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The 90s bob hairstyle is not about recreating an era that is perfectly preserved. The 90s bob is about embracing the good things from that era such as easy volume, natural texture, soft curls, and some edge in one's style. It is a hairstyle with freedom of motion and therefore is perfect for those who love short hairstyles but not very arranged.
How do you make the bob look 90s?
Unlike other sharp hairstyles, the 90s bob has a casual flair that differentiates it from all the other short hairstyles out there. The haircut could be cut at the jawline, below the shoulders, or in between but the real defining feature would be the laidback look. It has soft texture, some body, and enough movement.
While other hairstyles emphasize the clean-cut appearance of either the blunt edge or tight curls, the 90s bob tends to favor the natural curve. There may be some texture on the ends, the part would be slightly off-center, and there may be some lift in the roots. This is a hairstyle that has had a good day and does not appear to have been combed too much.
Also, unlike other short hairstyles, the 90s bob is quite versatile. This is because there are various ways to do the style. While some versions would tend to be soft and rounded and chin length, others would be slightly longer and swing across the shoulder. Also, this hairstyle could either be done in a sleek manner with tucked-in ends, a casual wavy look, or fuller blowouts that add some drama.
However, the attitude is the only common thing in all variations of the hairstyle. It is neither a precious nor a pretentious haircut and it has plenty of confidence without shouting it out loud. It could be dressed up in a tailored outfit and be elegant, dress down and be casual, or have a romantic touch when styled with soft texture around the face.
Also, the 90s bob has a certain charm in that it allows for the hair texture to play a role. In case your hair is wavy in nature, the 90s bob hairstyle can embrace that. In case you have straight hair, a couple of bends can give the hair the needed effortless look while for hair with some body, the 90s bob cut can take advantage of that.
Why natural movement is the whole point?
First, the 90s bob allows some imperfections that help to get that specific casual chic. It might be a slightly flipped tip, a softer piece on the cheekbone, or an asymmetrical part. Whatever it is, a little bit of imperfection helps the cut to seem more natural.
Second, this hair style will save those tired of high-maintenance hair routines. There is no need to achieve a perfect look every time. The cut is created taking into account the natural texture, and then it just requires some additional styling to enhance its features.
When it comes to naturally wavy hair, the goal of the stylist is to define the wave without making it even and symmetrical. This style is supposed to have a little bit of imperfection in order to become authentic. So, it might be that one side has more movement than another or that the tips are bent in different ways.
Speaking about naturally straight hair, some loose curls may help to bring some airiness and softness into the hairstyle, especially around the frontal pieces and the tips. The curls shouldn't be tight and matched, instead, several undone curls and the rest of the hair smoothed will make the style look beautiful and stylish.
In case the hair is fine, then this cut will make it thicker, as it shortens the hair length. Proper cutting may help to lift the hair from the head and create volume. Moreover, softly textured ends will add extra volume without making the style look flat.
If talking about thick hair, then a 90s bob will also look great as long as it won't have excessive layering, as it will add unnecessary width. However, some internal shaping may allow the hair to move while remaining voluminous and full at the same time.
Correct length and shape for you
What makes the 90s bob hairstyle quite handy is that it does not have a precise length. It can be adjusted according to your needs and preferences while retaining the laid-back essence of the look. What really matters is choosing the correct length for you.
For maximum short hair impact, opt for the chin-length bob. The cut highlights your jawline and neck area, while providing you with a fresh and playful silhouette. Chin-length bob looks awesome if you like the feeling of an expressive haircut, and are willing to get regular haircuts to keep its shape.
A bob that starts right below the chin is usually a bit easier to style and provides more softness. It provides you with some extra length for gentle bends around your face, for a tuck behind the ear, or for the flip on the tips of your bob. It is perfect if you would like to have a short hairstyle but without any extreme cropping.
If you are a fan of 90s looks, go for a shoulder-length bob. This cut also provides you with the options of styling your hair with additional volume, for the loose waves, or for the half-tuck. Additionally, it can be a wonderful transition hairstyle if you grow out a shorter style.
When choosing your silhouette, decide on whether you want to go for a rounder bob or a more straight-across one. Slightly round line will provide you with a softer look and create a delicate and feminine silhouette of your bob.
Another alternative is the face-framing pieces which can either be shorter to add movement to the haircut and make eyes more noticeable or longer to add softness where the hair meets the face. There is no better or worse option as both choices just produce a different mood.
