The lob (or long bob, if you're unfamiliar) is a phenomenal short hairstyle, especially if you want to cut your hair but need something less extreme than a pixie cut. A lob haircut can look drastically different depending on your hair texture, curl pattern, and face shape, but because there's so much variety in the type of cut, you can more easily find a lob that works for you. (It's generally accepted that a lob can be as long as roughly shoulder-length and as short as just below the chin.) Luckily for you, celebrities are constantly experimenting with hair colors and cuts, and there are plenty of celebrity lob-lovers to inspire us this spring.
The thing about lobs: styling should be relatively easy. But it's worth repeating that the stars have resources at their disposal to make these looks work, including extensions and other types of synthetic hair if they need to add volume. A talented hairstylist can help you identify the right cut (and styling!) for your unique hair type and texture, even if you're not a member of the Hollywood set.
Here, you'll find 32 lob haircuts on celebrities to show your stylist for inspiration. From classic lob cuts on Selena Gomez and Jennifer Lopez (yes, she had a lob once upon a time) to Viola Davis and Beyoncé, this comprehensive list will convince you it's time for a chop—trust me.
Rosie Huntington-Whiteley
Huntington-Whiteley's lob is the stuff of legends—she popularized this deeply layered, face-framing, highlighted blonde look. The key to modernizing it is to keep the layers longer and wear a middle part.
Selena Gomez
Not everyone can pull off this blunt cut—I certainly can't, with my curly hair. It helps to have straight hair, some natural volume (or extensions), and familiarity with a curling iron.
Viola Davis
My queen, Viola Davis, has mastered the lob. There's a gentle curl through the body, but the face-framing layers angle outward. The whole effect is buoyant without being bouncy, and chic without being over-the-top.
Ashley Benson
If you have straight hair but want to emulate this curled blonde lob, it's going to take a bit of effort in the styling and color maintenance department. Grab a mousse and a curling iron.
Millie Bobby Brown
Millie Bobby Brown established herself as a fashion force early on, but this blunt-beyond-blunt lob put her on the beauty map. There's face-framing fringe at the front (say that three times fast), but the rest of the cut is rigid across the bottom, and the perfect center part is the cherry on top.
Beyoncé
When Queen Bey debuted this blunt lob, it immediately made it to the list of her best hairdos ever. While most of us would be afraid this cut would give us the dreaded hair triangle, the curtain bangs help soften the look.
Emma Roberts
Emma Roberts has perfected the bob, and this lob is deceptively simple: front part, straight on the bottom, a teeny tiny, almost imperceptible wave to bring in a little volume. Easy, right?
Mary Steenburgen
This very long lob on icon Mary Steenburgen is full of dimension and layering. The side bangs plus face-framing pieces in the front make for fun visual interest, but the rest of the cut keeps most of the hair long with some subtle layers throughout.
Jennifer Lopez
Let Jennifer Lopez be your inspiration if you have thin or fine hair (myself included). She has a lot of highlights (which helps the hair look fuller), even when the cut itself isn't layered.
Cate Blanchett
Cate Blanchett turns a traditional cut into a unique style with asymmetrical layers. This long bob has gorgeous, natural-looking waves, and the deep side part gives a satisfying shape.
Rashida Jones
Our favorite Parks and Rec character (that's Anne Perkins, in case you missed it, played by Rashida Jones) has a longer, layered hairstyle. But in her real life? Jones has a shorter cut with French-inspired fringe.
Taraji P. Henson
Taraji P. Henson is a style chameleon. But I am nostalgic for this pretty, wavy bob, with a little long layering alongside a very pretty side fringe. It's so simple, but she looks like a million bucks.
Elizabeth Taylor
Elizabeth Taylor made this long, brushed-out, curly lob into her signature style. If you want to emulate this cut, I highly recommend letting your hair air dry and embracing the frizz.
Jada Pinkett Smith
Jada Pinkett-Smith's Old Hollywood wavy bob feels like it could have come straight out of the '40s. Depending on how a stylist layers the cut, it would actually work well for someone with naturally curly hair.
