The faux bob is one of the most clever and transformative styles in natural hair styling — a temporary style that creates the illusion of a short bob haircut without permanently cutting a single strand of hair. For natural hair wearers who are curious about how a bob would look but are not ready to commit to cutting their length, or for those who simply want a dramatically different look for a day or event, the faux bob delivers stunning results with entirely reversible technique.
What Is a Faux Bob?
A faux bob is a hairstyle that mimics the appearance of a short bob by tucking, pinning, or rolling the ends of longer hair upward and inward so that they are hidden from view. From the front and sides, the style looks exactly like a classic short bob, with the hair appearing to end at the jaw or chin. The length is preserved and can be released at any time, making the style entirely temporary and noncommittal.
Who Is the Faux Bob Best For?
The faux bob works best on natural hair that has a moderate amount of length — at least shoulder length — and some degree of stretch or definition. Hair that is in a stretched state, such as after a blowout, twist out, or braid out, is the easiest to work with for a faux bob because the elongated strands are easier to roll and pin neatly than tightly shrunken natural hair. The style works equally well on natural hair, wigs, and weaves.
Step 1 — Stretch and Smooth the Hair
Begin with hair that has been blow dried, twist-outted, or braid-outted for maximum stretch. Apply a light smoothing cream or gel to the hair to reduce frizz and make the hair more manageable for rolling and pinning. The hair does not need to be perfectly straight — some texture adds to the beauty of a natural hair faux bob — but it should be smooth enough to roll neatly without excessive bulk at the rolled sections.
Step 2 — Create the Bob Shape
Working in sections, take the ends of the hair from the nape and sides of the head and roll them upward toward the head, tucking the ends under and inward. Secure each rolled section with bobby pins inserted upward into the hair to keep the roll hidden and flat against the head. Work systematically around the entire perimeter of the hair, rolling and pinning each section until all visible length is tucked away. The goal is a smooth, rounded shape that ends at approximately jaw level.
Step 3 — Style and Finish
Once all the ends are tucked, style the visible hair as desired. Apply edge control to the hairline and smooth with a brush for a sleek finish. Add a deep side part, a center part, or a natural parting depending on your preference. Finish with a light spray or oil for shine. Step back and assess the shape — adjust any rolled sections that appear uneven or bulky by repinning.
Final Thoughts
The faux bob is a remarkably effective technique for completely transforming the look of natural hair without any permanent commitment. It is one of the most satisfying natural hair styling tricks to master, offering a dramatic style change in a single styling session that can be reversed just as quickly when desired.