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If it seems like a trendy new bob haircut comes along every few months, that might be the case. Blunt bobs, French bobs (short, with bangs), Italian bobs (chin length, with sophisticated styling)—you can’t escape the short cut. But the newest take on the style gives “I’m on vacation in Europe and can’t be bothered to style my hair” energy. Enter: the Riviera bob.
“The Riviera bob is the new sister of the Italian bob,” explains celebrity hairstylist Danielle Priano, who works with the likes of Hailey Bieber, Lindsay Lohan, and Alix Earle. “Slightly longer in length, adding a lot more texture and an ‘undone’ vibe to the look.” Sofia Richie, who cut her bob while in the South of France, perfectly embodies the trend:
According to celebrity hairstylist Dimitris Giannetos, who works with Gigi Hadid, “It’s perfect for someone who wants polished hair without high effort.” Sound like you? Continue reading for everything you need to know, including what to ask for from your stylist, which celebrities have had the cut, and how to maintain it.
What Is the Riviera Bob?
First and foremost, it’s a bob. But it’s not a blunt bob or overly coiffed Italian bob—rather, it’s something more relaxed. “It’s slightly longer than a classic bob, with subtle layering and movement that gives it that windswept, just-off-the-coastline energy,” according to Giannetos. The look is “soft, luxe, and sun-kissed,” he says. “It’s the kind of haircut that looks just as good on a yacht in Saint-Tropez as it does at a rooftop dinner in L.A.”
There’s no perfect length; the Riviera bob just is. But for some guidance: “The sweet spot is just above the collarbone long enough to feel sensual and feminine, but short enough to keep that effortless shape,” says Giannetos. “It grazes the neck beautifully and gives you that romantic, vacation-ready vibe.”
Priano echoes the advice: “Usually the length falls anywhere slightly past the chin, but could go even closer to the collar bones since it’s a more layered look,” she says.
What Celebs Have a Riviera Bob?
A better question might be, who doesn’t? In addition to Giannetos’s client Gigi Hadid pictured above, celebrities with Riviera bobs include Hailee Steinfeld—who is currently in her short hair era—Florence Pugh, Laura Harrier, Elsa Hosk, Selena Gomez, and The White Lotus’s Beatrice Grannò.
How Do You Get the Riviera Bob?
The good news is that once you have the cut, you don’t need to put a ton of effort into the styling. “Think soft texture with a natural bend,” says Giannetos. “I love using a lightweight texturizing spray or sea salt mist on damp hair, then diffusing or letting it air-dry.”
Priano also recommends enhancing natural waves and curls—you know, the kind you might have after spending all day sipping spritzes on the Riviera. “I recommend using the SexyHair Style Curling Crème to amp up your natural texture.” (The stylist is an ambassador for the brand.)
To give it a little extra definition, Giannetos recommends finishing with a few drops of hair oil on the ends “for that lived-in shine,” adding that “It should feel touchable and chic, like you’ve been swimming in the Mediterranean and your hair just dried perfectly on its own.”
Of course, not everyone naturally has the perfect wave. “For straighter hair, I love using SexyHair’s Big Root Pump mousse before blow-drying, which adds lift, volume, and shows off the layers in the haircut,” advises Priano.
This Is A Sea Salt Spray
$34.00 at sephora.com
Curling Creme Curl Moisturizing Control Creme
$14.66 at ulta.com
The Oil
$40.00 at sephora.com
Root Pump Volumizing Spray Mousse
$16.06 at ulta.com
How Do You Maintain the Riviera Bob?
The haircut’s not-too-short length lends itself to easy upkeep. “Since this look is slightly longer and a little more disheveled, you can get away with less maintenance than a typical bob,” says Priano. Still, a bob’s a bob: “You’re going to have to get it touched up occasionally to keep it feeling super fresh,” she says.
Per Giannetos, “a trim every six to eight weeks keeps the shape intact.” But again, the appeal of this cut is that it doesn’t need too much attention. “Because it’s not too layered or precise, you can let it grow out without it looking messy.”
Meet the Experts:
Danielle Priano is a celebrity hairstylist and SexyHair brand ambassador whose clients include Lindsay Lohan, Alix Earle, Hailey Bieber, Jennifer Lopez, Shay Mitchell, and Demi Lovato.
Dimitris Giannetos is a celebrity hairstylist and colorist whose clients include Megan Fox, Amal Clooney, Joey King, Camila Cabello, and Demi Moore.
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