To achieve the effect of the natural-looking bob in the salon, communicate to your stylist that you are interested in the unstructured hairstyle with movement, softness at the tips and enough volume and weight. Take some pictures showing the finish you want, but make sure those examples feature a similar hair type to yours so that your stylist could see what kind of cut suits you best.
Creating a soft 90s blowout
Unlike other styles, the 90s bob doesn't require any elaborate hairstyling, but in order to get the maximum benefit of the hairstyle such as lift, softness and some amount of movement at the tips, you can do a blowout that would emphasize the best features of the style.
First, wash your hair and let it air dry. Don't rub your hair while you are drying to avoid the frizz appearance caused by the too rough procedure. If you usually apply the leave-in treatment, don't overload the roots and distribute it mostly over mid-lengths and tips.
To get an elegant blowout effortlessly, you can try using the Laifen SE 2 hair dryer. It provides a quick airflow that helps reduce the drying time but also allows you to style the roots and ends easily. Start with drying the roots of your hair with your fingers by lifting the pieces from the scalp and turning the direction. The trick is simple, but it helps create a necessary airy volume.
After the hair gets dry, start shaping the front pieces with a round brush. Twist the brush away from your face and release the piece after the cooling process. There is no need to apply this technique to all hair. Just work with several sections of hair in the front, crown, and at the ends.
For a traditional 90s look, you will need to create a soft inward curve of the ends of your hair. In case you would like to get a bit more casual style, use the previous technique, but change the directions of some parts. Release some ends under the head and leave other ones straight and some flipped outward.
Styling options beyond the everyday part
The versatility of the 90s bob is quite unexpected considering that the haircut already has enough definition in itself and does not need any styling to be impressive. Minor adjustments in the parting line, texture or finish can completely transform the hairstyle.
For an easy everyday hairstyle, style the bob with a middle parting line and some movement at the ends of the strands. The styling idea is quite simple yet elegant and it will not require a lot of maintenance throughout the day. It would be suitable if you are a low-maintenance person but still want to show that you care about your hairstyle.
To add some volume to the hairstyle, style your hair with a side parting line. It will make the crown area raised and provide a sweep across the forehead. It will be quite useful for fine hair or for a second-day hairstyle that needs additional boost of energy. Tuck the lighter side of your hair behind one of your ears and keep the other side voluminous and soft.
Keeping your 90s bob healthy and vibrant
Although this haircut is quite relaxing to wear, it still requires regular care and styling in order to stay healthy. Trimming sessions are particularly important if you have a noticeable perimeter or the haircut is placed right above the chin line. Most women notice that visiting the salon once in six to eight weeks is enough to keep the ends neat and outline clean.
Do not over-wash your hair when you go home. As short hair can get greasy quickly on the roots, frequent washing can cause the lengths to lose their moisture and make the ends difficult to style. Try to pay attention to your particular hair needs and develop your own routine.
When it comes to caring for your bob, it is recommended to choose light styling products. Thick hair treatment products can flatten the roots and make the haircut too heavy. Use enough styling and moisturizing products to keep the ends soft and easy to style.
In addition, do not forget to protect your hair from extra heating during styling sessions. Shorter ends will be more prone to dryness, which is why it is important to use hairdryer carefully and apply heat to the hair in small sections.
Questions
What are the key traits of the 90s bob hairstyle?
The 90s bob hairstyle is characterized by informal volume, movement, and softness rather than crisp lines, resulting in a cool and effortlessly chic look reminiscent of the supermodels of those times.
How do I choose the ideal length of my 90s bob?
You can opt for the jaw-grazing length to make a statement, chin-length bob to add effortless softness to your face, or shoulder-length bob for ultimate versatility in styling.
How do you blow dry the 90s bob?
While drying your hair, lift the roots with your fingers, and use the round brush for the front sections, curling the ends softly inward or outward to create volume.
How do I style my 90s bob for various events?
Style it with a center part to look effortlessly chic on casual occasions, use a deep side part to add root volume, or hide one side behind the ear for a chic asymmetrical look.
How often should the 90s bob be trimmed?
You should trim your hair every six to eight weeks to remove any split ends, ensuring that the shape of the hair remains light and airy.
How can I avoid making my 90s bob look flat?
Do not use heavy creams that will weight down your roots, and lift some parts up when drying your hair to ensure volume and bounce.
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