Ciao bella! The bob saga continues, with yet another celeb embracing the ‘big chop’. This time, it’s Emily Atack, who has swapped her long, bombshell layers for a bouncy Italian-inspired bob that makes her hair look twice as thick (consider it added to our hair inspo moodboard).
The Rivals actress unveiled the transformation over the weekend, sharing a casual snap to Instagram. Her freshly-trimmed locks fall just above her shoulders, curling inwards for a full, rounded finish. Her soft curtain bangs work seamlessly with the shorter style, adding extra volume and texture at the roots.
It’s a style that looks both sophisticated and effortlessly chic. Or, as Emily describes it herself, ‘so cool’. Better yet, it has the seal of approval from the hair pros too.
‘I absolutely love this transformation on Emily,’ says Jason Collier, celebrity hairstylist and Jerome Russell Bblonde Key Opinion Leader. ‘It feels polished but not overly styled, which is what gives it that real sense of sprezzatura.’
The ‘Italian bob’ is defined by a slightly longer length than the classic bob, which as Jason notes, really suits Emily. ‘It typically sits around the jawline to the chin or just below. It also tends to have a softer shape, with weight retained through the ends and plenty of natural-looking movement.’
Of course, the finish is just as important. ‘Think glossy, voluminous hair with that effortless Italian glamour,’ says Jason.
It’s a style that’s been surging in popularity in salons, and looking at Emily, it’s easy to see why. ‘It all comes down to its versatility,’ says Jason. ‘It looks chic enough to be dressed up, but can also be styled in a more relaxed way for everyday wear.’
The ’Italian Bob’ has seen a huge rise in popularity amongst the beauty crowd
He notes that it’s also a cut that can work across a range of hair textures. This includes fine hair, where the cuts volume-boosting properties work especially hard.
‘The Italian bob really can create the illusion of much thicker, fuller hair,’ says Jason. ‘The secret is in the shape. By keeping weight through the perimeter and avoiding too many layers that remove bulk from the ends, the hair looks denser and healthier.’
When going from long hair to a bob, as Emily has, you can see the effect in full force. ‘Longer hair can sometimes look thinner towards the bottom, particularly if the ends are wispy or over-layered. Taking the length up and creating a stronger, fuller outline instantly makes the hair appear more substantial,’ explains Jason.
A before and after shows just how much volume the ’Italian Bob’ adds
If you’re also looking to embrace a little dolce vita, Emily’s snap is a great reference to take to the salon. But, Jason notes it’s also key to ask for a weighty perimeter and soft movement through the shape.
‘You want to communicate that you want fullness rather than lots of choppy layers. You can still have subtle internal shaping to help the hair move, but the ends should look healthy and substantial,’ he explains.
At home, it’s a style that won’t require much fuss. ‘The beauty of the Italian bob is that you don't need an elaborate styling routine to get that salon-worthy finish,’ Jason says.
A good blow-dry will give you that expensive, voluminous finish like Emily’s. Here, Jason always recommends prepping with a volumising mousse or root-lifting spray on damp hair, before blow-drying with a medium-size round brush.
‘For the bounce, work in sections and use the round brush to create a gentle curve through the ends, rather than flicking them too dramatically,’ he explains. ‘You can also use a large-barrel tong or hot brush to add a little extra movement around the face.’
To make the style last all day, he recommends finishing with a lightweight texturising spray or a flexible-hold hairspray. ‘My biggest tip is not to overload the hair with heavy oils or smoothing creams, particularly if you have fine hair,’ he adds.
Bellissima! A little Italian glamour feels like the perfect pick-me-up at this time of year.