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Davines model with platinum blonde hair in a french bob haircut

French Bob Hairstyles

Updated on November 10, 2025 | 3 min read

Jaclyn LaBadia, Davines Writer

While the classic French often includes fringe, a French bob without bangs is a more modern version of this chic cut. Still chin-length and emphasizing the jawline, this style of bob offers more styling options than the traditional, like wearing it with a center or deep side part. And unlike a classic French, this one without bangs has minimal layering, making it ultra-sleek.

Key Takeaways

Your Guide to French Bobs

The French bob is a versatile, chic haircut that works for hair types and face shapes.
Styles include classic, messy, with bangs, without bangs, and fine hair French bobs.
Choosing the right version depends on hair texture, thickness, and personal style.
Regular trims and Davines styling products help maintain volume, texture, and hold.
The French bob combines effortless Parisian style with practical everyday wearability.

The French Bob Haircut

The French bob is one of the most versatile bob haircuts, and a great cut for anyone who wants a short ‘do that's easy to style. First worn by Parisian actresses in the 20s, the look was synonymous with rebellion and empowerment, breaking the stereotype that women's hair had to be long to be feminine. And the French bob is just as iconic today, as it was back then. The cut typically hits just above the jawline, with shorter versions ending at the lip. A French bob almost always includes a soft fringe that grazes the eyebrows, with ends that are blunt or softly texturized, for a stacked effect. It’s an effortlessly chic and versatile haircut that can be customized for all face shapes and hair textures. Let’s take a look at some of this season’s coolest iterations of the French bob.

The Classic French Bob

First up is the classic French, which is shorter than a regular bob, ending at or above the chin. The ends are cut bluntly, emphasizing natural movement, for an effortlessly tousled appearance. A classic French bob often includes subtle, face-framing layers for a custom look. The classic French works on straight, wavy and curly textures, making it versatile for all face shapes with the appropriate layers and shaping.

The Messy French Bob

Next up is the messy French bob, which moves away from the sleekness of a traditional bob with a structured finish. It’s textured and slightly disheveled, featuring soft tousled waves for an effortless, undone look. The perfect French bob for wavy hair, this haircut involves minimal, strategic layering for movement and separation creating a natural bedhead, lived-in feel.

Davines model with blonde short curly hair with bangs

French Bob without Bangs

The Fine Hair French Bob

A fine hair French bob is the perfect style to fake thick hair on thinner strands. A classic one-length French bob is one of the best haircuts for fine hair. It makes the hair look fuller by concentrating weight at the bottom. This creates a blunt line, drawing the eye to the ends, making strands appear thicker.

French Bob with Bangs

And in comparison, is the French bob with bangs. Whether full or wispy, fringe that lightly skims the eyebrow are the defining element of the classic French bob. The look is tres’ chic with a Parisian vibe that adds an element of cool. If you’re looking for an easy haircut to instantly upgrade your look, a French bob with bangs is it.

Curly French Bob

Curly-haired people can still get in on this cut, because a shaggy, curly French bob is just as cool as a straight or wavy one. Curly hair lends itself to rounded bob shapes, so shape is everything when it comes to this haircut. A shaggy- bob hybrid works really well due to the natural curvy quality of curls.

Achieving the Perfect French Bob

When it comes to choosing the right French bob for you, consider your face shape and hair texture. This right haircut helps to balance your natural features, while your texture dictates how the cut falls and behaves. In fact, because French bobs look best worn messy and tousled, embracing your texture is a must here. Once you have your cut, keep your bob sleek and polished by styling with a thermal smoothing serum and a hair straightener. Keep it textured and tousled with a sea salt spray. Get a flipped out, retro effect by curling your bob’s ends and add drama to your French with headbands, clips, or barrettes.

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Maintaining Your French Bob

Unlike longer styles, a French bob requires a little extra maintenance. Depending on how quickly your hair grows, you’ll need to trim it every six to eight weeks to keep the shape of the cut. Use high quality hair products, free of harmful ingredients, and hair-type-specific shampoos and conditioners. Avoid overwashing, deep condition regularly and use heat-protecting products before styling with hot tools. Detangle and towel-dry gently, sleep on a silk pillowcase to avoid friction, eat a well-balanced diet and drink lots of water to stay hydrated. As for styling, you can wear your French bob in lots of different ways, from blow-drying to slicked back, and even curly. Keep it low maintenance by letting your hair air-dry naturally or softly diffusing with a heat protectant on medium heat.

