Look up “chic haircuts” in the dictionary, and guaranteed, there’ll be a picture of the French bob. But recently, our fave Frenchie chop has had an update—and the Parisian bob is here to pick up where its counterpart left off.
What is the Parisian bob?
For the uninitiated, the French bob is defined by its cheeky lip-length shape and signature full, brow-skimming bang. The Parisian bob, however, is a looser, less strict rendition, with a longer length and a wispier take on bangs—or without them entirely.
Why choose the Parisian bob?
Heading into spring, the cute, flirty style offers up a fresh, gorgeous chop that lifts back the layers, manages to feel breezy, but keeps enough length for versatility, too.
How to cut the Parisian bob?
One celebrity fan who’s jumped on the trend recently is Kendall Jenner. Her hair stylist, Sally Hershberger, explained the exact anatomy of the cut to Glamour UK so you know what to ask for when you go to the salon.
“This look embodies that effortlessly chic Parisian vibe,” Hershberger says. “I crafted a blunt bob that is cut just below the jawline, giving it a French allure. The length allows for versatility with face framing pieces cut to give the style more gesture—she can tuck it behind her ears for a more casual, understated elegance. It’s all about achieving that timeless, ‘je ne sais quoi’ style that French women are renowned for.”
Hershberger continues, “With Kendall, I had a very specific vision in mind. I loved a shoot she had done with shorter hair, and I wanted to take inspiration from that while giving her something even stronger—just a few extra inches to keep it versatile. But this was the perfect step in that direction.” Explaining her process, she shares: “I work visually—I look at a person’s face, their hair texture, and what will bring out their best features. Kendall is stunning, so she can wear her hair any way she wants. My goal was to make it as healthy, manageable, and effortless as possible.”
In terms of the length, there’s a lot of skill that goes into making a chop look like it’s effortlessly fallen into place. “Getting the length just right wasn’t a happy accident—it was intentional,” Hershberger says. “I’ve been doing this long enough to know exactly where to cut so she could still pull it into a ponytail while keeping the look short and sleek. Hairdressing is a lot like architecture — it’s about structure, balance, and precision. You can teach someone the techniques, but having the eye for it? That’s instinct.”
Hershberger’s advice for anyone looking to make the cut themselves? “When it comes to making a bold change, like a big chop, the most important thing is wanting it. It’s that simple. If you’re drawn to a drastic transformation, lean into that excitement and commit. Sure, looking at reference photos can help, but ultimately, it has to be something you truly desire. There’s no overthinking it—just go for it,” she says.
