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A Riviera bob is precisely the sort of hairstyle that carries elegance without appearing too put together. Its lightness and natural feel lend it an aura of sunshine and spontaneity. This is ideal for someone who prefers short hair without going for an extremely sharp cut. Here's how to select and style your Riviera bob with ease.
What sets the Riviera bob apart?
A Riviera bob does not imply getting a sharply outlined and perfectly symmetrical silhouette. Its attractiveness is in its softness. If some types of bobs require blunt lines and precise styling, Riviera bob has some softening details – a loose silhouette, a bit of texture and movement making it unique.
Normally, the length ranges from the chin level to a bit under the collarbone. It is quite lengthy, giving an opportunity to frame the neck gracefully and styling possibilities, and at the same time, it is relatively short, looking light and purposeful. Its ends are softly rounded, not cut in a blunt line, and sometimes some additional light layers are used to remove the excess weight and increase swinging effect.
As a result, the hairstyle looks as if the wind has been blowing in it. Not being messy, it cannot look too neat as well. Riviera bob can have some bend in the cheekbones area, fuller roots, and ends swaying in all directions when moving.
This hairdo is perfect for those girls who would like their haircut to do the styling for them. As the shape is perfectly cut, the hair will already have the necessary direction, balance, and lift, so you will not have to spend each morning styling it. At the same time, you will be able to highlight your texture and make only a few styling moves.
Also, there is a bit of glamour in this hairstyle. You can wear it either with a center part and neutral makeup or styled with volume and deep side parting for a special occasion. This hairstyle combines both ease and elegance.
How to find your ideal length?
The best Riviera bob length might differ depending on your face shape, hair density, and personal styling preferences. Rather than specifying an exact length, you should focus on where you want your hair to accentuate.
Chin-length bob will give the most pronounced effect. It will accentuate your jawline, highlight your face, and become very fashionable if paired with the soft texture. Chin-length bob will suit you if you like having shorter hair and need a dramatic transformation, but it will have to be trimmed more often than the other length.
Longer version, which ends on your collarbone, will be easier and more versatile. You can easily pull your hair behind your ears, curl or wave it loosely, and have an option to tie it up if necessary. It will be an ideal option for those who transition from long to short hair.
Fine hair will require extra volume from the perimeter and minimum layering. Hair length at the ends will help the bob stay full and voluminous. Ask for face-framing pieces without too many short layers, which can make the bob look airy and not dense.
Thicker hair will need the excess weight to be removed carefully. It doesn't mean that you need to cut your hair very short; you just need to give some extra breathing space. Invisible layers will help to avoid creating triangular hair cut and will allow the relaxed body structure to remain.
Wavy hair is an excellent choice for the Riviera bob. The stylist will be able to create a hair cut according to your wave pattern. Your wavy hair will become very stylish even if it is air-dried. The bob will become soft for straight hair because of some layering and slight texture.
Styling a soft Riviera blowout:
While a soft blowout style works well on a Riviera cut, remember that you should do it in a way that highlights the cut itself and not one that tries to hide it. Your goal should be to create volume at the roots, soft bends, and soft ends rather than an overly sleek blowout.
First, ensure that the hair is damp after towel-drying it. If you have dry hair, add a light leave-in conditioner to the mid-length and end sections of the hair without touching the roots.
The Laifen Swift Special hair dryer might come in handy if you need to quickly achieve a polished blowout look. It has powerful airflow which allows to easily and fast dry short hair and also gives the possibility to have some control over the direction of the roots and ends of the hair. Begin drying with the help of your fingers and lift several hair strands away from the scalp. It is important to change the direction of the process.
When the hair becomes mostly dry, it is time to use a round brush for some finishing touches. Separate the front strands and move them away from the face, but make sure that they do not form an identical curve on the both sides. Some of the ends should be turned inside, some should remain almost straight and some should be bent to the outside. The cut should have a little bit irregular finish.
If your hair has some natural waves, you should try to preserve them. Scrunch the hair during the drying process and do not constantly brush through it when the texture appears. You can also twist the hair in the hands before drying it for better movements.
As for the straight hair, you should create several loose bends in the process of drying. Work only with random strands of the hair and not try to curl all of them. The best Riviera bob should have some movement in the front strands and through the ends and also sufficient smoothness at the roots.
