Bob hairstyles are timeless, versatile, and stylish. With their rich history dating back to the 1920s, bob cuts have remained one of the most popular haircuts for women. But with so many variations, choosing the right bob can be challenging, especially if you have a narrow face. A narrow face often requires a bob that adds width, softens sharp angles, and creates balance. This article explores the different bob styles that are best suited for narrow faces, with tips on how to choose the right one for your face shape.
Understanding Narrow Faces
A narrow face is characterized by a long, slender shape with high cheekbones and a pointed chin. This face shape tends to have sharp, angular features that may make your face appear longer than it actually is. The goal when choosing a bob hairstyle for a narrow face is to add width and volume to the sides, which can soften the sharpness of your face and create a more balanced look.
Here are some general tips for identifying a narrow face:
- Jawline and Cheeks: A narrow jawline and high cheekbones are common characteristics of a narrow face.
- Forehead and Chin: These features often appear more elongated, and the chin may be pointed.
- Proportions: The face’s length is typically greater than its width.
When selecting a bob haircut, you want to choose one that creates the illusion of fullness and width around your jawline and cheek area, helping to balance the proportions of your face.
Key Considerations for Choosing a Bob for Narrow Faces
Before we dive into the specific bob styles, here are a few general considerations for selecting the perfect bob for your narrow face:
1. Volume and Texture
To soften a narrow face, you want a bob that creates volume on the sides. Volume helps to balance the longer length of your face and gives it a fuller, more proportionate appearance. Textured or layered bob styles are ideal for adding volume without making your face look too elongated.
2. Length of the Bob
For narrow faces, shorter bobs tend to exaggerate the length of the face. However, a longer bob that hits around the chin or just below can work wonders in creating width and balancing the features. If you opt for a shorter bob, it’s essential to incorporate layers and texture to avoid emphasizing the narrowness.
3. Avoiding Sharp Angles
Sharp angles, such as a sharply angled bob that points downward, can accentuate the length of your face and make it appear even more elongated. Instead, go for softer lines that will add roundness to the appearance of your face.
4. Side Swept Bangs
Bangs can be a great option for narrow faces, especially if they are side-swept. Side bangs help to break up the length of the face, while adding softness to the forehead. Avoid straight-across bangs, which may draw attention to the narrowness of the face.
5. Softness Over Sharpness
Instead of aiming for sleek, straight cuts, go for a bob with soft layers, waves, or curls. Softness can complement the sharpness of your features and make your face appear more balanced.
Best Bob Hairstyles for Narrow Faces
Now that we understand the key factors for choosing a bob, let’s look at specific bob styles that are best suited for narrow faces.
1. Textured Lob (Long Bob)
A textured lob is one of the most flattering bob styles for narrow faces. The lob, or long bob, typically falls between the chin and collarbone, making it ideal for creating width around the face. The addition of texture, whether through waves or layers, gives the hair volume and softens the sharp angles of a narrow face.
Why It Works:
- The length of the lob helps add width to the sides, balancing out the face shape.
- Texture creates volume around the cheeks and jawline, providing fullness without overwhelming the face.
- A lob with slight waves or curls adds softness and dimension, which complements angular features.
How to Style:
- Use a curling iron or beach-wave spray to create loose waves.
- Apply a volumizing mousse to give the hair lift at the roots.
- Let the hair dry naturally for a more relaxed, beachy vibe.
2. Soft, Layered Bob
A soft, layered bob is another fantastic option for narrow faces. The layers in this bob create texture and movement, which help add volume and width to the face. The layers should be long enough to hit the jawline, helping to balance out the narrowness while also creating a soft, feminine look.
Why It Works:
- Layers help to break up the length of the face by adding volume and fullness.
- A chin-length or slightly longer bob helps create balance without elongating the face.
- Soft layers around the face add dimension and draw attention away from sharp angles.
How to Style:
- For a polished look, blow-dry the hair using a round brush to create volume at the roots.
- For a more natural look, scrunch the hair with your fingers while applying a texturizing spray.
- Add a small amount of smoothing serum to the ends for a sleek finish.
