04-07-2025
The Box Bob Is The Ultimate Cool-Girl Hairstyle For Summer
You'd be hard-pressed to find a haircut more classic (or more coveted) than the striking 'box bob.' Worn by modern beauty icons like Lily Collins and Gracie Abrams, and historically by A-listers such as Hailey Bieber and Victoria Beckham, this sharp, even cut is the ultimate blunt hairstyle. You might even argue that it's the most popular bob shape of all time.
Looking for a major summer hair transformation? Here, experts break down the allure of the timeless 'box bob', including how to cut and style it for 2025 - and, whether its bold, graphic nature will actually suit your face shape.
Simple, one-length, and perfectly levelled, the box bob is entirely unlayered and strikingly sharp. In short, it's the epitome of a statement, power haircut. No subtle entrance here.
'The box bob is typically chin-length or slightly below. It's cut with no layering and no elevation, which gives it that strong, geometric, boxy shape,' explains hair cutting specialist, Vivienne Johns. 'The silhouette is clean and sharp, and it really helps define the jawline.
If you're struggling for inspiration, take a look at the iconic crops of Lily Collins, Kelly Rowland and Rosamund Pike, who've both sported a similarly crisp looking 'do in recent years. While the style is mostly kept pin-straight to emphasise its razor-sharp length, it can also be paired with a subtle wave, as often seen on Gracie Abrams and Halle Berry.
As with any bob haircut, the reality is that not every style will suit every face shape or hair texture.
'It's great for anyone who wants to show off a long neck or enhance a sharp jaw, and it's low-maintenance in terms of styling,' says Johns. 'However, it does require regular cutting to maintain its shape. I'd recommend getting it trimmed every four to six weeks to keep it looking fresh. The box bob is definitely not a one-size-fits-all haircut and works best on fine, straight hair.'
If the idea of finer, thinner lengths speaks to you, here's why the cut is so effective. 'For someone with finer hair, it's great because it creates the illusion of thickness, it just looks healthier when it's blunt, rather than wispy,' says expert hairdresser Holly Fairley. 'If the hair is thicker or curly, it can give more of a triangular shape; by this I mean flatter at the top, heavier at the bottom. If someone with that hair type still wants the look, I'd just add some texture through the ends to soften it out.'
When it comes to finishing your bob each day, a quality hair straightener is essential for achieving the bluntest possible finish. Alternatively, a traditional round brush technique will add body without texture.
'Styling-wise, a Denman brush is ideal,' says Johns. 'You don't want too much of a curl underneath - the goal is a glassy, sleek finish. A lightweight oil or serum works beautifully. That said, it's also highly versatile. Add a dry texture spray, and you can transform it from polished to a more undone, messy look in seconds. If you have a lot of texture or wave, you'll likely need to straighten it to achieve that sharp, boxy appearance.'
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