How I'm Faking It: The Lob

Like many, I've spent the better part of this year flirting with the idea of chopping off my hair in pursuit of 2014's most notorious style: The Lob. It's everywhere, and not because it's sensational like The Rachel, but because it's the epitome of mussed-up chic, works with all hair textures and face types, and best of all, it's low-maintenance. Not to mention, it's everywhere. Seen on everyone from Jennifer Lawrence to Kendall Jenner, it's been tempting me at every turn.

As for getting scissor happy myself, parting with the long, thick mane that's allowed me to be the guinea pig for all sorts of elaborate hairstyles wasn't a solution I could live with. Not to mention, I love a shortcut…. and word play (sorry!). But how could I outfox my considerably lengthy hair and style it into a cropped, shoulder-grazing style? With ease it seems, thanks to a handful of bobby pins and a chic chunky knit. Here are the two ways I'm faking it without going for the chop.

BEFORE:

Lip, Hairstyle, Sleeve, Chin, Shoulder, Eyebrow, Eyelash, Jaw, Step cutting, Long hair,

The Essentials:

Product, Brown, Purple, Violet, Tints and shades, Magenta, Lavender, Cosmetics, Grey, Beige,

1. Hot Tools 0.75 Inch Curling Iron, $41; hairenvy.com. 2. Conair Styling Essentials Firm Hold Bobby Pins, $3.49; walgreens.com. 3. Balmain Texturizing Salt Spray, $23.73; balmainhair.com. 4. Conair Styling Essentials Teasing Hair Brush, $5.49; walgreens.com.

Method #1: The Curl, Braid, and Tuck

Hair, Ear, Hairstyle, Hair accessory, Style, Formal wear, Blond, Hair coloring, Fashion, Temple,

Step 1: Curl large sections of hair around the curling iron to create texture and subtract length.

Step 2: Tie your hair into a loose braid, leaving the curled, front layers free.

Step 3: Tuck your braid under and secure with bobby pins, then pull out top layer pieces, tease, scrunch, and seal with sea salt spray.

AFTER:

Lip, Cheek, Hairstyle, Sleeve, Eyebrow, Eyelash, Step cutting, Beauty, Blond, Fashion,

Method 2: The Turtleneck Tuck

Hair, Finger, Hairstyle, Hand, Style, Beauty, Eyelash, Nail, Fashion, Neck,

Step 1: Once you've found a turtleneck, tuck your long hair in at the nape, and gently pull it out so that it's chin-length.

Step 2: Tease, scrunch, and spray with sea salt spray.

AFTER:

Lip, Hairstyle, Eyebrow, Eyelash, Beauty, Long hair, Blond, Neck, Fashion model, Step cutting,

Credits:

Photography by Kathryn Wirsing

Turtleneck by H&M

Lauren Valenti is Vogue’s former senior beauty editor. Her work has also appeared on ELLE.com, MarieClaire.com, and in In Style. She graduated with a liberal arts degree from Eugene Lang College, The New School for Liberal Arts, with a concentration on Culture and Media Studies and a minor in Journalism.