Rose Byrne
Rose Byrne can rock a bob. Proof: this ombré version is a feast for the eyes, from its brown-to-golden-blonde evolution to the fringe at the front. This is best-suited for those with some natural volume.
Emma Stone
It's not shocking that Emma Stone can rock a deep auburn color. But pair the rich hue with a shoulder-grazing long bob? I'll call it newsworthy every time.
Alessandra Ambrosio
When the goal is beachy waves, where else would you go except to a Victoria's Secret model? Even when it's a shorter cut, Alessandra Ambrosio still gives us a "just gone surfing" vibe, thanks to a ton of layers and highlights.
Hailey Bieber
For a perfect, dictionary-worthy example of "blunt bob," look no further than Hailey Bieber, who has been rocking versions of short hairstyles for a while. The deep side part and side-swept front pieces keep the hair out of her face, while the slightly curled-out ends add cool girl energy.
Jennifer Lawrence
J. Law rocked several short cuts after The Hunger Games series, including a pixie cut. The cut adds softness to the bold color with face-framing, delicate layers.
Margot Robbie
When Margot Robbie debuted this slightly asymmetrical lob cut, she (almost) inspired me to get the same chop. If you're ever going to rock an asymmetrical cut, you want to consult with a stylist to make sure it works with your face shape.
Kerry Washington
Kerry Washington often wears her hair straight on the red carpet (it's naturally curly), so when she doesn't—as with this layered lob—it feels like an extra special treat. For anyone with 4A to 4C curls, a long bob will probably necessitate some layers like this.
Lauren Bacall
Cinema star Lauren Bacall was known for her wavy, shoulder-length lob. While her wavy pin-up style is perhaps a little dated, modernize it with some fluffy bangs or layers.
Jessica Chastain
This asymmetric cut on Jessica Chastain features tight and structured curls. But look closely, and you'll notice the shorter style in the back creates the illusion of a more angular jawline.
Jourdan Dunn
A perfect messy, edgy lob, this cut features longer, lob-length pieces toward the front and teeters on a pixie length in the back.
Grace Kelly
Grace Kelly's bob was nothing short of iconic. It's a classic cut that wouldn't need a ton of tweaks to work today. I'd love this look for a wedding or fancy event.
Lucy Hale
Lucy Hale is the inspiration you need when we're talking about piece-y, choppy bobs. She keeps her ends uneven for a lived-in vibe, which is further emphasized by her chunky side bangs.
Emilia Clarke
A softer but still effective way to achieve a choppy bob is to layer the heck out of the bottom, a la Emilia Clarke. Long layers are key to adding "bounce" to a fine or thin haircut.
Gabrielle Union
If you have thicker hair, ask your hairstylist to thin the bottom of your cut to de-bulk the style. Gabrielle Union proves this technique can work, styling her shaggy lob with a deep side part.
Zendaya
Zendaya lit the internet aflame when she debuted this gorgeous curly lob. She's given us an impressive number of hairstyles, often with the help of wigs, making this soft style a nice departure from her norm.
Alexa Chung
It Girl Alexa Chung is known for, among other things, her blunt, almost haphazard-looking lob. For her look, fewer layers are better. Have your stylist focus on an angled fringe in the front around the face.
Tracee Ellis Ross
The Black-ish actress proves that short, curly hair can have a spectacular dimension. It's the perfect balance between an ovular and circular shape, ensuring it grows out nicely.
Demi Lovato
I love this look on Demi Lovato. Thanks to the color, it's very rock and roll, but the long layers give life and dimension to the monochromatic look. The front layers are also short enough to be face-framing without having full-on bangs.
Why Trust Marie Claire
Ariel Baker is an experienced beauty writer, focusing on shopping roundups, digital features, and trend stories. She was previously a beauty writer at Popsugar. Marie Claire is also an expert in haircuts, having covered bobs, octopus haircuts, and jellyfish cuts.
