The botticelli bob: it’s a renaissance reboot

The Botticelli bob marries everything our clients are starting to love about hair - embracing natural textures, minimal styling, cropped lengths, and reinventing old styles. Seen across the AW22 catwalks and sported by the likes of Laura Harrier and style icon Taylor La Shae, this look is set to be big with your clients.

The Botticelli bob

What is it?

An effortless and playful look, the trend is inspired by the 15th-century Italian artist Sandro Botticelli, who often painted women with this hairstyle. The style has also been called ‘water waves’ or ‘ruffle waves’, which reference the shape of the waves and how they mimic water flow. Many A-Listers jumped on this trend at the Met Gala but mostly accompanied by long tresses of hair and a centre parting. Check out our favourite looks from the Met Gala.  “We are now seeing this hairstyle being paired with a gorgeous blunt bob for a super chic and on-trend look as we head into the autumn season,” says Suzie McGill, artistic director at Rainbow Room International. The Botticelli bob sits off the shoulders and below chin length, bringing all the texture and leaving the length at home.

What defines this style?

“Botticelli waves have an almost triangular silhouette. The top of the hair is left quite flat, whereas the mid-lengths and ends have a large amount of volume and texture,” adds Suzie. “You want this look to have drama.” “It’s a much more fluid style that is super low maintenance,” says Ryan Forsythe, artistic education director at Trevor Sorbie for L'Oréal Professionnel.

Styling with curly clients

For clients with natural texture and waves, this look is perfect. Simply spritz the ends with a texture spray and scrunch for the desired volume. “If you have some natural movement, you could use a mousse and a diffuser to encourage the hair pattern. Or, try plaiting or rag rolling damp hair and letting it air dry,” adds Ryan. “The best way to style this look after the hair has been washed is to comb through from roots to tips before and after you have applied a curling/moisturising cream or texture mist. Then, scrunch the hair into the desired look and either allow the hair to air dry naturally or use a diffuser for maximum volume,” says Nestor Sanchez, HOB Academy creative team.

Styling with non-curly clients

For those without natural waves, Suzie recommends: “Use a hair waver, a small barrel curling iron, or a heated styling iron with a thinner plate to help achieve those s-shaped waves. It’s all about creating a tight curl pattern.” A trick for at home, “Ask the client to apply a texture spray on the roots and a mousse through the mid-ends and ends, scalp plait their hair and go to bed with practically dry (but slightly damp) hair, for natural and cool texture,” guides Nestor. Yet another classic style with our own modern twist. What will be next? If the Botticelli bob isn't for your client, what about the Frenchie?