How to make a bob look less mumsy?

[gruffalosmile]

Have spent about 2 painful years growing out a short layered crop to a chin length bob, no layers as I found that the layers were going all sticky-outy and driving me mad. But now I have this smooth bob I feel it looks so mumsy. Looks okay when first washed but not for long. My hair is very thick with a slight wave, but it will blow dry smooth. I hate the stacked bob look short at the back. I;m worried if I have layers cut back in it will go all fly away and unmanageable again. I don't want to go short and choppy again either! Any ideas? Thanks!

[burnishedsilver]

Is hard to do much with hair that's all the one length. I'd suggest getting a few layers and using a babyliss big hair. Without any layers do you find it goes a bit triangular? Ie thicker at the ends.

[feckawwf]

Change your parting so it's on the side? Or make it shorter at the back and longer at the front with long layers at the front-not like a graduated bob, think more like the "pob" style Victoria beckham had a few years ago. Or a side sweeping fringe

[hiphipreplacement]

One length is good. Layers are mumsy!

Dye it a really vivid colour - red, bright blonde, blue black. Whatever suits you. Can you have a fringe? Blow dry and straighten. It will look great.

[LittleBabyPigsus]

Do you get the bigger ends? I have v thick hair and also struggle with bobs because of this. Visible layers do look mumsy BUT it's difficult to manage very thick hair without some layers - can you not get a few long layers so it doesn't look layered, it just doesn't go triangular? Sweeping fringes are also good.

[Hopefully]

My hair is quite thick and I have always found single length bobs too unmanageable as I get a triangle look. I now have an undercut all the way round the back and it makes the whole thing 'sit' waaaay better. Looks a bit odd if I have to tie my hair up for exercise though! Also my bob is really angled, far longer at the front than the back. Think VB's Pob

[MissScatterbrain]

Try adding curls with a styling wand for special occasions.

Also it may help to remember that a bob is mumsy if you don't wear make up or wear stylish clothes - many stylish dressers have bobs but aren't frumpy because hair is just one element of their appearance and they make the most of their best features for example by wearing a strong lipstick.

Looking on pinterest is a good way of seeing how they do it.

[higgle]

I've just grown out my layers too, and battle with my hairdresser not to cut it shorter at the back, there is something about that look I really don't like. I mess up the top section of mine by sort of pulling it out with my fingers as I dry it, so it looks a bit wild rather than flatter and shiney, Ibelieve( maybe delude myself) that makes it look a bit more edgey, especially if I wear more make up, especially eye-liner.

[Hopefully]

Ooh, good idea from scatterbrain to look on Pinterest, there's loads of bob inspiration on there. I think it's impossible to say that 'a bob' is mummy or otherwise when is basically encompasses any hairstyle between shoulders and ears. Some lovely wavy hair bobs here

[LittleBabyPigsus]

Y to makeup making a huge difference. Sharp black eyeliner and some bright lipstick will really help make it un-mumsy.

[Dumpylump]

I have a bob, pretty sure it's not mumsy though....it's possibly more of a "pob" since its longer at the front, with a full fringe that's almost in my eyes. It's also scarlet, with black chunks underneath that only show as hair moves. I reckon my hair is one of the things that fools pretty much everyone I meet into thinking I'm younger than I actually am!

[BumgrapesofWrath]

I think definitely a "pob" to make it less mumsy, I used to have mine quite steep.

[nilbyname]

I think a heavy blunt fringe would give it some edge, that and good makeup.

[AmberNectarine]

I have a sort of pob, though it's not hugely extreme, with a thick sweeping fringe. I don't look mumsy, to the best of my knowledge. I have a few long layers at the back for volume but none at the front.

[MrsMarigold]

I have a bob with a heavy blunt fringe after I saw it in Vogue a few months ago - I try to get it looking sleek.

[Hopefully]

Other thing with a bob is I think it needs reasonably regular maintenance. Used to get t cut twice a year when it was long! I get mine cut every 6-7 weeks and if I get to 7 weeks it is a bit of a pain to style for the last week or so. I am a fusspot about my hair though!

[SilkStalkings]

Very short vintage fringe - google Clara Bow. Grows out quick enough if you don't like it but it's great for leaping up in the morning with a 'done' do.

[gruffalosmile]

Hi thanks yes I do get that triangular thicker at the ends look. I think what I was hoping for was the first picture but I ended up with more like the second

[RiojaHaze]

www.next-screen.com/classy-tori-spelling-hairstyles-short/
Would this work? I have it and either Big Hair it or curl it with straighteners or tongs to jazz it up.

I've also had a halo of blonde dyed in to stop it looking like a plain brown bob.

[MerylStrop]

Anything too "done" looks mumsy esp when there are any other mumsy factors (age/child/clothes) in play

Its a fine line though as artfully dishevelled can also just look dishevelled.

I'd go the Emilia Fox/Karlie Kloss/Alexa Chung route. E.F on telly now btw, rather than straightening very thick/wavy hair, cos it will go all wedgy/like playmobil dolly hair.

[Flechas]

a fairly extreme side parting.

[PuppyMonkey]

I don't think you're doing it right if your bob looks mumsy.

It's all about eye makeup and lipstick and wearing good clothes. And getting it cut often. And using Babyliss Big Hair to round it all out.

Also back comb the crown a bit like they did in the Sixties.

[sleepdodger]

Blunt fringe
Fab colour
Sharp make up

[StepAwayFromTheEcclesCakes]

that's because the first picture has artfully cut layers, its the only way to get a shape really. Is your hair naturally straight? if not try scrunching it with a ciurl activator for a tousled look then the shape won't look so obviously triangular. Or use scarves etc to tie round and look funky.

[Bodicea]

Lots of cute clips help. I find they are great for when I haven't had style to blow dry hair properly x

[MissBeehiving]

I have thick hair with a wave/kink to it and have this. It is the BEST hairstyle I have ever had. Easy to do - versatile and lots of people comment on how much they like it.