25 Wavy Bob Haircuts for a Soft and Airy Look

Wavy bobs are the ultimate insouciant style. Short, shiny, and loaded with texture, an air-dried bob (or even one finished with a curling iron) is all about easy cool. Plus, adding bends and creases to an above-shoulder style is an effortless way to lend your bob the sort of light and airy finish ideal for summer wear.

Should you come by your waves naturally, make sure to take that into account before embracing a wavy lob. “Typically, the wave or curl pattern of hair that’s textured is stretched out the longer and heavier it is. Always consult with your hairdresser about the length, and be sure to consider where the cut will end up once the hair is dry,” advises hairstylist Rena Calhoun. “It’s bound to spring up once it’s shorter, and you definitely don’t want to be left surprised!”

Meet Our Expert

• Rena Calhoun is a celebrity hairstylist to stars like Greta Lee and Joey King.

• Justine Marjan is a celebrity hairstylist to stars like Ashley Graham and Khloé Kardashian.

And because the wavy bob is a beacon of ease, plan to keep styling minimal from the start. "Be realistic with your stylist about your expectations and styling routine," says hairstylist Justine Marjan. Calhoun recommends reaching for Bumble and Bumble Seaweed Air Dry Cream or RŌZ Hair Milk Serum for a touchable, frizz-free finish.

Here, 25 wavy bobs to help keep your short style light and intelligently undone.

Old Hollywood Wave

Old Hollywood hair often came down to large waves styled to frame the face. Penélope Cruz proves this approach still suits, even (or especially) when applied to shorter stylers. Make it modern by trading a flapper band or fastener for a well-placed black ribbon.

Soft Glam Bob

Sydney Sweeney’s bob is a study in preppy polish, and a soft wave pattern makes the style red-carpet-ready.

Retro Wave

A blunt cut and baby bangs structure Zazie Beetz’s wavy bob, creating a retro vibe—a quality that comes with many of these fluid chops.

Elegant Air-Dry

Kerry Washington’s deep side part and neat, chin-skimming length make for a sophisticated look—one offered balance and ease by seemingly air-dried (though voluminous) waves.

Wolf-ish Waves

Jenna Ortega is a master of the choppy chop, seamlessly transitioning between sleek bobs and funkier iterations. This wavy bob is extra special, featuring her trademark full-yet-wispy bangs and layers that lend to the texture.

Toned-Down Texture

Subtlety is key to Lucy Hale’s textured bob. A barely-there wave gives the parted and pinned style extra dimension.

Beachy Bob

Jennifer Lawrence’s chop features the sort of wave usually born of a day at the beach. Lawrence’s waves begin at the root and inch toward shoulder-grazing flippy ends.

Side-Swept Waves

A neat bob and a side-swept bang are Emma Stone specialties, enhanced this time by some added waves. “It’s also nice to go in with a curling iron and touch up a few curls throughout if you’re looking for a polished, more uniform finish,” says Calhoun.

Luxe Bob

Hailey Bieber is a master of all things high-shine, and why should her bob be any different? A gentle bend throughout mimics the kind of crease that comes from tucking hair behind the ear, the resulting wave effortlessly chic.

Wet-Look Waves

Who could forget this wet-look wave bob that Kylie Jenner donned for Alexander Wang’s fall 2017 show? The dampened look—replete with an arch of long, piecey bangs—was an edgy departure for Jenner, one worth grabbing some hair oil and emulating.

Lifted Waves

Adding waves to your center-parted bob is an easy way to elevate the style. For an example, look to Laura Harrier, who melds natural texture and ironed curls for a tousled combination.

Brushed-Up Bob

Halle Berry’s is another bob with enough layered waves to border on a shag. Some teasing, frizz, and flyaways give this banged bob a throwback feel.

Easy Waves

Kirsten Dunst’s glossy blonde has remained the center of her look throughout her career. A modern Veronica Lake-like side part colors the otherwise simple style with an air of glamour.

Cool-Girl Bob

The appeal of wavy hair comes down to an illusion of nonchalance. The seemingly thoughtless addition makes Phoebe Tonkin’s hair worthy of an evening out.

Undone Lob

Face-framing layers and soft waves make Keira Knightley’s long bob feel just the right amount of undone.

Rebel Rumple

Insouciance becomes easy irreverence with just a few details. Emma Robert wears her brunette bob finger-raked and tucked behind the ears, the simple shifts skewing almost rebellious. The flick of liner helps, too.

Organic Waves

“Air-drying is always a go-to for me,” says Calhoun. “It creates the most natural-looking texture and is so gentle on the hair.” Should you need visual evidence, one look at Diane Kruger’s organic blonde proves the point.

Glossy Bob

Gabrielle Union’s coif features understated waves that highlight the natural gloss of her onyx lengths.

Polished Bob

Too much wave on a super-short bob could create an unwanted shape, but Zoey Deutch proves that a touch of texture is the key to a perfectly imperfect (yet still polished) look.

Casual Chop

Sometimes, a slight wave is the quickest route to further casual styling. Take a cue from Vanessa Hudgens and add a curled wave (or several) to your daytime bob.

Sophisticated Wave

Chopped short and parted deeply, Emma Watson’s burnished waves look healthy and elegant. “Any haircut above the shoulders will lighten the hair and bring luster and bounce back into it, and removing extra weight will help to enhance texture and the wave pattern,” says Calhoun.

Billie Bob

Billie Eilish’s beauty looks often have an edge, but waves give her blonde bob a sense of pretty softness, strategically balanced by a straw-straight bang.

Single Wave

While the addition to Kaia Gerber’s bob is more crease than wave, the overall effect is the same: undone and cool without sacrificing put-together polish.

‘00s Waves

The early aughts were a time of pin-straight lengths and crunchy curls, making Scarlett Johansson’s soft waves decidedly refreshing.

Bent Bob

Another bendy bob that oozes Old Hollywood. Rachel Zegler’s bends and flips call finger waves to mind.

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