For a long time it was believed that short hair was incompatible with spectacular evening hairstyles. Then Angèle arrived at the closing ceremony of the Paris Olympics with her ultra graphic French bob, and the Internet changed: suddenly, the short bob became the ideal base to shine all winter long. From “get ready with me” videos to Pinterest mood boards, festive bob hairstyles are already establishing themselves as one of the great beauty reflexes of the season.
Between New Year’s Eve, company dinners and winter weddings, salons are seeing an influx of requests for short bobs with party-style twists. Adrien Coelho has also noticed a real craze: explains the Belgian hairdresser based in Paris, interviewed by Weekend Le Vif. All you have to do is choose which look to adopt…
A winter of 2025 dedicated to the festive bob
Behind the word “bob”, there is in reality a galaxy of cuts: classic bob, French bob above the jaw, very short nape bob at the nape of the neck, longer skinny lob, layered, curly or messy versions. According to Yuaia Haircare, this cut is suitable for almost all face shapes, as long as you adjust the length, volume and possible bangs. It is precisely this modular side which makes it a perfect basis for inventing quick but visually very worked party hairstyles.
The French bob also has a real festive heritage: born in the Roaring Twenties, it styled the *flappers* who went out to dance in cabarets. Today, he retains this mischievous energy, but is becoming more personalized. , explains Adrien Coelho. Before adding: .
Five festive bob hairstyles to try this winter
For fans of the straightened bun, the special bob version imagined by hairstylist Samantha Cusick is designed as a hidden treatment: it speaks of a . The idea? Apply a restorative treatment to damp lengths, add a cream and an oil then smooth everything into an ultra sleek low bun with a soft bristle brush, before tying a ribbon or a jeweled bow. , she confides in Elle UK. Another popular option is the 90s-style voluminous blown bob: spray with a volumizing spray, then blow-dry with a round brush, giving bounce to the ends. , advises the stylist, before smoothing a few drops of oil onto the mid-lengths for shine. For a more couture evening, the wet effect bob with side parting features a very deep parting and a lacquered texture that reveals the earrings: explains Samantha Cusick, who smoothes the hair back with a cream then adds an oil for a mirror shine.
Those who prefer a minimalist but ultra-luxurious finish choose the shiny velvet bob like glass hair. There, everything is done upstream with deep care, then precise smoothing while keeping the ends very sharp. , recommends the hairdresser, before smoothing the bob and slightly beveling the ends, then finishing with an oil to amplify the mirror effect. Last idea that is very easy to wear, the romantic half-bun bob: you first create slight waves, natural or ironed, then you gather the upper half of the hair into a small soft ponytail, by wrapping a strand around the elastic. , sums up Samantha Cusick, who likes to spritz dry shampoo at the roots for volume and swipe a little oil on the ends for a luminous touch. A velvet bow or a rhinestone barrette is then enough to go into New Year’s Eve mode.
Essential advice from professionals for a successful festive bob
Before even thinking about glitter, hairdressers insist on the importance of the haircut appointment. A party bob is ideally prepared a few weeks before, with a professional who has mastered this form. Adrien Coelho reminds us that morphology and texture must be taken into account: location, thickness, possible fringe. The four key points to address at the salon for a truly tailor-made result are:
- The length: just above the jaw to free the neck, or rather at the level of the collarbone for a more flexible lob.
- The bangs: straight and graphic, softer curtain, or simply a few strands around the face.
- Volume: boost the roots on fine hair, lighten with soft layers on thick or curly hair.
- The nape of the neck: follow the layout so that the square remains uniform, even once tied in a low bun.
As for routine, Yuaia Haircare recommends refreshing a bob every 6 to 8 weeks to maintain line and movement, especially if you follow evening blow-drys. Before each styling, a heat-protective spray is non-negotiable, then we rely on light textures: volumizing mousse or texturizing spray for fine hair, moisturizing cream and light oil for curls, avoiding overloading so as not to compress the cut. Drying in sections with a round brush, or with a diffuser on curly hair, allows you to install volume at the roots without frizz. And there, really, the bob becomes an ultra-versatile base, ready to transform endlessly as the invitations change.
