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Common Hairstyle Names Explained: Bob, Lob, Pixie, and More

Hairstyle names get thrown around loosely, but each one refers to a specific length, shape, or cutting technique. Here's what actually separates them.

Bob cut

A cut that ends around jaw-to-chin length, typically blunt at the bottom rather than heavily layered. It's one of the most enduring, universally recognizable haircut names, with countless variations (blunt bob, angled bob, inverted bob).

Lob (long bob)

A bob taken down to shoulder length or just below. It keeps the bob's clean silhouette while being easier to tie back, making it one of the most requested "low-commitment" cuts for people leaving longer hair behind.

Pixie cut

A very short cut, typically cropped close at the sides and back with slightly longer length left on top. It's a bold, high-maintenance-to-grow-out style, often chosen for a dramatic change rather than a subtle one.

Shag cut

A heavily layered cut with choppy, textured ends and face-framing pieces, historically associated with a rock-and-roll, undone look. It works at almost any length and relies on layering technique more than a specific length.

Layered cut

Not a single style but a cutting technique used across many styles β€” hair is cut at varying lengths throughout to add movement, volume, and texture rather than one flat length falling straight down.

Mullet

Short at the front and sides, noticeably longer at the back β€” the classic "business in front, party in back" silhouette. Originally unfashionable in mainstream circles, it has repeatedly cycled back into style in modernized versions.

Undercut

A technique, usually applied to the sides and back, where hair is shaved or clipped very short beneath a longer top layer, creating a sharp contrast when the top is styled up or to the side. Common on its own or combined with other cuts like a pixie or a longer top.

Cut name vs. cutting technique

Some of these terms (bob, lob, pixie, mullet) describe an overall silhouette and length, while others (layered, undercut) describe a technique that can be applied to many different silhouettes. A "layered pixie" or an "undercut bob" combine both kinds of terms, which is why hairstyle vocabulary can get confusing.

What actually determines whether a style suits you

Face shape, hair texture (straight, wavy, curly, coily), and how much daily styling time you're willing to spend matter more than the name of the cut itself. Bringing reference photos to a stylist and discussing your hair's natural texture usually produces a better result than asking for a style by name alone.

Frequently Asked Questions

What's the real difference between a bob and a lob?

Mainly length β€” a bob typically sits around jaw to chin length, while a lob extends down to the shoulders or just below, but keeps the bob's relatively blunt, clean-edged silhouette.

Can a pixie cut and an undercut be combined?

Yes β€” many pixie cuts already incorporate undercut sides as part of the style, and it's a common combination specifically because the shaved sides make the longer top layer stand out more sharply.