What is an inverted bob? The biggest difference between an inverted bob and the classic A-line cut is the technique used to cut the hair at an angle. Inverted bobs have stacked layers in the back and curved lines toward the front. The inverted bob works on women with short, medium, or long hair, and on all hair textures.
Inverted bob haircuts are totally trending in 2021! So get ready for a serious dose of inspiration with this super trendy type of bob. It’s an iconic cut that transcends time for women of all ages, shapes, and personalities.
When bobs are inverted, they bring a bold, dramatic twist to the traditional stacked bob haircut, with a long front that gradually tapers toward the back. A fuller, more voluminous shape at the nape creates a flattering look that adds volume without going overboard.
You can pair this inverted cut with bangs to balance out an oval or heart-shaped face.
Accentuate an inverted bob with highlights to bring out dimension. Or, if you have fine hair, add lots of feathered layers to achieve fantastic texture. It’s tailor-made to fit any lifestyle, and boasts of being a low-maintenance, easy-to-wear cut.
Before your next salon appointment, check out these inverted bob haircut images.
The Dramatic Inverted Bob
Instagram @negin__fhmd
The dramatic inverted bob isn’t dramatic enough without its sharp, angled perimeter. Women with straight strands can enjoy this cut. This hair type makes the cut look prettier and much more polished. It might not be hard to grow out, but it also needs regular touch-ups!
Curly Inverted Bob with Bangs
Instagram @chrissyhuttonhair
“A curly inverted bob with bangs and some graduation is a modern twist on Sassoon’s classic shake cut,” according to stylist Chrissy Hutton of London, UK.
This curly bob with layers and bangs has a “shag feel at the front when the bangs meet the layers and length,” says Hutton.
Hutton recommends enhancing the hair’s natural texture by applying Aveda Light Elements Defining Whip to damp hair. “Then you can shape the hair with a hairdryer and a Ghd diffuser,” she adds.
Short Inverted Bronde Bob
Instagram @judithdoeshair
A short inverted bronde bob has a precisely cut short back with longer strands framing the face. The stacked back layers create a more curved cut. Add a brown color that blends dark and light tones to create beautiful dimension.
Slightly Inverted Bob Cut
Instagram @gulevich.vladimir
The slightly inverted bob is ideal for creating a rounded, full shape at the back of the head. It’s a great option for women with fine, sparse strands.
Inverted Lob with Bangs
Instagram @allthathair2903
An inverted lob with bangs can look sweet and sexy at the same time. It works wonders on fine, sparse hair. Feathered ends plus a textured style make a great combination, creating this fantastic fresh inverted bob. Feathered bangs can accentuate captivating eyes.
Inverted Bob with Side-Swept Bangs
Instagram @hairartistrybycrystalene
This inverted bob with side-swept bangs achieves a sweet, flattering hairstyle. With a side part, most women can nail this look! It requires less maintenance and manipulation if the hair has a fine, smooth texture. This neck-length cut has subtle layers. Choose this bob when you want a long, rounded bob.
A Very Short Stacked Inverted Bob
Instagram @lenina_yin
A very short stacked inverted bob is very low maintenance and easy to style. Add a little texture, and any woman wearing it is ready to go out! This haircut is perfect for manes that need volume at the root. The rounded shape gives strands a fuller, more lively feel.
The Popular Messy Inverted Bob for Wavy Hair
Instagram @teagancousins.hair
When a messy inverted bob is combined with waves and dimension, it radiates a cozy vibe! Neck-length bobs are trending, and they look great with a warm blonde tone. Liven up the hair with beach waves to create a messy style that enhances the color’s texture. If you’re considering this look, remember that it requires more effort when styling.
The Funky Inverted Bob with Black-Dipped Ends
Instagram @jackmead_stylist
The funky inverted bob is something modern and fun to wear. This sleek jaw-length hair looks elegant with an icy blonde tone plus black dye on the ends. And it wouldn’t be so funky without a surprise. Try a hidden undercut to help the strands feel light.
Extreme Inverted Bob
Instagram @lara_stelmashuk
This extreme inverted bob results in a drastic makeover, so it’s not for the faint of heart. The stacked back layers look dramatic and create a voluminous shape. This cut allows for longer strands at the front. Wearing it is like channeling Victoria Beckham when she sported her classic, famous bob cut.
