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The Kourtney or the no-lob: which bob tribe are you?

 (Getty Images)
(Getty Images)

To chop, or not to chop? That is the question. And we have the answer: the bob is back.

Seen all over the catwalks, small screen and red carpet, there seems to be a type designed for every face shape and maintenance level out there. Intrigued? Read on to find the bob for you.

The Kourtney

Kourtney Kardashian sporting a super-sleek number (Kourtney Kardashian/Instagram)
Kourtney Kardashian sporting a super-sleek number (Kourtney Kardashian/Instagram)

Who? If you’ve got time, money and a glam squad to follow you around 24/7, opt for the mirror shine of this super sleek number. “The glass bob would suit someone who has bags of confidence, because there’s no hiding behind it,” says stylist to the stars and Redken ambassador George Northwood. “Unless you’re already blessed with poker straight hair, this is a pretty high maintenance look as you’ll need to expose your lengths to a lot of heat.”

What to ask for: “Ask your stylist for a bob cut all one length and for it to be blow dried out super smooth,” says Northwood. “Make sure to tell your stylist that you’re after a super glossy finish which they can achieve by a shine enhancing product or treatment which will give that ultimate glass hair effect.”

The products: Day to day, reach for the GHD Platinum + Hair Straighter, £189 (ghdhair.com) for poker straight lengths, a powerful heat protector such as the Ouai Heat Protection Spray, £25 (lookfantastic.com) - used by Kardashian hairstylist Jen Atkin - Redken Shine Flash, £14.80 (toniandguy.com) for (you guessed it) that mirror finish, and the George Northwood Undone Moisturising Cream, £15, to smooth down any flyways.

Squid Game cool

Jung Ho-yeon in Squid Game (Netflix)
Jung Ho-yeon in Squid Game (Netflix)

Who? “I love this layered, textured look for wavy hair,” says Ricky Walters, founder of Salon 64. “This is one of the very few bobs that can be tailored and adapted to suit most face types and it’s ideal for those with a lot of movement and strong waves within their hair. It’s designed to be disheveled, perfect for a fun loving rock n roll woman looking to turn heads.”

What to ask for: “It’s key that you tell the stylist that you want the hair to look lived in and undone. If you have too many classically cut layers this look can turn mumsy in seconds,” says Walters.

The products: Even though this look is designed to embrace one’s natural hair texture, sometimes lengths can dry in wayward directions, so Walters recommends using the R and Co Twister Curl Primer, £23 (net-a-porter.com), and diffusing hair using a dryer such as the BaByliss Platinum Diamond 2300W Diffuser Dryer, £55, until 60 per cent dry, then leaving the rest to chance.

The boy bob

On the Chanel SS22 catwalk (Getty Images)
On the Chanel SS22 catwalk (Getty Images)

Who? If you’ve got the striking bone structure of those gracing the Chanel SS22 catwalk, look to “the 90s undone boy bob,” says Northwood. “It’s a super cool, fashion girl bob. To pull off this look you’ll need pronounced facial features, as the bluntness of the cut can look quite severe on some.”

What to ask for: According to Northwood, it’s important to “ask for a super short bob cut to the jawline, just long enough so that you’re still able to tuck it behind your ears. Keep it all one length with no shape around the face.”

The products: “Once you’ve got this cut, it’s super easy to maintain. It’s the type of cut you can just leave to air dry and it will still look effortlessly chic and undone,” says Northwood. Though if you find you’re lacking in texture throughout the day, a texture spray such as the Sam McKnight Cool Girl Texture Mist, £25, can “add some body if needed.”

The Suranne Jones no-lob bob

Suranne Jones in Vigil (BBC)
Suranne Jones in Vigil (BBC)

Who? Make like Suranne Jones in Vigil with a “dimensional long bob, which is perfect if you’ve got an oval and heart shaped face,” according to Walters. “This is a great bob for anyone with heavy to medium hair with a little movement and is perfect for those needing the option to switch from polished professional, to textured and boho in the blink of an eye. It’s a style with a lot to give.”

What to ask for: “Make sure to show your stylist pictures, but ask for a longer than usual bob - but not as long as a lob - with a little texture to remove bulk, but no graduation,” says Walters.

The products: “Blasting dry with a hairdryer should get you the look you're after,” says Walters, who recommends adding a dash of texture spray, such as the IGK Beach Club Volumising Texture Spray, £23, to ‘boho’ things up.