Got yourself a snazzy new bob only to style it yourself and end up looking less Hailey Bieber and more Lord Farquaad? Feels.
Oh, GOOD.
Don't worry, all is not lost! Because styling short hair just requires a little bit of practice, we promise.
And luckily, you have the clever You Beauty podcast team to help talk you through it.
Watch: 5 ways to lift your hair game. Post continues below.
Because on a recent episode, co-hosts Leigh Campbell (who also just happens to be a new short-hair convert) and Kelly McCarren received this question from a lovely listener:
"Hello, girls! Long-time listener here. I'm 54 and I love how your podcast caters for every age and stage. I was wondering if you have any recommendations for hair products that help maintain those bends, waves and curls that are achieved with straighteners or curling wands.
"My curl seems to drop quickly. Are there any priming or styling products that help with curl longevity? My bob is above chin length and I feel the style should last longer. I'm loving Leigh's new bob I can't wait to hear more tips and tricks as she settles into styling it."
Because all good beauty girls never gate-keep their secrets, Leigh decided to share her top tips on styling a bob — including the products you'll need to have on hand.
Here's everything you need to know.
If you have a new bob and are kind of regretting getting the chop, because you don't know wtf to do with it, the good news is that even the experts struggle with a new cut.
As Leigh Campbell said: "It's still very much a learning curve for me because I used to curl with a straightener and had so much hair. I did the twist quite low but now when I do that I end up looking like a mushroom. So I'm still learning how to do the twist."
"The first day was not good, but I'm learning. I've played around with a few products. I've got some here that I've definitely used in the past and some that I know are great."
First up, Leigh suggested using a heat protectant.
Now, there are obviously loads of different ones on the market, but if you're keen to keep a bit of a curl in your hair throughout the day, Leigh suggests going for a multi-purpose one.
"I would reach for a heat protectant that has some hold in it because you want to apply that to damp hair. They're usually detangling anyway so they kind of a multi-purpose product."
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"I really love the Redken Thermal Spray Low Hold, $41," said Leigh. "It's going to protect your hair from heat damage but it's also going to offer a small amount of hold."
Read: it won't be like that gross, crunchy hairspray feeling. Instead, it will kind of "lock that curl in place when you use heat."
"Another product I love that I've been using a lot when I finished doing my wave is the Goldwell Texturizing Finishing Spray. That's $46."
"It's very lightweight and brushable, so you can build it up, day after day after day, and it's not like you've got a helmet on your head."
We love to hear it.
Image: Adore Beauty
"There's also one product I grabbed at Priceline the other day. I've always loved the L'Oreal Elnett Hairspray, and there's a new one. It's the L'Oreal Paris Elmet Flexible Hold."
"You can get this ginormous 400ml one, but I just got the little travel one for $10.99. It gives extra strength but has a flexible hold hairspray for a natural-looking hairstyle."
"They say 'extra strength'... but I don't believe that. Because you still have some of that movement, which is great, and you can brush it out like it was never there."
"If you really want to make the style last, start with a moose. I really liked the Living Proof Full Thickening Moose, $48, from Mecca. It boosts volume, adds hold but again, it's not that kind of ringlet-y, 80s crunchy wet-look."
"I would put it on damp hair, blast it dry and then do the curl, and it truly makes it hold."
Image: Chemist Warehouse; Mecca.
Last but not least, on the day before I'm going to wash my hair I'll use any of those volumising dry shampoos - like the Batiste Volumising Dry Shampoo, $14.99. It just brings the wave back and is as much a styling product as it is a mopping up your greasy roots."
So, there you have it! Happy styling.
Have you gone short? Or are you considering it? Share your thoughts with us in the comment section below.
Feature image: Getty; Instagram (@selenagomez); Adore Beauty; Goldwell, Chemist Warehouse, Mecca.
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