The Box Bob Is the Buzziest Short Haircut Of 2023

Any version of a bob, whether it’s a blunt style or something longer and textured like a wavy lob, is always going to find its way into seasonal hair trends because the style is timeless. This season is no different and the latest iteration of the bob is the box bob — a short, statement-making style that earned its moniker from its face-framing, boxy shape. 

As evidenced by social media and the many celebrities, actresses and runway models that are sporting the style, the box bob is a big hair trend for 2023. We love it not just because the short, blockish profile is chic and carefree but because this short haircut can suit all hair types. Ahead, we share more about this season’s trendy box bob, plus tips for styling it. 

What Is a Box Bob Haircut?

The box bob is a structured short haircut that stops at the chin and has an overall square shape that frames your face, just like a box. One of Pinterest’s biggest hair trends for 2023 is big beauty in small packages and the box bob delivers just that. It’s short, but don’t misinterpret that as subtle — the box bob is bold and striking in every aspect.

It’s great for fine and thin hair because the boxy, full shape and blunt ends help to make strands appear denser than they actually are. You can also wear the box bob with long layers to benefit those with naturally thick and curly hair. 

This season’s box bob is styled with volume and texture. It looks a little bit undone because it’s meant to feel effortless while still making a statement. It pairs well with trendy curtain bangs if you’re looking to soften the boxiness of the style, or with cropped micro bangs if you want to further accentuate just that.

How to Style a Box Bob Haircut

A box bob has a structured shape but it’s being styled with a voluminous, undone look. Here are some tips to achieving the look, plus all the products you’ll need.

1. Use a Hair System That Can Boost Volume

The box bob is voluminous, not limp and flat. If your hair isn’t naturally full, fake it with a plumping shampoo and conditioner, like the L’Oréal Paris Elvive Hyaluron + Plump Hydrating Shampoo, Paraben-Free and the L’Oréal Paris Elvive Hyaluron Plump Hydrating Conditioner, Paraben-Free to add lift at the roots. This duo is powered by hyaluronic acid to visibly replump dehydrated hair with volume, bounce, body and shine for up to 72 hours. 

Along with the shampoo and conditioner, the line also includes a hydrating serum, the L’Oréal Paris Elvive Hyaluron + Plump Moisture Plump Serum, Paraben-Free, which works to remoisturize strands with plumping hyaluronic acid in between washes.

2. Style With a Leave-In Conditioner

Applying a leave-in conditioner when your hair is wet is important because it helps to tackle a number of common hair concerns such as frizz, flyaways, weigh down and dryness, while making your hair more manageable. If you have difficulty finding the right leave-in conditioner, look for one that suits your hair type. If you have straight hair, the L’Oréal Paris EverPure Sulfate Free Simply Clean Midnight Color Care Serum is great at smoothing frizz while it primes your hair for styling. 

If you have curls or waves, a leave-in, like the L’Oréal Paris Elvive Dream Lengths Curls Non-Stop Dreamy Curls Leave-In Conditioner, works to shape and hydrate curls of all shapes and textures without weighing down hair.

3. Apply Heat Protectant When Necessary

How you choose to style your box bob is completely up to you because everyone’s hair air dries differently. If you’re using heat to style your box bob, whether that be with a blow-dryer, a flat iron or a curling iron, it’s best to apply heat protectant prior. Not only does heat protectant shield your hair against the scorching hot temps of hot tools, but many have smoothing and frizz-reducing qualities, too. 

If you’re blow drying wet hair, we like a priming treatment, like the L’Oréal Paris EverPure Sulfate-Free Weightless Blow Dry Primer, Heat Protectant because it helps smooth hair while it protects against heat. If you’re heat-styling dry hair, we suggest a leave-in like the L’Oréal Paris Elvive Dream Lengths Frizz Killer Serum Leave-In because it doubles as an anti-frizz serum. 

4. Boost Volume With Dry Shampoo

As we mentioned, the box bob has volume at the roots, which helps to highlight its boxy and undone styling. Tinted dry shampoo, like the L’Oréal Paris EverPure Sulfate-Free Tinted Dry Shampoo for Blonde Hair for light hair or the L’Oréal Paris EverPure Sulfate Free Tinted Dry Shampoo for Brown Hair for dark hair works to refresh oily roots but it also adds volume. 

Choose the shade that works best for your hair color and spritz it onto your roots. Lightly work it through your hair with your fingers to create lived-in volume and lift at the top. If you opt for a box bob with bangs, the dry shampoo will also help to keep those fresh, too.

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Photo Credit: IG/@john_thewhitebox, Photo Design: Sarah Duvivier