Lesson 4: Turn Your Long Layers into a Bob

Ladies, do you ever have those days when you want to chop it all off? I’ve had many of those days, and I’ve actually taken that very difficult leap of faith. In November of 2008, I chopped my long hair into a bob. It was shocking at first, but I loved it and kept my hair short for about a year. Then, I started missing my long hair.

Now, my hair is a few inches past my shoulders, and I want my bob back… but I also want to grow my hair long. What a dilemma. Can you relate?

Last night, I found the coolest hair trick that allows you to turn your long layers into a short bob style! I immediately ran to the bathroom and tried it on myself: it worked. I went from long to short and then long again in about five minutes: every girl’s dream, right?

If you have a long and layered style, and if you’re itching to go short, then this is the perfect style for you:

Step 1: Separate your short layers from your medium-long to long layers. Clip the shorter layers on top of your head. It’s okay if your bangs or face-framing layers remain unclipped.

Step 2: Tie your longer layers into a very loose and subtle ponytail. Tie the ponytail as close to the ends as possible.  Try to keep your hair as flat as possible because you don’t want the ponytail to look subtle or bumpy.

Step 3: Take the long, lose, and flat ponytail, and clip it up using bobby pins. Fold the ponytail upwards in half, and tuck the pony tail under your shorter layers. Literally, you re folding your hair into a neat shape, and you are trying to hide the ends of your lose ponytail. Try to make the ponytail and folded hair look as subtle as possible.

Step 4: Release the short and medium length layers that you have pinned on top of your head. Do your best to hide the folded and tied longer layers. Your shorter layers should completely cover up the longer layers.

There you have it: a bob! It’s okay if your face-framing layers are longer than the rest of your hair. This type of look is called an a-line, and the extra dimensions can turn a simple bob into an edgy, flattering, and trendy look. You’ll have all sorts of volume in your hair, so you won’t have to worry about your faux-cut looking too flat.

If your hair is thick (like mine), you might have some trouble keeping the style polished, discrete, and subtle. Next time you get your hair cut, you should ask your stylist to thin out your hair. You’ll have much more manageable hair, and you’ll be able to create versatile and awesome styles like the instant long to short bob. So much better than going  from short to long with expensive hair extensions…don’t you think?

Image Source: flickr.com/photos/idhren/2892208094