How To Perfect The French Bob Haircut

Bobs are taking over the hair world and for good reason: whether it’s a razor-sharp cut or a Jane Birkin–style long bob, this hairstyle is incredibly versatile, offering a myriad of styling options for every hair texture. The French have especially excelled at the bob. As a nation, they’ve given us plenty of bob inspiration; from Amélie’s wavy, earlobe-grazing chop and actor Clémence Poésy’s laissez-faire style to fashion influencer Solène J’s petit bob. So what does it take to nail the French bob? Here’s everything you need to know.

What is a French bob?

As it turns out, there’s a long history with French bob haircuts. “Inspired by the short bobs of the 1920s, the French bob was given its name because it was first worn by the hip French art girls and the fashion movement led by Coco Chanel. It was mainly a rebellion against long hair,” says Joel Goncalves, senior stylist at the Nicola Clarke x John Frieda salons. “It’s worn in a short, bluntish line that’s cut to just above the jawline. It’s very relaxed and effortless,” says Goncalves, adding that when it comes to styling, it often gives the illusion that nothing much has been done to it—perhaps just some air drying and worn with a textured fringe.

Who should try a French bob?

Since the French bob is much less severe than a sharp, precise chop, it’s easy for anyone to dip their lengths into this trend. The classic French style often stops at the jawline, but if you’re not ready to commit, you can always go gradually shorter. Think of it this way—the French bob is more of an attitude rather than anything ultraprescriptive.

It’s a low-maintenance style that leans into your natural texture. On the practical side, Goncalves notes that the French bob is great for anyone with finer hair (he recommends having it much shorter, just by your earlobe with a fringe that grazes the eyebrows for that Amélie effect) as it creates the illusion of volume and texture. He adds: “As this haircut is all about the cut being relaxed and at the right length with the right level of fringe, it works on most hair types. It looks so cool with curly hair.”

How to achieve a French bob for curly hair

According to Christophe Pontin, Aveda artistic director and educator, it’s all about adapting the cut to the curl pattern. “If it’s between 2A and 3B, I would recommend to cut on hair freshly washed and condition with lots of precision cutting, being super blunt on the perimeter (the ends) and long choppy layers in the interior of the haircut to avoid the triangle effect that can happen with curly bobs,” shares Pontin. “Minimal tension is important to avoid shrinking too much, so style with just the Aveda Be Curly Enhancer Cream.” For curl patterns between 3C and 4A, dry cuts are best to observe and cut the hair in its natural state. Then, style with a super conditioning treatment to keep it healthy and follow with a coil gel to define.

How to style a French bob

Less is truly more here. To nail the fine balance between undone texture and a polished finish, use a small amount of styling cream and let the hair air-dry. “It can also be smooth-dried but use a brush rather than straightening irons. It’s also a great idea if your hair is straight to add a golf-ball amount of mousse to it, brush it behind the ears, and dry with a diffuser,” says Goncalves. “When it’s totally dry, shake it out, and there should be a slight natural wave on the sides.” Goncalves is loyal to diffusers when styling French bobs—an excellent tool for curly lengths, too. As for his favorite product, you’ll always find the Hair By Sam McKnight Cool Girl range in his arsenal.

Voilà! All of our French bob hair inspiration, below.