Short graduated bobs are a haircut with stacked layers at the back and longer strands at the front. It’s a great way to remove length and weight from thick tresses. It also works for thin locks, as a short haircut like this offers fullness and body.
According to California-based stylist Karen Arias, “The key to short hairstyles for women is suitability. We have to discuss where the bob length would look best on you and work best for your hair texture. The natural hair texture comes to life when ladies go shorter, so you should be prepared for that.”
When styling short graduated hairstyles, consider your willingness to style your hair daily. For ladies with waves or curls, Arias recommends Loux Leave-In Treatment for definition. For straighter hair, she suggests Ichor Serum, perfect for both air and blow-drying.
These products are from her own Monarchy Haircare Line, ideal for wash-and-wear styles. Before getting the chop, Arias says first to ask your stylist these questions:
– Does a bob with short graduation suit me?
– Will my hair allow it?
– Do you know how to technically cut hair?
She notes that cutting short hair can be challenging and quickly go wrong if your stylist doesn’t understand the technicalities.
So before your next hair appointment, check out these pictures of the best short graduated bob haircuts and hairstyles.
#1: Short Wedge Bob with Soft Bangs
A classic style never fails with short graduated haircuts. If you want a beautiful and romantic short style, ask your stylist for a graduated bob that reaches your chin. Include soft, sweeping bangs in your haircut for a romantic touch, and give your hair a feathered texture by sweeping it backward. Use a large round brush to style your bangs backward and achieve a sweeping effect.
#2: Shorter Inverted Bob with Graduation
Try a middle-of-the-neck graduated bob that is inverted. An inverted bob is a classic shape that is elegant yet fun. You can round brush for a sleek look or add some wavy wand curls for a night on the town. You’re looking at 4-6 weeks of haircutting maintenance for this style.
#3: Dirty Blonde Balayage on a Graduated Cut
If going lighter sounds a bit scary, consider opting for a dirty blonde look. Be mindful not to go too bold with naturally weaved sections. Your stylist can guide you in choosing the right spot. Also, aiming for warmer-toned palettes of gold can enhance your look. Remember, if your hair color looks more natural, it will require less maintenance.
#4: Dark Auburn Red Bob with Copper Streaks
A short dark auburn bob with copper streaks is a stunning hairstyle that combines rich color and a sleek cut if you want a modern look. This hairstyle is a variation of a graduated bob in short length. It enhances volume by featuring shorter layers in the back and longer in the front. The dark auburn hue adds warmth and depth, while the copper streaks create a touch of shine and vibrancy. Our hairstyle is ideal for women who are eager to try a shorter hair length but who desire various styling options. A short-length graduated bob adds volume and body to fine or thin hair, while the darker color enriches the overall aesthetic.
#5: Short Graduated Bob with a Side Part for Thin Hair
The style of a short graduated bob with a side part is great for most face shapes. It’s versatile and flattering, perfect for women with thin, fine hair. This style has shorter sections in the back and longer ones in the front. This gives the hair a layered, graduated effect. A key benefit of this style is that it adds volume and dimension to thin hair, making it appear fuller and more textured. The side part adds an elegant touch and helps to create the illusion of more volume. This style works best for women with straight or slightly wavy hair. This lets the layers stand out and enhances the shape of the hairstyle.
#6: Gorgeous Short Graduated Bob for Straight Hair
If you’re into short styles, consider the gorgeous short graduated bob for straight hair. This haircut fits all ages and many face shapes. But, it is best for those wanting to make round faces seem slimmer by hiding the cheeks and defining the chin. It’s best to cut your hair every 6-8 weeks to maintain the specific shape of the haircut.
#7: Short Asymmetric Graduated Bob
You’ll want to try a short asymmetric graduated bob for its sharp style and easy maintenance. Ask for a medium layered bob with a side part and one ear cut shorter. I recommend making the side where the part is the shorter area for the best balance. If you have straight hair, you can air dry your shape with a texture putty added for control. Wavy hair ladies will need to blow out and flat iron for the look, but you can wear it wavy as an option.
#8: Angled Bob with Graduation
The angled bob with graduation is a versatile, timeless short haircut. It flatters older women with aging hair. This cut features soft layers and a longer front that is shorter in the back. This style creates an angled shape that flatters the face shape. Graduation lends itself well to creating a fuller look. Graduation can be perfect for those with thinning hair. It’s also an excellent choice for women who want a low-maintenance style with lots of movement and texture.
#9: Stacked Bob with Tousled Waves and Blonde Balayage
Have the cool-girl vibe when you pair tousled waves with a blonde balayage on a short version of a graduated bob cut. Using a curling iron to put tousled waves in your hair is one of the best ways to give texture to fine, limp hair. If you want your style to last, don’t forget to use styling products like volumizing root spray and a finishing spray.
