New year, new hair? The start of a new year is often the time to embrace a hair transformation, and this year it’s Hailey Bieber who has succumbed to a need for change and opted for a fresh new haircut, all in the name of a change of season. Yep, it’s official, 2023 is set to be the year of the ‘box bob’, and once again we have Bieber to thank for this defining beauty look.
Since the model was also responsible for the last year’s ‘glazed donut’ nails trend and the recent resurgence of ‘90s brown glossy lips, we’re certain that her choppy box bob is set to be one of the most popular haircuts for 2023.
After wearing her blonde-brunette hair in long beachy waves—often styled in her signature sleek bun— for years, the model took to TikTok to showcase her new look. A jaw-skimming choppy bob with blunt ends and plenty of movement through the lengths to prevent it from falling flat. It’s chic, effortless, and will definitely spark a wave of requests for shorter hairstyles. In fact, as someone who has had waist-skimming hair for the past decade, I have to admit I’m feeling tempted. There’s something about a bob—maybe it’s the low maintenance or maybe it’s the undeniable ‘cool girl’ vibe it gives off—that’s got me seriously considering the chop.
If you’re also feeling tempted, Bieber has since shared further snaps (see below) showcasing all angles and close-ups of her new style. Yep, everything you need to screenshot for your hairdresser.
As for her own inspiration behind the look, Bieber posted a mirror selfie on Instagram crediting Margot Tenenbaum—the iconic Wes Anderson character portrayed by Gwyneth Paltrow in the film, The Royal Tenenbaums.
We already hailed the bob as a key hair trend for 2023, but not all bobs are created equal, and what we love about Bieber’s is how light and choppy it is. So what to request from your hairdresser if you want to try out this trend?
First things first, while it is blocky, this is not a classic blunt bob, so you’ll want to avoid a super-precise finish. Likewise, the ends are not gradually layered and are definitely not tapered, so ask instead for texturised layers which are created by cutting at an angle rather than straight across.
The bulk of the weight has been removed from Bieber’s hair, which helps to keep it feeling light and makes it easy to style. This is also great if you have naturally thin or fine hair, since the style is less about volume at the roots and more about movement through the lengths.
Look closely and you’ll notice that Bieber has a few slightly shorter strands at the front of her hair—this breaks the line and prevents the style from looking too angular. Plus, adding some face-framing strands is a great idea if you also plan on wearing your hair in an up-do—and we doubt Bieber is ready to let go of her signature slicked-back bun.
In keeping hair bob fairly long, Bieber is definitely allowing for plenty of styling options. Above all, to keep a textured finish and maintain movement, don’t opt for anything too polished. Texturising mists and matte pomades will be all you’ll need to effortlessly create a tousled effect, while salt sprays will help to add shape if your hair is naturally super straight.
Next Up: I Tried Hailey Bieber’s Contouring Hack and My Face Has Never Looked So Sculpted
