Why celebs are loving the ‘lob’ this spring
Hair trends come and go, but while it often seems like the majority of styles can be carried off by a select few (or those with a team of emergency stylists on speed dial) every so often a style appears that's both refreshingly wearable and universally flattering, and that's precisely where the lob - or long bob - comes in.
The lob was first seen way back in 2008, when Gwyneth Paltrow, Eva Longoria and Anne Hathaway all sported the hairdo, but this spring, it's back with a vengeance, with Kate Bosworth, Olivia Palermo and our very own Davina McCall all opting for the style. The lob can be worn in a variety of ways - with a centre or side parting, and in a range of lengths. And, while the original lob was super sleek and straightened, the latest incarnation can be worn with a wave for a tousled, textured look.
"The lob is a very wearable trend and suits oval, heart, round, diamond-shaped faces best," reveals Karine Jackson, owner of Karine Jackson in Covent Garden. "The only shape the lob is risky on is long, as it can elongate the face, but even then, you can get around this by cutting some layers onto the face to soften the look."
The good news doesn't stop there, either. While many of the more iconic hairstyles required endless bottles of styling products along with an arsenal of tools, the lob is refreshingly low maintenance. "A quick spritz of shine spray will keep your lob looking amazing all day," says Karine. "If you need to boost your roots and give your lob some bounce, use Organic Control Systems Spray Gel - it's excellent. A heat protector will stop the hair from being damaged when blow drying or straightening, and will also help to eliminate frizz and tame fly away hairs. Aside from that, the lob just needs reasonably regular trims - around every five weeks - to keep it in shape."
Additionally, the versatile nature of the lob means that it's the perfect style for those who normally avoid committing to drastic hair styles - if it all goes wrong, it's not the end of the world. "It's a classic look that's incredibly easy to maintain," points out Karine. "But the best thing is that the length of hair that works best with the lob is the same length of hair that's also easy tie up, curl or French pleat."
So, if you're after a fashion forward hair style but don't fancy this season's trend for day-glo hair colours or can't quite face committing to a pixie cut, the lob might just be the answer to your prayers.
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