Davines model with blonde, curly hair with bangs

Style Products for Your French Bob

As with any haircut, the products you use depend on your hair type. That said, we’ve put together the ultimate French Bob styling starter kit featuring all the hair products you need to get the coolest bob looks of the season. Keep these on hand in addition to your hair dryer, flat iron, curling iron, round brush and accessories to style your French bob.

This is a Sea Salt Spray
Perfect for styling a messy French bob, this sea salt spray gives your hair a tousled, textured, full-bodied look. A little goes a long way with this styler to bring out and enhance your natural waves. Spritz it over your bob on wet or dry strands, then let it air-dry.

VOLU Hair Mist

If a fine hair French bob is your cut, this volumizing mist is your styler. It’s a root lifting spray for added volume that leaves your hair soft and shiny without weighing it down. Spray it at the roots of your bob, then comb it down the lengths and ends, before blow-drying.

This is a Texturizing Serum

A must for styling a French bob blow-out, this anti-frizz texturizing serum helps create body, structure and shape while you blow-dry. It adds texture without giving up softness or workability, and can be cocktailed with other Davines products for added styling benefits. Apply it to your lengths and ends before blow-drying.

This is a Medium Hold Pliable Paste

For a flexible, natural-looking French bob with a long-lasting hold, this styling paste is a must. It helps to maintain the shine and movement of your bob, never leaving strands stiff or sticky. Apply a small amount to dry hair and style your French as you like. It can also be used on damp hair before blow-drying.

LOVE CURL Cream

Don’t even think about styling your curly French bob without this lightweight curl cream. Use it for defining all types of curls and waves and to keep your hair soft and shiny without leaving behind a sticky residue.

Embracing the French Bob

The French bob is one of the chicest and most versatile haircuts of all time; and a great choice for anyone who wants a short ‘do that's easy to style. First worn by Parisian it-girls in the 20’s, it’s just as iconic today, as it was back then. Typically hitting just above the jawline, and almost always with a soft, brow-grazing fringe, the French bob can be customized for all face shapes and hair textures. It’s an effortlessly cool cut, no matter which iterations of the bob you choose. Use only high quality hair products to style and maintain your French bob, like the ones from Davines. All of our formulas are crafted from natural ingredients and free of harmful ingredients. Ready to go French? Make an appointment with a stylist in your area now.

FAQs

Why do they call it a French bob?

This chic haircut gets its moniker from its Parisian roots, where it was first worn by actresses in the 20s. The look was synonymous with French rebellion and empowerment, breaking the stereotype that women's hair had to be long to be feminine.

Is a French bob good for fine hair?

The French bob is one of the best haircuts for fine hair. It makes the hair look fuller by concentrating weight at the bottom. This creates a blunt line, drawing the eye to the ends, making strands appear thicker.

What is the most flattering bob length for an older woman?

The most flattering bob length for an older woman is generally between the chin and the shoulders. This length adds volume and thickness to fine or thinning hair and flatters most face shapes. Your best length bob ultimately depends on your face shape and features, so consult a stylist to find your perfect one

Who should not get a French bob?

There is no one who can’t rock a French bob. However, the haircut's success depends on working with your hair's natural texture. Fine hair can fall flat, while curly or thick hair requires strategic layering to avoid bulk. The key is finding a stylist who has experience with your hair type and using the right products to care for and style your French bob.

What haircuts should I avoid with fine hair?

If you’ve got fine hair avoid over-layered cuts, as too many layers can thin out the hair and make it look finer. Similarly, one-length cuts can make fine hair look limp and heavy. Asymmetrical bobs can also make fine hair look even less dense and V and U-cuts can remove too much weight from the ends, making it look thinner.

woman getting Davines Naturaltech ENERGIZING treatment in a salon

Make the Cut

Ready to take the next step? Visit your local Davines Salon for all your haircare needs.

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French Bob Hairstyles