Marie Claire UK Marie Claire UK
  • Fashion Fashion
      • Fashion
        • View all Fashion
        • Fashion Trends
        • Shopping
        • Watches and Jewellery
        • Fashion News
  • Beauty Beauty
      • Beauty
        • View all Beauty
        • Fragrance
        • Hair
        • Make Up
        • Skincare
        • Nails
        • Marie Claire Beauty Awards
  • Health Health
      • Health
        • View all Health
        • Fitness
        • Nutrition
        • Female Health
        • Wellbeing
  • Life Life
      • Life
        • View all Life
        • Opinions
        • Travel
        • Sustainability
        • Weddings
        • Money & Work
        • Competitions
  • Culture Culture
      • Culture
        • View all Culture
        • TV and Film
        • Celebrity News
        • Books
        • Royal News
  • Vouchers Vouchers
      • Clothing
        • View all Vouchers
        • Mint Velvet
        • Karen Millen
        • H&M
        • nobody's child
        • ASOS
        • ARKET
        • MANGO
      • Designer Clothing
        • View all Vouchers
        • Reiss
        • THE OUTNET
        • SSENSE
        • Mytheresa
        • Liberty London
        • Selfridges
        • Farfetch
      • Accessories
        • View all Vouchers
        • AllSaints
        • Aspinal of London
        • Charles & Keith
        • River Island
        • FitFlop
        • Kate Spade
        • Vagabond
      • Jewellery
        • View all Vouchers
        • Pandora
        • Abbott Lyon
        • Goldsmiths
        • Beaverbrooks
        • Astrid & Miyu
        • Swarovski
        • Angara Jewellery
      • Beauty
        • View all Vouchers
        • Sephora
        • Cult Beauty
        • Space NK
        • Dyson
        • Clarins
        • Look Fantastic
        • Clinique
      • Activewear
        • View all Vouchers
        • Lululemon
        • Gymshark
        • Sweaty Betty
        • Nike
        • adidas
        • New Balance
        • Helly Hansen
  • NEWSLETTER Signup to our newsletter
  • logoCreated with Sketch.
    Marie Claire Newsletter

    Celebrity news, beauty, fashion advice, and fascinating features, delivered straight to your inbox!


    By submitting your information you agree to the Terms & Conditions and Privacy Policy and are aged 16 or over.

    You are now subscribed

    Your newsletter sign-up was successful


    An account already exists for this email address, please log in.
    Trending
    • Women in Sport 2026
    • Marie Claire Masters
    • Spring Summer 2026
    • Nail Trends 2026
    • Best Investment Bags
    • Best Perfumes
    • Digital Issues
    • Women Who Win
    1. Hair & Beauty
    2. Hair

    Experts Confirm: The Bubble Bob Is the Ideal Cut if You Want Serious Volume

    *The* spring 'do

    Nessa Humayun's avatar
    By Nessa Humayun
    Published 3 March 2026 In Features

    When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission. Here’s how it works.

    zendaya
    (Image credit: Getty Images)
    • Facebook
    • X
    • Pinterest
    Share this article
    Join the conversation
    Follow us
    Add us as a preferred source on Google
    Subscribe to our newsletter

    The days are finally getting longer and sunnier, and I, for one, can't wait to do a big spring overhaul. What I'm most looking forward to, though, is changing up my hair. The start of a new season is a perfect time to consider a chop or a new style.

    And one look I've been seeing all over my feeds is the "bubble bob". Not only is it on trend (the bob is going nowhere, folks), it's also a great way to instantly boost volume and fullness, especially when it comes to fine hair. Get the lowdown ahead.

    zendaya

    (Image credit: Getty Images)

    What is the cloud bob?

    Cos Sakkas, TONI&GUY Global Creative Director, explains that the cloud bob is a modern, softly textured, chin-length bob, designed to look effortless and airy. "It’s popular because it's low-maintenance, looks lived-in yet modern, and offers plenty of movement. There are no harsh lines here—it’s all about softness, versatility and doesn’t need lots of work or products to get the look. It’s weightless, bouncy and fluffy."

    Award-winning stylist Tim Scott-Wright, adds that this look is a brilliant way to create natural volume. "It holds a blunt, bold outer line, almost like a classic bob with a twist. But the difference is in the interior. We surface layer it, or ‘take the corner out’ as hairstylists would say, to build a softer, rounded silhouette. The beauty of this technique is that it works on all hair types because you’re not stripping away density as you might with a heavily layered shag; instead, you’re adding a shorter internal layer to encourage lift and movement."

    raye

    (Image credit: Getty Images)

    Who does the bubble bob suit?

    Per Daniel Rice of Daniel's Chelsea, it works especially well for finer to medium hair because the curved perimeter creates the illusion of density and lift. "That said, it can also be tailored for thicker textures by removing internal weight so the silhouette stays buoyant rather than heavy. It is ideal for anyone who wants a statement cut that still feels wearable and refined."

