Scandinavian fashion is every minimalist’s dream aesthetic. Now, that same effortless vibe you’d find wearing Toteme or Helsa is also influencing every cool girl you know to chop off their long strands. The cut of the summer isn’t just any bob; it’s a Scandi bob.
The beauty (forgive the pun) in this particular cut is how little you have to style it for it to instantly work. “This is the most low-maintenance bob you can get; with little to no layers, you are less likely to wake up in the morning and feel like you need to do your entire hair routine again,” says Carlyn Gristci, hairstylist at Beauty Supply. “A Scandi bob is great for anyone with strong facial features who also wants the freedom of short hair.”
“The Scandi bob has a confidence to it because the haircut itself is doing most of the work,” adds Irinel de León, celebrity hairstylist and Dyson Beauty global ambassador. “You don’t need a complicated styling routine or a ton of product for it to look good.”
What exactly is a Scandi bob?
As De León describes it, a Scandi bob is “a really clean, blunt bob that still feels soft and effortless.” It sits between your jawline and collarbone with a strong perimeter that isn’t too harsh to give it shape.
“The weight lies in the ends of the hair, which gives it a classic and structural finish,” Gristci agrees. “Unlike textured razor bobs, the scandi bob gets its key characteristics from where the weight falls, meaning less layering and more precision lines.”
“What makes it feel ‘Scandi’ is that it’s not overly styled or too perfect,” De León adds. “It has that cool, undone quality. [It’s] kind of like you let your hair air dry beautifully, tucked it behind your ears, and went out the door.”
How to Style It
Scandi bobs work for pretty much anyone, and there are so many different ways to wear them. “A Scandi bob can work on any texture,” says De León. “But it shouldn’t look exactly the same on everyone. That’s what makes a great haircut.”
Some of the most popular ways to style it include:
The Quintessential Scandi Finish
Marc Piasecki
This is the classic minimal bob. Think Hailey Bieber with her simple bob. “Her style is already so clean and modern, so I never want the hair to compete with that,” says De León, who counts Bieber as a regular client. “I love a center part, a little natural texture, and that very subtle blend that makes it feel like she could have just tucked it behind her ears and gone.”
