The Difference Between an A-Line, Graduated Bob, Inverted Bob, & Asymmetrical Bob

Different types of bob haircuts are definitely on the rise, and they aren’t slowing down anytime soon.

These low-maintenance haircuts are the perfect choice for ladies all over the world, as they are crazy easy to style and even easier to keep healthy.

So with all the buzz about bobs, have you ever wondered what the difference between an A-line haircut and graduated bob is? Or any other types of bobs for that matter?

I mean… they look pretty much the same right? Well, I assure you that there are differences and don’t worry, we’ll definitely cover them.

Here is the comprehensive guide to bob haircuts and how to tell the difference between them all…

💡TIP: Pin this article to your Hairstyles board on Pinterest so you can keep it in your back pocket for future reference! 👇🏼👇🏼👇🏼

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The Different Types of Bobs

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A-Line Haircut

Instagram: @silcity_hair

The term ‘A-line bob’ generally refers to the perimeter of the haircut. It means that the hair is shorter in the back, and angles to a longer front.

A true A-line haircut will not have layers or “stacking” in the back. It will also frame the face in the front and curl under the chin.

• RELATED: 24 Dazzling Bob Haircuts {That Will Make You Chop Off Your Hair}

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Concave Bob

Instagram: @sarahgossetthair

A concave haircut, by definition, is a haircut in which the hair is longer in front than it is in back. This basically means that a concave bob is just another way to say “A-Line.”

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Graduated Bob

Instagram: @cayliemariehair

Graduated bobs are one of the more common types of bobs I still see going strong.

A graduated bob basically means that it has stacked layers in the back; in fact, another name for this haircut is a “stacked bob.”

The back of a graduated bob can also be more curved (like a horseshoe) rather than a hard angle. The shape of the layers should follow the angle of the perimeter and get longer towards the front.

The amount of stacking can vary. I have some customers that like a very low, blended stack and others that like their layers so short, they can spike them.

The front of a graduated bob is typically a bit shorter, and less pointed than the front of an A-line haircut.

Here’s an awesome video I found that outlines the process of cutting a stacked bob haircut:

How To Cut A Stacked Bob Haircut Tutorial | Stacked Bob With A Razor | MATT BECK VLOG 74

I don’t know about you, but I can watch hair videos all day long. 😍

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Inverted Bob

An inverted bob is just another term for a graduated bob. The same haircut has different names in different places of the world.

One of my favorite modern haircuts is the long inverted bob… a fun and trendy variation of the lob haircut.

For a graduated/inverted bob to take on the proper shape, it needs to be cut and styled to flip under. One of the best ways to do this is with the use of a hot air brush.

Hot air brushes are far less damaging on the hair than a flat iron. They style the hair by blowing hot air and not wedging it between two hot plates. You do the math.

Here’s another sweet video by Milabu that shows you how easy it is to style a short bob hairstyle with a Revlon One-Step Hair Dryer and Volumizer (which is a killer product for the price):

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Asymmetrical Bob

Photo Credit: Maria Rantanen under a Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 2.0 Generic (CC BY-SA 2.0) license.

An asymmetrical bob haircut can be either non-layered or stacked in the back.

The only thing that really makes asymmetrical bobs different from the others is that one side in the front is longer than the other.

In my opinion, this type of bob only looks good with a ton of texture. If not done right, they can look unfinished, unblended and not pretty.

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Typical Bob

Unlike the other types of bobs, a typical standard bob (also known as a blunt bob or undercut bob)  will be the same length all around the whole head, and it should slightly frame the face under the chin.

There shouldn’t be layers with a typical bob, and it should be undercut all over. In other words, the underneath sections will be somewhat shorter than the sections on top, which makes your hair flip under on its own.

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Lob

Instagram: @jessicagarnica_

A lob haircut is just a fancy way of saying “long bob,”  and they have been a major hair trend of the past few years.

In fact, I love them so much that I wrote a whole separate post about them. Check out “What is a Lob Haircut?”  to read more.

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Layered Bob

Instagram: @bounceblowdry

Last but not least, here is a layered bob, which could also be called a “textured bob.” It’s essentially the same thing as a standard bob, but with lots of layers, texture, and body.

All the texture in these haircuts really gives them movement. Different angles can also be used in this style to create different looks.

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General FAQ

What are the different types of bobs?

A-line haircut, graduated bob, stacked bob, layered bob, asymmetrical bob, concave bob, typical bob, inverted bob, blunt bob, and long bob are all common types of bob haircuts!

What is the difference between an A-Line and Graduated Bob?

“A-line” refers to the shape of the perimeter of the haircut and graduation refers to the type of layering. It’s entirely possible for a bob to be an A-line with graduation.

What is a stacked bob?

A bob haircut with graduated layers in the back, giving it a “stacked” look.

What is a lob haircut?

Lob is a shortened way to say “long bob.”

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Final Thoughts

Bob haircuts are ultra-popular, and there are so many variations to choose from. Many people don’t realize what the difference is between an A-line haircut and graduated bob, but now you do.

A-Line refers to the perimeter of the haircut, while a graduated bob adds stacked layers to the hairstyle. Standard bobs should just be cut to flip under, or you can transform them into layered bobs with the use of texture and layers. If you want to go for an edgier look, remember the oh-so-popular lob haircut or asymmetrical bob.

YOUR TURN: Are there any other types of bobs you can think of? Let me know in the comments section below!👇🏼👇🏼👇🏼

Until next time,

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• What is a Lob Haircut?
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