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The "Italian Bob" Is the Latest Iteration of a Timeless Haircut

And these celeb-inspired 'dos prove it.


Per the laws of manifestation, you have to live out that dream as if it’s already yours for it to come to fruition. So, if you want to manifest an Italian getaway (à la White Lotus without the chaos), start by looking the part with a timeless haircut: the Italian bob.


I've always been fascinated by teeny-tiny things, so I'm a big fan of the short and micro beauty trends. Nails and hair getting shorter? Yes, please. Bobs have always been a staple haircut and have been innovated more than once. And the Italian bob seems to be the latest iteration that has popped up on our social feeds. But what makes it different from the rest? We tapped stylists Christopher Naselli and Clayton Hawkins to break it down for us.


Keep reading to find out what experts had to say about the Italian bob, and get some hair mood board inspiration, below.


What Is an Italian Bob?

According to Hawkins, the Italian bob is a chin-skimming blunt cut that curls slightly inward. Unlike a French bob which falls right at the cheek, this version hits right below the chin and above the shoulders. It is “the chicest bob haircut out there,” says Naselli. The Italian bob hugs the neck by carrying weight at the bottom with lots of volume, he adds.


Who It's For

The Italian bob is one of the most versatile bobs since it suits most face shapes and hair textures, Naselli tells us. But because the chunky ends are key to this look, the Italian bob especially flatters those with thick hair and natural waves, he adds. “This doesn’t mean [those] with finer texture can’t pull off this look,” says Naselli. “It just requires a little more attention and a bit more styling product.”


How to Style

To style an Italian bob and achieve its signature body, apply mousse, like Biotera Styling Mousse, or a volume spray paired with a diffuser if you have finer textured hair, says Naselli. Using a spray like SexyHair WeatherProof Humidity Resistant Spray will help keep that volume intact all day without weighing it down, adds Hawkins.


Use a round brush at the ends for a rounded ‘60s glam look. For a unique spin, the Italian bob looks great when flipped on one side. But for the most part, you should keep styling minimal since this cut holds up well on its own. “The key is to not over style [it],” says Naselli.



Our Favorite Italian Bobs

If you’re after this haircut, Hawkins says to tell your stylist that you want a blunt inverted V-shaped bob that will fall somewhere between your shoulders and chin. “Minimal layers, please,” he adds. Naselli says that you should also bring visual examples to your salon appointment. Here are some of our faves:


01 of 07

The Classic Italian

You can't talk about Italian beauty without the legendary Monica Belluci. Here, she wears her Italian bob parted at the center with the ends curled inward for a nice bounce and volume. Note that her cut goes down to the base of her neck and sits right above her clavicle.



02 of 07

Wavy With a Side Part

Laura Harrier styled her Italian bob with soft and subtle waves. To make it more of a dynamic look, she flipped her hair to one side for a side part and pinned back the other side of her hair. It's the ultimate "clean girl" look, if you ask us.



03 of 07

Face-Framing

Classic and exuding old Hollywood glam vibes, Aubrey Plaza wears her Italian bob with bangs and extra bounce all throughout—especially at the ends. We love that the curtain bangs highlight her cheekbones and that the voluminous ends accentuate her jaw.



04 of 07

All Feathered Everything

Whether she's sporting her natural curls or a sleek Italian bob like this one, we can always count on Kerry Washington for hair inspiration. We love this look because her bangs are feathered right above her eyebrows, which shapes her face differently. The jagged ends also add texture to her otherwise blunt cut.



05 of 07

Texturized

While an Italian bob doesn’t need much styling-wise, this look by Hawkins for Elizabeth Olsen is a slight way to elevate the look. Opt for wispy, eye-grazing bangs and beachy waves for a relaxed, effortless vibe. Texturizing sprays can help you reach this undulation. One of our favorites is the Calista Stratosphere 02 Texturizer Spray.


Though hair masks and treatments work best on damp or wet hair, it's best to use texturizing sprays on dry hair.



06 of 07

Asymmetrical

Styled with a deep side part by Hawkins, Rachel Zegler’s Italian bob is flipped to one side to nicely frame her face. If you’re looking for a more modern spin to this trendy cut, this is the way to do it. As you can see, it appears asymmetrical, which we think is quite innovative.



07 of 07

Flipped-Out Ends

Emma Stone attended the Golden Globes dressed to the nines while sporting this ultra-chic Italian bob. Complete with ends that are flipped outward, the Poor Things actress donned the style with a middle part and half of her hair tucked behind her ear—which helps open up her face.


Get yourself a newlook today with The Shampoo Lounge & Bali Barber.The Shampoo Lounge & Bali Barber has been attending to an international and Indonesian clientele since 2012 so check out our instagram, our website and our TripAdvisor reviews! We can’t wait to have you in.




Article written by Audrey Noble for Instyle

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