Textured Inverted Bob
Instagram @demetriusschool_eng
What this textured inverted bob does is give hair the illusion of density. This inverted cut for brunettes works on both thick and fine strands. It has a neck-grazing length and a more rounded shape. It also has layers that can remove weight from thick hair.
Inverted Pixie Bob
Instagram @demetriusschool_eng
An inverted pixie bob comes with a back profile that looks warm and trendy. With a touch of feathered definition, it exudes incomparable elegance. This haircut is for women with thick strands. Density is what makes it easier to manage.
Inverted Bob with Fringe
Instagram @_theconfidencefactory_
Here’s an inverted bob with fringe, offering a classic, youthful finish! This cut creates the illusion of a more defined jawline. The length gives fine hair a fuller result. Women with straight hair, don’t miss out.
Inverted Bob Cut with Purple Ombré
Instagram @locksbylauryn
An inverted bob cut with purple ombré is for women who want a wash-and-go cut. Stylist Lauryn Lee, based in California, created this cut combining texture with an A-line perimeter.
Lee highlights how low-maintenance the color is. “It grows out softer toward the natural roots, and the purple will fade toward blonde,” she points out.
As for styling, Lee notes that, due to the length, the cut should also be air-dried.
Long Layered Inverted Bob for Straight Hair with Ash Blonde Balayage
Jillian Ferguson / Instagram
This is a long layered inverted bob with precision cutting and an ash blonde balayage. The deep side part, defined lines, and impeccable angle give this cut more depth and dimension. An inverted lob with blonde highlights doesn’t require much maintenance.
Light Blonde Inverted Bob Haircut
Sheridan Holyoak / Instagram
Go classic with this short, simple, and feminine inverted bob haircut for straight hair. The best inverted bob hairstyles for women over 50 are youthful and easy to maintain. This blonde inverted bob is ideal for any hair type and texture that needs dimension.
Modern Blonde Inverted Lob for Women Over 40
Demetrius frisørsalong / Instagram
A long bob pairs perfectly with a platinum blonde hair color.
You can wear a natural, beautiful look without giving up a trendy cut! This may be a side-parted inverted bob, but long bobs like this are quite distinct.
You can put them up, part them in the middle, or wear them with an asymmetric bob vibe. They’re one of the simplest trending cuts out there.
Modern Inverted Bob for Fine Hair
Stefano Perfetto / Instagram
A very textured bob for fine hair creates more volume in an inverted cut. Texture and wavy hair are the key to making fine hair look dense and balanced.
Do you have fine hair? Then don’t miss these flattering bobs for fine hair.
Super Short Inverted Bob Haircut
Christen -fontenen / Instagram
An inverted bob haircut is for any woman who’s ready for a big change. But it’s not like a pixie bob cut. Instead, it’s a bold, versatile twist on the A-line bob. To wear this bob cut, whether sleek or airy and voluminous, add texture to your strands.
If you’re considering any type of short cut above the shoulders, you’ll want to weigh the maintenance and hair care.
This is the best inverted hairstyle for women with oval and heart-shaped faces.
Trendy Inverted Angled Bob with Bangs for Women Over 50
Sharon / Instagram
This is a flattering inverted bob cut for women over 50. If you currently have long hair and are thinking about a short cut and a trending color, this is the one for you! You can showcase the softness of this fantastic color simply with an angled lob and full bangs. Just ask your stylist for a bob with movement and you’re all set!
Stacked Inverted Bob with Highlights
Jasmine Houck / Instagram
“The key to a stacked inverted bob is to add lots of layers to create texture. This will create a soft, full, and elegant look,” says stylist Jasmine Houck of Charlotte, North Carolina.
Houck says there are countless variations of the inverted bob, from classic to extreme. “It’s about working with your stylist to find the pretty bob that suits you. For example, it can be a great inverted bob for thick hair, as it removes weight while keeping body. The stacked style also works on textures from straight to curly,” she explains.
To style this bob, Houck uses volumizing products along with a light smoothing product. “Use a round brush to create lift at the base. Keep the ends straight, because that creates that soft but characterful look,” she adds.
