The square bob is a popular hairstyle this season, but it doesn’t suit everyone. The cut is defined by sharp, blunt, boxy lines and looks best at chin or jaw length. Oval faces can pull off the strict version of the cut, while oblong faces are the most improved. Square faces, on the other hand, are the trickiest to style with a square bob.
A normal blunt bob has movement built in, with rounded corners and a hemline that flexes. The square bob, however, relies on sharp, blunt lines that create a boxy, angular silhouette. According to stylists, the cut is engineered to enhance the cheekbones and define the jawline.
Understanding Face Shapes
To determine the best version of the square bob for your face, you need to know your face shape. You can do this by scraping all your hair back off your face, standing square to a well-lit mirror, and looking at the proportions. An oval face is longer than it is wide with a softly narrowing jawline, while a round face is roughly as long as it is wide with full cheeks.
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A heart face has a wider forehead tapering to a narrower chin, and a square face is as long as it is wide with a strong, angular jaw. An oblong face is noticeably longer than wide, with forehead, cheeks, and jaw of similar width. If you’re between two face shapes, you can use a soft tape measure to compare the width across your forehead, cheekbones, and jaw.
Styling the Square Bob
The square bob can be styled in different ways to suit various face shapes. On an oval face, the cut works immediately, straight off the chair. On a round face, it’s best to go longer, to just below the chin, and add a deep side parting. A heart face can pull off a chin-length cut with curtain bangs, while a square face needs to be softened with texturised ends, length just below the jaw, an off-centre parting, and a side-swept fringe.
Oblong faces can benefit from the square bob’s horizontal weight at the jaw, which adds welcome width and visually shortens the face. A fringe can also help to customise the cut for your features. A soft full fringe can shorten a long oblong face.
Maintenance and Customisation
To keep the square bob looking sharp, regular trims every six to eight weeks are necessary. At home, you can use a smoothing serum, a shine spray, and a paddle brush to maintain the sleek, geometric shape. When getting a square bob, it’s essential to communicate clearly with your stylist, using reference photos and specifying clean, blunt lines and a thick finish.
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Parting and fringe can also make a significant difference in the overall look of the square bob. A deep side or off-centre parting can soften strong jaws and add asymmetry, while a soft side-swept fringe can redirect attention upwards. By understanding your face shape and customising the cut accordingly, you can make the square bob work for you.
Face Shape and Square Bob Length
Here’s a breakdown of the best square bob length and styling for different face shapes: oval faces can suit chin to jaw length with a centre or side parting, while round faces should go longer, to just below the chin, with a deep side parting. Heart faces can pull off a chin-length cut with curtain bangs, and square faces need a softer, more textured approach with an off-centre parting and a side-swept fringe.
Oblong faces can benefit from a chin-length cut with a centre or side parting and a curtain or soft full fringe. By considering your face shape and the styling options available, you can find a square bob that flatters your features and makes you look great.
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In comparison to other hairstyles, the square bob is a more geometric and precision-led cut. It’s not as soft and lived-in as a French or Italian bob, but it can be adapted to suit different hair textures, including curly and wavy hair. With the right styling and maintenance, the square bob can be a versatile and stylish choice for many face shapes.
Regular trims are essential to maintaining the square bob’s shape. They should be done every six to eight weeks to prevent the cut from becoming too long or uneven. At home, you can use a variety of products to keep the square bob looking its best. A smoothing serum can help to tame flyaways and add shine, while a paddle brush can help to keep the cut sleek and smooth.
Ultimately, the square bob is a hairstyle that requires some maintenance, but the results can be well worth it. With its sharp, blunt lines and geometric shape, the square bob can be a stylish and versatile choice for many face shapes. By understanding your face shape and working with a stylist to create a customised cut, you can make the square bob work for you.