    You may like
    • The long hair trend and the post-bob era I’ve Spent Two Years Growing My Bob—Turns Out, There's a Reason Long Hair Is Trending
    • The Rachel Hair on Gigi Hadid, created by hairstylist Dimitris Giannetos  Gigi Hadid Brought Back the 'Rachel' Haircut—So I Tried It Too, and My Hair Has Never Looked So Full
    • Luke Hersheson My Life In Hair I Spoke to the Super Stylist Behind Victoria Beckham's Iconic Bob—Here Are His Thoughts on Great Hair

    Sakkas adds, "It works well with your natural texture, so it is ideal for those with curly or wavy hair. The seamless layers give it an effortless, breezy feeling, and it is perfect for those who want something a little bit more relaxed and lived-in. It has face-framing layers, which are great for oval faces, while the volume plays nicely with natural curls and waves. It can be as big or as small as you want, but the key is making it voluminous."

    How do you style the bubble bob

    For styling, preparation is everything, says Rice. Start with a lightweight volumising mousse on damp hair to give that airy structure without stiffness. You want lift and memory in the shape, not crunch. Blow dry using a medium round brush, directing the ends slightly under to create that soft, bevelled curve. The key is tension and control through the mid-lengths while keeping the finish smooth and glossy.

    Marie Claire Newsletter

    Celebrity news, beauty, fashion advice, and fascinating features, delivered straight to your inbox!

    By submitting your information you agree to the Terms & Conditions and Privacy Policy and are aged 16 or over.

    Once dry, you can refine the silhouette with a large barrel tong or hot brush just through the ends if needed, but avoid over-curling, explains the expert. "It should feel rounded and buoyant rather than flicked. Finish with a light mist of flexible hairspray or a shine spray to keep the movement intact."

    Hair by Sam Mcknight, Modern Hairspray Multi-Tasking Styling Mist

    Hair by Sam McKnight
    Modern Hairspray
    £26 AT SPACE NK

    Davines, Davines Oi Souffle

    Davines
    Davines Oi Souffle
    £39
    SHOP NOW

    Dry Heat Protectant Sprays - Oribe

    Oribe
    Gold Lust Dry Heat Protection Spray
    £43 AT CULT BEAUTY

    Nessa Humayun
    Nessa Humayun
    Social Links Navigation
    Beauty Editor

    Nessa Humayun is the Beauty Editor at Marie Claire UK. With over eight years of editorial experience across lifestyle sectors, Nessa was previously the Editorial Lead of HUNGER Magazine, and has bylines in British Vogue, Dazed, and Cosmopolitan. A self-confessed human guinea pig, Nessa covers everything from product must-haves to long-reads about the industry writ large. Her beauty ethos is all about using products that work hard, so you don't have to.

    Read more
    The long hair trend and the post-bob era
    Hair I’ve Spent Two Years Growing My Bob—Turns Out, There's a Reason Long Hair Is Trending
    The Rachel Hair on Gigi Hadid, created by hairstylist Dimitris Giannetos
    Hair Gigi Hadid Brought Back the 'Rachel' Haircut—So I Tried It Too, and My Hair Has Never Looked So Full
     
     
    Luke Hersheson My Life In Hair
    Hair I Spoke to the Super Stylist Behind Victoria Beckham's Iconic Bob—Here Are His Thoughts on Great Hair
    How to make your blow dry last
    Hair I've Been Styling Celebrity Hair for 30 Years—Here's How to Make Your Blow-Dry Last for Days
     
     
    Latest in Hair
    Charlotte Mensah Afro Hair
    Hair Charlotte Mensah Has Spent 40 Years Changing the Conversation Around Afro Hair—Now, Her Legacy Is Going on Display
    Ata-Owaji Victor on Black Hair
    Hair My Black Hair Doesn’t Need to Be a Political Manifesto—Why I’m Opting Out of the Trauma-or-Triumph Narrative
     
     
    The long hair trend and the post-bob era
    Hair I’ve Spent Two Years Growing My Bob—Turns Out, There's a Reason Long Hair Is Trending
    Heatwave hair loss and seasonal hair shedding
    Hair Heatwave Hair Shedding Is Real—Here’s How a Dermatologist Recommends Protecting Your Hair and Scalp
     
     
    Latest in Features
    Fenty Beauty Pro Filtr Fluid Flex Foundation Review
    Make Up Fenty Beauty Just Replaced Its Most Iconic Foundation—3 Editors Put Its “Flexible” Full Coverage to the Test
    Charlotte Mensah Afro Hair
    Hair Charlotte Mensah Has Spent 40 Years Changing the Conversation Around Afro Hair—Now, Her Legacy Is Going on Display
     
     
    Dangers of sharing photos of children online
    Life I Used to Share Photos of My Daughter Online. Horrifying New AI Data Has Made Me Stop
    Aesthetics Safety
    Beauty "What Did She Expect?"—The Sexism and Classism Behind The UK’s Aesthetics Safety Crisis
     
     
    logoCreated with Sketch.
    • Site Archive
    • Contact Future's experts
    • Contact us
    • Terms and conditions
    • Advertise with us
    • Privacy policy
    • Cookies policy
    • About us
    Add as a preferred source on Google Add as a preferred source on Google

    Marie Claire UK is part of Future plc, an international media group and leading digital publisher. Visit our corporate site.

    © Future Publishing Limited Quay House, The Ambury, Bath BA1 1UA. All rights reserved. England and Wales company registration number 2008885.