Stacked Inverted Bob with Layers
Julie Holbrook / Instagram
Pair this gorgeous stacked bob hairstyle with a balayage to really make the stacking pop. The graduation from back to front makes this stacked hairstyle bold. This graduated bob perfectly showcases the softness and shine of vibrant color.
Messy Long Layered Inverted Bob with Balayage
Jenny Molito / Instagram
Layered ends on a shoulder-length long inverted bob allow for more texture and volume. Plus, they create a modern messy bob. It’s a very updated version of the classic angled bob.
Inverted Bob with Undercut for Straight Hair
Chloé Brown / Instagram
An inverted bob with undercut and gray tones is for women who want to show confidence without losing femininity.
The best thing about this haircut is the bodied bob shape. Adding small layers with a strong graduation gives a strong look with a feeling of lightness. It’s a more rock-and-roll, decisive reinterpretation of the original bob cut.
To style this short hairstyle, use a styling product and continue with a very slow blow-dry. When the hair is almost completely dry, use a brush and follow the hair in the desired direction.
For fine or frizzy hair, a good styling product is essential for optimal results.
Asymmetrical Inverted Bob
Lisa Dubay / Instagram
Speaking of low maintenance, uneven bob! This popular asymmetrical inverted bob haircut is one of the best looks for women in their 20s and 30s. It’s a great inverted bob cut that really impresses!
Like this bob? Check out these gorgeous long inverted bobs.
Jaw-Length Inverted Bob for Women Over 60
Becky Lovell / Instagram
Glamorous jaw-length inverted bob hairstyles are what’s trending right now for women over 60. Try styling it with beach waves and a side part for an even younger, fresher look. With more tapered, airy layers it can also look flattering and elegant.
Short Inverted Bob for Older Women
Holli Plog / Instagram
Short inverted bob cuts are modern and elegant. For this chin-length bob, the nape was slightly shaved and then the top was textured so the hair would have a more uniform transition.
You should understand that it’s a shorter cut and will need quite a bit more maintenance.
Shorter bobs need to be touched up every six weeks to maintain the shape. Also, with popular bob hairstyles the hair can’t be put up, so you must be prepared to wear your hair down all the time.
This angled inverted bob style is perfect for all facial features, except for those with a very small face. This is because the angles of a geometric bob will cover the sides of the face and cheeks. If that happens, the face will appear even smaller.
Edgy Inverted Bob with Bangs
Krysta Wimer / Instagram
Pair an inverted bob with bangs with an autumn-inspired hair color for a fun, original look.
All you need to do is blow-dry it naturally and add a little texturizing spray to style your bob.
If you have very fine, straight hair, the extra texture from the bob will allow you to give it movement and bounce to your liking without over-styling.
If you have very thick, coarse, or curly hair, you’ll wear modern inverted bob styles differently. You may need to put in more effort in the mornings and dedicate extra time to styling to achieve the same effect as someone with fine, straight hair. This bob with bangs will help you avoid the inevitable shag effect that comes with the growing-out process.
Like this style? Here are more inverted bobs with bangs you can check out!
Textured Neck-Length Layered Inverted Bob Cut
Melissa Zimmerman / Instagram
This is a good example of the modern layered inverted bob cuts that women love so much.
This neck-length inverted bob is a popular option that looks fantastic with both a sleeker, smoother style and a curlier or more textured style.
If you’re considering this fantastic bob, keep in mind that it’s a high-maintenance hairstyle. To look great, you must style your hair daily. You’ll also keep regular touch-ups to maintain the cut’s shape. It’s definitely not an ideal style if you’re a “wash and go” kind of woman.
Elegant A-Line Inverted Bob Back View
Nacir Cabelos / Instagram
If you’re looking for an elegant A-line inverted bob, this is the one. The sharp, clean lines of this back view are stunning. It’s a polished, simple brown bob cut, but it still has character.
Nearly all bob hairstyles can be worn curly or straight. However, straightening it can take work if you have curly hair. So remember that you may need to dedicate a little more time to straightening it in the mornings!
This inverted style is great for round faces because it helps elongate the face. If you have a long face, it may be better to steer away from the inverted bob hairstyle and choose a classic chin-length bob instead.
Short Layered Inverted Bob with Side Bangs
Elisabeth Leão / Instagram
A layered inverted bob with side bangs works very well with a small bone structure and thick strands.