#10: Layered Bob with Graduation
A graduated bob is the perfect choice for on-trend women. It’s classic and modern, versatile enough to work with many hair types and textures. As a hairstylist, I recommend you get your layered bob cut using the graduation technique. That gives soft lines around the perimeter so you can easily style your locks or add volume when needed. Blow dry up and over-direct at the root area with a round brush to help you achieve max volume. To finish off without worrying about flyaways, try Bed Head By TIGI Stick. This will help control those pesky baby hairs along the hairline. Great for those postpartum re-growth pieces as well.
#11: Soft Blonde Graduated Bob with Layers
A soft blonde graduated bob with layers is a beautiful look for those with very thick/full hair! Pay attention to the blonding work done on this head! The color work alone creates so much dimension and softness to this beautiful cut! You can tell that this stylist took the time to blend the layering to give this cut a soft base all around!
#12: Soft Blunt Bob with Graduation
If you have thick, straight hair and want a complimenting short cut, get a cut of short graduated bob with a textured look. A razor cut removes bulk and weight and makes the ends look softer. Ask your stylist for a thinned undercut to prevent a bulging nape area. When styling, try a flat iron to add waves with smoothed ends. Tension is key when curling with a flat iron.
#13: Graduated Bob with Feathered Layers
A graduated bob with layers is the perfect cut for women that want to embrace their thick hair. The blunt perimeter creates the illusion of a weight line, and adding subtle feathered layers gives you a soft finish when styled.
#14: Graduated Layers for Thick Hair
When it comes to thick hair, graduated layers are the way to go. Short bobs for women that utilize this technique, blending, and slide cutting will give the best results on a thicker mane. If you can, keep a regular appointment at the salon to ensure your crop is always blended and laying properly.
#15: Short Graduated Inverted Bob
A short graduated inverted bob is a classic go-to style for many women, especially “moms.” This easy-to-style bob will get you many compliments. Adding subtle highlights will take your bob to another level of beauty.
#16: Graduated Bob for Short Hair
This is a beautiful graduated bob for short hair. It softens the jawline and brings more symmetry to a square face. Chop a few strands in the front to create bangs to frame the face well.
#17: Short Graduated Bob with Stacked Layers
Hair cut in short graduated bob with stacked layers creates a ton of volume on thin and fine hair textures. Ask your stylist to create more stacked layers in the back to add more body and to keep the sides fuller by doing fewer layers. It will give your hair lots of versatility when styling your tresses.
#18: Textured Graduated Bob for Short, Thin Hair
A graduated bob for short, thin hair makes hair appear fuller and gives it more volume. Graduated layers in a short-length cut help taper in the bottom of the hair towards the nape of the neck, helping the hair lay perfectly. Hair texture is a vital factor when considering a graduated bob. Thicker and curlier hair may be harder to style if the hair is too short in the back. A flat wrap blow-dry and quick smoothing with a flat iron are usually all needed to style a graduated bob.
#19: Short Curly Graduated Bob
A short curly graduated bob can appear super cute on older ladies. The movement gives an impression of a very feminine vibe. Add a fringe to graduated bob hairstyles like this for a youthful touch.
Relate d: See more short curly bobs here.
#20: Graduated Bob with an Undercut
Opt for a trendy graduated bob with an undercut, especially if you have short, thick hair. This chop grants an illusion of a thinner density. The undercut removes extra bulk while the layers still give the hair a flattering shape.
#21: Messy Short Graduated Wavy Bob
With a short graduated wavy bob, your hair will look full of life. The jaw-grazing length is ideal for boosting the wavy movement of the locks. When styling short haircuts like this, use texturizing or sea salt spray to define the messy texture and wavy hair.
#22: Short Graduated Bob with Layers for Straight Hair
Go for a short graduated bob style with layers and splashes of balayage. The subtle layers are what give the hair color more dimension and texture. This hair idea works best for ladies with naturally straight hair.
#23: Really Short Graduated Bob
A really short graduated bob hairstyle makes a nice rounded shape on the head. It creates a full-bodied finish, boosting the hair’s volume. Graduated bob haircuts like this will balance out an oval face shape.
#24: Cropped Graduated Bob Haircut
A cropped graduated bob haircut works better on straight locks. Such a fine texture is what makes this haircut look flawless. It’s also an ideal chop to add volume to thin hair.
#25: Brown Shorter Graduated Bob with Fringe with Dark Pink Highlights
A shorter graduated bob with fringe is a timeless hairstyle for women of all ages. This gorgeous bob was cut by hair artist Jeida from Abu Dhabi.
Short graduated bob cuts like this are low-maintenance and easy to style.
“It would suit most face shapes and fine hair,” says Jeida. To mimic the edgy but subtle hair color, combine slices of dark pink hues and a global chocolate brown base.
