The best brunette bobs supplement your personal style. From Zendaya’s Old Hollywood to Lily Collins’s blunt cut, these are 18 of our favorites.

It's such a timeless and chic look.

The recent resurgence of the bob haircut should be studied. The industry’s best brunette bobs provide a line-up of the chops many many versions, each finessed to support a specific aesthetic. And though the cut may be on the shorter side, there is no sacrifice in styling opportunities.

“Bobs are such a timeless, chic look because they are so versatile and flattering,” says hairstylist Gregory Russell. “The cut can be cool or very elegant depending on the texture and how it’s styled.”

• Gregory Russell is a celebrity hairstylist who has worked with stars like Demi Moore and Anya Taylor-Joy.

Take, for example, Zendaya’s Old Hollywood bob, worn to set off her sequined Armani Privé. Now contrast that with Taylor Hill’s soft and shaggy curls, or America Ferrera’s super straight, halting chop. Italian and French bobs distill the glamorous sensibilities of each culture into a single style, all without much length to work with.

The long and short of it: well-executed short cuts make a long-lasting statement. Here, 18 brunette bobs to help inspire your next salon appointment.

Polished Brunette Bob

Russell chopped Lily Collins’ easy waves into a neat bob this summer, the sleek and halting iteration lending to a chic and sculptural look—and the ensembles to match. The cut offers a neat departure from her usual menu of messy waves.

Frothy Brunette Bob

Kerry Washington’s frothy bob owes something to the early ‘60s, its brushed curls parted down the middle for a sweet and sophisticated style. An ideal option for those who prefer their bobs with a bit of oomph.

Tucked Brunette Bob

The flippy bob—one of the most popular chops in recent years—becomes a contemporary take on Mod-era retro futurism when tucked neatly behind both ears. Should the reference require more clarity, just add a touch of cool-toned pastel eyeshadow.

A-Line Brunette Bob

Selena Gomez’s slightly angled bob deviates from the style’s punkish norm with thick, fluffy fullness. The slightly longer length at front offers extra visual interest to the face-framing style.

Old Hollywood Brunette Bob

A sumptuous swoop, S-shaped curl, and glossy volume define Zendaya's Old Hollywood bob, which she carries off with characteristic ease. The styling plays well with her palm tree-bedecked gown, the combo in keeping with her mode of method dressing.

Twisted Brunette Bob

For bob idea for protective styles, look no further than Danai Gurira, whose hairstyles are consistently elevated to the level of art form. When it comes to her bob, this means intricately woven sections knotted at the ends.

Pin-Straight Brunette Bob

America Ferrera’s sleek bob is straight enough that the frame forces focus to her face—and orange-red lip—her middle part providing an understated air of ‘70s bohemia.

Slicked Brunette Bob

Side-parted and slicked back, Laura Harrier’s shortcut is all about elegance and androgyny. A subtle flip at the ends offers a playful balance, the shape mirrored by a touch of black liner at the inner corner of each eye. 

Mullet Brunette Bob

Greta Lee’s mini mullet proves that a modern bob can take many forms—and lengths. Jagged baby bangs finish the art school style, which is definitely a party (lob) in the back. 

Shaggy Brunette Bob

A shaggy, rounded bob built of soft curls with full fringe transmutes Taylor Hill’s all-American aesthetic into that of an insouciant Parisienne, a holistic shift that she embraces from head to toe.

French Brunette Bob

The French bob was among 2024’s most striking cuts. The extra-cropped lengths, baby bangs, and rumpled texture combine for an effortlessly elegant aesthetic. 

Box Brunette Bob

The box bob is all about blunt ends and enough thickness and texture to create a full chop rather than one styled with flatness in mind. Lily Aldridge's chin-length chop offers an easy example.

Italian Brunette Bob

Actress Simona Tabasco is partially responsible for the revival of the Italian bob, which pays homage to a bygone (and luxurious) era with a blunt chin-length chop with layers toward the top. Though often styled with a side part and ends rounded in, Tabasco's flip-up plays well, too.

Boho Brunette Bob

Sure, this look from Alexa Chung is more lob than bob, But with soft curls, a middle part, and a dash of flower-child spirit, the look is entirely worthy of mention.

Glossy Brunette Bob

Hailey Bieber's glossy brunette bob melds some of the most arresting elements on this list, including lips, waves, luster, and a Veronica Lake-inspired peekaboo part.

Wet-Look Brunette Bob

Wet-look lengths are here to stay, and the finish plays just as well with bobs as it does with longer mermaid manes. Two escapist strands at front highlight the dampened detailing.

Wavy Brunette Bob

It's no surprise that a bob favored by Rihanna should come with an aura of careless cool. Air-dried waves, ample product, and layered tendrils around the face feature.

Coifed Brunette Bob

Taylor Russell's coifed bob offers a contemporary interpretation of the classic flapper. The take trades bangs for a generous side part and polished, molded ends for a stylish and demure moment.