A woman has issued a cautionary tale for anyone considering a dramatic bob haircut.
Taylah Roberts (@taylahroberts1) shared her regret in an Instagram video, where she opened up about her experience after making the chop. Her video has since gone viral, gaining 420,000 views and 3,178 likes.
"I was seeing a trend online of girls cutting their hair and hairstylists too," Roberts told Newsweek. "So as someone that did it, I wanted to warn that I regretted doing it."
Roberts, a blonde who had previously sported a shaggy mid-length style, switched to a blunt, chin-length bob—only to feel the sting of regret soon after.
In the video, she shared her frustration: "You'll spend most days wishing you hadn't cut the bob. You'll like it in the salon because obviously it looks good cut and styled by a hairdresser. But then tomorrow you'll wake up, actually tomorrow or the day after it will still look good, but when you wash it, it's not going to look the same, especially if you're a crispy, bleach blonde."
As a bleached blonde herself, Roberts said that her hair quickly lost its salon-polished look, instead becoming frizzy and, as she described it, resembling Lord Farquaad from Shrek. She added that brunettes with healthy, thick hair might have better luck with a bob, achieving a sleeker, more polished look.
Cosmetologist and hairstylist Wy Mac said she has seen a growing trend of women taking the chop and shared her insight with Newsweek.
"There's something exhilarating about chopping it all off. I've had plenty of clients come in, all hyped up, saying, 'Just chop it!' And honestly, it's almost therapeutic—hair holds memory, and a fresh cut can feel like shedding the past. Lately, bobs have been on the rise, thanks to celebrities showing off their sleek new chops. It's like a domino effect," she said.
"I have to disagree with the notion that only those with "brown, healthy, thick, nice hair" can pull it off or maintain it. That's a total myth! For instance, I have a client with enough hair to rival three people combined, and we have to thin it out like crazy just to get it to sit right," she said.
Before committing to a bob, consider factors like face shape, hair texture, and styling commitment. Bobs often require frequent trims to maintain their shape and can be challenging for fine or curly hair types.
"I've definitely played hair therapist! Sometimes, I have to talk clients out of drastic cuts (you know, like we do with bangs). I always consider their lifestyle, routine, face shape, and commitment to upkeep before giving the green light," she said.
Investing in a nourishing deep conditioning treatment and a good glass treatment is paramount to maintaining a sleek look.
She added: "Learning how to use a round brush and setting your style with large Velcro rollers is crucial. Unless you have pin-straight hair, skip air-drying and opt for a blowout."
The hairstylist agreed bleach blonde bobs can pose a challenge to upkeep.
"Bleach blonde bobs? Oh, honey, they are a challenge! When we lighten hair to that platinum level, we're essentially removing the structure that keeps hair silky smooth, so frizz can become your arch-nemesis," she said.
Robert's post cautioning about the style sparked a mixed response online, with some admiring her new look, while others shared similar regrets.
"This would be more convincing if you didn't look so good with it," commented Liv Penman.
"Yep. I did this EXACT same thing & I hated it 2 days after. My hair looked identical to yours—color, texture, length, everything. DONT GET THE BOB," said Elizabeth.
Some hairstylists chimed in, with one remarking, "As the hairdresser, my clients need to put in a written Bob request with a 200-word essay and references, 6-8 weeks in advance before I cut them anything above the shoulder for all of these reasons and more."
Yet there are those who swear by the bob—especially among those with healthy, brunette hair. "Healthy, brown hair girly here, and I've had a bob for 10 years. Will not ever get another hairstyle. It is now my identity," shared Olivia.
Have you had a haircut you regret? Let us know via life@newsweek.com. We would love to hear about it and your story could be featured on Newsweek.
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