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Ask a Hairstylist: Can I Pull Off a Long Bob Haircut If I Have a Long Face?
Welcome to our Hair Consultations column. To request an online hair consultation, follow the instructions here.
Q: Hi there! I’m not sure what hairstyle suits my features. I have been wearing my hair long for almost 10 years now. It’s fine, but there’s tons of it, and it has a natural curl/wave. I feel messy and sloppy when I don’t straighten it, so I mostly blow-dry and use a flat iron, which leads to damage.
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Last fall, I wanted to cut it off. But I went to a new hairdresser, and she convinced me to do Ombré highlights instead (my natural colour is ashy brown). I did love them, and it staved off my desire to chop it, but I still find myself wanting a change.
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I’m obsessed with the long bob right now. However, I am 6 feet tall and have quite a long face, so I’m not sure it would work for me.
I am also worried that I am not pretty enough to pull off anything but long, beautiful hair—I feel it’s my best feature. But it also holds me back. For example, the styling time that it requires leads me not to work out, for fear of getting it dirty.
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Do you think my current length is right for me? Could I pull off the long bob? Thanks! — Tiffany
A: Tiffany, thank you for your consultation request. First and foremost, you are so pretty, and you have such lovely hair, that I think you can wear just about any style you choose.
To answer your question—yes, a long bob can definitely work with a long face shape. In fact, when hair is too long, it can sometimes drag your face down and make a long face look even longer.
Taking your hair up to collarbone-length or shorter can help to create the illusion of width so that your face appears wider than it really is.
To ease your way into shorter hair, this mid-length cut would be a great starting point for you.
Cobie Smulders at the 2019 world premiere of ‘Avengers: Endgame.’
Xavier Collin/Image Press Agency/ImageCollect
It would be so low-maintenance with your natural waves. As you can see, the waves also add volume and width to the sides of the face.
Play around with this cut by switching up your part or adding more texture with a styling wand.
Mandy Moore at the 2019 Los Angeles premiere of ‘Midway.’
David Acosta/Image Press Agency/ImageCollect
Cobie Smulders at the 2018 American Music Awards.
Xavier Collin/Image Press Agency/ImageCollect
Just be sure to keep your hair relatively flat on top, as too much height at the crown will lengthen your face shape (which you don’t want).
When you’re ready to go a littler shorter, here are some long bobs that would work well.
Cobie Smulders at the 2018 world premiere of ‘Black Panther.’
Birdie Thompson/AdMedia/ImageCollect
Anne Hathaway at the 2016 Los Angeles premiere of ‘Alice Through the Looking Glass.’
David Gabber/PR Photos
Natalie Portman at the 2019 Los Angeles premiere of ‘Lucy in the Sky.’
Xavier Collin/Image Press Agency/ImageCollect
Wearing your hair straighter, with a slight bend, will give you a more controlled and sleek look.
