The Retro Hollywood Bob Is Back Baby

To put it bluntly, Old Hollywood bobs are back, as witnessed by the onslaught of celebs rocking the hair style of the moment on the 2024 Oscars red carpet. "It" Girls Zendaya, Sydney Sweeney, America Ferrera, and Florence Pugh looked stunning with their abbreviated shapes and styles, proving that an updated take on the retro Hollywood bob can really work for anyone.

We spoke to Rodney Cutler, owner of the Cutler Salons and Redken Ambassador about how each actress made the look their own, and how you can achieve the ressurging style yourself. "Bobs have been around forever," Cutler says. "What makes it modern is the reinterpretation, the length, the finish on the ends — shiny or matte. It's the incorporation of Old Hollywood in a beautiful classic shape that gives it that red carpet feel."

No one exemplified this look better than Zendaya, who wowed us on the carpet when she showed up rocking what Culter calls a "classic and romantic" bob, complete with shining layers and a deep side part.

"The shape is similar to the past but a few things stand out that make today's bob modern," he explained. "The changes in finish also make this look more contemporary. We are seeing a lot more shine like in America Ferrera's look, Florence Pugh's textured bob, and the dimensional highlights on Sydney Sweeney."

It's no secret that Marilyn Monroe's platinum blonde bob remains an iconic symbol of old Hollywood hairstyles, and Zendaya's Euphoria co-star Sydney Sweeney served major blonde bombshell-realness at the 2024 Oscars, debuting her shortest, most glamorous cut yet. With a sweeping side-part, voluminous wavy blowout, swooped ends, and a chop that ended just above her shoulders, Sweeney's look classifies as a true OG Hollywood bob. Her blonde hair and white flowing dress only added to the Monroe-like vision — all that was missing was the signature birthmark above her lip!

America Ferrera also hit the carpet with a side-parted bob. We couldn't get enough of the Oscar nominee's bluntly cut dark hair spruced up with small beach waves and flipped-up ends.

"I love this play on the bob with a flick at the front and some texture," said Cutler. "It gives it a modern twist. The squareness of the shape is an ode to the French bob; the 'lazy wave' makes it look effortless."

Florence Pugh revived retro waves as well, adding a voluminous side-part and grown-out lengths that were blown out to add some major vintage volume. The result, according to Cutler, was "Punk-Glam, evoking Deborah Harry's signature look with the texture and separation of the hair."

Carey Mulligan channeled another iconic blonde when she brought Michelle Pfeiffer's mob wife aesthetic from Scarfaceto the carpet. The actress flaunted a pin-straight micro bob ending just below the ear. Her side-part was slicked down, while her ends curled inward to frame her face.

And of course, there was Danielle Brooks, whose vintage glam chop Cutler describes as a "beautiful, classic bob." We think it paired perfectly with her custom Dolce and Gabbana black corset gown.

So how can you get this look at home? For starters, "The style works best on medium textured hair, but the bob can also be suited for most hair types," Cutler explains. "If the hair is fine you'll have to use some volumizing support, for example, the Redken Full Volume Mousse or Redken's Root Lifter. You will also want to use a slightly smaller-sized curling iron to add some old Hollywood movement to the hair."

L'Oréal Paris Celebrity Hairstylist & Colorist Jennifer Yepez also recommends amping up the fullness factor with this product. "I love L'Oréal Paris BOOST IT Volume Inject Mousse to give the hair lots of volume and that fluffiness," she said. "Then you can use the ¾-inch curling iron if you want to have tighter waves (like America Ferrera) or a 1-inch curling iron for more of a voluminous start with a slight wave (similar to Sydney Sweeney)."

To create a smooth and polished texture, Cutler suggests using a flat brush or a round large brush. "Start with Redken's One United to add softness to the cuticle," he explains. "Then use Redken's Full Volume Mousse for volume, or if you're looking for shine and hold you can use Redken's Big Blow Out."

He continues, "When the hair is dry add a bend on the ends. Then, you will create a classic set with a curling iron where you will add the barrel from three-quarters in and go to the root for more curl on the ends and a flatter shape at the root. Finish with either Redken's Brushable Hairspray or for more hold, try Redken's Max Hold Hairspray."

Proving that this look is easier to style than it sounds, TikTok user @tinapey10 recently posted a video captioned "Recreating Sydney Sweeney's Vanity Fair Oscar Party Hair," where she quickly emulated the star's Monroe-esque retro bob at home.

Just remember to keep your facial structure and shape in mind when deciding on which celeb bob style to test drive.

"The bob works on most face shapes but if you have a square face u might want to have more layering to add softness around the cheekbones and forehead," Cutler said. "For elongated face shapes, bring the length up a little shorter and have the hair push off the face so you have a little more length to balance it out."

No matter which cropped cut you choose, the resurrection of the chic hair trend comes just in time for spring and summer's warmer weather. Its easy styling and breezy length are perfect for showing off funky necklines and chunky earrings — two other trending looks we've recently seen on the rise.