See a French bob on your own face before you cut

The French bob is short, a little undone and meant to look easy. Preview the length and the fringe on your own photo before you commit. Free to try.

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A woman in her fifties with long straight brown hair
Before
The same woman with a chin-length bob
After

What is a French bob, and will it suit me?

A French bob sits at the chin or just above it, with a slightly rounded or blunt edge, often a fringe, and a relaxed, tousled finish. It tends to suit straight to wavy hair and can make fine hair look fuller. Check your neck length and preview it on your own photo first.

What makes a bob French

  1. Chin or just above

    The length is the signature. It ends at the chin or a little higher, so it shows the neck and jawline. It is shorter than a classic or long bob, which makes it a real change from shoulder-length hair.

  2. A soft, rounded edge

    The ends curve slightly inward or are cut blunt but not razor sharp. This keeps the shape from looking stiff. It is the main difference from a precise, polished bob, which is cut to stay perfectly in line.

  3. The fringe

    Many French bobs have a short, slightly wispy fringe, often cut to sit just above the brows. It frames the eyes and takes attention away from the forehead. Go without one if you dislike fringes growing out.

  4. Tousled, not styled

    The look comes from hair that moves. A little bend at the ends, a messy part and no stiff product. It is designed to look like you barely tried, which also means it forgives a day when your hair does its own thing.

  5. French bob or classic bob

    A classic bob is cut for neat lines and often sits lower. A French bob is shorter, lighter and more casual. Our bob page covers the wider range of bob types, so use this one if the chin-length, undone look is what you want.

Best for
Straight to gently wavy hair, and fine hair that needs a blunt, light shape to look fuller. It also suits anyone who likes a neck-showing cut that looks relaxed rather than formal.
Upkeep
Air-dry with a little cream or sea salt spray for the tousled version, or blow-dry with a round brush for a smoother curve. The short length needs a trim fairly often to keep the edge at the chin.
Watch out for
A short neck, or a neck you prefer to cover, may feel exposed at this length. Very curly or very thick hair can puff out at the sides, so ask a stylist how your texture will behave at chin length.

More looks to try

A woman with mousy brown hair Before
The same woman with a chestnut long bob After
A woman with short brown and gray hair Before
The same woman with an ash blonde short cut After

Try a French bob in the app

  1. Add one clear photo

    Use a front-facing photo in good light, with your face and neck clearly visible. A clear view of your jawline gives the best preview of a chin-length cut.

  2. Find a chin-length bob

    Browse the haircut catalogue by category and look for short, chin-length bobs with a fringe. Open a few, because small changes in length and fringe change the look.

  3. Import a reference

    If you saved a French bob from Pinterest, Instagram or Facebook, import it with the hair reference feature and see that exact cut on your own face.

  4. Compare with See original

    Toggle See original to flip between your current hair and the bob, and regenerate to see another take. Download or share the one you like and bring it to your stylist.

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Take it to your stylist

  • Show the exact length

    Point to where it should end: the chin, the jaw or just above. Even a finger of difference changes how French the bob looks, so bring your preview and a reference photo.

  • Ask for a soft edge

    Tell your stylist you want a blunt but slightly rounded line, not a razor-sharp one. Ask whether it should be cut dry or with a little texture at the ends so it moves.

  • Plan the fringe and the grow-out

    Ask how the fringe will sit on your hairline and what it will do as it grows. A short fringe is easy to cut and takes patience to grow out, so decide before the scissors come out.

Good to know.

Something else on your mind?
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Does a French bob suit fine hair?

Often yes. A blunt cut at the chin gives the ends more weight, so thin hair can look thicker. Skip heavy layering, which can make fine ends look wispy. A stylist can judge how your hair will hold the shape.

Is a French bob right if I have a short neck?

It can be. A chin-length cut that sits slightly below the jaw, or a bit of volume at the crown, can balance a short neck. Preview a few lengths on your photo and see which one feels comfortable.

Do I need a fringe for a French bob?

No. The fringe is common, but a French bob without one still reads as French when the length, edge and tousled finish are right. Preview both versions on your photo and pick the one you like.

Can I wear a French bob with curly hair?

It is possible, but curls shrink and spring up when cut short, so the bob sits higher than it looks wet. Talk to a stylist who cuts curls, and expect a rounder shape than a straight-haired French bob.

How do I grow out a French bob?

Grow it through the awkward stage with a headband, clips or a small tuck behind the ears. Regular small trims keep the shape tidy as it moves from chin to a longer bob. The change takes patience.

Keep exploring

Ready for your new look?

See it on you before you cut. Free to try.

Download on theApp Store GET IT ONGoogle Play