Is there anything as exciting and scary as a new haircut? Not in my world. The anticipation of having a new look runs parallel to the fear of praying that you like it. And this is especially true for those of us who have loved having long hair for years, but are itching to cut it into a shorter style like the long bob we’re seeing everywhere this year. The idea of ​​a new look is exciting, but you won’t know the reality until you actually do it.

Every time I’ve considered cutting my hair (beyond a standard cut), I’ve sent countless inspiring photos to my mom and sister hoping to get feedback on whether or not they think it’s a good idea for me. They always respond with “Try it! It will grow back,” and as you can imagine, that hasn’t been helpful in my decision-making process. I love you both so much, but from now on I only talk to the experts about haircuts.

This year, the long bob is all the rage thanks to celebrities like Kim and Khloe Kardashian, Zendaya, Selena Gomez, Lea Michele, and more. It has always been a popular style due to its just right length (not too short and not too long) that makes girls all over the world want to do the chop. But before you do, I urge you to listen to what some famous stylists have to say about it.

Stylists agree that anyone can rock a long bob, as long as you have the right cut for your face shape. For example, Michael Duenas, celebrity stylist and founder of Veluer Creative, says that “if you have a long oval face shape and you go for a long bob, it will accentuate the length of your face. Sometimes hiding your cheekbones. If you have a long face and would still like to have long hair, it is very important to add some face-framing layers or pieces around the cheekbones to make them show again.” The best way to do it, according to Dueñas, is with long curtain fringes. Face-framing layers and fringes are also recommended for people with round and heart-shaped faces.

Keep Regular Salon Appointments

To maintain the precision cut that a long bob requires, you need to make sure your stylist has room in your schedule about every six weeks. If you go too far beyond that, “you can easily tell if the bob isn’t clean,” according to Dueñas. So if you’re the kind of person who doesn’t really like sitting in a lounge chair (raises hand), maybe a long bob isn’t the right move for you just because of the maintenance required. And no, this is not the kind of haircut I would recommend keeping in a do-it-yourself pandemic situation.

Communicate The Texture Of Your Hair

If you have any kind of natural curl texture, talk to your stylist before you start cutting to make sure they understand. Virginia Gamez, hairstylist for Rita Hazan, says that different curl textures “are not one size fits all.” Depending on how tight your curls are, they will stand up and totally change the style once your hair is dry. That said, Gamez recommends cutting looser curls when wet and the curl cutting technique for very tight curls.

Whatever you do, don’t be like me when I was 10 and went to the nearest salon next to the grocery store, didn’t tell the stylists I had curly hair, and ended up with a haircut that my family still laughs. on. Once my hair got dry and frizzy, it wasn’t pretty.

Have The Right Styling Tools

Now comes the fun part: styling! Gamez recommends using a Mason Pearson brush (because it will give the hair a nice natural curve) and a flat iron (specifically one from GHD) to add texture and “cool girl” waves.

If you have curly hair, go natural to emphasize your curls, or want your hair straight for your mane, Dueñas loves using a Denman brush for the first 3 inches from the root and a large round brush for the rest. . With this, you’ll want to make sure you’re not “taking the brush all the way to the root, as it will create unnecessary volume,” as Dueñas recommends.

Keep It Longer So You Can Wear Your Hair Up

Fear not, you can still wear your hair up in your favorite “That Girl” hairstyle (a slicked-back bun or ponytail) if you choose to cut your hair into a long bob. A collarbone-length cut almost always guarantees that you’ll be able to pull your hair up all the way, but a good trick your stylist can do is “take the front of your hair and bring it back to where you normally put your hair in a ponytail.” “. Duenas says. “This will determine the shortest length it can travel,” he added.

If all else fails, find some of the bobby pins lying around your house (and in every bag you have) and pin up any hair that falls to the nape of your neck.