This layered cut is an excellent bob for all hair types. However, for women with fine hair, the short layers of an inverted bob will give you more volume.
An inverted bob cut is low maintenance. To keep the cut and color fresh, visit your salon every 4-6 weeks!
Razor-Cut Wavy Inverted Bob for Natural Brunette Manes
Emily Hillen / Instagram
This wavy bob cut was done with a razor to create layers in the hair. Ask your stylist to first map out the complete outline of a shaggy bob and then work the interior of the cut with some feathered layers. Consider adding a fine side bang to this bob to complete the style.
This is the perfect type of bob hairstyle for women who like to stand out. Wear it natural or styled and curled. It takes two classic styles, the shaggy bob and the stacked bob, and gives them a modern twist to create the eye-catching shaggy inverted bob.
Ear-Length Inverted Bob Haircut
Mila Kryshchykhina / Instagram
This sleek bob is sharp and inverted for women who want to look bold but also desire a low-maintenance hairstyle. This below-the-ear length and bangs adapt ideally to soft and angular faces in this black bob cut. Increase the movement of a sharp inverted bob like this by creating some curls.
Layered Inverted Bob for a Round Face
Alison Richards / Instagram
This is a shaggy vanilla inverted bob with dark roots. A layered inverted bob paired with a blonde hair color looks good styled smooth and polished. It can also be livened up with a few curls or waves using products.
To style this layered inverted cut, use a flat iron. Use a wide-tooth comb to achieve the edgy, textured look of a shaggy bob.
Try Kenra’s Dry Texture Spray No. 6, Kenra’s Shine Spray, followed by Kenra’s Volume Spray No. 25 to maintain the exceptional look of a long-layered inverted bob.
Shaggy Shoulder-Length Inverted Bob Cut
Carolynn Judd / Instagram
The shoulder-length shaggy bob is one of the most requested haircuts right now.
The best thing about inverted cuts is that they can add volume to the crown area and the back. This creates the illusion of a longer front. Take this “in-between bob” as an example.
Inverted bobs for naturally curly hair should be cut longer than desired. This is because, as it dries and curls, a curly inverted lob will end up shorter. The same rules apply to women with coarser, thicker hair. Soft layers at the back will also help add volume and texture.
Curly Inverted Bob for Thick Hair
Mallory Musson / Instagram
This fantastic curly bob for curly hair is perfect if you have tight natural curls. The model in the image has a soft, feminine A-line cut. The front layers of this medium inverted hairstyle give the perfect amount of volume if you have dark, thick hair.
Auburn Medium Inverted Bob Haircut for Women Over 40
Ashley Beeck / Instagram
A popular medium inverted bob hairstyle will have some texture at the ends. Adding a warm reddish hair color throughout this A-line is perfect for the fall or winter season.
If you’re a woman whose go-to hairstyle is a ponytail, this casual bob isn’t for you.
If you have naturally straight hair, this medium-length inverted bob haircut will look great.
Feathered Inverted Bob for Fine Hair with Fresh Bangs
Rachel Lott / Instagram
This feathered inverted bob with bangs and layers is the perfect haircut for women with fine hair. It was created by owner and stylist Rachel Lott of Queensbury, New York.
“This razor-cut and subtly feathered bob is textured and light, with fresh bangs. It has weight removal that allows volume at the root and movement inside. Plus, the bangs are long enough to create an airy bob style if you desire,” Lott explains.
Lott recommends keeping the razor-cut bob length above the neck and shoulders. “When hair goes past the shoulder, the bob shape seems to change completely. Face and neck length also influence how to adapt the cut to suit you best,” she says.
Overall, this is a versatile feathered inverted bob that can be air-dried with salt spray. The spray will enhance the hair’s natural texture. It can also be blow-dried smooth with oil or cream for a more polished feel.
To complement straighter hair, Lott suggests a thickening spray. “This will give a little lift at the root. Then add a light texturizing spray to give movement to the finished style.”
Dark Brown Bob with a Slight Inversion
Instagram @oliviaantonhairstylist
How to Style an Inverted Bob
- Apply a volumizing product to damp hair.
- Blow-dry using a heat protectant spray.
- Use the flat iron like a wand: curl each section of your hair and hold it for a few seconds.
- Apply a light hairspray.