Finding Your Ideal Lob Length
The lob, or long bob, remains a standard for its utility and adaptability. It sits between the chin and the collarbone, offering the structure of a short cut with the versatility of longer hair. Achieving a balanced look depends on where the ends fall relative to your chin and neck.
Correct length selection creates visual harmony, drawing attention to desired features while softening others. This guide focuses on identifying your face shape to determine the most flattering endpoint for your hair.
- Difficulty
- Beginner
- Total time
- 15 minutes measurement
- Cost
- Maintenance dependent
- Cadence
- Quarterly trim
Ingredients
- N/A: Technique focused
Tools List
- Large mirror for viewing angles
Step by step
Measure your face shape
Stand before a mirror with your hair pulled back entirely. Observe the widest point of your face: the forehead, the cheekbones, or the jaw. Compare the length of your face to its width to determine if it is oval, round, square, or heart-shaped.
Tip: Use a washable marker on the mirror to trace your outline.Identify the reference point
For round faces, aim for length below the chin to elongate the silhouette. If your face is square, a length slightly below the collarbone softens the jawline. Oval faces allow for any length between the chin and the collarbone.
Tip: Keep the line clean and blunt for structure.Pin your hair to test
Gather your hair at the nape of your neck and fold it under to your desired length. Use bobby pins to secure the ends against your neck. Walk around and view the profile from multiple angles to check the weight distribution.
Tip: Wear a shirt with a standard collar to simulate the final aesthetic.Review the collarbone intersection
Observe how the hair hits the collarbone. Hair that sits directly on the bone often flips outward due to contact with the shoulders. Decide if you prefer a straight, inward-turning style that hits above the bone or a textured, shoulder-grazing length.
Tip: Consider your lifestyle and how often you will style the ends.
Trouble
My hair hits my shoulders and flips out.
The hair is likely at an awkward length that makes contact with the shoulders. You must either go shorter to clear the shoulders or longer to allow it to drape past them.
How do I know if it is too short?
If the hair sits at the jawline, it tends to emphasize the width of the face. If you seek to minimize width, keep the length at least two inches below the chin.
Does neck length matter?
Yes. A shorter neck benefits from a longer lob, which creates a vertical line. A long neck can support a shorter lob closer to the jaw.
How often should I adjust the length?
Hair grows at different rates. Once you find the ideal proportion, schedule a trim every eight to ten weeks to maintain the specific landing point.
Alob length is determined by where you want the eye to land on the face.
Focus on the geometry of your own face, not a picture in a magazine.