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The bob is back and it looks good on almost everyone
By Kate Arthur
features@pantagraph.com
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Long story short: the bob is back. It looks good on almost everyone. It makes older women look younger and younger women look older. Worn sleek and polished or casual and tucked behind one ear, it's a good look.

It's not like the bob has ever really gone out of style. Since World War I, women have wanted something simple and the bob was the answer. Flappers picked it up in the '20s, along with short skirts, cigarettes and hard liquor. And then along came Vidal Sassoon, popularizing the geometric bob in the '60s.

"It's a classic look any woman can pull off," said Jennifer Feaman, who watches over the scissors of about 170 students at the Midwest College of Cosmetology.

The bob is shaping up a little differently this time. Thank former Spice girl Victoria Beckham, who wears an asymmetrical version, short and stacked in the back, a sweep of long bangs in front.

Bobs are textured, inverted, chin-length and shoulder-length. And whether your hair's stick straight or wavy, it works.

It just may take a little more work.

Meg Bottorff of Bloomington got her shoulder-length hair bobbed to chin length about a month ago, copying the Beckham look. Even though it's shorter, it takes her longer to style, smoothing each layer of her wavy hair with a flat iron.

"I don't know if it's because it's a new style for me but I'm finding it takes a little longer and I really don't have 10 minutes extra in the morning, so hopefully, once I get used to it, it'll be more manageable," she said.

Still, it didn't take much to talk her into a new style.

"I change my hair quite often and my co-workers are so sick of me talking about my hair," she said with a laugh. "But I'm 41; that's why I need a cute haircut."

Her husband, Cary, didn't really have an opinion on the new do.

"He's very non-committal about hairstyles."

The bob made headlines at a recent hair show attended by her stylist, Jenny Wagner, of Tanital Day Spa in Bloomington.

"It's really made a comeback," she said. "It's more of a polished, classic, clean line."

But to get that polished look, you have to get comfortable with a red-hot flat iron, which provides that smooth look, pulling out natural wave or curls.

"A flat iron is almost a must with this haircut unless you have stick-straight hair," she said.

For the most flattering bob, consider the shape of your face. Chin length looks best on round faces, Tanital stylist Tami Blanchard said. An above-the-chin cut shortens a long face. And always a side part; a center part draws attention to the nose and chin.

The more layers, the more styling. If it's one length and your hair's fine, you may be able to blow it dry with a round barrel brush, lightly spray and be on your way, Feaman said.

"It really just depends on how much hair you have and how coarse or curly it is. I have very fine hair, so I could probably roll out of bed and have it styled."

A cut every four to six weeks will keep it looking good. That and using a product that protects the hair from the heat of the iron. Waxes, pomades and polish creams will make it shine.

Cathy Frasor of Lexington went to a chin-length bob about a month ago. She's had a lot of compliments, saying it makes her look younger. Since she finds a flat iron hard to use, she pulls out the wave in her naturally curly hair with a curling iron. From start to finish, styling takes her about 15 minutes.

"I wouldn't say it's easier but it's something that makes you look younger. If you're just going to blow dry it and not style it, it's really easy but if you want to style it to make it look a little fuller, it'll take a little more time."

Expect the next trend to be the Farah Fawcett look with lengthy locks and soft curls.

"People are going to have to start getting their hot rollers out again," Wagner said.

But don't worry. There's no hint of stinky perms.

As for hair color, solid tones in browns and reds are in and blond will always be in, although in subtler shades, Feaman said. Highlights are OK too, as long as they're fine, not chunky.

Take a look
Bobs are versatile and can look polished and sleek or more casual, tucked behind the ear. Jenny Wagner styles Cathy Frasor's hair as Tami Blanchard, left, works on Meg Bottorff's asymmetrical bob. (Pantagraph/LORI ANN COOK)
Meg Bottorff is always doing something new with her hair, so she tried the asymmetrical bob popularized by former Spice girl Victoria Beckham. (Pantagraph/LORI ANN COOK)
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Reader comments on this story - 14 total

Note: All views and opinions expressed in reader comments are solely those of the individual submitting the comment, and not those of the Pantagraph or its staff.

