How to Get a Bob Without Cutting Your Hair
How to Try a Bob Haircut Without the Commitment
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You've seen the bob haircut trend, or fell in love with Maya Jama's Comic Relief wavy bob, or simply felt the urge to snip off your locks and embrace a shorter look. No matter how you've come to consider getting a bob haircut, there's a chance you might be too scared of the commitment.
Well fear not, because a bob haircut doesn't have to be permanent, no matter how long your hair is. You see, Maya Jama's bob was actually a temporary faux-bob, as was Kim Kardashian's when she experimented with her sister Kourtney Kardashian's signature hairstyle. Celebrities like "Love Island's" Whitney Adebayo, Suki Waterhouse and Zendaya have also got creative with their bob hairstyles, despite them being temporary, and here's how you can too.
The key to a faux bob is hair extensions. This could be in the form of clip-ins, a half wig, or a V- or U-part wig. Essentially, each of these styles allow you to change the look of your hair using extensions, while keeping part of your hair exposed to maintain a natural look. Keep reading for styling tips for your faux bob adventure.
Full Faux Bob Wig
To leave your hair completely untouched as you try a faux bob, don't be afraid of a full wig, we promise you won't look like you're in fancy dress. Lullabellz' Jet Black Straight Lob Lace Front Wig (£50) comes pre-cut and in a dark, glossy black colour for your new bob-venture, while Lula Hair Co's Water Wave Bob Wig With Bangs (£79) is ideal if you'd like to try out a fringe and a bob haircut too.
You'll have to braid your hair or place it into a sleek bun underneath your wig to avoid any bulking and to make sure it lays flat for a natural look. To install your wig, place it on your head and cut away the lace, before using a strong hold gel or hairspray, like got2Be Glued Hairspray Blasting Freeze Hold (£6) to keep your wig in place. Alternatively, you can tighten the band in the back of your wig for a glueless installation.
Tucked Under Faux Bob
Zendaya tricked her fans at the Dune: Part Two premiere at Auditorio Nacional in Mexico City back in February, debuting an ultra-short, sleek bob haircut that it seems was actually a faux-bob all along. To achieve the style, I believe Zendaya tucked under her long brunette locks, a method we've previously seen on the red carpet from Cate Blanchett and Jessica Alba. If you have naturally thin hair, or a mid-length hair, the tucked under trick could be your best bet at a temporary bob.
V-Part Faux Bob Wig
A V-Part wig is a full wig with only a small, v-shaped parting at the top for your real hair to be exposed. On either side of the parting are clips or grips that can be attached to your hair to secure your wig. To care for your hair under your wig, you can braid your hair or style it into a slick bun, making sure to leave out a section of your hair on top of your head, ideally where your natural parting is, so you can easily blend your hair in.
I think V-Part wigs are great if you're not ready for a real bob haircut just yet. As someone with coily hair, I've repeatedly bought the UNice Kinky Curly Natural V-Part Wig (£70) as the curl pattern blends seamlessly with my own and the installation is quick and easy. Opt for 14 to 16 inches for a curly bob hairstyle without the commitment.
Faux Bob Using Clip-In Extensions
This one is for the girlies with pre-cut layers in their hair. Simply braid or tie back the longer pieces of your hair, leaving out the top layers that are your ideal bob length. Then apply clip-in hair extensions to the back of your head, leaving the top-half of your hair exposed and style as needed.
LullaBellz's Thick 14" 1 Piece Blow Dry Wavy Clip-in Hair Extensions (£14) come in a range of natural hair colours and are perfect for creating a voluminous bob. For coily, curly hair try Ruka Hair's Think Kink Clip-Ins (£160) or their Cork Crew Clip-Ins (£160) for a looser, defined curl.
U-Part Faux Bob Wig
The U-Part Wig has been a staple hairstyle within the Black community for generations, and allows for a larger chunk of your natural hair to be exposed at the top of your head, while the rest of your hair is put away under a wig. The U-Part wig is similar to the V-Part wig, the only difference being the shape and size of the parting where your hair is revealed.
Kim Kardashian's hairstylist Chris Appleton uses a U-Part wig to create her iconic black, sleek bob hairstyle, leaving out a small portion of hair around her hairline and for the parting while braiding the rest of it back to sit comfortably under the wig.
Easilocks' Loose Wave U-Part Wig (£63) is a perfect natural-looking option for those with naturally wavy hair and comes in a number of shades. It comes at a length of 24 inches, but feel free to cut your bob yourself or book a salon appointment for an all-round bob haircut experience. Meanwhile, WigIt's Human Hair U-Part Faux Bob Wig (£55) comes pre-cut and ready to wear.
Lauren Gordon is the editorial coordinator at POPSUGAR UK, where she creates lifestyle and identity content. Lauren has a degree in journalism from University of the Arts London and previously worked as a showbiz and TV reporter at The Mirror US. Lauren specialises in pop culture, hair and beauty, focusing on trends, sharing in-depth tutorials, and highlighting hidden gems in the beauty industry.
