How to try a ‘fob’, AKA a fake bob, if you’re thinking of going for the chop

While long, luscious hair is ultra-covetable, there’s just something extra-special to be said for a short, choppy bob. Bobs have come on a long way since the ‘90s, where the style was often mocked for being out of date and even a little ageing. These days, it is arguably the cool girl style to copy, and they come in so many different iterations that there’s always one out there for every style, taste, and face. 

This being said, making the chop sure can seem intimidating, particularly if you’ve always had longer hair. It’s a big commitment, and one that has to be thoroughly thought out before a visit to the salon. 

Luckily, hairstylist to the stars (think the Kardashians, JLO, and Dua Lipa) Chris Appleton has shared a genius hack on his TikTok page that allows you to nail the ‘fob’. The stylist lays out the simple step-by-step process to achieve a fake bob, so you can try the style out for size before making your big move at the salon. 

First off, take a horseshoe-shaped section at the top and clip it away, then take two half inch sections around your hairline and clip them away. You then split the hair into two at the back, and plait them into two super low braids. 

After plaiting, you’ll want to pin away those braids into the nape of the neck, getting rid of the lengths. Now is time to grab some clip in hair extensions in a shorter, bob or lob length. Layer these up to create a gorgeous bold look, without going too thick. And there you go: the perfect fake bob!

Appleton explains that this technique is also an easy way to play with your hair colour; you can always try out a slightly different hue such as a lighter blonde or a deeper chocolate. Try and keep it as close to your hair colour as possible though, and use the Colour Wow Root Touch Up to fill in the gaps and emphasise fullness. 

Wondering where to pick up your extensions? Easilocks has a great range of hair pieces, all of which come in a shorter length. Our hair extension guide will help you to find your perfect clip-ins, too. 

TikTok users seemingly can’t get enough of this clever hack, commenting in their hundreds on Appleton’s video. They also pointed out that this is a brilliant way to re-use old extensions. 

“Obsessed with this!” wrote one. “Such a good idea if you have old and ratty extensions to cut them for a bob! Thank you!”

“Omg finally a use for my old hair extensions that are now shorter than my actual hair,” added another.