Finally, you should separate the strands of the hair using only fingertips and move the part of the hair somewhat off center or put one strand behind the ear.
Different ways of styling the Riviera bob
The Riviera bob is unusual in its ability to transform moods without altering the haircut itself. Small choices made during styling can turn this hairstyle from one type of style to another — casual, romantic, elegant or even playful. All this makes it a versatile option for daily looks.
As a casual look, it should be left in its natural state. Part it in the middle, dry the roots to achieve some volume and leave the ends soft. In case of this styling, the hair should have natural gentle bends around the cheeks and neck, which adds to the elegance of this look.
In case you want to achieve a more dramatic effect, use deep side parting. This style will immediately add volume to the hair, and it will also look much fuller. You may sweep one side across the face and tuck the other behind the ear. Such a look is quite elegant, but still has casual character, which allows wearing it to dinner.
For a romantic variant, you may also add large bends to the lower part of your hair. Roots of the hair should be straight, with no curly bends. A combination of sleek crown and loose ends will add to the elegance of this haircut without making it formal.
There is also an option to wear your second-day hair with this haircut. Instead of trying to recreate the same style that was achieved with fresh hair, try to embrace more lived-in texture of the hair. Just refresh the roots, re-style the front pieces and add some movement to the ends. This will create a look, which will look even better than freshly washed hair.
Accessories are yet another method of adding variety to this haircut. Minimalist clip may help you to achieve such a look, holding one side back. Also, a headband may give a touch of elegance, while the scarf tied to the crown of the head will emphasize the vacation-inspired nature of this style. Do not forget to choose accessories that won't distract from the haircut.
Remember that the Riviera bob requires you to keep some variety in hair style. This is what makes this haircut look more natural and elegant.
How to keep its effortless look?
While the Riviera bob may seem like a no-frills haircut, it requires some thought regarding styling and maintenance. In order to have the haircut look soft, it should remain healthy-looking, have appropriate balance of weight and a silhouette which is easy to shape.
Schedule your haircut appointment every six to eight weeks if you would like to keep the initial length and shape of the haircut. Those who wear the shorter variant of the bob will need more frequent cuts. The haircut does not have sharp outlines, and therefore does not require such frequent visits to the salon.
In-between the appointments, pay attention to places of your hair where it starts looking heavy. Some people have problems with hair loss of the movement around the jawline or with the bulkiness of the ends. This problem may be solved with the help of one visit to the hairstylist.
The right method of drying your hair is crucial for your Riviera bob. Instead of blow-drying your hair from top to bottom right away, use movements while drying your roots first and only afterwards dry the lengths of the hair when most of the moisture has evaporated. Such way of drying will make your hair voluminous without giving it an appearance of being stiff.
Make sure you do not use too many products for styling your hair. Creams and oils with high thickness will add weight to your hair and deprive it of the airy look characteristic of this haircut. Only use those styling products which are required by your hair type.
Also, you should let your haircut change throughout the day. Your Riviera bob should move. It should look slightly different depending on whether you have been walking or have been sitting in a meeting – this is what will make it truly unique. The best variant of the haircut will be touchable and confident.
Conclusion
It becomes evident from the Riviera bob cut that not all short hairstyles require strict requirements to look impressive. This haircut is elegant regardless of the situation thanks to its delicate length, texture, and versatility in styling. All you have to do is pick the right hairstyle for your hair type and aim for lightness, imperfection, and effortless look.
FAQs
Is a Riviera bob style flattering for fine hair?
Yes. The right shape and layering can make a Riviera bob work great on fine hair as long as the outline is full and layers are not heavy.
Will my natural curls look good in a Riviera bob?
Yes. The shape can be adjusted by a stylist according to your specific curl pattern. Do not ask for too much thinning as it may disrupt the harmony of the design.
How frequently should I get a haircut?
Riviera bobs should be trimmed about once every six to eight weeks, otherwise, the haircut will become heavier due to ends growing out and losing its initial look.
Do I need to use heat tools every day?
No. Heat styling is not essential since this cut is intended to have natural movement. Quick blow drying is sufficient for maintaining its look.
What should I ask my stylist for?
You should ask for a soft, collarbone to chin-length bob with textured ends and natural movement.
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