1. Sharp Chin-Length Bob
The boldest bob - a sharp chin-length cut that frames the jaw and makes a striking, modern statement. Sitting right at the jawline, it draws attention to your cheekbones and neck, reading confident, editorial and ultra-light on your scalp. This shape flatters longer face shapes especially well and feels fresh without any of the weight of long locs. Keep the loc size medium for a clean line, wear it distressed for boho softness, and add a deep side part to soften the blunt edge beautifully.
Who it suits: Anyone wanting a bold, light bob.
Tip: A deep side part softens a sharp chin-length bob beautifully.
2. Shoulder-Grazing Bob
A slightly longer bob that grazes the shoulders is soft, versatile and the easiest bob length to style. Falling just past the jaw, it keeps all the lightness of a bob while giving you enough length to gather into a small half-up bun or tuck behind your ears. The gentle length flatters rounder faces and suits almost everyone, reading relaxed and modern rather than sharp. Wear it distressed and boho for everyday, part it deep for a bit of glam, or sweep it over one shoulder for a soft finish.
Who it suits: Anyone wanting a soft, versatile bob.
3. Asymmetric Bob
Longer on one side than the other, an asymmetric bob adds edge, movement and a fashion-forward slant to butterfly locs. The uneven line creates a built-in sweep that flatters your face at an angle and gives the style instant attitude without any extra work. It suits anyone wanting something a little different from a classic blunt bob, and the diagonal shape reads bold and current. Pair it with a deep side part on the longer side to exaggerate the drape, and keep the locs medium-sized so the cut stays crisp and defined.
Who it suits: Anyone wanting an edgy shape.
4. Honey Blonde Bob
Warm honey blonde on a bob brightens your whole face and feels fresh, pairing the sunniest shade with the lightest length. Because the colour sits so close to your features on a short cut, the golden warmth lifts your complexion and reads soft rather than brassy. Honey suits warm and neutral undertones and works on any bob shape, from chin-length to shoulder-grazing. It looks especially pretty distressed and boho, and a half-up bun pushes the brightness toward your crown for an easy, flattering everyday look.
Who it suits: Anyone wanting a bright bob.
5. Deep Side Part Bob
Sweeping a deep side part into a bob gives it a glam, asymmetric drape that softens the shape and adds instant polish. The heavier side falls across your forehead and frames one cheek, taking a simple blunt bob from casual to considered with no pins or heat. It is one of the easiest ways to make short locs feel styled, and it flatters rounder faces by adding a diagonal line. This works on any bob length, and pairing it with a few gold cuffs keeps the finish soft and boho-chic.
Who it suits: Anyone wanting an elevated bob.
6. Middle Part Bob
A clean centre part frames the face symmetrically on a bob, splitting the locs evenly on each side for a polished, modern finish. The balanced parting suits oval and heart-shaped faces beautifully and gives the bob a neat, put-together look that reads effortlessly chic. Because both sides fall the same way, it is one of the lowest-maintenance ways to wear short locs day to day. Keep the loc size medium for a crisp centre line, wear it distressed for softness, and add a couple of face-framing pieces to break up the symmetry.
Who it suits: Anyone who suits a center part.
7. Ombre Bob
Dark roots fading to caramel ends add dimension to a bob, so even a short cut carries real depth and movement. On bob length the gradient travels fast, dropping warmth right where the locs frame your jaw and catching the light at the tips. The dark root keeps things grounded and grows out gracefully, which makes the whole style read expensive and considered. It flatters most skin tones and suits any bob shape, looking especially rich worn distressed and boho or swept over one shoulder to show the fade.
Who it suits: Anyone wanting dimension on a bob.
8. Burgundy Bob
Deep burgundy on a bob is rich, bold and flattering, its wine-toned depth reading striking without tipping into loud. On a short cut the colour sits close to your face, warming your complexion and pairing beautifully with the soft, distressed texture. Burgundy looks richest against warm and deep skin tones and comes into its own in autumn, when the moody red suits the season perfectly. It works on any bob shape and looks especially glam with a deep side part, or dressed up with a scatter of gold cuffs.
Who it suits: Anyone wanting bold colour on a bob.
9. Jumbo Bob
Chunky jumbo locs on a bob are bold and quick to install, since fewer, thicker locs mean far less time in the chair. The larger loc size gives a short cut real presence and a full-bodied, statement finish that feels confident and current. This is the fastest, easiest way into a butterfly locs bob, and the thicker locs are simple to restyle and gather. Natural black shows the chunky texture off best, but any colour works, and a deep side part keeps the bold size looking styled rather than heavy.
Who it suits: Anyone wanting a quick, bold bob.
10. Mini Locs Bob
Thinner mini locs on a bob look neat, detailed and refined, packing far more individual locs into the same short shape. The smaller size gives a delicate, intricate finish and the most styling flexibility, letting the bob move and part cleanly in any direction. Mini locs take longer to install but reward you with an elegant, polished take on the boho style that feels considered rather than casual. They suit anyone wanting a dainty, put-together bob, and they look lovely worn distressed for softness or accessorised with slim gold cuffs.
Who it suits: Anyone wanting a neat, detailed bob.
