No matter how many mystical chants and dances I do, no matter hard I will it to happen, there are some things I just cannot seem to control…
Like the weather, or Tabs (why do lurvies and lap time always have to be on his terms and never mine?), or the relentless drive to consume large quantities of Nutella, or the passing of time, or the mop of hair currently partying on my head like it’s 1999.
Yeah, my hair’s extra cray at the moment because I’m waaaaay overdue for a salon visit. My layers refuse to layer correctly, my roots are like, “OH, HAI, LADY!!” and the situation with my bangs? — let’s not even go there.
I’ve had to resort to hair trickery and disguise to get my mane looking semi-presentable, and one trick I’ve been loving lately is a little something I like to call, “The Faux Bob.”
I got the idea from a similar hairdo Taylor Swift wore a while back. I can’t remember exactly where or when, but I recall that her hair was long at the time, and it looked like she’d tucked it underneath, almost like a shoulder-length bob.
I’ve been wearing mine this way on the weekends because it’s just so easy to corral my hair into place.
If you have long, chin-length layers or side-swept bangs that frame your face, or if you just want the look of a shorter ‘do but don’t want to chop off all your hair, it’s easy and might be worth a try.
First, I start by gathering my hair into a loose, low pony and securing it with an elastic.
Then, and this is the magic secret to The Faux Bob, I tuck the loose pony underneath my hair at the base of my neck…
…and secure the end of the ponytail with several bobby pins.
When I’m done, it looks like a bob!
Now, as the day wears on, The Faux Bob tends to gradually come undone, but I like it. The pieces around my face loosen and frame my face, which gives it a soft, just-rolled-outta-bed look, which I love. But if you want your faux bob to look neater, all you have to do is just tuck, and pin the loose pieces as they fall out.
Christmas is comin’ early this year, hello!
Well, my life’s complete!
Soooooo, last night I learned that former makeup artist/actor/tank top enthusiast Jeremy Renner is hosting Saturday Night Live this weekend, and all I have to say about that is ARMS, ARMS, ARMS, ARMS, ARMS!
I can’t wait.
I’m betting it’s gonna be almost as epic as that time we went to See’s Candies and stuffed our tums with obscene amounts of milk chocolate.
Thank you, Heidi, for giving me the heads up. 🙂
Your friendly neighborhood beauty addict,
Karen
Becca @ The Beauty Sample says
November 13th, 2012 at 4:30 pmOoh that was a very well-done faux-bob! Usually, when I see pics of girls doing it it’s pretty, but I can tell it’s not real. You’re was quite convincing!
Becca @ The Beauty Sample recently posted … The Sample: Jouer Highlighter in Tiare Review & Swatches
Becca @ The Beauty Sample says
November 13th, 2012 at 4:31 pmOops–I meant *Yours
Becca @ The Beauty Sample recently posted … The Sample: Jouer Highlighter in Tiare Review & Swatches
Nina says
November 13th, 2012 at 4:32 pmYour hair grows super fast, doesnt it?
I love this faux bob tutorial!
Sunny says
November 13th, 2012 at 4:33 pmOOO this is SO cool! I don’t think I’ll really chop my hair off anytime soon, but I’d definitely give this a try to see how it roughly feels to have shorter hair 🙂
Arianne says
November 13th, 2012 at 4:36 pmJEREMY RENNER ARMS ARMS ARMS. *grabby hands*
Was totally convinced that you cut your hair, Karen! So timely, too… I was looking at a bunch of faux bobs yesterday… 🙂
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MJ says
November 13th, 2012 at 4:45 pmWitchcraft! XD Awesome trick! I’ll have to try it sometime since my layered cut is due for a trip to the salon and starting to act a little funny. :p
Rae // theNotice says
November 13th, 2012 at 5:03 pmHelloooo there, faux-bob & Renner-arms! I can’t quite decide which is more drool-worthy, great hair or great arms 😛
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Marla says
November 13th, 2012 at 5:29 pmThat bob style looks very good on you.
Lily says
November 13th, 2012 at 5:54 pmNow I wish I had my long hair back! With short hair, I can’t miraculously make it long -__-”
And Jeremy Renner…. *drools*
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Katherine G says
November 13th, 2012 at 6:16 pmYour faux bob looks GREAT! I was actually convinced you have short hair looking at one of the pics, very well done! I think your hair is A LOT like mine – has a natural wave, is thick, can be slippery at times, and when it’s overdue for a salon visit, can be quite unruly. I find my hair goes in updos a little easier when it’s overgrown, but it won’t straighten or style quite as well until I get the ends trimmed and layers touched up.
Chelsea says
November 13th, 2012 at 6:22 pmI was so confused when in one post you had a bob, and the next you didn’t!
I might try this, although my hair’s on the thinner side, so I’m not sure how it will go.
Jasmine says
November 13th, 2012 at 6:40 pmKaren, your skin has been looking fantastical!
Can you give us your updated skincare routine. Please?
Sandy says
November 13th, 2012 at 7:07 pmKaren that is so cute, I thought you had a new haircut in your last post.
Iris says
November 13th, 2012 at 7:45 pmThis is such a cool idea! A lot of them look so difficult to do with use of a curling iron and tons of hairspray. Yours is well explained with the steps and the photos. I’ll be trying this when it starts to get warm here.
Carina says
November 13th, 2012 at 9:25 pmGreat tutorial, and yay Jeremy Renner! 😀
marisol says
November 13th, 2012 at 9:53 pmMIND BLOWN! I need to try this like yesterday.
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Lars says
November 14th, 2012 at 4:30 amKaren, go with a bob!! The length looks so great and refreshing on you!
Kim says
November 14th, 2012 at 5:50 amThis is a great trick – the faux bob looks really good on you! And, isn’t everything a little better when it’s mixed with Jeremy Renner’s arms? 🙂
Jennifer says
November 14th, 2012 at 6:46 amI love this look for you! I love my long hair though so I wouldn’t want to fake short hair!
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artemis says
November 14th, 2012 at 7:35 amohhh, so it’s a faux bob 😀 I could swear it was an actual bob 😀 you look really pretty like that, you could cut it w/ no worries 🙂 shorter in the back though ^_^
CrystalCandy says
November 14th, 2012 at 8:22 amIt looks great on you!!
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KS says
November 14th, 2012 at 10:41 amI love the idea of having a faux bob, even if you have short hair!
KS says
November 14th, 2012 at 10:46 amI love the idea of having a faux bob, even if you have long hair!!
Tiffany Martin says
November 14th, 2012 at 10:09 pmI was reading your more recent stuff first and your hair looked long, and short, and I was trying to solve the mystery. Did she take the pics at different times? Are there wigs/hairpieces in play? Wizardfolk? I like your sly bob. I saw Yoon Eun-Hye do this hairstyle in My Fair Lady, but thought you needed a special haircut or something. I bet most of us could pull this off. Great share.
Joanna says
November 15th, 2012 at 5:36 amI need to try it out 🙂 Looks great on you 🙂
Maria says
November 18th, 2012 at 1:36 pmLove the bob but LOVE the Renner more!!!! Thank you for that
Sravya says
January 4th, 2013 at 12:33 amHey Karen,
Though the bob hair style is old fashioned I like that look. You know for that look I trimmed my knee length hair to much shorter, now my hair has grown longer than my shoulder level. I think your idea works for me too.