#26: Slightly Graduated Bob for Short Hair
A benefit of a slightly graduated bob for short hair is that it creates an illusion of thickness. It allows the tresses to appear fuller. This chop can create a sleek or textured style to match whatever vibe you go for.
#27: Short Graduated Layered Bob
A short graduated layered bob haircut is a great way to give hair volume and make it seem thicker. To keep the edges crisp, try to go to the salon every four weeks for trims.
#28: Short Back Graduated Bob
A short-back graduated bob benefits thick tresses the most. If you have a straight, black mane, this is a nice option as an everyday look. Easy to style and maintain—ladies shouldn’t miss this trend!
#29: Chin-Length Graduated Bob
A super polished chin-length graduated bob may look simple at first, but it also radiates a sophisticated feel. Women with round face shapes will love wearing chin-length bob haircuts.
#30: Short Graduated Pixie Bob
What makes a short graduated pixie bob astounding is its effortless, natural-looking edge and ability to work with any type of face shape.
#31: Short Graduated Bob Hair
A short graduated bob hair style looks weightless and bouncy as a result! This graduated chop creates a round, bulky shape placed at the back area of the head. If your locks have a fine thickness, adopt this haircut. You’ll be obsessed with its volume and movement.
#32: Short Graduated Angled Bob for Thick Hair
Try a graduated shorter bob for thick hair by adding stacked layers at the back to take out more volume. It’s a chic way to lessen the bulkiness of a dense mane. A short, angled bob like this looks more dazzling with a shiny finish.
#33: Short Graduated Choppy Bob
A choppy short graduated bob cut has an edgier style. This graduated, choppy technique helps thin out the ends to avoid a flat-looking bob.
Hairstylist Donna Westfall of Keighley, UK, says, “Any hair type can suit a bob because they’re easy to maintain and style.”
#34: Ear-Length Graduated Bob
Try a classic Sassoon ear-length, short graduated bob haircut. This one was created by hairstylist Michelle Harrison of Victoria, BC.
“This short graduated hairstyle is a precision cut perfect for thick, straight hair,” says Harrison. “The volume sits at the occipital bone, and the perimeter follows the jawline. Plus, the length at the front has a bevel at the bottom around the nape.”
This variant of short graduated bob is very low-maintenance. Harrison recommends you finish it with Kerastase Ciment Thermique to protect the hair from the blow dryer’s heat. “Then use a Denman brush to give natural volume at the roots and smoothness and shine to the ends,” she adds.
Related: Best short ear-length cuts.
#35: Very Short Graduated Bob
A very short bob cut for women that’s graduated always stays in style. This one was cut by stylist Heather Dunstan of Bristol, UK.
“Graduated bobs are an amazing way to add texture and body to any hair type. Short graduated bobs can also eliminate any unwanted weight from the hair. Plus, they give you a gorgeous flattering shape that can be altered to fit any hair type/face shape,” notes Dunstan.
She also recommends you get it cut every 6-8 weeks to manage the shape. Products and styling are your best friend in short-graduated haircuts like this.
Dunstan says, “Try using a volume mousse or spray and applying these before blowdrying. Use a round brush to get that maximum height and a smoothed shape. Once your bobs are completely dry and cool, use any texture powders or sprays. Apply a little to the root area to help keep the volume during the day.”
#36: Short Graduated Bob Cut for Fine Hair
A graduated short bob for fine hair is meant to be cut to add more fullness to your hair. This one was created by stylist Natalie Halonka of the UK. She says, “The short graduated bob cut suits most face shapes, and you can vary the length of the style to accentuate or elongate.”
Use a small amount of Joico Color Therapy Oil & Smoothing Balm to create a smooth sharp finish. Then use a heat retainer brush to create lift and straightening irons to perfect the ends.
Halonka says regular trims to reshape the back will ensure this graduated short bob style takes hardly any drying time. When cut well, a short bob with graduation will easily fall into shape.
#37: Modern Short Graduated Blonde Bob
A short graduated blonde bob is a very modern version of the bob. This one was created by stylist Nadia Durrani of Copenhagen, DK. She says, “It can be styled straight or with beautiful soft curls.”
Durrani says hair texture is very important when considering short bob haircuts for women. “Looking at the hair texture, you can choose a classic bob, short bob with graduation, or bob with layers,” she explains. “The bob does not need much maintenance. But of course, like every cut, the more time you put into styling, the more flattering it gets. Make sure to come for a 6-8 weeks trim.”
#38: Short Layered Graduated Bob
Consider trying a short layered graduated bob hairstyle for a grown-up style. Hairstylist Amy Boyington of St. Pittsfield, MA, says, “It builds or enhances head shape, flatters faces and opens the neckline.”
The styling of this short graduated haircut is versatile. Boyington states, “Smooth beach waves or a vintage swoop can express the possibilities of this bob.”
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