Hailey Bieber's Bouffant Bob Is The High-Volume Short Hair Look Of The Summer

There's no denying that bobs are dominating the hairscape of 2024. In June, we saw the flirty, bell-bottom bob, a '70's-inspired 'do featuring ends that curled inward. The 'Dad bob, meanwhile, became the ultimate fuss-free way to rock short hair. Now, thanks to Hailey Bieber, we have another variation of this timeless style to try for the summer that delivers on volume: the bouffant bob. The Rhode founder shared her new 'do on Instagram, which featured face-framing layers and a full, lifted shape. And let's just say it has us ready to head to the salon. 

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But before you book an appointment, hear us out: You may not need any scissors to achieve this trendy style, especially if you already have short hair. "The bouffant bob is technically not a cut but rather a style," Michelle Cleveland, celebrity hairstylist and founder of Hair Addict Salon exclusively tells Women.com. "The word bouffant literally means 'to puff out,' so think of any regularly cut lob (long bob) or traditional bob haircut, but with XXL volume added to the style!"  

In other words, Bieber's mini bouffant is nothing more than a typical bob with an extra bump of oomph for a glamorous, yet effortless look. "It's really all about the over-the-top volume set in to the cut when styling!" says Cleveland. "Think Jackie Kennedy in the 50's." With summer parties upon us, an easy-to-style glam look like this might be just what the sweltering months ordered.

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Rollers are key to getting the bouffant effect

As far as styling the bouffant bob at home goes, Cleveland stressed that the right prep is key. "Choose a volumizing styling product that works best for your hair type and texture and blow dry it in," our celebrity stylist explained. "For even more added volume (aka 'Bouffant'), enhance the effect by setting the hair with large rollers and allowing the curls to cool and set before styling." Opt for products that tout themselves as "anti-frizz" and "humidity proof" to seal in all that hard work. We love Living Proof – No Frizz Smooth Styling Spray for this added precaution.

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It may also help to use a hot tool to shape the hair before setting it, as demonstrated by TikTok user mamainheels_. In a video tutorial showing how to get a bouffant bob, they section off the top portion their shoulder-length hair into large rollers along the crown. Then, using a large barrel iron, they curl the hair on both sides of  their head before securing each piece with large hot rollers. Once every piece of hair is in place, the user says they wait for 30 minutes before removing each roller. The end result is a perfectly bouncy, bouffant bob with plenty of sky-high volume. 

@mamainheels_

Styling my bob into a 60s bouffant. I don't have a lot of hair so this is one of the ways that I style my hair for lots of volume and bounce! #bobhairstyle #bouffant #hairtutorials #hairstyling #80shair #voluminoushair #asianhair #thinhair #womenover50ontiktok #womenover50

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♬ original sound – 𝓶𝓪𝓷𝓷𝔂 😻

Switch things up with extra curls

With Hailey Bieber as inspiration for the modern bouffant bob, it might lead to the conclusion that the hairstyle is only for those with straight hair. But happily, this isn't the case at all. Michelle Cleveland tells Women.com that the bouffant "absolutely" works with wavy and curly hair. "If you consider that volume is the key to this look, then starting with a natural curl texture will just enhance this style all the more!" she shared.

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Along with looking great on curly hair, the bouffant bob is easily customizable for a variety of aesthetics. It's definitely one of the best haircuts to pair with trendy curtain bangs, especially if you're going for that vintage, 1950s glam look. However, you could also skip the bangs and go for a slicked back, pin-up version like Lady Gaga. Whatever you choose, make sure you have the rollers ready! Happy bobbing!

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