We know you’re still thinking about that short hairstyle you’ve had on your mind for months now. But allow us to present the perfect middle ground: a lob, also known as a long bob. The best lob haircuts somehow flatter virtually all hair types and face shapes (they're basically the jeans from Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants, but for hair). Proof: Each of the celebrities in the following gallery have vastly different face shapes, hair lengths, and textures, and yet each of their long bobs—ahem, lobs—look positively gorgeous.
Whether you want to incorporate layers or try a summer hair color, the versatility and effortless structure of a long bob is perfect for the coming months. Bonus: Your hair won’t suffer through that awkward grow-out period. It’s all about embracing imperfect textures anyway to let your individuality shine through your style. Plus, there’s nothing a bit of sea salt spray can’t do to save a sad lob if it gets to that point.
Which all means you really, truly can't go wrong taking a chance and chopping off some hair this season. That Instagram saved collection you’ve been adding to is collecting dust, and so is your stylist’s chair. Need more convincing? Let these photos speak for themselves.
Bella Hadid's Shiny Center-Parted Lob
This is the silky lobs to end all silky lobs. Bella Hadid's blunt, shoulder-length hair at the 2017 Met Gala perfectly contrasted her dramatic catsuit.
Margot Robbie's Relaxed Old-Hollywood Lob
Hollywood's favorite leading lady had plenty of amazing beauty moments in 2020, but her chilled-out blonde lob is one of my favorites from the year.
Gal Gadot's Slicked-Back Lob
Slicking back your hair gives an otherwise simple cut a dramatic new look, so have fun experimenting like Gal Gadot did in 2021.
Olivia Culpo's Short and Sweet Lob
The poster girl for cool short hairstyles, model Olivia Culpo's lob is on the shorter side of the spectrum.
Kerry Washington's Bedazzled Lob
Washington proved that all it takes to make a lob look red-carpet read is a sparkly hair accessory at the 2020 Vanity Fair Oscar Party.
Alexa Chung's Wavy Lob
Chung has long been the ultimate fashion and beauty cool-girl, and her wavy brown lob at the 2022 Met Gala proves that she still has effortlessly great taste.
Rihanna's Cherry Red Lob
No, I will not stop thinking (or talking) about Rihanna's cherry red style from 2011. It's a timeless display of red carpet beauty!
Emma Stone's Undone Curly Lob
Emma Stone's slightly longer lob is a great example of a style that's just a touch grown-out but still chic.
Simone Ashley's Beachy Lob
Simone Ashley's textured lob perfectly pairs with her no-makeup-makeup look.
Florence Pugh's Dip-Dyed Lob
Experiment with hair dye for a fun take on the lob. Follow in Pugh's footsteps and choose a pastel lavender color, or go for something more bold.
Justine Skye's Ultra-Shiny Lob
Run a straightening iron through your lob to give it a slightly wavy, beachy texture like Justine Skye's at the 2019 BET Awards.
Miley Cyrus's Two-Tone Lob
Miley Cyrus is never one to try out a bold new color, and her two-tone black and blonde hair made the entire internet lose their minds.
Laura Harrier's Retro Lob
How do you master a red carpet? Style your hair in a retro-inspired curly lob like Laura Harrier.
Gemma Chan's Subtly-Highlighted Lob
Chic and low-key, Gemma Chan's brunette lob perfectly complimented her structural Louis Vuitton gown at the Cannes Film Festival in 2022.
Issa Rae's Curly One-Length Lob
The Insecure actress's subtly red curls hit just below her shoulder, giving her the perfect low-maintenance look.
Billie Eilish's Dramatic Black Lob
Billie Eilish's transition from bleach blonde to this deep black lob was super daring, but we love it.
Emma Chamberlain's Textured Lob
There is no Gen-Z who's style I want to copy more than Emma Chamberlain's, and I'm not just talking about her clothes! This low-key lob is so on-trend for 2022.
Naomi Campbell's Sleek Lob
While fans love her long, silky hair, I can't stop thinking about Naomi Campbell's bang moment from 2011.
Doja Cat's Spiky Lob
All hail the queen of the Y2K comeback, Doja Cat! Her iced-out blonde bob was hands-down the best beauty look at the 2022 Grammy Awards.
Ashley Graham's Wet-Look Lob
I love an easy, wavy lob-style cut, and Ashley Graham's iteration at the Savage X Fenty Show in 2019 might just be one of my all-time favorite.
Taraji P. Henson's Ultra-Bright Lob
Lobs don't need to be boring, as evidenced by Taraji P Henon's neon pink look.
Chrissy Teigen's Honey-Colored Lob
Chrissy Teigan's highlighted wavy hair gave her full-glam look at the the 2022 Vanity Fair Oscar Party a touch of California cool.
Indya Moore's Culy Lob With Bangs
Indya Moore paired a curly lob with blunt, springy bangs at the premiere of Netflix's The Politician.
Kaia Gerber's '90s-Inspired Lob
She is the daughter of a '90s supermodel, after all! Kaia Gerber's shiny locks were coiffed into a sleek, "The Rachel"-esque lob during Paris Fashion Week.
Debby Ryan's Wolf-Cut Lob
Wolf cuts are trending for 2022, as evidenced on former Disney Channel actress Debby Ryan at the 2021 GQ Men of the Year Party.
Suki Waterhouse's Bouncy Lob
Is it a lob? Is her hair longer? It's hard to tell with Waterhouse's undone-glam locks at the 10th Annual LACMA ART+FILM GALA.
Ciara's Bleached Lob
Never one to keep her hair in the same style for too long, Ciara switched her long, caramel-colored hair for this bleached blonde 'do at the 2021 BET Awards.
Gabrielle Union's Piecey Lob
Perhaps in an ode to her 10 Things I Hate About You days, Gabrielle Union styled her hair in a brown lob with flipped-out face-framing layers.
Phoebe Bridger's Icy Lob
I'll forever be a fan of Bridgers's icy blonde locks, especially when they're styled in this easy, beachy lob.
Kristen Stewart's Rooted Blonde Lob
Kristen Stewart is the queen of no-fuss beauty on the red carpet, not even at the Cannes Film Festival. The actress wore her blonde locks in this beachy textured lob for the premiere of her new horror film Crimes Of The Future in Cannes in 2022.
Zendaya's Glossy Curly Lob
Zendaya's wet-look hair is so of-the-moment and gives a whole new meaning to "running late hair."
Keke Palmer's Diana Ross-Inspired Lob
Keke Palmer wore her hair in '70s-inspired curls at the 2021 Met Gala, landing on her on many a "best of beauty" list.
Scarlett Johansson's Butter Yellow Lob
Behold the best no-fuss hair: Scarlett Johansson's ever-so-slightly curled hair and the 2020 Film Independent Spirit Awards.
Daisy Edgar-Jones's Lob With Curtain Bangs
The Normal People actress brushed her bangs to the side at the 2022 Vanity Fair Oscar Party for a chic curtain-bang effect.