3. Asymmetrical Bob
The asymmetrical bob is a bold and trendy style that works well for narrow faces. This bob has one side slightly longer than the other, which creates visual interest and adds volume to the sides of the face. The uneven length helps break up the angularity of the face and adds a contemporary, edgy vibe.
Why It Works:
- The asymmetry of the bob helps create a sense of width and breaks up the long lines of the face.
- A longer side can be styled to drape over the cheek or jawline, which adds fullness to these areas.
- The angle of the bob provides structure without making the face look too elongated.
How to Style:
- Blow-dry the bob with a side part for added volume on the longer side.
- Use a flat iron to smooth the ends for a sleek, modern look.
- For a tousled finish, apply a sea salt spray and scrunch the hair lightly.
4. Bob with Side-Swept Bangs
Adding side-swept bangs to a bob is one of the best ways to soften a narrow face. The bangs help break up the length of the face by covering part of the forehead and drawing attention to the eyes. This adds a flattering balance, especially if the bangs are long and swept to one side.
Why It Works:
- Side-swept bangs add softness to the sharp angles of the face, making it look fuller.
- The bangs create a sense of width, drawing attention to the eyes and away from the forehead and chin.
- The bob with bangs works well in both sleek and textured styles.
How to Style:
- Blow-dry the bangs to the side for volume and fullness.
- Use a straightener to smooth the bangs or curl them slightly for a more voluminous look.
- Use a lightweight hairspray to keep the bangs in place without weighing them down.
5. Curly Bob
For those with naturally curly hair, a curly bob is an excellent choice. Curly hair adds a lot of volume, which is essential for balancing out a narrow face. A curly bob that falls around the chin or just above the shoulders creates width and movement, enhancing the face’s natural beauty.
Why It Works:
- The natural volume from curly hair adds fullness to the sides of the face.
- Curly hair draws attention to the cheeks and jawline, making the face appear wider.
- Curls create a soft, textured look that complements angular features.
How to Style:
- Apply a curl-enhancing cream to damp hair and scrunch it for definition.
- Use a diffuser attachment while blow-drying to preserve the natural curl pattern.
- If you’re using heat tools, opt for a curling iron or wand to add extra bounce to the curls.
6. Wavy Bob
A wavy bob is a great way to add texture and volume to a narrow face without making the hairstyle too complicated. Waves are versatile and can be styled loosely or tightly, depending on the look you want. They work well with both chin-length and longer bob cuts and can soften sharp features while adding movement.
Why It Works:
- Waves add volume to the sides of the face, which helps balance the proportions.
- The texture and movement of the waves create a softer look, ideal for a narrow face shape.
- A wavy bob can be worn at any length, making it adaptable for different styles.
How to Style:
- Use a curling iron or flat iron to create loose waves in the hair.
- Apply a texturizing spray to give the waves extra hold and volume.
- For a more natural finish, allow the hair to air-dry after applying a wave-enhancing mousse.
7. Blunt Bob with Volume
A blunt bob with volume is a more dramatic style that can still work well for narrow faces, provided the hair is not too flat. The blunt cut can create a bold, edgy look, but by adding volume at the roots or using layers, it ensures the bob doesn’t accentuate the narrowness of the face.
Why It Works:
- The blunt cut adds a clean, sharp line, but volume helps balance the face.
- Fullness at the roots creates width, which is important for a narrow face.
- The blunt cut can create a structured yet feminine look when styled correctly.
How to Style:
- Blow-dry your hair with a round brush to create volume at the roots.
- Use a flat iron to smooth the ends, or leave them slightly tousled for texture.
- Finish with a lightweight hairspray to keep the volume intact.
Conclusion
Choosing the right bob hairstyle for a narrow face is all about creating balance and adding width to your features. Whether you opt for a textured lob, a layered bob, or a curly bob, the key is to soften the sharp angles of your face while creating volume and movement. Experimenting with different lengths, textures, and styles can help you discover the perfect bob that enhances your features and boosts your confidence.
When in doubt, consult with a stylist who can offer personalized recommendations based on your specific face shape and hair type. With the right bob, you can embrace the beauty of your narrow face while enjoying a stylish, flattering haircut.
Related Topics:
What is the Best Hair for a Quick Weave Bob?