Your next bob obsession? If the internet is anything to go by, it will be the baroque bob, searches for which have rocketed by 1,000 per cent on Google over the last few months. While it’s easy to understand the appeal of a French bob, or even a “little bob” for that matter, the baroque style requires a little more explaining.
According to hairstylist Francesca Inverarity, the “baroque bob is all down to the blow dry and finish. It’s a simple but structured cut that is styled into voluminous sculpted waves.” Generally, the style sits just above the shoulder and features longer, looser layers, which allow for more versatility in styling – see Zendaya as one excellent example. “It oozes glamour and sophistication,” says Inverarity. “Really, it’s a classic bob shape, which draws inspiration from timeless Hollywood icons such as Marilyn Monroe and Rita Hayworth.”
It certainly fits the bill for 2024’s overarching hair theme: a move towards more polished, luxurious hair, in contrast to last year’s focus on all things undone, understated and effortless. This is hair that looks “done”, but in a good way. “Less of the undone texture, more full, bouncy and sexy hair,” Inverarity agrees.
A great in-between cut – a mid-way point for those growing out a shorter bob, or an easy way for those with longer hair to go shorter without too drastic a change – the baroque bob “complements all face shapes and hair textures”, and since it’s more of a styling trend, anyone can get the look if they already have a bob. It’s a particularly good style to try if you have fine or thin hair. “It adds volume and dimension on these hair types,” says Inverarity. “But it can also easily be worn on thicker, curly or textured hair types too – it just needs to be styled correctly.”
So, how to style it? First thing’s first, amp up the volume using the right formulas – like Fable & Mane’s new Moisturising Volume Spray or Bumble & Bumble’s Thickening Spray. Inverarity recommends blow drying the hair until it’s 90 per cent dry. “Then, with a hair dryer and soft round brush [Inverarity loves Evo’s Spike 38 Nylon Pin Bristle Radial Brush], lift the hair upwards to create maximum volume.” Voluminous roots: sorted.
In order to achieve a luxe bouncy wave, make a hot brush (like BaByliss’s Flawless Volume Hot Air Styler) or a Dyson Airwrap your new best friend. “Finish by flipping your hair upside down, brush the hair out, then spray with a texture spray for a high-shine, high volume finish and to add even more body,” she says.
If you have naturally curly or wavy hair, be sure to apply a moisturising and shine-boosting curl cream (like Aveda’s Be Curly Curl Enhancer) in damp hair to “enhance and refine the waves, alongside a mousse to create width and that all-important fullness”, Inverarity says. After that, gently dry hair using a diffuser.
Once you’ve achieved a shiny and beautifully bouncy finish, you can play around with your parting. One of the easiest ways to create next-level volume is to flip your parting to the side – it’s easy, free, and it can totally transform your look. You can also add accessories. “I love bejewelled hair slides and ribbons as an easy way to tap into the look,” says Inverarity.
Fable & Mane Moisturising Volume Spray
£26
Cult Beauty
Evo Spike 38 Nylon Pin Bristle Radial Brush
£40
Evo
Bumble and Bumble Thickening Spray
£13
LookFantastic
BaByliss Flawless Volume Hot Air Styler
£35
LookFantastic
Aveda Be Curly Curl Enhancer
£23.50
LookFantastic