Bob Wigs: Choosing and Wearing One

A bob is the most practical unit on most wig walls, and it is the one we would point a first-time wearer toward. There is less hair to manage, less to tangle, and the shape holds itself, which means a bob keeps looking like what it is supposed to be with far less maintenance than a long unit demands.

The lengths

A chin-length bob sits at or just above the jaw and reads as the most deliberate, most styled version. A shoulder-grazing bob, sometimes sold as a lob, is more forgiving because it does not draw a hard line across the face. An asymmetrical bob is longer at the front than the back and is the version that most changes the shape of a face. Blunt cuts show every flaw in the fiber and the cap, while layered or textured bobs are more forgiving of both.

Cap types

Everything available in longer units is available in a bob. A lace front gives you a hairline you can part and style off the face, which matters on a short unit where the front is right at eye level. A glueless cap with combs and an adjustable strap skips adhesive entirely and is the easiest way in. A full cap or basic cap has no lace at all, costs least, and is usually worn with the hair brought forward. On a bob the cap is more exposed than on a long unit, because there is less hair falling over it.

Why bobs suit beginners

Long units tangle at the nape where the hair rubs against clothing, and that friction is where most people's first wig starts to look worn. A bob barely touches the shoulders, so it largely avoids the problem. It also needs less product, dries faster after washing, and holds its shape without daily styling. Synthetic bobs in particular come back from a wash looking almost as they did new, because the cut does the work.

Styling and upkeep

Check the label before applying heat; synthetic fiber that is not marked heat-friendly will melt. Most bobs need nothing more than a light shake out and a wide-tooth comb. If you want to change the look, moving the part is the single most effective adjustment and costs nothing. Store it on a wig stand rather than folded in a drawer, which is what preserves the shape between wears.

Where to find them

All four Kelly Beauty stores carry wigs, and the wig walls run from synthetic through blends to human hair units. Everything is also on kellybeautyonline.com, with orders placed before 2 PM Eastern on a weekday processed the same day, pickup at our Detroit store, and $4.99 shipping anywhere in Michigan, usually 1 to 3 business days.