I Swapped My Long Strands for the ‘90s-Inspired Lob Haircut Trend

I’m a proud ‘90s baby, and it shows. My wardrobe is overflowing with vintage slip dresses, my Spotify playlist features old songs from Sade, D'Angelo, and Mariah Carey, and the 1993 comedy series Living Single is constantly streaming on my television. So, it should come as no surprise that I recently chopped my lengthy locks in favor of the classic ‘90s lob haircut.

A lob—short for "long bob"—is defined by a medium-length silhouette that falls somewhere below the chin and above the shoulders. Prominently worn in the ‘90s by icons like Naomi Campbell, Christy Turlington, and Julia Roberts, the nostalgic look has since found its way back into beauty’s trend cycle, with celebrities giving it a contemporary twist. Lori Harvey’s version boasts a gold balayage treatment, Zendaya's lob showcases strategic layers, and Selena Gomez has a brunette blunt cut that’s freshly trimmed.

I must admit, I was initially hesitant to test-drive the haircut or myself. Truth be told, I had never gotten a major chop before. Sure, I’ve had my fair share of routine trims (I live by the once-every-three-months rule), but that’s about it. I was nervous that if I abandoned my flowing hair, I’d lose part of my identity. I was so wrapped up in the pursuit of length, that I forgot to consider whether a cropped style could be right for me.

Perhaps I was fueled by the idea of entering my late 20s with a new haircut—or maybe I was simply tired of dealing with an easily tangled, often breaking abundance of hair—but I suddenly had the urge to shake things up.

Desperate for a salon recommendation, I turned to Marie Claire’s beauty writer, Ariel Baker, who swiftly suggested Classic Beauty Studio, a Black-owned and family-operated business located in Brooklyn’s Bed-Stuy neighborhood. Run by Kadeisha Placide, the salon specializes in textured hair, and its stylists are renowned for their sleek silk press treatments, high-quality extension installments, and clean cuts.

Several weeks after booking my appointment, I found myself sitting in one of Classic Beauty’s salon chairs with my head tilted back in a wash bowl. My stylist, Joselin, began the cleansing process with a clarifying shampoo, followed by a deep conditioner for extra nourishment. The comforting scent of fresh hair products filled the room, and I was instantly reminded of my mother’s go-to hair salon back home in Washington, D.C. I spent every other Saturday there as a kid, watching her wavy tresses transform into a bouncy blowout. As feelings of nostalgia washed over me, I grew even more excited for my own hair transformation.

After Joselin gathered my hair into a microfiber towel, she sectioned my curls and began blow-drying with a ceramic round brush. I was beyond grateful for her gentle hands, because I am extremely tender-headed and blow dryers have long been my worst enemy (IYKYK).

When my hair was fully dry, and further straightened with a flat iron, Joselin whipped out a pair of scissors, and I was officially ready to bid adieu to my long layers, eager to step into my new hair era, and fully prepared to channel my inner ‘90s cool girl.

As the snipping sound of shears echoed in my ears, clumps of frayed tips gradually piled up on the floor. I took a glance in the mirror, and noticed a version of myself that looked mature, chic, and refreshingly retro—a Lauren 2.0, if you will.

My long hair, I realized, slightly consumed my face; this flattering cut framed it. While shamelessly smiling at my own reflection, I was certain that I had finally found my hair style—one that perfectly championed a strong sense of confidence.

Over a month has passed since my first-ever lob haircut, and I won’t shut up about it—nor do I plan to anytime soon. I’ve even developed a streamlined routine to maintain the style, which I’ve happily shared below in case you’re on a similar hair journey. And if you haven’t yet hopped aboard the lob bandwagon, I have some words of advice for you. Take the leap and go for the chop! Who knows, you might just find a hairstyle that makes you feel more like yourself.

The Best Products for Maintaining a Lob Haircut

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