Sal wrote on Jan 29, 2008 11:37 PM:

" Bobs usually look acceptable, but they don't compare to a divine blanket of long hair. If you wore your hair long for your guy before marriage, you should have the same attitude after. "

Sexy_change wrote on Nov 14, 2007 10:31 AM:

" Yes, most men do love long hair...on the right women. You can have long hair and look very "frumpy" and "mommish" as well. My inverted bob has revealed some of my most sexiest features! My long slender neck, nicely sculpted shoulders and lean back to name just a few. My husband loved my long, flowing, layered hair but since this cut, he has constantly told me how sexy I am and is enjoying the new change. Now ladies, this is a good way to keep your husband interested and not looking elsewhere...change. Sometimes the same "old" look can get very boring! No matter what your man says. Besides, its what is inside that truly matters. There is nothing sexier than a woman confident and content in how she looks. It shows in how she holds herself up as she walks and how she conducts herself and treats others. And there is nothing uglier than catty women who try to convince people that they're better than others by putting others down when really, deep down are the most discontent and insecure about themselves. "

Chris wrote on Nov 2, 2007 3:31 PM:

" IMO, bobs usually look attractive on women, if a bit soccer-momish and stilted. There's NOTHING as sizzling and youthful as LONG gals, period. Just watch guys eyes as a woman lets down her hair!! "

Disagree wrote on Oct 5, 2007 3:59 PM:

" I'm a male who finds shorter hairstyles on women much sexier than long hair. Long hair is boring. "

Bob wrote on Oct 5, 2007 2:06 PM:

" I would look good on you! "

Healthy young man wrote on Oct 5, 2007 1:53 PM:

" I agree. Men like long hair. Period. When a women cuts her hair short, she's telling her man, "The hunt is over, buddy. It's time for me to become like your grandmother!" Yuck!!! Long hair on women symbolizes health, youth, beauty, and fertility, and women who cut their hair short care more about their own convienence than being attractive. So ladies, if you want short hair, feel free. Just don't be surprised when you find out your husband/boyfriend is having an affair...with a women with long hair! "

long4me wrote on Oct 4, 2007 10:00 AM:

" I think it's about proportion and facial features. A bob looks darling on a petite woman, and really highlights delicate features. But I'm a big woman (5'10" tall and 170 pounds), so I need big hair! My hair is down to the middle of my back, and although it takes 30 minutes to style it every morning it's the first thing people notice & remember about me, and my hubby definitely prefers it long. So let other women get a chic, cute bob. I'm keeping mine long! "

Sophisticated wrote on Oct 3, 2007 8:48 PM:

" That is what I think about the "bob". Sophisticated, sexy, professional, a "bob" for all seasons and ages! It takes a "great" stylist to cut a good "bob" and have it look anything but frumpy! "

Frumpy???? wrote on Oct 3, 2007 7:29 PM:

" nothing says frumpy and I don't care like a bob. Maybe the guys were laughing at your husband and not paying all that much attention to you. "

Adam wrote on Oct 3, 2007 12:17 PM:

" Long hair is way sexier. Bobs make people look old and bored. Just one male's perspective. "

Frumpy? wrote on Oct 3, 2007 9:23 AM:

" I am not sure I look "frumpy" since I have gotten ALOT of compliments and attention from guys since I got my hair cut in a similar way a couple months ago. I guess it is just a matter of taste. "

M wrote on Oct 3, 2007 7:47 AM:

" Ugh, I hate this frumpy look. I'll keep my long wavy hair, thanks. I agree, men looooove long hair. ;) "

The mommy hairdo wrote on Oct 2, 2007 4:22 PM:

" Nothing says "I'm a mom and I'm too tired to give a hoot about how I look" like a bob. Men want to see long hair. "

Layla wrote on Oct 2, 2007 1:56 PM:

" I had a Bob once. Looked pretty good on me too. "
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