11. Accessorised Bob
Gold cuffs, rings and beads add personality and fill out a bob, giving short locs a boho-chic finish in seconds. Because a bob has less length to work with, a few well-placed cuffs make a real difference, dressing up the shape and drawing the eye along the locs. The warm metal reads especially rich against natural black or blonde, and you can rearrange it whenever you fancy a change. Space the cuffs evenly so a short bob still looks balanced, and pair them with a side part for an easy, styled look.
Who it suits: Anyone wanting to accessorise a bob.
Tip: Space cuffs evenly so a short bob still looks balanced.
12. Half-Up Bob
Pulling the top half up keeps a bob off your face and adds a little height at the crown, opening up your features. On a shoulder-grazing bob it gathers just enough length into a small bun while the rest frames your jaw, giving a fresh, everyday-friendly shape in seconds. The half-up look flatters most face shapes and is ideal for busy mornings or warm days when you want your neck clear. Leave a couple of front locs loose for softness, and it needs only a snag-free tie and a pin.
Who it suits: Anyone wanting an easy bob updo.
13. Face-Framing Colour Bob
Lighter locs at the front brighten your face and add a money-piece effect on a bob, placing a pop of colour right where it flatters most. Keeping honey, caramel or blonde on the front two sections while the rest stays dark warms your complexion and lifts your features without full-head colour. On a short cut the contrast sits close to your face, so the effect is fresh and immediately noticeable. It works on any bob shape and looks especially striking with a middle part, which splits the bright pieces symmetrically on each side.
Who it suits: Anyone wanting brightness up front.
14. Curly-Ends Bob
Leaving soft water-wave curls at the ends gives a bob a goddess-like, boho finish that softens the blunt line. The loose curls fall just below your jaw and add romance and movement, turning a neat short cut into something dreamy and playful. This suits anyone wanting their bob to feel less structured and more effortless, and the curly ends flatter rounder faces by breaking up the shape. It looks especially pretty distressed and worn down, and a few gold cuffs above the curls keep the finish soft and free-spirited.
Who it suits: Anyone wanting a soft, boho bob.
15. Classic Black Bob
Natural black on a bob is timeless and lets the soft, looped boho texture take centre stage without any colour to distract. The deep, even tone reads polished and versatile, pairing with any outfit and suiting every skin tone, which is why it is the most classic bob option here. Black shows off the distressed loops best, so keeping the texture undone gives the most authentic boho finish. It works for work and weekends alike, and a deep side part or a few gold cuffs is all it needs to feel styled.
Who it suits: Anyone wanting a timeless bob.
Tip: Keep it distressed - natural black shows the looped texture best.
Why a Butterfly Locs Bob?
A bob is the lightest, most comfortable way to wear butterfly locs. With so little length, there is minimal weight and tension on your scalp and edges, and no heavy pulling by the end of the day. Bob locs install faster than long ones, wash and dry quickly, and are easy to wrap at night. They frame the face beautifully and read fresh and modern, making them a favourite for anyone who wants a low-maintenance protective style with maximum style impact. For a first-time loc wearer, a bob is an easy, flattering place to start.
Choosing Your Bob Shape
Bob locs come in a few flattering shapes. A sharp chin-length bob is the boldest and most modern, framing the jawline; a shoulder-grazing bob is softer and the easiest to style; and an asymmetric bob, longer on one side, adds edge and movement. Consider your face shape: chin-length suits longer faces, while a slightly longer, side-parted bob flatters rounder faces. Save a photo of your ideal shape, length and part so your loctician can install exactly the bob you want.
Styling and Caring for Bob Locs
Even short bob locs are versatile - a deep side part adds instant glam, a half-up style keeps them off your face, and gold cuffs and beads fill out the look. Care is the easiest of any loc length: wrap them in a satin scarf at night, cleanse your scalp every one to two weeks, and use a light oil to keep the texture soft. Because there is so little length, bob locs dry quickly after washing and are simple to restyle day to day, which is a big part of their appeal.
Frequently Asked Questions
How short can butterfly locs be?
Butterfly locs can go as short as chin-length for a sharp bob. Any shorter than that becomes difficult to wrap and style, so chin-length is generally the shortest flattering option.
Are bob butterfly locs lighter than long ones?
Yes, significantly. A bob uses far less added hair, so it puts minimal weight and tension on your scalp and edges. It is the most comfortable length and a great choice for a first install.
How much hair do I need for a butterfly locs bob?
A bob uses fewer packs than a long install - often around 3-5 packs of water-wave hair depending on size and thickness. Your loctician can confirm for your chosen shape.
Can you put a butterfly locs bob in a bun?
A chin-length bob is usually too short for a full bun, but a shoulder-grazing bob can manage a small half-up bun. Bobs style best with a side part, half-up look or accessories.
Do butterfly locs bobs suit round faces?
Yes. A deep side part, an asymmetric shape or a slightly longer, shoulder-grazing bob all add flattering length and angles. Very short chin-length bobs tend to suit longer face shapes best.
Which butterfly locs look are you saving?
Bob butterfly locs prove that short is just as striking - the boho texture looks sharp and modern on a bob, with the bonus of being the lightest, most comfortable length to wear. Save the shapes and colours you love, and bring the photos to your loctician so your bob comes out exactly how you picture it.
