Your Ultimate Bob (or Lob) Product Kit
by Sophia Panych
We've seen so many bobs and lobs lately that ideas meetings at Allure have started sounding like an Arrested Development episode (Bob Loblaw's Law Blog anyone?). Anyway, it's the short cut that started with models Daria Werbowy and Karlie Kloss, spread to celebrity after celebrity (Beyoncé, Julianne Hough, Jennifer Aniston), and most recently can be seen on model Hilary Rhoda (above; her cut is courtesy of New York City salon Ion Studio)...and me. Yes, I, too, recently jumped on the bob-lob bandwagon and have spent every day since learning the ins and outs of styling my shorter hair. After three weeks, I think I've put together the ultimate bob-lob product kit for anyone who's made, or is thinking about making, the chop.
Styling cream. Whether your hair is fine or thick, a lightweight styling cream will help your cropped cut hold its effortlessly cool shape--whether you blow-dry or air-dry. Just run a dime-size drop through the ends of your hair when it's still slightly wet. I've been a longtime fan of Oribe Supershine Light Moisturizing Cream; my other faves include Bumble and Bumble Brilliantine or Clairol Smooth Color Save Leave-In Balm.
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Cream-wax. This is a product I rarely used when I had long hair but now dip into nearly every morning. I warm up a tiny dollop between my hands and scrunch it into the ends to give them a piecey (but not spiky) effect. Sometimes I'll even scrunch it through the midlength of my hair to add more movement throughout. And this is where I get picky--it can't be a wax; it has to be a hybrid formula like a cream-wax or a cream-paste or any combination of those three words (sometimes spelled creme). That way, it gives you definition without getting sticky or gummy-looking. I swear by Shu Uemura Cotton Uzu Defining Flexible Cream, but Redken Move Ability 05 Lightweight Defining Cream Paste and KMS California HairPlay Messing Creme are both great choices.
Beach spray. I'll use beach spray on days I want my bob to look a little bit more lived in and roughed up (not to be used with a styling cream). I make sure to mist it throughout--picking up the top pieces of hair so I get all the underlayers. Then I blow-dry my hair, scrunching up the ends to add body. Bumble and Bumble Surf Spray is a classic (and should be applied sparingly because it's seriously heavy duty), but I also like Pureology Sea-Kissed Texturizer (smells delicious) and Kevin Murphy Hair Resort Spray.
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Kérastase Lift Vertige Root Uplifting Hair Gel. I call this product out specifically because there's isn't anything else like it on the market. And it was practically invented for recreating a side-swept lob a la model Daria Werbowy. Hairstylist Luigi Murenu helped develop the miracle root lifting gel to help with his work backstage for major fashion shows like Gucci, Pucci, and Viktor & Rolf. You can apply it to wet or dry hair (I prefer when it's wet), then as you're blow-drying, lift up your roots with your hands. By the time your hair is dry you'll have an instant side flip.
Dry shampoo. Any length of hair can benefit from dry shampoo, but for a bob or lob avoid any sprays that come out wet, or else they will weigh strands down. Now I change dry shampoos as often as I change underwear (the perks of being a beauty editor), but right now I'm rotating between Nexxus Youth Renewal Rejuvenating Dry Shampoo and Kevin Murphy Fresh Hair Dry Cleaning Spray.
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