the lower face works well. I find the ideal length falls between the jawline and collarbones. A tapered fringe can also work beautifully—think Jeanne Damas, whose bob I cut. That slightly fluted texture suits square faces perfectly.”
Oval face
“Anything goes! With more hollowness through the cheeks, you can pull off a micro bob, a centre part, a fringe—really, it all works. Oval faces are incredibly versatile. A graphic cut, a retro Parisian vibe, even a 90s-style blurred finish suits this shape. The bob is also easier to execute here because there’s less fullness in the cheeks. Just one thing to keep in mind: if the neck is very long, it’s best not to go too short.”
Heart-shaped face
“Since this face shape tends to be longer through the top, it’s important to break up that verticality. A shorter bob with volume at the sides helps balance the proportions. A curtain fringe can also work well to visually shorten the face. A long, centre-parted bob would only elongate it further. Instead, go for a mid-length, wavy cut with a curtain or even straight fringe—something that adds width and texture rather than smoothness.”
Even as vintage blow-dries and longer lengths grow popular in salons, Delphine Courteille doesn’t see the bob losing steam anytime soon. She notes that it’s still very much part of the trend cycle and not just for women. “It’s even catching on with men,” she says, pointing to Pharrell Williams’ Louis Vuitton Men’s Spring-Summer 2026 show as proof. “There’s no risk of the bob going out of style this winter.”
